First Ncaa Tournament Game 2024 Opener: Dates & Teams

The 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is ready to thrill 68 teams chase the national title. It all starts with the first game on March 19. It finishes with the championship on April 8 in Glendale, Arizona. The UConn Huskies are the defending champs and have their sights set on another win. first ncaa tournament game 2024.

Coach Dan Hurley led UConn to victory last year. Tristen Newton was the star, earning the Most Outstanding Player award. The Purdue Boilermakers also put on a strong showing thanks to Zach Edey’s impressive 177 points. Over 713,877 fans showed up, proving the love for NCAA basketball. The SEC was strong, with three teams moving forward. The Pac-12 saw all its teams in the second round, but only Arizona made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

The 2024 NCAA tournament was special. A 15-seed didn’t beat a 2-seed, keeping a beloved tradition alive. The Sweet Sixteen had surprises, like NC State making it through. This year, UConn, Alabama, NC State, and Purdue were in the Final Four. UConn’s win was the first time the top seed won since 2012.

Key Takeaways

• The 2024 NCAA Tournament features 68 teams competing from March 19 to April 8.
• UConn Huskies, the defending champions, secured their 6th NCAA Championship title.
• Zach Edey of Purdue Boilermakers was the tournament’s top scorer with 177 points.
• Total attendance for March Madness 2024 was an impressive 713,877.
• The SEC had three out of eight teams advance from the first round, showcasing their competitive edge.
• The Pac-12 Conference had all four teams advance to the second round, with Arizona reaching the Sweet Sixteen.
• The Final Four comprised UConn, Alabama, NC State, and Purdue, with UConn winning the championship as the top overall seed for the first time since 2012.

Overview of the 2024 NCAA Tournament

The 2024 NCAA tournament was the 85th edition, showing its strong tradition. A total of 68 teams played, and the total audience was 713,877.

What Makes 2024 Special

In 2024, the UConn Huskies won their 6th title, a rare back-to-back win. This hadn’t happened since 2007. Also, new teams like Stetson and Grambling State showed the league’s growing toughness.

The 2024 event also saw old favorites like the Purdue Boilermakers come back strong. They signaled they were aiming for victory in March. Unusually, no 15th seed beat a 2-seed, and all the top teams made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Historical Context

In 2024, the NCAA tournament didn’t just look at this year’s top teams. Zach Edey of Purdue Boilermakers showed great skill, scoring 177 points. The UConn Huskies defended their title and made the Final Four again in Glendale, Arizona.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide and North Carolina State Wolfpack reached the semifinals.
2. Though starting with 8 teams, the SEC had only 3 advance.
3. The Pac-12 did well, with all four of its teams reaching the second round.

About 47.1% of automatic bids went to teams that won their conference tournaments. NC State made history as the sixth 11-seed to ever reach the Final Four. This showed the exciting and surprising nature of the tournament.

Key Dates for the 2024 NCAA Tournament

The 2024 NCAA tournament is full of exciting dates. Fans will find something to love from start to finish. It all kicks off with Selection Sunday, determining which teams make it in.

Selection Sunday

Selection Sunday is on March 17th. It reveals the 68 teams that earned a spot. This gets fans buzzing as they learn each team’s path to victory.

First Four Games

The First Four games begin on March 19 at University of Dayton Arena. Here, teams start their fight to join the main tournament. It sets the stage for thrilling games to come.

Final Four Schedule

The Final Four games will be on April 6 and 8 at State Farm Stadium. This is where the top four teams compete for the championship. It’s the most exciting part of March Madness, watched by millions.

The entire NCAA tournament, from start to finish, is made to thrill the fans. Each game adds to the excitement, leading to the big show in April.

First NCAA Tournament Game 2024

The first NCAA tournament game of 2024 started on March 19. It was held at the University of Dayton Arena. This game officially kicked off the 2024 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

This event is known for its exciting games. The first game set the stage for more intense matches. It marked the start of a series leading to the final games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Over 700,000 people came to watch the games. This showed how much people love college basketball. The event’s journey to the final games in Arizona began with this kickoff.

The tournament started with teams playing the First Four. It then moved into the Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet 16, and the Elite Eight.

• First Four: March 19-20 in Dayton, Ohio
• First Round (Round of 64): March 21-22 in various locations such as Charlotte, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Memphis, and Spokane.
• Second Round (Round of 32): March 23-24 in the same series of cities.
• Sweet 16 (Regional Semifinals): March 28-29 in Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Detroit.
• Elite Eight (Regional Finals): March 30-31 in the mentioned Sweet 16 cities.
• Final Four (National Semifinals & National Championship): April 6 and 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Zach Edey from Purdue Boilermakers was the tournament’s top scorer. He made 177 points. This showed the amazing skills of the players.

Teams like Stetson and Grambling State had their first NCAA experience. UConn Huskies and Purdue Boilermakers brought a lot of tradition and history to the tournament.

The first game held many surprises. The SEC had a tough start but the Pac-12 teams did really well. The UConn Huskies won their 6th championship, making it to the Final Four for the seventh time.

Every game played from the first tip-off was important. They all contributed to finding the overall champion. The journey started on March 19 was full of excitement and anticipation for the 2024 NCAA tournament.

Important Venues for March Madness 2024

The 2024 NCAA Tournament will have thrilling games at March Madness 2024 venues. It all starts in Dayton, Ohio, with the First Four games.

First Four Venue: Dayton, Ohio

In March Madness history, Dayton, Ohio, has a big role. The University of Dayton Arena is ready for the First Four games from March 19, 2024. Since the First Four round began, this arena has been a key part, making it a perfect setting for the tournament’s start.

Regional Sites

Fans will travel the U.S. to watch the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games.

• East Regional: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• South Regional: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• Midwest Regional: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
• West Regional: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

From Boston’s historic TD Garden to Los Angeles’ modern Crypto.com Arena, fans will enjoy different experiences.

Final Four Location

State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is hosting the Final Four on April 6 and 8. It’s known for its large size and modern features. The stadium will be a grand stage for the tournament’s final games.

March Madness 2024 involves many venues. Each one helps create the unique joy and excitement of the tournament, offering memorable and lively experiences for everyone.

Top Teams to Watch in 2024

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be an exciting event. The UConn Huskies, the defending champions, won their sixth title recently. They dominated the first two rounds, beating Stetson 91-52 and Northwestern 75-58.

Defending Champion: UConn Huskies

The UConn Huskies are highly favored this year. They are at the top, with odds of +200 to win the championship. UConn showed they are ready to fight for another win with their strong defense and smart strategy. Their goal is clear: they want to defend their title.

Runner-up: Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers are eager to do better than their last year’s second place. They have odds of +650 and have demonstrated their strength with big wins. By defeating Grambling State 78-50 and Utah State 106-67, Purdue is showing they have what it takes to challenge UConn.

Dark Horses

While UConn and Purdue lead, surprises might come from teams like the NC State Wolfpack. They are showing their strength with an unexpected place in the Final Four. North Carolina, with odds of +1000, also made a big impression with wins over Wagner and Michigan State. These underdog stories are what make March Madness so thrilling.

Here is an overview of the top teams and their odds:

NCAA Tournament Schedule Breakdown

The NCAA tournament for 2024 is very exciting. It starts with the First Four games. These games lead up to the biggest one, the NCAA Championship game.

First Four Dates

The fun begins on March 19 and 20 with the NCAA tournament. Games like No. 16 Wagner vs. No. 16 Howard, and No. 10 Colorado State vs. No. 10 Virginia will start things off. The UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio will host these First Four games.

Regionals and Brackets

After the First Four, the tournament moves to different regional sites. Teams compete fiercely, such as Mississippi State and Michigan State. They aim for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight. This stage happens in places like TD Garden in Boston (East Regional) and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (West Regional). Little Caesars Arena in Detroit is where the Midwest Regional takes place. This keeps the excitement going, with fans seeing great games from top teams.

Championship Game

On April 8, the national championship takes place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. UConn and Purdue will face off. UConn is trying for their second title in a row. This last match, featuring No. 1 seeds UConn and Purdue, shows what a special event the NCAA championship game is.

This year’s NCAA tournament is filled with exciting moments. It all leads up to April 8, 2024, when the newest national champion is crowned. March Madness 2024 will be an unforgettable series of basketball games, ending with the prestigious NCAA Championship game.

Automatic Qualifiers for 2024

Thirty-two teams earned spots in the 2024 NCAA Tournament by winning in their conference tournaments. This shows the many sides of college basketball. These teams, called the March Madness automatic qualifiers, show off the dedication and spirit needed to do well in the NCAA tournament. The mix of 32 automatic qualifiers and 36 teams chosen by experts creates an amazing event loved by fans and players.

In cities like Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, and Las Vegas, teams such as Vermont (America East), UAB (American), and Duquesne (Atlantic 10) became champions. These champions brought fresh styles and tactics to the national scene. They made March Madness thrilling and full of surprises.

Conference Champions

• Vermont – America East
• UAB – American
• Duquesne – Atlantic 10
• Montana State – Big Sky
• Longwood – Big South
• Oregon – Pac-12
• Grand Canyon – WAC
• Stetson – ASUN

These teams worked very hard in the NCAA basketball tournament. For example, UAB got an automatic spot by winning the AAC Tournament as the 4th seed. They beat Temple 85-69. Yale won the Ivy League against Brown, just squeaking by 62-61. Illinois also won the Big Ten over Wisconsin, earning their spot in the national tournament.

Games like these were shown live on networks such as ESPN, CBS, and FOX. This let fans keep up with their favorite teams. Tournaments were held all over, from Spokane, Washington, to Norfolk, Virginia. The automatic qualifiers’ efforts in March Madness enrich the competitive tradition of this famous event.

NCAA Bracket Predictions and Analysis

Everyone is buzzing about NCAA bracket predictions for March Madness. Expert analysis gives us hints on what might happen this year. UConn and Purdue stand out in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, making the spotlight even brighter.

Expert Predictions

Experts say UConn is the top bet to win. They want to be the first team in years to win two championships in a row. UConn has the best offense in the country. They might still face trouble because they lost some games on the road.

Purdue is trying to bounce back from a huge upset in 2023’s tournament. They have improved a lot in shooting threes. Key players, like Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, boost Purdue’s chances.

Bubble Teams

Teams barely making the cut get a lot of attention. North Carolina has a rich history in the tournament, with many Final Four appearances. Houston, with Jamal Shead leading, has a strong defense. They could surprise everyone and win it all.

Experts look closely at these borderline teams. The teams they pick to make the Final Four usually align with the official rankings. This helps us get a realistic view of what to expect from the tournament.

Stories of underdogs winning and surprising upsets add to March Madness’s charm. Predictions and analyses make each game more thrilling to watch. They bring excitement to the whole tournament experience.

How to Watch March Madness 2024

To feel the thrilling vibes of March Madness 2024, there are many ways to watch. Fans can choose from normal TV or online streaming. This lets everyone enjoy the games in their own way.

TV Channels

If you like watching on TV, big games will be on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Here’s a bit more about this year’s schedule:

• CBS and TBS will each show 21 games.
• truTV will air 13 games.
• TNT will have 12 games.

The Final Four, with exciting teams like Alabama and NC State, will be on TBS and TNT too.

Veteran announcer Ian Eagle will make it feel like you’re right there at the games.

Streaming Options

For those always on the move, streaming is super easy. Many services have full coverage, making watching anytime, anywhere a snap. Some top streaming picks include:

• Paramount+: You can catch CBS-aired games here with a $11.99 per month Showtime bundle. There’s also a seven-day free trial.
• Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+: This combo covers all March Madness games, including the Final Four and the women’s games, with its 95 channels and ESPN+. It costs $77 per month.
• Fubo: Fubo’s Pro tier at $80 a month focuses on sports, making you ready for NCAA basketball and more, like NFL, NBA, and MLB.
• Sling TV: Though it’s cheaper, Sling TV might not have every channel showing March Madness, like CBS.
• ESPN+: For $10.99 monthly or $110 yearly, you get to watch special live events and series, making it a top choice for the women’s Final Four.
• HDTV Antennas: Want something free? HDTV antennas grab local channels, including CBS, allowing for live game views without a cost.

There are many ways to enjoy the 2024 NCAA Tournament. From TV to the newest streaming tech, anyone can get into March Madness. It’s the perfect time to cheer for your favorite team.

Conclusion

The NCAA Tournament 2024 brought out the best in college basketball. Once again, March Madness was amazing, with the UConn Huskies winning their 6th title. They beat the Purdue Boilermakers in a thrilling game.

This year, 68 teams competed in front of 713,877 fans. From March 19 to April 8, tournaments games kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The top scorer was Zach Edey from Purdue, scoring an impressive 177 points. The Pac-12 teams also showed how tough they are.

At the Final Four in Glendale, Arizona, fans witnessed the ultimate victory. UConn secured back-to-back championships, a rare feat in college basketball. Purdue fought hard, showcasing their skills. Players like Donovan Clingan of UConn and Purdue’s three-point game made this tournament one to remember.