Next month marks the best time of the year for college basketball fans and sports gamblers—March Madness.

The tournament consists of 68 Division 1 basketball teams, single elimination, all fighting for the coveted championship title. Both men and women participate in their respective tournaments. The unpredictability of the tournament, with lower-seeded teams unexpectedly dominating higher-ranked teams, calls for action-packed excitement for basketball fans and novices alike.

March Madness seeds (or rankings) for the 2026 NCAA tournament will be officially released on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM for the men’s and 8:00 PM for the women’s tournament. The 68 teams are divided into four regions to balance out the bracket.

Last year, No. 1 seed Houston came up two points short to No. 1 seed Florida with a score of 65-63, as Florida won the program’s third title. Currently, the projected No. 1 seed men’s teams include Michigan (24-1), Arizona (23-2), Houston (23-2), and Duke (23-2). Ahead of the tournament, Michigan is widely favored to be crowned the 2026 champions, but Duke freshman Cameron Boozer poses a challenge for the Wolverines.

Last year’s women’s tournament champions, the UConn Huskies, have been a dominant force in college basketball this 2025–26 season, maintaining a 27-0 record. Forward Sarah Strong and guard Azzi Fudd create an unstoppable challenge for their opponents. Can UConn defend their title, or will UCLA (25-1), with the guidance of center Lauren Betts, claim victory? The Betts sister duo of Lauren and Sienna creates an intense, high-level performance—a force against the Huskies.

The tournament kicks off with the first four games (men’s and women’s) occurring March 17–18, followed by the first round of the men’s games on March 19–20. If you’re looking for a good excuse to get a little too into basketball, unite with friends new and old, March Madness is the tournament for you.