March Madness 2008 is right around the corner. One of the most exciting sporting events of the year, 65 of the nation's top college basketball teams are invited to compete in the NCAA's single elimination tournament. These 65 teams fight for the right to be called college basketball's elite team.
A Brief History
The NCAA tournament began in 1939. Only eight teams competed because another, more prestigious tournament, the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) invited the elite college teams to play. 5,500 people watched Oregon beat Ohio State 46-33 to claim the college crown.
The field expanded to 16 teams in 1951 and then again to 22 teams in 1953. The number of teams would vary between 22 and 25 in the 1960s.
The color barrier was broken in the NCAA tournament in 1966 when Texas Western beat Adolph Rupp's Kentucky team. This game established the NCAA championship as the "game" for college basketball, essentially ending the NIT's reign.
The field continued to expand until it reached the field of 64 in 1985.
In 2001, a 65th team was added and a play-in game is established so that two teams play each other for the 64th spot.
The 2007 championship game featured a rematch of the BCS National Championship as third-ranked Florida squared off against first-ranked Ohio State at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Florida completed a championship-game sweep in winning this game (they beat Ohio State in the BCS National Championship earlier in the year). Florida also became the first team since 1992 to repeat as national champions.
By the Numbers
- The #1 seed has beaten the #16 seed all 92 times (100%).
- The #2 seed has beaten the #15 seed 88 times (96%).
- The #3 seed has beaten the #14 seed 77 times (84%).
- The #4 seed has beaten the #13 seed 74 times (80%).
- The #5 seed has beaten the #12 seed 63 times (68%).
- The #6 seed has beaten the #11 seed 63 times (68%).
- The #7 seed has beaten the #10 seed 57 times (62%).
- The #8 seed has beaten the #9 seed 42 times (46%).
Preface to 2008
The 2008 NCAA tournament begins with Selection Sunday on March 16 when the brackets will be seeded . The tournament then begins on Tuesday, March 18. The Final Four games will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX on April 5 with the championship game taking place on April 7.
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