NCAA March Madness Schedule 2024: Complete Detail and Printable Bracket

Robert Davis
By Robert Davis 16 Min Read
16 Min Read

As the calendar flips to March, the anticipation and excitement for the NCAA March Madness 2024 reach a fever pitch among college basketball fans. This iconic tournament, renowned for its unpredictable outcomes and heart-stopping moments, officially kicks off with Selection Sunday on March 17, 2024. From the moment the 68-team bracket is revealed, fans, analysts, and players alike are engulfed in a frenzy of predictions, analyses, and the sheer joy that is March Madness.

NCAA March Madness Schedule 2024: Complete Information

The NCAA March Madness Schedule 2024 unfolds over a three-week period, promising a whirlwind of basketball excellence, starting with the First Four games on March 19-20, and culminating in the championship game on April 8, at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Here’s a detailed look at the key dates:

2024 NCAA March Madness Schedule: Opening Rounds

Date Round Matchup Time (ET) Network
Mar. 19 First Four (16) Wagner vs. (16) Howard 6:40 PM truTV
Mar. 19 First Four (10) Colorado State vs. (10) Virginia 9:10 PM truTV
Mar. 20 First Four (16) Grambling vs. (16) Montana State 6:40 PM truTV
Mar. 20 First Four (10) Colorado vs. (10) Boise State 9:10 PM truTV
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State 12:15 PM CBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne 12:40 PM truTV
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (3) Creighton vs. (14) Akron 1:30 PM TNT
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State 2:00 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (1) North Carolina vs. (16) Winner of Howard/Wagner 2:45 PM CBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (3) Illinois vs. (14) Morehead State 3:10 PM truTV
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (6) South Carolina vs. (11) Oregon 4:00 PM TNT
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada 4:30 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State/Virginia 6:50 PM TNT
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland 7:10 PM CBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese 7:25 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State 7:35 PM truTV
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter’s 9:20 PM TNT
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State 9:40 PM CBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford 9:55 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake 10:05 PM truTV
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Northwestern 12:15 PM CBS
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate 12:40 PM truTV
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB 1:45 PM TNT
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky 2:00 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State/Virginia 6:50 PM TNT
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland 7:10 PM CBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese 7:25 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State 7:35 PM truTV
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter’s 9:20 PM TNT
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State 9:40 PM CBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford 9:55 PM TBS
Mar. 21 Round of 64 (7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake 10:05 PM truTV
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Northwestern 12:15 PM CBS
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate 12:40 PM truTV
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB 1:45 PM TNT
Mar. 22 Round of 64 (2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky 2:00 PM TBS

Round of 32 Schedule

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14 TBD
Mar. 23 TBD Winner Game 15 vs. Winner Game 16 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 17 vs. Winner Game 18 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 19 vs. Winner Game 20 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 21 vs. Winner Game 22 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 23 vs. Winner Game 24 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 25 vs. Winner Game 26 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 27 vs. Winner Game 28 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 29 vs. Winner Game 30 TBD
Mar. 24 TBD Winner Game 31 vs. Winner Game 32 TBD

Sweet 16 Schedule

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Mar. 28 TBD Winner R32 Game 1 vs. Winner R32 Game 2 TBD
Mar. 28 TBD Winner R32 Game 3 vs. Winner R32 Game 4 TBD
Mar. 28 TBD Winner R32 Game 5 vs. Winner R32 Game 6 TBD
Mar. 28 TBD Winner R32 Game 7 vs. Winner R32 Game 8 TBD
Mar. 29 TBD Winner R32 Game 9 vs. Winner R32 Game 10 TBD
Mar. 29 TBD Winner R32 Game 11 vs. Winner R32 Game 12 TBD
Mar. 29 TBD Winner R32 Game 13 vs. Winner R32 Game 14 TBD
Mar. 29 TBD Winner R32 Game 15 vs. Winner R32 Game 16 TBD

Elite Eight Schedule

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Mar. 30 TBD Winner Sweet 16 Game 1 vs. Winner Sweet 16 Game 2 TBD
Mar. 30 TBD Winner Sweet 16 Game 3 vs. Winner Sweet 16 Game 4 TBD
Mar. 31 TBD Winner Sweet 16 Game 5 vs. Winner Sweet 16 Game 6 TBD
Mar. 31 TBD Winner Sweet 16 Game 7 vs. Winner Sweet 16 Game 8 TBD

Final Four Schedule

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Apr. 6 TBD Winner Elite Eight Game 1 vs. Winner Elite Eight Game 2 TBD
Apr. 6 TBD Winner Elite Eight Game 3 vs. Winner Elite Eight Game 4 TBD

National Championship Schedule

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Apr. 8 TBD Winner Final Four Game 1 vs. Winner Final Four Game 2 TBD

 

Download NCAA March Madness Printable Bracket

The heart of the NCAA March Madness experience lies in the bracket. A simple, yet profoundly engaging piece of paper that becomes the center of many discussions, debates, and dreams. Here is the link to the printable March Madness Schedule.

NCAA March Madness Printable Bracket Download in JPG

NCAA March Madness Printable Bracket Download in PDF

Venue Information

The NCAA March Madness Tournament travels across the United States, utilizing a variety of iconic venues that serve as the battlegrounds for college basketball’s finest teams. Each venue is selected for its capacity, facilities, and historical significance to the sport. Here’s a look at the key venues for the 2024 tournament:

  • First Four

    • UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio: Serving as the traditional starting point of March Madness, UD Arena will host the First Four games on March 19-20. The University of Dayton is the host, continuing its long-standing association with the NCAA tournament.
  • First and Second Rounds

    • Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York: Hosting games on March 22-24, this modern arena is home to the Brooklyn Nets and has become a key venue for major sporting events.
    • Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina: With games on March 21-23, this venue is in the heart of basketball-crazy North Carolina, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
    • Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana: Hosting on March 22-24, it’s a premier venue for basketball and is managed in partnership with IUPUI and the Horizon League.
    • Other notable venues include CHI Health Center Omaha, PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, among others.
  • Regional Semifinals and Finals (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight)

    • TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts: Home to the Boston Celtics, it will host the East Regional games on March 28-30, with Boston College serving as the host.
    • American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas: Hosting the South Regional on March 29-31, it’s a key venue in the heart of Texas, with the Big 12 Conference as the host.
    • Other regionals are held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit (Midwest) and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (West).
  • Final Four and National Championship

    • State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona: This stadium, primarily used for football and home to the Arizona Cardinals, will transform into a basketball haven for the Final Four and National Championship games on April 6 and April 8. Arizona State University serves as the host, ensuring the event runs smoothly.

Teams and Seedings

The seeding for the NCAA March Madness Tournament is a critical process that determines the path teams must take to reach the national championship. Seeds are based on a variety of factors, including regular-season performance, strength of schedule, and performance in conference tournaments. The top seeds are typically awarded to the teams that have demonstrated consistency and excellence throughout the season. Here are the top seeds for the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

  • 1 Seeds

    • UConn: With a record of 31-3, the Huskies have dominated their competition and enter the tournament as favorites.
    • Houston: The Cougars, at 30-4, have shown they are a force to be reckoned with, boasting a strong defense and efficient offense.
    • Purdue: Sporting a 29-4 record, the Boilermakers have been a top contender in the tough Big Ten conference.
    • North Carolina: The Tar Heels, with a 27-7 record, are always a threat in the tournament with their rich history and talent.
  • 2 Seeds

    • Teams like Tennessee, Arizona, Marquette, and Iowa State have also secured high seeds, reflecting their successful seasons and positioning them as teams to watch.
  • Notable Lower Seeds

    • Mid-major schools and smaller conferences often find themselves with lower seeds but have a history of upsetting top-seeded teams. Teams like Saint Mary’s (CA), Gonzaga, and San Diego State are known for making deep runs in the tournament despite not receiving top seeds.

Note:

The mix of historic venues and the nationwide spread of locations reflect the NCAA’s commitment to showcasing collegiate basketball’s premier event across the country. Meanwhile, the seeding process aims to create a balanced and fair competition, highlighting the season’s achievements and setting the stage for potential Cinderella stories that March Madness is known for.

NCAA March Madness Schedule 2024: Where to Watch?

The NCAA March Madness Tournament is one of the most widely viewed sporting events in the United States, with multiple platforms offering fans a chance to catch all the action. Here’s how you can watch the 2024 NCAA March Madness:

  • Television: The primary broadcasters for the tournament are CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. These networks split coverage of the games, with CBS traditionally hosting the National Championship game. Ensure you check the schedule for which network broadcasts which games.
  • Streaming: For fans preferring to watch digitally, the NCAA March Madness Live app and website provide streams for all games, accessible on a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Cable subscription details may be required for access.
  • Social Media and Other Platforms: Highlights, scores, and updates are readily available on various social media platforms. Additionally, services like YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV often include CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV in their packages, offering another way to watch the games live.

Last Words

The 2024 NCAA March Madness promises to be yet another chapter in the storied tradition of college basketball, filled with heart-stopping moments, unexpected upsets, and the sheer joy of competition. From the initial tip-off at the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, to the final buzzer at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, every dribble, pass, and shot tells a part of the grand story that is March Madness.

The tournament is not just a showcase of collegiate athletic prowess but a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and the enduring spirit of college athletics. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of a particular team, a casual observer looking for the thrill of the bracket challenge, or someone who revels in the stories of underdogs and Cinderella teams, March Madness has something for you.

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