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March Madness: Duke Leads, Arizona Claims Big 12 Title

3/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Selection Sunday marks the lead-up to March Madness as ESPN updates its BPI rankings.
Duke, on an 11-game win streak, is expected to earn the No. 1 overall seed behind ACC Player of the Year Cam Boozer.
Arizona claimed its first Big 12 title.
Houston is projected as a No. 2 seed despite losing to Arizona as the NCAA Tournament begins next week.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament marked a pivotal expansion to 64 teams, enhancing its popularity and viewership, with CBS reporting over 10 million viewers for the championship. Villanova's stunning victory over Georgetown exemplified the tournament's unpredictability, while the inclusion of more teams has since influenced strategies and fan engagement, shaping the landscape of college basketball.

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Story summary

Selection Sunday marks the lead-up to March Madness as ESPN updates its BPI rankings.
Duke, on an 11-game win streak, is expected to earn the No. 1 overall seed behind ACC Player of the Year Cam Boozer.
Arizona claimed its first Big 12 title.
Houston is projected as a No. 2 seed despite losing to Arizona as the NCAA Tournament begins next week.

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