Updated December 5, 2025 — expanded with fresher FAQs, viewing tips, and glossary.
March Madness is the 68-team NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament that takes over March and early April. It is single elimination, so every game is a potential funeral for someone’s bracket. If you are new, this guide keeps the signal high: what the tournament is, how the bracket works, what “First Four” means, and how to watch without tanking your workday.
The one-paragraph answer#
March Madness starts with Selection Sunday, when a committee reveals 68 teams: 32 automatic bids from conference champions and 36 at-large bids. Four of those teams play the First Four to shrink the field to 64. Those 64 are split into four regions, seeded 1 through 16. From there it is single-elimination: Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, Championship. The winner cuts down nets; everyone else heads home.
Why it matters (even if you are not a hardcore fan)#
- It is three weeks of high-leverage games where underdogs can knock out giants.
- Brackets make casual viewers invested. One upset can light up a group chat.
- Games run during work hours, so having a focus-friendly plan keeps you sane.
- It is a cultural event you can understand quickly without memorizing rosters.
How the bracket actually works#
- Selection Sunday: The bracket drops. Each team is assigned to a region and a seed line (1–16).
- First Four: Four play-in games early that week. Winners slide into the 11 or 16 seed slots.
- Round of 64 and 32: Thursday–Sunday frenzy. Upsets live here.
- Sweet 16 and Elite Eight: Regional semis and finals; intensity jumps.
- Final Four: The last four teams meet the following weekend, with a single championship game on Monday.
The women’s tournament follows a similar structure, and it has its own slate of must-watch stars. The same bracket principles apply.
How seeding works (and why it is not perfect)#
- Seeds 1–4: Expected to control their early games. Historically, 1-seeds reach the Final Four most often, but 2–4 seeds win titles, too.
- Seeds 5–8: Good teams with flaws or tough paths. Upset targets live here.
- Seeds 9–12: Dangerous mid-majors and power-conference squads that stumbled. These seeds fuel the famous “5 vs. 12” chaos.
- Seeds 13–16: Long shots. A 16-seed has toppled a 1-seed once; it can happen, but do not bet your bracket on it.
The committee balances geography, avoids early conference rematches, and considers metrics, injuries, and strength of schedule. It is opinionated, not robotic.
Timeline and key dates#
- Selection Sunday: Bracket announced mid-March.
- First Four: Tuesday–Wednesday right after Selection Sunday.
- Round of 64/32: Thursday–Sunday of Week 1.
- Sweet 16/Elite Eight: Thursday–Sunday of Week 2.
- Final Four/Championship: Saturday/Monday of Week 3 in a pre-selected host city.
How to follow March Madness without blowing up your work#
- Choose windows. Check scores at lunch or at the top of the hour. Avoid constant refresh.
- Use one trusted scoreboard. One tab beats a dozen notifications.
- Watch final five minutes. Many games are decided in that window; catch the condensed drama.
- Set a viewing budget. Pick two games per day you must see; let the rest be highlights.
- If you stream at work, go quiet. Captions on, volume low, focus timer running.
- Borrow the NBA-at-work playbook. Same stealth rules as my NBA viewing guide: one screen, captions, timed check-ins.
How to fill out a bracket (simple flow)#
- Skim the seeds. Note any 1–4 seeds with injuries or cold streaks.
- Pick your champion first. It guides everything else.
- Select two or three upsets in the Round of 64. 12/5 and 11/6 are common swing lines.
- Protect your Final Four. Keep at least two top seeds alive; that’s where pools are won.
- Submit early. Then stop tinkering. Over-editing is how you talk yourself into chaos.
Quick glossary (the terms people Google during games)#
- Bracketology: The practice of predicting the bracket before it is announced.
- Cinderella: A lower seed that makes a deep run (think 11–15 seeds).
- Buzzer-beater: A shot made as time expires.
- One-and-done: Freshman star who will head to the NBA after the season.
- KenPom/Torvik: Popular efficiency metrics sites that help compare teams.
Remote-worker survival kit#
- Calendar block big games. Treat them like meetings you chose. Finish priority tasks beforehand.
- Noise strategy. Use captions and a single AirPod if you must listen; keep the other ear free for your environment.
- Break discipline. One game per break; avoid “just one more” that eats the afternoon.
- Night replays. If you missed a stunner, watch the condensed version later. Your focus will thank you.
FAQ — March Madness questions in plain language#
Is March Madness the same as the NCAA Tournament?
Yes. “March Madness” is the nickname for the NCAA men’s (and colloquially, women’s) Division I basketball tournament.
How many games are played?
67 total: four First Four games, then 63 in the main bracket.
Do I need to watch the regular season to enjoy it?
No. The bracket format makes sense on its own. Knowing a few star players helps, but you can jump in cold and still have fun.
What is the First Four?
Four play-in games between lower-seeded teams. Winners advance to the main 64-team grid as 11 or 16 seeds.
How do I stream March Madness?
Official broadcasters rotate but usually include a mix of CBS and Turner networks with streaming apps. Use legal streams to avoid lag and pop-ups.
What’s the deal with women’s March Madness?
The women’s tournament has 68 teams, high skill, and rapidly growing viewership. It deserves a bracket of its own in your pool.
Is filling out a bracket gambling?
Friendly pools are common. Follow your workplace rules and local laws. If stakes make you anxious, play for bragging rights only.
How often does a 12 beat a 5?
Often enough to be worth a look every year. Pick the ones with veteran guards and strong defense; do not pick all four.
Has a 16 seed ever beaten a 1?
Yes, it happened in 2018 and 2023. It is rare. Do not build your entire bracket assuming it repeats.
How do I stay productive during the first Thursday and Friday?
Front-load deep work in the mornings, schedule a single game to watch during a long break, and mute alerts outside that window. Your bracket does not need you to hover.
Final thought#
March Madness is built to be thrilling and a bit ridiculous. With a basic understanding of the bracket, a focus-friendly viewing plan, and a couple of intentional upset picks, you can enjoy the ride without letting it hijack your calendar. That’s the balance I keep as a creator who loves the games but values signal over noise.