March Madness is a term used to describe the annual NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. The tournament takes place in March and April and involves 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion.

March Madness is a highly anticipated event for basketball fans, with millions of people filling out brackets and rooting for their favorite teams. The tournament is known for its unpredictable nature, with upsets and surprises occurring every year.

The first round of the tournament is often referred to as the “play-in games,” with the winners of these games advancing to the official tournament bracket. The tournament is then divided into four regions, with teams seeded based on their regular-season performance.

The tournament is known for its high level of competition and intense atmosphere, with games often coming down to the final seconds. The Final Four is the culmination of the tournament, with the four remaining teams competing for a chance to play in the championship game.

Overall, March Madness is a thrilling event that captivates basketball fans across the country. The tournament’s unique format and intense competition make it a must-watch event for sports fans every year.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Mountain West March Madness

The Mountain West Conference has had a mix of good, bad, and ugly moments in March Madness over the years. Here are some notable examples:

The Good:

• In 2014, the 8th-seeded San Diego State Aztecs made it to the Sweet 16, defeating both North Dakota State and Cinderella-story North Carolina State along the way.
• In 2018, the 11th-seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers made a historic run to the Final Four, including a win over the 7th-seeded Nevada Wolf Pack in the Sweet 16.
• In 2021, the 6th-seeded USC Trojans, led by superstar Evan Mobley, dominated the 3rd-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the Round of 32 en route to a Sweet 16 appearance.

The Bad:

• In 2016, the Mountain West only sent one team (Fresno State) to the NCAA Tournament, and they lost in the First Four play-in game.
• In 2017, the Nevada Wolf Pack were upset in the first round as a 5th seed by the 12th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones.
• In 2021, the conference only sent two teams to the NCAA Tournament, and both (San Diego State and Colorado State) were upset in the first round.

The Ugly:

• In 2013, the 5th-seeded UNLV Runnin’ Rebels lost to the 12th-seeded California Golden Bears in the first round in a blowout, 64-61.
• In 2015, the Mountain West only sent two teams to the NCAA Tournament, and both (Boise State and Wyoming) lost in the first round.
• In 2019, the Nevada Wolf Pack, who were a popular pick to make a deep tournament run, were upset in the first round by the 11th-seeded Florida Gators in a controversial game that featured a missed goaltending call.