March Madness NCAA Tournament

Men’s tournament

UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) and Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

UConn center Donovan Clingan (32) and Marquette guard Chase Ross (2) fight for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

March Madness is here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina get top seeding in NCAA Tournament

Defending champion Connecticut, along with Houston, Purdue and North Carolina are the top seeds in a March Madness bracket that started going haywire even before the pairings came out.

Drake's Darnell Brodie (51), left, defends against Indiana State's Robbie Avila during the first half of the championship game in the Missouri Valley Conference NCAA basketball tournament Sunday, March 10, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

March Madness? Indiana State, 3 20-win Big East teams among those snubbed on Selection Sunday

March Madness: How to watch and what to watch for in the 2024 NCAA Tournament

Cornhuskers, winless in NCAA Tournament, will get a chance to end their March Madness misery

Women’s tournament

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates cutting the net after their win against LSU in an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference women's tournament final Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates cutting the net after their win against LSU in an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference women’s tournament final Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

South Carolina, Iowa, USC and Texas are the top seeds in the women’s NCAA Tournament

South Carolina is the the top overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks are looking to become the 10th women’s basketball team to go undefeated for an entire season.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) cheers while checking out of the game during the second half of an NCAA college basketball quarterfinal game against Penn State at the Big Ten women's tournament Friday, March 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

March Madness: How to watch the women’s NCAA Tournament and what to watch for

7th seeded Drexel women shock top-seeded Stony Brook 68-60 to win CAA, head to fourth NCAA

Miller beats buzzer and Drake women win Missouri Valley Tournament in dramatic fashion

More tournament news

Iowa's Caitlin Clark, center, awaits her NCAA college basketball team's seed reveal during a "Selection Sunday" watch party Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette via AP)

Caitlin Clark’s final NCAA Tournament to begin at home. Can she be as prolific as she was last year?

Caitlin Clark and Iowa will begin their bid to return to the NCAA women’s national championship game at home Saturday against Holy Cross or UT Martin.

Southern California's India Otto hugs Aaliyah Gayles while teammates McKenzie Forbes, JuJu Watkins and Rayah Marshall celebrate during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Pac-12 tournament Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

Led by No. 1 seed USC, the Pac-12 has 7 teams in the NCAA Tournament in its final run

The Pac-12 will be looking for one more special women’s basketball moment with seven teams including top-seeded Southern California picked for the NCAA Tournament.

Long Beach State head coach Dan Monson participates in a net cutting ceremony after his team played an NCAA college basketball game against UC Davis in the championship of the Big West Conference men's tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Henderson, Nev. Long Beach State won 74-70. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

Dan Monson not leaving the Beach just yet. He is heading to March Madness without a job next season

Long Beach State was coming off five straight losses a week ago when coach Dan Monson and first-year athletic director Bobby Smitheran issued a joint statement announcing Monson would leave at the end of the season in what was framed as a mutual separation.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in the championship of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The only rule for filling out your March Madness bracket this year: Don’t take it for granted

UConn is the betting favorite to win a second straight national title, but repeating is not easy. Houston has now been tested by a power-conference schedule after joining the Big 12.

North Carolina guard Cormac Ryan (3) celebrates a three-point shot with teammate North Carolina forward Harrison Ingram (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

North Carolina earns the top seed in the West Region after missing NCAA Tournament last year

North Carolina is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament West Region a year after being left out of the bracket.

Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) talks with teammates after missing a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Purdue begins another NCAA tourney atop the Midwest Region after losing to a 16-seed a year ago

Purdue is seeded first in the Midwest Region for the NCAA Tournament as it tries to make amends for becoming only the second No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed a year ago.

Houston forward Ja'Vier Francis dunks the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech in the semifinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Friday, March 15, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Houston won 82-59. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston lands No. 1 seed in South Region that also features Marquette, Kentucky and Duke

Houston claimed a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, but will have to navigate the likes of Duke, Kentucky and Marquette in the South Region if the Cougars are able to make their first Final Four since 2021.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley, center, talks to guard Tristen Newton (2) as he comes to the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette in the championship of the Big East Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Reigning NCAA champ UConn tops the East Region bracket as the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness

Reigning national champion Connecticut is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and headlining the East Region bracket.

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

Power-Cassidy scores 21 and Holy Cross beats Boston U 61-55 for Patriot League’s auto-bid to NCAAs

Bronagh Power-Cassidy scored 21 points, Cara McCormack added 15 and Holy Cross outlasted Boston U 61-55 to win the Patriot League Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

Today in Sports - Michael Jordan announces he is ending his 17 month NBA retirement

Today in Sports, March 18 - Michael Jordan announces he is ending his 17 month NBA retirement

North Carolina State forward DJ Burns Jr. (30) hoists the MVP trophy as he joins his teammates as they celebrate winning an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina to win the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Washington. North Carolina State won 84-76.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

DJ Burns bruises NC State into the NCAA Tournament, and March Madness will be his next big chance

DJ Burns Jr. won ACC Tournament honors and hit the first 3-pointer of his college career to push North Carolina State into March Madness.

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

North Carolina State forward DJ Burns Jr. (30) holding his MVP trophy after winning an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina to win the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Washington. North Carolina State won 84-76 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Bad news for the bubble: NC State and Oregon swipe bids as wild tournament results continue

Conference tournament season took an even more chaotic turn — and that’s bad news for at least a couple teams on the bubble.

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

Jackson State guard Angel Jackson (15) blocks a shot-attempt by Alcorn State guard Nakia Cheatham (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Avent scores 17 points and Jackson State women beat Alcorn State 68-44 to win SWAC Tournament title

Andriana Avent scored 17 points and Jackson State defeated Alcorn State 68-44 on Saturday to cruise to their third Southwestern Athletic Conference title in four years and clinch an NCAA Tournament spot.

Princeton tops Columbia 75-58 to win Ivy Tournament for the 5th straight time

Madison St. Rose scored 18 points, Kaitlyn Chen added 17 and Princeton beat Columbia 75-58 to win the Ivy League, earning the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

No. 25 Fairfield women beat Niagara 70-62 in overtime for 29th straight victory and NCAA berth

Janelle Brown scored all 15 of her points in the second half to rally Fairfield and her teammates finished the task in overtime to beat Niagara 70-62 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game for the Stags’ 29th straight victory and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Buffalo's Chellia Watson (35) shoots over Kent State's Jenna Batsch (12) during the first half of an NCAA college game in the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Shumate scores 18, Kent State women pour it on in second half to win MAC championship

Katie Shumate had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead Kent State past Buffalo 78-60, winning the MAC Tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002.

Today in Sports - Lindsey Vonn sets a women’s record for the most World Cup points in a season

Today in Sports, March 17 - Lindsey Vonn sets a women’s record for the most World Cup points in a season

Saint Rose falls in its last basketball game. The Golden Knights lost their NCAA tournament opener

Saint Rose’s basketball era has ended. The Golden Knights lost to Daemen 52-47 on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Division II women’s tournament, in what becomes the final basketball game for the school.

Today in Sports - Week Ahead, March 15 - March 21

Today in Sports - Week Ahead, March 15 - March 21, 2 Takes

Today in Sports - Week Ahead, March 15 - March 21

Today in Sports - Week Ahead, March 15 - March 21, Take 2

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

NCAA Automatic Bids

Morehead State, Northeast Conference

Longwood, Big South Conference

Stetson, Atlantic Sun Conference

Samford, Southern Conference

FILE - Fairleigh Dickinson guard Grant Singleton (4) celebrates after a basket against Purdue in the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, March 17, 2023. Purdue was a 23 1/2-point favorite when it went out in the first round to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson last year. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

March Madness upsets are sure to come. Some teams to be wary of as you fill out your bracket

March Madness wouldn’t be March Madness without the excitement of those early upsets in the NCAA Tournament.