Every March, the buzz around college basketball ramps up, but it’s not just the players on the court who are making headlines. Fans across the country, including students at FM, are getting caught up in what is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling events of the year, March Madness. From buzzer-beaters to underdog victories, this month-long tournament has turned into a tradition that brings together millions of fans, all eagerly following the games, making predictions, and, of course, filling out brackets. But how did all of this get started?
The very first NCAA basketball tournament took place in 1939 with just eight teams. It was far from the large-scale event we know today. Ohio State made it to the championship game, but it was University of Oregon who took the win, defeating Ohio State 46-33 to claim the first ever title. The idea of a national tournament for college basketball wasn’t an immediate hit, though. Back then, the National Invitation Tournament was the more prestigious event. It took a few decades for the NCAA tournament to outshine it, but once it did, it was off to the races.
The phrase “March Madness” didn’t even start with the NCAA. It actually came from Henry V. Porter, an Illinois high school basketball official, in 1939 to describe the excitement surrounding the state tournaments. It wasn’t until 1982 when sports broadcaster Brent Musburger used the term during an NCAA broadcast that it became the title of the national tournament we know and love today.
Fast forward a few decades, and the tournament has grown into a huge sensation. Initially, it was just eight teams, but by 1975, it expanded to 32 teams. By 1985, it was at 64 teams, the perfect number for the now-famous bracket system. Now, the tournament has 68 teams, with a few extra play-in games, and fans are glued to their TVs and smartphones, making predictions and filling out their brackets.
If you filled out your own bracket this year, you’re not alone. Millions of people, fans and casual viewers alike, will compete to see who can guess the tournament’s outcome. The odds of picking a perfect bracket are a mindblowing 1 in 9.2 quintillion. So, don’t feel too bad if your picks go sideways!
