The 2024 March Madness bracket is now official. On a special broadcast by CBS, the NCAA Tournament selection committee revealed the lineup for this year’s competition, featuring 68 teams. UConn, the reigning champions, have secured the top seed position, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable postseason. They are joined by Houston, Purdue, and North Carolina as the leading seeds in their respective regions.
You can find the printable March Madness 2024 bracket through CBS Sports.
For much of the season, the top seeds seemed clear-cut, with the Huskies, Cougars, and Boilermakers showcasing dominant performances. Despite early exits in their conference tournaments, Houston and Purdue’s overall achievements kept them at the forefront for the top seed contention.
The battle for the final top seed was intense, with UNC claiming it despite a loss in the ACC Tournament championship. This decision was eagerly awaited on Selection Sunday.
The tournament’s edge was razor-thin, with Boise State, Colorado, Virginia, and Colorado State barely making it into the bracket. Meanwhile, teams like Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Indiana State, and Pittsburgh missed out, being the first four out.
UConn, as the top overall seed, leads the East Region, with Iowa State, Illinois, and Auburn poised as formidable challengers. However, they face a tough journey to the Final Four, needing to overcome a UConn team known for its consistent dominance.
In the South Region, Houston is the team to watch, with Marquette, Kentucky, and Duke identified as potential threats for deep tournament runs.
Purdue, looking to make amends for last season’s early exit, headlines the Midwest Region. They face competition from Tennessee, Creighton, and Kansas.
North Carolina, securing the last No. 1 seed, is set to compete in the West Region, with Arizona, Baylor, and Alabama as the top contenders in this section.
The tournament kicks off with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, starting Tuesday. Howard and Wagner vie for a spot in the first round in the opening game, aiming for a historic upset. The first session concludes with Colorado State and Virginia, followed by matchups between Grambling State and Montana State, and Colorado State and Boise State on Wednesday.
The excitement begins to build from Thursday, continuing into Friday, marking the start of three weeks of intense basketball action. March Madness, spanning three weeks, culminates on Monday, April 8, with the national championship game.