March Madness turns casual fans into bracket obsessives every spring. The single-elimination NCAA men's basketball tournament has produced buzzer-beaters, upsets, and dynasties since 1939.
These 25 questions cover tournament history, famous runs, and record book facts. Tap each question to reveal the answer before your bracket group chat starts.
Tournament History
In what year was the first NCAA men's basketball tournament held?๏ผ
1939. Oregon beat Ohio State 46-33 in the inaugural championship game.
Which school has won the most NCAA men's basketball championships?๏ผ
UCLA has won 11 national titles, the most in Division I men's history.
Who coached UCLA to seven straight NCAA titles from 1967 to 1973?๏ผ
John Wooden led the Bruins to seven consecutive championships in that stretch.
What is the nickname for the round of 64 and 32 in the NCAA tournament?๏ผ
The first two rounds are commonly called the first and second rounds, with the round of 64 opening the bracket.
Which city has hosted the most Final Fours?๏ผ
Kansas City and New York have each hosted multiple times, but Indianapolis has become a frequent modern host.
What seed was Villanova when it won the 1985 NCAA championship?๏ผ
Villanova was an 8 seed, the lowest seed ever to win the men's title.
How many teams are in the modern NCAA men's tournament field?๏ผ
68 teams, including four First Four play-in games before the round of 64.
What tradition do winning players perform on ladders after the championship game?๏ผ
They cut down the nets from the basket as a championship ritual.
Which coach has the most NCAA men's basketball tournament wins?๏ผ
Mike Krzyzewski holds the record for most NCAA tournament wins as a head coach.
Upsets and Cinderellas
What is a 16 seed beating a 1 seed called in March Madness lore?๏ผ
It is one of the rarest upsets in the tournament. UMBC beat Virginia 74-54 in 2018, the first 16-over-1 win in men's history.
Which 11 seed reached the Final Four in 2018?๏ผ
Loyola Chicago made the Final Four in 2018 behind Sister Jean and a memorable tournament run.
What mid-major program reached the 2023 Final Four as a 9 seed from Florida?๏ผ
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) made an unexpected Final Four run in 2023.
Which 15 seed famously beat Georgetown in 1991?๏ผ
Richmond defeated Georgetown 73-56 as a 15 seed in the 1991 tournament.
What term describes filling out a bracket before the tournament starts?๏ผ
Bracketology is the study of seeding and matchups, while fans fill out brackets for office pools.
Has any 16 seed won the NCAA men's championship?๏ผ
No. No 16 seed has ever won the tournament, though UMBC proved a 16 can beat a 1.
Which school nicknamed the Blue Devils has been a 1 seed many times under Coach K?๏ผ
Duke has been a frequent 1 seed and won five national titles under Mike Krzyzewski.
What is the 'First Four' in the modern NCAA tournament?๏ผ
Four play-in games in Dayton decide which teams earn the final spots in the round of 64.
Final Four and Records
Which player scored 61 points in an NCAA tournament game in 1970?๏ผ
Austin Carr of Notre Dame holds the single-game NCAA tournament scoring record with 61 points.
What school won the 2024 NCAA men's basketball championship?๏ผ
Connecticut (UConn) won the 2024 title, continuing a recent Huskies dynasty in the tournament.
Which Kentucky coach won his first NCAA title in 1996 with the 'Untouchables'?๏ผ
Rick Pitino coached Kentucky to the 1996 championship.
How many teams remain after the Elite Eight?๏ผ
Four teams advance to the Final Four.
Which North Carolina player hit the game-winning shot in the 1982 title game?๏ผ
Michael Jordan hit the go-ahead jumper with about 15 seconds left against Georgetown.
What is the term for a perfect bracket through the entire tournament?๏ผ
A perfect bracket has never been verified in a major public pool. The odds are astronomically small.
Which school beat San Diego State to win the 2023 NCAA men's championship?๏ผ
Connecticut (UConn) won the 2023 title game.
What color is traditionally associated with the NCAA tournament's branding?๏ผ
The NCAA tournament uses a distinctive blue-and-gold palette in its official March Madness branding.
Bracket season rewards the fans who know their Cinderellas and champions. Test your college hoops knowledge now.
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