The NCAA Men's and Women's Division I Basketball Tournaments, often simply referred to as "NCAA basketball," welcome 68 teams each year. This format has been consistently applied since 2011, making it a cornerstone of the modern tournament structure.
Understanding the 68-Team Field
While many associate the tournament with a "field of 64," the actual number of teams invited to participate is 68. This larger initial pool introduces an exciting preliminary round known as the First Four, which ultimately narrows the field to the familiar 64 teams for the main bracket.
The First Four Explained
The First Four consists of eight teams that compete in four play-in games before the main tournament begins. These games are crucial as they determine which four teams will advance to complete the traditional 64-team bracket.
- Participants: Typically, the First Four games involve:
- The four lowest-ranked automatic qualifiers (champions of their respective conferences).
- The four lowest-ranked at-large teams (teams selected by the NCAA committee without winning their conference tournament).
- Outcome: The four winners from the First Four games proceed to the first round of the 64-team bracket, effectively securing their spot among the main competitors.
How Teams Qualify for the Tournament
Teams earn their spot in the coveted NCAA Tournament through two primary methods:
- Automatic Bids: There are 32 conferences in NCAA Division I men's basketball and 32 in women's basketball. The winner of each conference tournament automatically receives a bid to the NCAA Tournament. These teams earn their way in through on-court success in their conference playoffs.
- At-Large Bids: The remaining 36 spots (for both men's and women's tournaments) are filled by teams selected by the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committees. These "at-large" teams are chosen based on their performance throughout the entire season, considering factors like strength of schedule, record, and various statistical metrics.
Tournament Structure at a Glance
The journey to the national championship is a single-elimination bracket that begins with 68 teams and rapidly narrows down.
| Tournament Stage | Number of Teams | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Total Field | 68 | All teams invited to the tournament. |
| First Four | 8 | Play-in games involving 8 teams to determine 4 advancers. |
| Main Bracket | 64 | The primary single-elimination tournament field after the First Four. |
| Sweet Sixteen | 16 | Teams remaining after the second round. |
| Elite Eight | 8 | Teams remaining after the regional semifinals. |
| Final Four | 4 | The last four teams competing for the championship. |
| Championship | 2 | The final two teams vying for the national title. |
For more details on the tournament selection process and history, you can visit the official NCAA Basketball website.
