March Madness has evolved into one of the biggest sporting events in the United States, captivating millions of fans each year.
The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments feature 68 teams competing in a high-stakes, single-elimination format that delivers unforgettable upsets, Cinderella stories, and dramatic finishes.
It began in 1939 as an average event, and it has grown into a cultural phenomenon, with billions of dollars wagered in bracket pools. At Benedictine, everyone is making a bracket.
Sophomore Brayden Hope said, “All of my friends have made brackets, and it’s just most of what people are talking about when March comes around.”
The tournament’s unpredictability of each round makes it a must-watch. Media coverage ranges from traditional broadcasts to streaming platforms, making sure fans never miss a moment.
The new Name Image and Likeness (NIL) rights revenue continues to make a difference for bigger schools. Benedictine sophomore Gus Irving said, “this is the first year that the NIL deals have been put into full effect for college basketball, allowing big schools to recruit the best players, which has eliminated the Cinderella stories.”
Keith Lipscomb at ESPN stated, “The tournament’s appeal extends beyond basketball enthusiasts, drawing casual fans who embrace the excitement of the bracket challenge. March Madness isn’t just a tournament, it brings sports fans together unlike any other event in this country. There’s just something about a bracket.”
The bracket challenge is nearly impossible to get completely perfect; it has become such a big challenge that Warren Buffet, a famous billionaire, has stated he himself will pay $1 million to anyone who gets a perfect bracket. According to the NCAA, there is a 1 in 9.2 quintillion chance to fill it out perfectly.
Irving stated, “This is a challenge that gets everybody’s attention, just like fantasy football it gives people a chance to get involved and have a chance to win something big.”
