Get To Know The New March Madness Format
This year's NCAA Tournament will be the biggest in its 72-year history. And as a result, there are a few changes to the format that all fans should be aware of.
There are four major changes that will affect the tournament experience:
Every game will be nationally televised.
- No longer will fans have to stare at the top corner of the TV screen to follow their favorite team or a potential upset. For the first time ever, all the games will be nationally broadcast in their entirety across CBS, TBS, TNT or truTV.
No more missing buzzer-beaters.
- This year fans will get to be their own March Madness director. With the new broadcast format, tipoffs will be staggered so that fans can switch between games to catch more tournament action than ever, as well as having a better chance to catch every buzz-beater in the tournament.
68-Team tournament begins with the First Four.
- The 68-team tournament will be comprised of 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large teams.
The tournament begins with eight teams battling in the First Four, two games will be played on March 15 and two more will be played on March 16, all games will be live on truTV.
Four of those teams will be the last four at-large teams selected to the field. The two winners' seeds, and who their second-round opponent will be, will not be determined until Selection Sunday.
The other four teams will be automatic qualifiers, seeded 65 through 68 on the overall seed list. The two winning teams will then advance to the second round as No. 16 seeds that will face top-seeded teams.
NCAA March Madness On-Demand is back.
- March Madness On Demand, one of the most popular sports platforms, will be back once again. The addition of new features will make this the must-stop destination for all things NCAA Tournament.
Stay tuned to 670TheScore.com for live video broadcasts, bracket challenge and channel guide.
