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2026 NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday Set for March 15

3/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is set for March 15, with the men’s bracket revealed at 6 p.m. ET on CBS and the women’s at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The field comprises 68 teams, including 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large selections.
The First Four runs March 17–18, followed by the first round March 19–20.
Notable top seeds include Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and Florida.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA men's basketball tournament, first held in 1939, expanded from 65 to 68 teams in 2011, introducing the "First Four" play-in games. This change allowed for 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large selections, enhancing competition and audience engagement. The tournament's popularity has surged, with an estimated 60 to 100 million brackets filled out annually, reflecting its significant cultural impact in the U.S.

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Story summary

Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA Tournament is set for March 15, with the men’s bracket revealed at 6 p.m. ET on CBS and the women’s at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The field comprises 68 teams, including 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large selections.
The First Four runs March 17–18, followed by the first round March 19–20.
Notable top seeds include Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and Florida.

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