The Grand Unveiling: Selection Sunday and the March Madness Bracket Reveal
After an exhilarating college basketball season filled with intense rivalries, unforgettable upsets, and record-breaking performances, the anticipation reaches its peak on Selection Sunday. On this momentous day, the final roster of teams eligible for March Madness will be officially confirmed. Fans, enthusiasts, and even US Presidents have eagerly awaited this day to fill in their brackets for both the men’s and women’s tournament.
Mark your calendars: The Men’s Tournament Selection will air on CBS at 6 p.m ET, while the Women’s Tournament Selection takes place on ESPN at 8 p.m ET on March 17, 2023.
Thirty-two teams have already secured their spots in both the men’s and women’s tournament by winning their respective conference championships. However, the remaining 36 teams are determined by a distinguished selection committee who carefully evaluates each team’s season performance to grant them an at-large bid. The last four teams will compete in the First Four play-in tournament for a coveted position among the final 68 teams.
Selection Sunday brings an end to the weeks of fervent speculation as fans and spectators have attempted to predict the exact configuration of teams that will make it into the final bracket. Once the teams are announced, fans only have a brief window of two days before the men’s tournament commences on March 19 and the women’s tournament starts on March 20. From then on, the games will come thick and fast with comprehensive schedules available below:
Men’s Tournament Schedule:
– First Four: March 19-20
– First round: March 21-22
– Second round: March 23-24
– Sweet 16: March 28-29
– Elite Eight: March 30-31
– Final Four: Saturday, April 7
– NCAA championship game: Monday, April 9
Women’s Tournament Schedule:
– First Four: March 20-21
– First round: March 22-23
– Second round: March 24-25
– Sweet 16: March 29-30
– Elite Eight: March 31-April 1
– Final Four: Friday, April 6
– NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 8
Caitlin Clark: The Phenom Transcending College Basketball
Caitlin Clark has left an indelible mark on college basketball this year with her record-breaking achievements and star power that commands high ticket prices and lucrative sponsorship deals. Clark-onomics has become a term synonymous with her immense influence off the court, as she permeates pop culture.
The 22-year-old Clark has become the NCAA Division-I leading scorer across both men’s and women’s college basketball, surpassing NBA legend Steph Curry’s record for most three-pointers in a single NCAA Division-1 season. Her quest to guide the Iowa Hawkeyes to an NCAA championship title precedes her upcoming stint in the WNBA, where she is projected to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.
Angel Reese: Defending the Women’s College Basketball Title
Angel Reese has emerged as another formidable contender in this year’s tournament. She played an instrumental role in LSU’s historic first-ever women’s college basketball championship title last season. While LSU may not secure a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday following their defeat against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship game, they are still expected to be among the top contenders for title defense.
Reed Sheppard: NBA-Bound Prodigy in Men’s College Basketball
Despite a perceived dip in star power in men’s college basketball compared to previous seasons, there are still numerous NBA-ready talents worth watching. Among them is Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, a sharpshooting combo guard who could potentially be the highest drafted college player in the 2024 NBA Mock Draft. A late-season surge in scoring has piqued the interest of NBA scouts, making him an intriguing prospect to watch in March Madness.
Zach Edey: The Giant Center Seeking a National Championship
Another name worth mentioning is Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4, 300lb center who holds the title as the tallest player in Big Ten conference history and is the reigning consensus national player of the year. Although his intimidating post presence and footwork might not translate well to the NBA, he dominates college basketball and is determined to lead Purdue, one of the tournament favorites, to a national championship.
