March Madness is one of the most anticipated events in sports each year. Millions of people tune in to watch the best college basketball teams compete for the championship title. But where did this tradition come from? And how has it evolved over the years? In this article, we will take a look at the history of March Madness and explore some of the most memorable moments in tournament history.
The first NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament was held in 1939. Eight teams were invited to participate, and the event was held at a single site (the Purdue University campus). The tournament has been held every year since then, with the exception of 2020, when it was canceled because of Covid-19.
Over the years, the tournament has grown in popularity and size. Today, 68 teams are invited to participate, and the games are held at a variety of venues across the country. The tournament is now one of the most watched sporting events in the world, with an estimated TV audience of over 700 million people.
Where did March Madness get its name?
The term “March Madness” was first used by Illinois high school basketball coach Henry V. Porter in 1939. Porter was describing the intensity of the state tournament, which was held in March. The term caught on, and it has been used to describe the NCAA tournament ever since.
Memorable Moments of March Madness
Some of the most memorable moments in tournament history include upsets, buzzer-beaters, and Cinderella stories. In 2018, #16 seed UMBC made history by becoming the first ever team to defeat a #01 seed in the tournament (Virginia). This upset is widely considered to be one of the biggest in tournament history.
Another moment that stands out is when Christian Laettner hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight. This shot is considered one of the greatest in tournament history and helped Duke advance to the Final Four.
March Madness Cinderella Stories
Finally, Cinderella stories are always a popular topic during March Madness. These are teams that were not expected to do well in the tournament but end up making a deep run. One of the most recent examples is Loyola-Chicago, who made it to the Final Four in 2018 as a #11 seed.
Loyola-Chicago wasn’t the only Cinderella story of the 2018 tournament. #16 seed UMBC made history by becoming the first ever team to defeat a #01 seed in the tournament (Virginia). This upset is widely considered to be one of the biggest in tournament history.
Other notable Cinderella stories include George Mason making it to the Final Four as an 11 seed in 2006, and Butler reaching the National Championship game as an 08 seed in 2010.
March Madness always provides excitement and surprises, and that is one of the things that makes it so special. It’s one of the most anticipated events in sports each year, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.
What are some of your favorite memories from March Madness? Who do you think will win the 2022 tournament? We would love to hear from you!
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