March Madness crowns its first men s NCAA Champion
The University of Oregon defeats The Ohio State University 4633 on March 27 1939 to win the first-ever NCAA mens basketball tournament.March Madness as the tournament became known has grown exponentially in size and popularity since 1939.By 2005 college basketball had become the most popular sporting event among gamblers after the Super Bowl.
The majority of that betting takes place at tournament time when Las Vegas the internet and office pools around the country see action from sports enthusiasts and once-a-year gamblers alike.For the first 12 years of the mens tournament only eight teams were invited to participate.That number grew steadily until a 65-team tournament format was unveiled in 2001.In 2011 the field expanded even further allowing 68 teams to qualify for the big dance.
After four play-in games between now known as the First Four the tournament breaks into four regions of 16 teams.The winning teams from those regions comprise the Final Four who meet in that years host city to decide the championship.The NCAA held its first womens basketball tournament in 1982.The womens tournament started with 32 teams expanding to 64 teams before the 1994 season.
Today the womens format echoes the mens with play in four regions culminating in a Final Four held in a single location.The championship is played the day after the mens concluding the college basketball season.
