History of March Madness

SOLEIL DAM

March Madness is a Division 1 single-elimination basketball tournament that started in 1939. The name originated from a popular high school basketball tournament in Illinois and was adapted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for its annual tournament.

The tournament generates over 90% of the NCAA’s annual revenue. It has two separate tournaments that showcase the 68-best Division 1 women’s basketball teams and 68-best Division 1 men’s basketball teams in the United States.

This lucrative tournament starts off with teams separated into South, West, East, and Midwest divisions that earn nicknames such as the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four as the tournament progresses.

With the rise of sports betting, the tournament has gained popularity and made even more money. Many people fill out a bracket based on who they think will win each matchup. Bettors will put a certain amount of money down in hopes of predicting all winners correctly and cashing in on up to $495,000.

“Sports betting and betting on brackets has affected March Madness positively because it makes any game worth watching because it will matter to you,” said Andrei Tomutiu, a junior at Carlmont.

During mid-March, the full March Madness bracket with teams and seedings is revealed by the Selection Committee on Selection Sunday.

ANDREW SHU

1939

Under the name March Madness, the first Division 1 men’s basketball tournament was held and the Oregon Ducks emerged victorious.

SOLEIL DAM

1982

Alongside the men’s tournament, the first Division 1 women’s basketball tournament was held and Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters were crowned national champions.

1984

Cheryl Miller, the 1984 Most Outstanding Player, led the USC Trojans became the first womens team to win back-to-back national championships.

1966

Texas Western became the first team to have a starting lineup in a championship game that consisted of all Black players.

They went on to win the game 72-65, beat the Kentucky Wildcats, and become national champions.

1982

Emerging UNC star Michael Jordan hit the game winner to give the Tar Heels their first national championship since the 1950’s. Jordan went on to get drafted to the Chicago Bulls and retire as what some call the greatest basketball player of all time.

2006

In the first round against Army, Candance Parker of the Tennessee Vols became the first female basketball player to dunk in an NCAA tournament.