March Madness 2017 Starts March 12; Finals in Phoenix Arizona
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has been releasing schedules, brackets, teams, venues — everything to get ready for the March Madness this year.
The official site of the NCAA has put up a list of the important dates in this year's three-week basketball tournament, one of the biggest sporting events in the United States. The insanity kicks off on a Sunday, March 12, with the Selection round. The Finals will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on April 1 and 3.
| ROUND | SITE | DATE(S) |
|---|---|---|
| Selection Sunday | N/A | March 12 |
| First Four | Dayton | March 14 to 15 |
| First / Second | Buffalo | March 16 and 18 |
| First / Second | Milwaukee | March 16 and 18 |
| First / Second | Orlando | March 16 and 18 |
| First / Second | Salt Lake City | March 16 and 18 |
| First / Second | Greenville | March 17 and 19 |
| First / Second | Indianapolis | March 17 and 19 |
| First / Second | Tulsa | March 17 and 19 |
| First / Second | Sacramento | March 17 and 19 |
| Midwest Regional | Kansas City | March 23 and 25 |
| West Regional | San Jose | March 23 and 25 |
| South Regional | Memphis | March 24 and 26 |
| East Regional | New York | March 24 and 26 |
| Final Four | Phoenix | April 1 and 3 |
This year's tournament is made of 68 teams, which is immediately knocked down to 64 in a quick preliminary round of four games. The remaining 64 teams are grouped into four regions, and within each region, they are ranked or "seeded" from the number one or first seed all the way down to 16th.
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A team wins or loses a round against its opponent in one game — one lucky buzzer beater or a crucial free throw is enough to knock any team out for the round, and it's part of what makes the tournament unpredictable. After each round, the winners go on to the next round, essentially cutting the field in half. From 64 teams, down to 32 to the Sweet 16 and then on to the Elite Eight.
The Elite Eight round faces off to determine the regional winners. These Final Four will fight for the ultimate prize until a champion emerges from the Big Dance.
