Release of March Madness Brackets: Key Details About Selection Sunday

As March Madness draws near, basketball fans are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the tournament brackets.

On Sunday, March 16, fans will discover the 68 teams competing in the men's and women's NCAA Division I basketball tournaments.

Roughly half of the tournament slots are filled through conference tournament victories, with teams scrambling to enhance their resumes or secure a chance for postseason play.

The stage will be fully set by Sunday afternoon, allowing the official bracket announcements to steal the spotlight that evening.

Bracket Reveal Timing

Tune in to CBS at 6 p.m. Eastern Time for the men's tournament bracket disclosure. The announcement for the women's bracket follows at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.

Anticipated Top Tournament Seeds

Southern schools have dominated the men's division this season. Auburn, with its historic Final Four run, joins the likes of Florida and Alabama in the contest for top seed positions.

Duke, a constant in top tier rankings, faces challenges with Cooper Flagg's recent injury. The women's bracket forecasts UCLA at the forefront, potentially seizing the top seed. Despite historical success on the men's side, the women's team seeks its inaugural Final Four appearance.

South Carolina, led by coach Dawn Staley, is poised for a premier seed, with standout players JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers anticipated to elevate USC and UConn, respectively.

Potential Cinderella Stories

In women's tournaments, higher seeds typically prevail, yet Iowa aims to defy history. Following star Caitlin Clark's departure to the WNBA, they remain competitive, having upset USC in a key February match.

On the men's side, the Drake Bulldogs, guided by new coach Ben McCollum with a history of success in Division II, could surprise. UC San Diego also enters its first Division I tournament, ready to make waves.

Notably, traditional powerhouses such as Kansas and UConn, recent championship teams, face uncertain seeding, while North Carolina scrambles to secure tournament entry. Meanwhile, previous champions Villanova and Virginia risk missing the event altogether.

Tournament Kickoff Dates

The men's tournament ignites with the 'first four' on Tuesday and Wednesday, setting the stage for the electrifying round of 64, commencing the following Thursday and Friday.

For the women's tournament, action begins a day later, with initial matches on Wednesday and Thursday preceding a full slate of games on Friday and Saturday.