NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Tickets

History of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

The first NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was held in 1939, and only eight teams participated. The University of Oregon won the inaugural tournament, defeating Ohio State 46-33 in the championship game. Since then, the tournament has grown significantly in size and popularity. In 1951, the tournament expanded to 16 teams, and in 1975, it expanded again to 32 teams. The field was further expanded to 64 teams in 1985, and in 2011, it was expanded to 68 teams, which is the current format.

Greatest Moments in NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament History

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has produced countless memorable moments over the years. Here are some of the greatest moments in the tournament's history:

Villanova's Upset over Georgetown (1985)

The 1985 championship game between Villanova and Georgetown is considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. Villanova, a #8 seed, defeated Georgetown, a #1 seed, by a score of 66-64. Villanova shot an incredible 78.6% from the field in the game, including 22 of 28 in the second half.

NC State's Cinderella Run (1983)

In 1983, NC State, a #6 seed, won the national championship in what is considered one of the greatest Cinderella runs in NCAA tournament history. The Wolfpack defeated Houston, the top-ranked team in the country, in the championship game on a last-second dunk by Lorenzo Charles.

Christian Laettner's Shot (1992)

In the 1992 East Regional final between Duke and Kentucky, Christian Laettner hit one of the most iconic shots in NCAA tournament history. With just 2.1 seconds left in overtime, Laettner caught a long pass, turned, and hit a jumper at the buzzer to give Duke a 104-103 win.

Magic vs. Bird (1979)

The 1979 championship game between Michigan State and Indiana State featured a matchup between two of the greatest players in college basketball history, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Michigan State won the game 75-64, but the matchup between Johnson and Bird is still talked about today.

Mario Chalmers' Shot (2008)

In the 2008 championship game between Kansas and Memphis, Mario Chalmers hit a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. Kansas went on to win the game 75-68 in overtime, giving the Jayhawks their first national championship since 1988.

March Madness Today

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has grown significantly in popularity in recent years. The tournament is now broadcast on several different networks, including CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. The tournament is known for its upsets and underdogs.

In addition to the excitement on the court, the tournament has also become a cultural phenomenon. Millions of Americans fill out brackets, predicting which teams will win each game and ultimately the national championship. Office pools and bracket challenges have become a tradition, with many people betting on the outcome of the tournament.

From its humble beginnings in 1939 to its current status as a cultural phenomenon, the tournament has provided countless memorable moments and inspired generations of basketball fans. As the tournament continues to evolve and grow, it will undoubtedly provide even more unforgettable moments and cement its place in sports history.