March Madness Fun Facts

by

We’ve created this list of 35 fun facts about March Madness!

This article contains over 35 fun facts about March Madness, fun facts for kids, plus learn more about the history of March Madness, the best players and teams, traditions, and so much more!

March Madness Fun Facts


Table of Contents

Fun Facts About March Madness – About March Madness

March Madness is a term used to describe the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, which takes place annually in March. The tournament features 68 college basketball teams from across the United States, which are selected through a combination of automatic bids (given to conference champions) and at-large bids (given to the best teams that did not win their conference championship).

The tournament is known for its single-elimination format, meaning that teams are eliminated from the tournament after just one loss. This format leads to a high level of excitement and unpredictability, as even the best teams can be upset by lesser-ranked opponents. The tournament culminates with the Final Four, a weekend of games featuring the last four remaining teams, which determines the national champion.

Fun Facts About March Madness – 35 Fun Facts

Here are 35 fun facts about March Madness:

  1. The term “March Madness” was first used to describe the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 1982.
  2. The tournament started in 1939 with only eight teams.
  3. The winning team receives the NCAA Championship Trophy, which is made of 24-karat gold and weighs 8.5 pounds.
  4. The tournament is also known as the Big Dance, because of the excitement and energy it brings.
  5. The odds of filling out a perfect bracket are about 1 in 9.2 quintillion.
  6. The tournament features 68 teams, with 32 automatic bids and 36 at-large bids.
  7. The last team to win back-to-back championships was the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.
  8. Duke University has won the tournament five times, while the University of Kentucky has won it eight times.
  9. The first Final Four was held in 1939 and was won by the University of Oregon.
  10. The tournament generates over a billion dollars in revenue each year.
  11. The tournament has never had a perfect bracket.
  12. The largest margin of victory in a championship game was in 1963, when Loyola University Chicago beat the University of Cincinnati by 21 points.
  13. The smallest margin of victory in a championship game was in 1983, when North Carolina State University beat the University of Houston by one point.
  14. The first player to score 100 points in the tournament was Austin Carr of Notre Dame in 1970.
  15. The tournament has been held in 14 different cities, with the most frequent host being Kansas City, Missouri.
  16. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) holds the record for most championships won, with 11.
  17. The tallest player to ever play in the tournament was George von Benko of Pittsburgh, who was 7’6″.
  18. The tournament has been won by teams from 22 different states.
  19. The tournament has been won by teams from four different athletic conferences: the ACC, the Big Ten, the SEC, and the Pac-12.
  20. The University of Virginia won its first championship in 2019, after becoming the first number one seed to lose to a number 16 seed in the previous year’s tournament.
  21. The tournament has featured some of the greatest players in basketball history, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Bill Russell.
  22. The most points scored in a single tournament by a player is 184, by Glen Rice of Michigan in 1989.
  23. The most points scored in a single game in the tournament is 61, by Austin Carr of Notre Dame in 1970.
  24. The Final Four, which consists of the last four remaining teams in the tournament, is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.
  25. The tournament started in 1939, and has been held every year since then (except for 2020, when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
  26. The term “bracketology” was coined by Joe Lunardi, an ESPN college basketball analyst who is known for his accurate bracket predictions.
  27. The tournament has a tradition of cutting down the nets after the championship game. Players climb a ladder and cut a piece of the net to keep as a souvenir.
  28. The tournament has featured several buzzer-beating shots that have become legendary, such as Christian Laettner’s shot for Duke in 1992 and Kris Jenkins’ shot for Villanova in 2016.
  29. The first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was held in 1982, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the tournament was officially called “March Madness” for women’s basketball.
  30. The University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball Team holds the record for most championships won, with 11.
  31. The tournament has inspired several movies, including “Hoosiers,” “Blue Chips,” and “Glory Road.”
  32. The tournament has a significant impact on workplace productivity, with millions of people taking time off or watching games at work.
  33. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is the most-watched college sports event in the United States, with an average of over 10 million viewers per game.
  34. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has been held every year since 1939, making it the oldest postseason basketball tournament in the United States.
  35. Over 350 Division I teams from across the United States compete for a spot in the tournament each year.
  36. In 2019, the tournament generated an estimated $1.2 billion in advertising revenue for CBS and Turner Broadcasting.
  37. The most successful coach in tournament history is John Wooden, who won 10 national championships with UCLA between 1964 and 1975.
  38. The most successful program in tournament history is the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which has won 11 national championships.
  39. The highest-scoring game in tournament history was a 149-115 victory by Loyola Marymount over Michigan in 1990.
  40. The tournament is a major event for sports betting, with an estimated $8.5 billion wagered on the games each year.

Fun Facts About March Madness – 25 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 25 fun facts about March Madness that kids might enjoy:

  1. March Madness is the nickname for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which takes place every year in March and April.
  2. The tournament includes 68 college basketball teams from across the United States.
  3. The tournament is also known as the “Big Dance,” because so many teams participate.
  4. The tournament started in 1939, and has been held every year since then (except for 2020, when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
  5. The tournament is famous for its upsets, when lower-ranked teams defeat higher-ranked teams.
  6. The tournament is single-elimination, which means that if a team loses one game, they are out of the tournament.
  7. The tournament is divided into four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest.
  8. The tournament begins with the “First Four” games, which are played by the four lowest-ranked teams.
  9. The winner of the First Four games advances to the “Round of 64.”
  10. The Round of 64 is where the real excitement begins, as 64 teams compete in 32 games over two days.
  11. The Round of 32 is the next round, where the 32 remaining teams play in 16 games.
  12. The Sweet 16 is the next round, where the 16 remaining teams play in 8 games.
  13. The Elite Eight is the next round, where the 8 remaining teams play in 4 games.
  14. The Final Four is the next round, where the 4 remaining teams play in 2 games.
  15. The winners of the Final Four games advance to the championship game.
  16. The championship game is played on the first Monday in April.
  17. The winner of the championship game is crowned the national champion.
  18. The tournament is televised on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.
  19. Millions of people fill out brackets, trying to predict which teams will win each game.
  20. The odds of picking a perfect bracket are about 1 in 9.2 quintillion.
  21. The tournament is a major event for sports betting, with billions of dollars wagered each year.
  22. The tournament is also a major event for advertisers, with companies paying millions of dollars for commercial spots.
  23. The tournament generates a lot of revenue for the NCAA and the participating schools.
  24. Some schools have become famous for their success in the tournament, including Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and UCLA.
  25. The tournament is a great opportunity for kids to learn about sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance.

Fun Facts About March Madness – History of March Madness

March Madness is the popular name given to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which has been held every year since 1939. The tournament was created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and its early years were characterized by a series of experimentation with different formats and rules.

In its early years, the tournament featured only eight teams, with each team advancing to the next round after winning a single game. The format of the tournament gradually evolved over the years, with the number of teams increasing to 16 in 1951, and then to 22 in 1953. In 1975, the tournament was expanded to include 32 teams, and in 1985 it was expanded again to include 64 teams.

The tournament’s nickname, “March Madness,” was coined by CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger in 1982, and has since become a popular term for the tournament among fans and media alike.

Over the years, the tournament has become one of the most popular sporting events in the United States, attracting millions of viewers and generating billions of dollars in revenue for the NCAA and its member institutions. The tournament has also become a cultural phenomenon, with many people filling out brackets and participating in office pools to try to predict the outcome of each game.

Despite its popularity, the tournament has not been without controversy. Some have criticized the NCAA for the large amount of revenue generated by the tournament, which is distributed primarily to member institutions rather than to the student-athletes who participate in the tournament. Others have criticized the NCAA for the tournament’s single-elimination format, which can result in highly-ranked teams being eliminated early in the tournament. Despite these criticisms, March Madness remains a beloved and highly-anticipated annual event in the world of college sports.

Fun Facts About March Madness – Where It’s Played

March Madness, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, is played in multiple locations across the United States. The tournament consists of several rounds, with the first four games typically played at a single location, and the remaining games played at various venues around the country.

The tournament begins with the First Four, which consists of four games played at a single location. The winners of these games advance to the First Round, which is also played at multiple locations across the country.

The Second Round and Third Round are played at various venues around the country, with games being held in different cities depending on the bracket and the teams involved. The Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight are also played at various locations, with the Final Four being held at a predetermined venue.

The Final Four is typically held in a large indoor arena, such as a stadium or convention center, with a seating capacity of tens of thousands of spectators. Recent Final Fours have been held in cities such as Atlanta, Phoenix, and Minneapolis.

In summary, March Madness is played in multiple locations across the United States, with games being held at various venues depending on the round and the teams involved. The Final Four is typically held in a large indoor arena, with a seating capacity of tens of thousands of spectators.

Fun Facts About March Madness – Best Players

March Madness has a rich history of talented players who have made their mark on the tournament. Here are some of the best players in March Madness history:

Christian Laettner – Laettner played for Duke in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. He led Duke to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992, and hit one of the most famous shots in tournament history when he hit a buzzer-beater to defeat Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight.

Magic Johnson – Johnson led Michigan State to the national championship in 1979, and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NBA, winning five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bill Walton – Walton played for UCLA in the early 1970s, and led the Bruins to back-to-back national championships in 1972 and 1973. He was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player both years, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time.

Kemba Walker – Walker played for Connecticut in 2011, and led the Huskies to an unlikely national championship. He was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, and his clutch performances throughout the tournament are still remembered fondly by UConn fans.

Michael Jordan – Jordan played for North Carolina in the early 1980s, and hit a game-winning shot in the 1982 championship game against Georgetown. He went on to have a legendary career in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Stephen Curry – Curry played for Davidson in 2008, and led the Wildcats on a surprising run in March Madness

Fun Facts About March Madness – Best Teams

Here are a teams that are widely regarded as some of the greatest in the tournament’s history:

1975-76 Indiana Hoosiers – This team, led by coach Bobby Knight and star player Scott May, went undefeated throughout the entire season and won the championship with a perfect 32-0 record. They are the last team to accomplish this feat.

1991-92 Duke Blue Devils – This team, coached by Mike Krzyzewski and led by Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley, and Grant Hill, won back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992. They are the last team to accomplish this feat.

1966-67 UCLA Bruins – This team, coached by John Wooden and led by Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), won their third consecutive championship in 1967 and established themselves as a dynasty.

1981-82 North Carolina Tar Heels – This team, coached by Dean Smith and led by Michael Jordan, James Worthy, and Sam Perkins, won the championship and is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of all time.

1995-96 Kentucky Wildcats – This team, coached by Rick Pitino and led by Tony Delk and Antoine Walker, won the championship with a 34-2 record and is considered one of the most dominant teams in tournament history.

These teams are just a few examples of the many great teams that have competed in March Madness throughout the years.

Fun Facts About March Madness – Greatest Records

There are many March Madness records, ranging from individual performances to team accomplishments. Here are some notable records:

Individual Records:

  1. Most points scored in a single tournament: Austin Carr, 1970, 41.3 points per game
  2. Most rebounds in a single tournament: Bill Russell, 1956, 28.3 rebounds per game
  3. Most assists in a single tournament: Mateen Cleaves, 2000, 61 assists
  4. Most three-pointers made in a single tournament: Glen Rice, 1989, 27 three-pointers

Team Records:

  1. Most consecutive Final Four appearances: UCLA, 10 from 1967-1976
  2. Most consecutive wins in a single tournament: Kentucky, 2015, 6 wins
  3. Highest scoring game: Loyola Marymount vs. Michigan, 1990, 149 points
  4. Largest margin of victory in a championship game: UNLV over Duke, 1990, 30 points

Other notable records:

  1. Most NCAA championships won: UCLA, 11 championships
  2. Most NCAA tournament appearances: North Carolina, 50 appearances
  3. Most NCAA tournament wins: Kentucky, 130 wins
  4. Most NCAA tournament games played: Duke, 113 games

These are just a few examples of the many records that have been set throughout the history of March Madness.

About March Madness – Legends

There are many legendary figures in the history of March Madness, ranging from coaches to players to broadcasters. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Coach John Wooden – Wooden is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of college basketball. He led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA championships, including seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.

Michael Jordan – Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players of all time, and he made his mark on March Madness as well. He hit a game-winning shot in the 1982 championship game for North Carolina, which launched his career into the national spotlight.

Dick Vitale – Vitale is a legendary college basketball broadcaster who has been calling March Madness games for decades. His enthusiastic style and catchphrases have become synonymous with the tournament.

Bill Russell – Russell is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and he led the University of San Francisco to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956. He later went on to win 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski – Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, has led Duke to five NCAA championships and is one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history.

Christian Laettner – Laettner is one of the most iconic players in March Madness history. He hit the game-winning shot in the 1992 regional final against Kentucky, and he is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament history.

These are just a few examples of the many legends who have left their mark on March Madness over the years.

About March Madness – Traditions

March Madness is full of traditions that make the tournament one of the most exciting events in sports. Here are a few of the most notable traditions:

Bracketology – One of the most popular traditions of March Madness is filling out a tournament bracket. Fans all over the country fill out brackets predicting the winners of every game, and there are often contests and pools where people can win prizes for picking the most winners.

“One Shining Moment” – At the end of the tournament, a highlight video set to the song “One Shining Moment” is played to recap the tournament’s best moments. It has become a beloved tradition and a way to celebrate the excitement and drama of March Madness.

Cinderella Stories – Every year, there are a few lower-seeded teams that make a surprising run deep into the tournament, often referred to as “Cinderella” teams. Fans love to root for these underdogs and see if they can upset some of the tournament’s top teams.

Selection Sunday – The first Sunday of March Madness is known as Selection Sunday, when the NCAA tournament committee announces the field of 68 teams that will be competing in the tournament. Fans eagerly await this announcement to see if their favorite team made the cut and what their path to the championship might look like.

March Madness Music – The tournament has a distinctive soundtrack that includes songs like “One Shining Moment,” “The Final Countdown,” and “Let Me Clear My Throat.” These songs have become synonymous with the excitement and energy of March Madness.

These are just a few of the many traditions that make March Madness such a beloved event for basketball fans around the world.

Other Interesting Things About March Madness – Quotes

In addition to the fun facts about March Madness, here are some famous quotes about March Madness:

“In the NCAA tournament, everyone is good. That’s why they call it March Madness.” – Bob Knight

“March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year. The games are intense, the upsets are thrilling, and the drama is unmatched.” – Dick Vitale

“March Madness is the best time of year for college basketball fans. It’s when every game counts, and anything can happen.” – Jay Bilas

“March Madness is a special time because it brings together people from all walks of life who share a passion for basketball and a love of competition.” – Barack Obama

“March Madness is about heart, determination, and the will to win. It’s the ultimate test of a team’s character and resilience.” – Mike Krzyzewski

“March Madness is a time when legends are made and memories are created. It’s a time to celebrate the beauty of the game and the thrill of competition.” – Grant Hill

“March Madness is a reminder that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and your team. It’s a time to dream big and chase greatness.” – John Calipari

These quotes capture the excitement, intensity, and spirit of March Madness and what makes the tournament such a special event.

Check out These Fun Facts for Other Sports

Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling, Formula 1, Tennis, Golf, NASCAR


March Madness Fun Facts