Men's March Madness live updates: Selection Sunday bracket, snubs, predictions

Men’s college basketball launches fully into March Madness 2024 with tonight’s Selection Sunday show, when teams across the country learn if they'll earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the women's March Madness bracket, live

USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest men’s bracket reveal updates, conference tournament highlights, news, analysis and more throughout the day. Follow along.

When No. 2 Tennessee takes on No. 15 St. Peter’s on Thursday, the Zeigler family will have a decision to make. Root for Zakai Zeigler and the Volunteers, or root for his half-brother Armoni, who plays for the Peacocks.

Zakai wasted no time in reaching out to Armoni when the bracket lit up.

Zakai lived with Armoni, Armoni’s mother and stepfather for a time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He was ecstatic," Volunteers forward Tobe Awaka said of Zakai’s reaction. "Those two have an incredible bond."

Zakai, 5-9 and the SEC defensive player of the year this season, will not have to worry about guarding Armoni, who stands 6-4.

"I told him I was like ‘You are going to have to guard your brother," Santiago Vescovi said. "He was like, 'No, you’ve got him.'"

Here is a printable PDF of the men's bracket. May your bracket remain free from being busted!

• 1  UConn (31-3)
• 2  Houston (30-4)
• 3  Purdue (29-4)
• 4  North Carolina (27-7)
• 5  Tennessee (24-8)
• 6  Arizona (25-8)
• 7  Marquette (25-9)
• 8  Iowa St. (27-7)
• 9  Baylor (23-10)
• 10  Creighton (23-9)
• 11  Kentucky (23-9)
• 12  Illinois (26-8)
• 13  Duke (24-8)
• 14  Kansas (22-10)
• 15  Auburn (27-7)
• 16  Alabama (21-11)
• 17  BYU (23-10)
• 18  San Diego St. (24-10)
• 19  Wisconsin (22-13)
• 20  Saint Mary's (CA) (26-7)
• 21  Gonzaga (25-7)
• 22  Clemson (21-11)
• 23  Texas Tech (23-10)
• 24  South Carolina (26-7)
• 25  Florida (24-11)
• 26  Washington St. (24-9)
• 27  Texas (20-12)
• 28  Dayton (24-7)
• 29  Nebraska (23-10)
• 30  Utah St. (27-6)
• 31  Fla. Atlantic (25-8)
• 32  Mississippi St. (21-13)
• 33  Michigan St. (19-14)
• 34  Texas A&M (20-14)
• 35  TCU (21-12)
• 36  Northwestern (21-11)
• 37  Nevada (26-7)
• 38  Boise St. (22-10)
• 39  Colorado (24-10)
• 40  Drake (28-6)
• 41  Virginia (23-10)
• 42  New Mexico (26-9)
• 43  Oregon (23-11)
• 44  Colorado St. (24-10)
• 45  NC State (22-14)
• 46  Duquesne (24-11)
• 47  Grand Canyon (29-4)
• 48  James Madison (31-3)
• 49  McNeese (30-3)
• 50  UAB (22-11)
• 51  Vermont (28-6)
• 52  Yale (22-9)
• 53  Samford (29-5)
• 54  Col. of Charleston (27-7)
• 55  Oakland (23-11)
• 56  Akron (24-10)
• 57  Morehead St. (26-8)
• 58  Colgate (25-9)
• 59  Long Beach St. (21-14)
• 60  Western Ky. (22-11)
• 61  South Dakota St. (22-12)
• 62  Saint Peter's (19-13)
• 63  Longwood (21-13)
• 64  Stetson (22-12)
• 65  Montana St. (17-17)
• 66  Grambling (20-14)
• 67  Howard (18-16)
• 68  Wagner (16-15)

While there are 68 teams celebrating their appearance in the NCAA men's tournament, there are several others sulking, thinking about what could have been.

Here are the biggest snubs from the 2024 NCAA men's tournament:

• Oklahoma
• Indiana State
• St. John's
• Seton Hall
• Providence
• Pittsburgh

Read all about the teams that thought they were going to be in but ultimately missed the cut. — Jordan Mendoza

While there is no hard time for this announcement, the expectation is that the announcement will come sometime around 8:30 p.m. ET.

Two of CBS' March Madness experts have the same picks for the Final Four. UConn is the unanimous choice for national champion among Clark Kellogg, Seth Davis and Jay Wright.

Here's a look at their Final Four picks from the Selection Show:

Clark Kellogg

Final Four picks: UConn, North Carolina, Purdue, Kentucky

Title game: Purdue vs. UConn

Pick to win title: UConn

"I like UConn and Purdue in the final and the Huskies to repeat."

Seth Davis

Final Four picks: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

Title game: UConn vs. Houston

Pick to win title: UConn

"These have been the best two teams all season long, UConn and Houston."

Jay Wright

Final Four: UConn, Arizona, Houston, Purdue

Title game: UConn vs. Houston

Pick to win title: UConn

"I just can’t see anybody beating UConn in this tournament."

Now that the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament has been announced, some teams on the outside looking in have already decided not to play in the NIT:

The NIT selection show is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, and will announce a field of 32 teams that missed out on the Big Dance.

• Tuesday, March 19: Colorado State (24-10) vs. Virginia (23-10) for the No. 10 seed in the Midwest. The winner will face No. 7 Texas on Thursday, March 21.
• Tuesday, March 19: Wagner (16-15) vs. Howard (18-16) for the No. 16 seed in the West. The winner will face No. 1 North Carolina on Thursday, March 21.
• Wednesday, March 20: Colorado (24-10) vs. Boise State (22-10) for the No. 10 seed in the South. The winner will face No. 7 Florida on Friday, March 22.
• Wednesday, March 20: Grambling State (20-14) vs. Montana State (17-17) for the No. 16 seed in the Midwest. The winner will face No. 1 Purdue on Friday, March 22.

All three contenders for the final No. 1 seed all lost in their conference tournament but the Tar Heels benefit from reaching the ACC tournament title game while Tennessee and Arizona flamed out before the final. Arizona still stays in the west and has a nice path to the Final Four. Baylor also could be primed for a run along with Alabama. Both score but lack defense. This is a very balanced group of top seeds but not the toughest grouping. Potential for some upsets along the way.

In Charlotte

No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Howard/Wagner

No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Michigan State

In Spokane

No. 5 Saint Mary's vs. No. 12 Grand Canyon

No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 College of Charleston

In Memphis

No. 6 Clemson vs. No. 11 New Mexico

No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 Colgate

In Salt Lake City

No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Nevada

No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 Long Beach State

It's now or never for Purdue after so many tournament disappointments and the Boilermakers could face Tennessee – another team that has flamed out early – in the regional final. Before that game, Vols coach Rick Barnes could be matched with former school Texas in the second round. Gonzaga surprisingly gets a No. 5 seed. Big boost for the Bulldogs, which could be matched with a struggling Kansas team in the second round. Virginia is a big surprise addition in the play-in game. Cavaliers seemingly were outside the bubble. Colorado State joins Boise State as Mountain West teams in the play-in games. Committee clearly didn't value a league that had six teams in top 40 of NET.

In Indianapolis

No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Montana State/Grambling

No. 8 Utah State vs. No. 9 TCU

In Salt Lake City

No. 5 Gonzaga vs. No. 12 McNeese State

No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Samford

In Pittsburgh

No. 6 South Carolina vs. No. 11 Oregon

No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 14 Akron

In Charlotte

No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 Virginia/Colorado State

No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Saint Peter's

Houston was the No. 1 team in the country before its blowout loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game, but the Cougars still look to be the favorites. However, there will be some challengers with Marquette, Duke and Kentucky in this regional. The Golden Eagles need standout guard Tyler Kolek to be healthy. It'll be worth watching if North Carolina State keeps its unlikely run going after five wins in the ACC tournament and a tough opener against Texas Tech. Boise State and Colorado at No. 10 seed play-in game shows the strength of the bubble and how some teams expected in might be left out.

In Memphis

No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 Longwood

No. 8 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Texas A&M

In Brooklyn

No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 James Madison

No. 4 Duke vs. No. 13 Vermont

In Pittsburgh

No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 North Carolina State

No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Oakland

In Indianapolis

No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Boise State/Colorado

No. 2 Marquette vs. No. 15 Western Kentucky

Connecticut gets the No. 1 overall seed as expected and gets to stay near home in Brooklyn. The Huskies could face Florida Atlantic – a Final Four team last year that won its way to Houston with two victories in New York last year. Illinois and Iowa State are the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds and both could be major threats. Two contrasting teams there with the Illini one of the top scoring offenses and the Cyclones having an outstanding defense. Auburn is another threat after rolling through the SEC tournament and San Diego State reached the title game last year. Whichever team makes it out the regional will have earned it.

In Brooklyn

No. 1 Connecticut vs. No. 16 Stetson

No. 8 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 9 Northwestern

In Spokane

No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 12 Alabama-Birmingham

No. 4 Auburn vs. No. 13 Yale

In Omaha

No. 6 Brigham Young vs. No. 11 Duquense

No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Morehead State

In Omaha

No. 7 Washington State vs. No. 10 Drake

No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Dakota State

When is Selection Sunday 2024?

The men’s bracket reveal is Sunday, March 17, 2024. 

What channel is Selection Sunday on?

CBS will broadcast the men’s Selection Sunday show. 

What time does March Madness bracket come out? 

The men's Selection Sunday show starts at 6 p.m. ET. 

How many teams make March Madness? 

There will be 68 teams that make the tournament, including the eight teams that will have to play in the First Four games. Here’s everything you need to know about how Selection Sunday works. 

Who plays in March Madness?

The winners of the 32 conference tournaments are automatically given a spot in the tournament, regardless of record. The remaining 36 spots are at-large bids determined by the committee. Here’s everything you need to know about how Selection Sunday works. 

How are March Madness bids determined? 

There are several different resources for the committee to choose the best 36 at-large teams, such as record and strength of schedule. But perhaps the most important one is the NET ranking. The NET ranking looks at a team's record and résumé, which then ranks all teams in Division I. Games are divided into four quadrants, and a team's quadrant record depends on who they are playing and where. This is how quadrant games are broken down: 

• Quadrant 1: Home 1-30, Neutral 1-50, Away 1-75 
• Quadrant 2: Home 31-75, Neutral 51-100, Away 76-135 
• Quadrant 3: Home 76-160, Neutral 101-200, Away 135-240 
• Quadrant 4: Home 161-353, Neutral 201-353, Away 241-353 

The more Quad 1 wins, the better chance for a team to be selected in the tournament. Considering the NET ranking and other factors, the committee will then come up with the 36 best at-large teams to be selected. There are no limits to how many teams from a certain conference gets selected. Here’s everything you need to know about how Selection Sunday works. 

There are 32 conference tournaments that produce 32 automatic bids. The other 36 at-large teams selected to the field will be announced on Selection Sunday. Here is who has secured automatic bids so far (entering Sunday): 

• Ohio Valley Conference: Morehead State Eagles
• Big South Conference: Longwood Lancers
• Missouri Valley Conference: Drake Bulldogs
• Atlantic Sun Conference: Stetson Hatters
• Southern Conference: Samford Bulldogs
• Sun Belt Conference: James Madison Dukes
• Coastal Athletic Association: College of Charleston Cougars
• Horizon League: Oakland Golden Grizzlies
• Northeast Conference: Wagner Seahawks
• Summit League: South Dakota State Jackrabbits
• West Coast Conference: Saint Mary’s Gaels
• Southland Conference: McNeese Cowboys
• Patriot League: Colgate Raiders
• Big Sky Conference: Montana State Bobcats
• America East Conference: Vermont Catamounts
• Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Howard Bison
• Big 12 Conference: Iowa State Cyclones
• Mountain West Conference: New Mexico Lobos
• Big East Conference: UConn Huskies
• Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: Saint Peter’s Peacocks
• Mid-American Conference: Akron Zips
• Atlantic Coast Conference: North Carolina State Wolfpack
• Conference USA: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
• Pac-12 Conference: Oregon Ducks
• Big West Conference: Long Beach State Beach
• Southwestern Athletic Conference: Grambling Tigers
• Western Athletic Conference: Grand Canyon Lopes
• Atlantic 10 Conference: Duquesne Dukes
• Big Ten Conference: Illinois Fighting Illini

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How are March Madness seeds determined? 

After the committee selects the 68 teams to be in the tournament, it ranks all of them 1 through 68. Once all the teams are ranked, every four teams are evaluated in the same seed line. Example: Nos. 1-4 will be the No. 1 seeds, Nos. 5-8 will be the No. 2 seeds and so on. The four lowest-ranked automatic qualifying teams will play in the First Four games as 16 seeds, while the four lowest at-large teams will compete in the other First Four games, typically as a No. 11 or No. 12 seed. Here’s everything you need to know about how Selection Sunday works. 

How does Selection Sunday work? 

On Selection Sunday, the full brackets will be revealed on CBS for the men and ESPN for the women, with matchups for every first-round game, as well as location, unveiled. A 12-person selection committee decides who will be in the tournament, as well as where each team is seeded and will play. Here’s everything you need to know about how Selection Sunday works. 

When is the first March Madness game?

Games for the men's First Four are March 19-20. First-round games for the men are March 21-22. 

March Madness 2024 game locations 

Here are all the venues hosting tournament games over the next several weeks. 

Round	City	Venue	Dates
First Four	Dayton, Ohio	UD Arena	March 19-20
First/Second	Brooklyn. N.Y.	Barclays Center	March 22-24
First/Second	Charlotte, N.C.	Spectrum Center	March 21-23
First/Second	Indianapolis	Gainbridge Fieldhouse	March 22-24
First/Second	Omaha, Neb.	CHI Health Center	March 21-23
First/Second	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	March 21-23
First/Second	Salt Lake City	Delta Center	March 21-23
First/Second	Spokane, Wash.	Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena	March 22-24
First/Second	Memphis, Tenn.	FedExForum	March 22-24
Sweet 16 + Elite Eight	Boston	TD Garden	March 28-30
Sweet 16 + Elite Eight	Dallas	American Airlines Center	March 29-31
Sweet 16 + Elite Eight	Detroit	Little Caesars Arena	March 29-31
Sweet 16 + Elite Eight	Los Angeles	Crypto.com Arena	March 28-30
Final Four	Glendale, Ariz.	State Farm Stadium	April 6
National championship	Glendale, Ariz.	State Farm Stadium	April 8

How is it determined where teams play in March Madness? 

Once the seeds for each team are determined, the committee must then place them in the regional location that makes sense and preferred, as well as the first- and second-round sites. All tournament locations are predetermined, so the higher the seed, the better the site location for the team. 

Example, if the No. 1 seed is Houston, it will get to play in the South region, which takes place in Dallas. It likely would get to pick the location for the first two games, which would be in Memphis since it's the closest spot to the school. The No. 1 seeds typically get the best possible location for them, and it could be a prime location for seeds Nos. 2-4 as well. The committee attempts to put the bracket in snake order, like the No. 5 overall seed will be in the same region as the No. 4 overall seed, but there are restrictions such as: 

• First four teams from the same conference must be in different regions if they are a Nos. 1-4 seed. 
• Teams from the same conference cannot meet before a regional final if they played each other three times during the regular season and conference tournament. 
• Teams from the same conference cannot meet before a regional semifinal if they played each other two times during the regular season and conference tournament. 
• Teams from the same conference cannot meet before the second round if they played each other once during the regular season and conference tournament. 

Here’s everything you need to know about how Selection Sunday works. 

March Madness 2024 schedule 

Here is the men's schedule: 

• Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 17 
• First Four: March 19-20 
• First round: March 21-22 
• Second round: March 23-24  
• Sweet 16: March 28-29  
• Elite Eight: March 30-31  
• Final Four: Saturday, April 6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. 
• NCAA championship game: Monday, April 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. 

How to watch March Madness 2024 

CBS will air the Selection Sunday show, as well as the Final Four and the national championship game. TruTV will carry the First Four. CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV will air first- and second-round games.

CBS and TBS will air Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games. CBS will air the men's Final Four and championship game. 

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Who won the men's ACC tournament?

North Carolina State Wolfpack

North Carolina State capped a miraculous conference tournament run with an 84-76 win over North Carolina on Saturday night, stealing a spot in the NCAA Tournament on the eve of Selection Sunday.

The Wolfpack, which lost seven of its last nine regular-season games, arrived in Washington as the No. 10 seed in the ACC tournament, needing to win five games in five days to prolong its season. And with an upset of Duke, an overtime victory over Virginia and its smothering of the Tar Heels on Saturday night, it managed to pull it off.

"Why not us? We carried that mantra into the tournament," fifth-year guard Casey Morsell said. "We knew we were the underdog, but we love that feeling. We love being the underdogs. We were like 10-point underdogs today. We love that. We love it all.” – Tom Schad

Five most overpaid men's college basketball coaches: John Calipari, Mike Woodson make list 

Whether you believe Kentucky coach John Calipari is overpaid could depend on the year, the month, even the week. Calipari earned his mega-millions salary when the Wildcats were among the most dominant teams in Division I, capturing one national championship in 2012 and playing for others in 2011, 2014 and 2015. But Kentucky hasn't been back to the Final Four since even as Calipari's annual salary continues to rise ― now at $8.5 million in total compensation for 2023-24, second-most in the country. 

USA TODAY Sports compiled pay information from each school in the Power Five conferences and from each school outside those conferences whose team has appeared in at least three of the past five NCAA tournaments. 

While Kentucky has had moments this season, including a late run that has lifted the Wildcats toward the top of the SEC, the results and payoff given the school's mammoth investment into Calipari and the program makes him yet again one of the most overpaid coaches in the country. Read Paul Myerberg’s full story here. 

How much does John Calipari make? 

Kentucky’s John Calipari is now at $8.5 million in total compensation for 2023-24, second-most in the country. 

Michigan State's basketball maverick: How Tom Izzo has prospered on his terms for 30 years 

Nearly three decades ago, Michigan State University offered Tom Izzo a five-year, $540,000 contract to be its next men's basketball coach. He didn't bother countering or negotiating. In fact, he didn't even have an agent. In the years since, Izzo has led the Spartans to eight Final Four appearances and a national championship in 2000 – emerging as one of the sport’s iconic coaches and, in many ways, the face of the university. His contracts have gotten more lucrative and complex as a result, but he said his approach at Michigan State hasn't changed. 

"I've never negotiated a contract," Izzo told USA TODAY Sports. "Ever." 

Nor does he have an agent. 

"I heard I'm one of the only dumb ones," he added, with a laugh.  

It’s no surprise that Izzo, who spent 12 seasons as a Michigan State assistant before being promoted to head coach in 1995, is once again among the highest-paid men’s basketball coaches in the country in 2024. According to USA TODAY Sports’ annual review of coaching compensation, the 69-year-old is making roughly $6.2 million this season, which puts him third behind only Bill Self of Kansas and John Calipari of Kentucky. 

What’s unusual, however, is the way that Izzo and Michigan State have gotten to this point – piecing together big-money contracts for almost 30 years with little public acrimony, even as Izzo’s stature has grown, administrators have come and gone, and the landscape of college sports has shifted. Read Tom Schad and Steve Berkowitz’s full story here.

Auburn Tigers Auburn beat Florida 86-67 in the SEC championship game Sunday, the Tigers’ first SEC tournament title since 2019. Florida sophomore center Micah Handlogten was taken off the court on a stretcher Sunday during the game after he suffered a broken bone on his lower left leg.

Duquesne Dukes

Duquesne ended up beating Virginia Commonwealth 57-51 to punch its first ticket to the NCAA tournament since 1977. There was plenty of red and blue confetti left for the official celebration.

The Dukes played a team game and their leading scorer was senior guard Dae Dae Grant, who had 10 points and four steals. Their lead was as large as 18 points, and they withstood their own scoring drought and a strong second half from the Rams, who came within one point with 1:36 left in the game. — Victoria Hernandez

A little more than two minutes into the second half of the Atlantic-10 championship game between Duquesne and Virginia Commonwealth, streams of red and blue confetti began raining down from the Barclays Center rafters.

Commentator Kevin Harlan summarized the shock of the moment on the CBS broadcast.

"Confetti falling right now! Confetti is falling on the floor," he said. "They're gonna have to stop playing. We can't see our notes. The players can't work on this court. Confetti is everywhere. Somebody hit the wrong button!"

The red and blue paper – Duquesne's team colors – mostly fell in the stands and Harlan's co-commentator Don Bonner started picking it up.

"You're collecting it like you're going to bring it home to your grandkids or something," Harlan said. " … It's confetti."

"My grandkids would probably like this," Bonner responded, "but you're the one who's complaining you can't see anything, so we gotta clean the table off for ya." — Victoria Hernandez

There are only 68 sports for the NCAA tournament, so that means some programs will inevitably be snubbed.

For those that miss the Big Dance, there is always the National Invitation Tournament, better known as the NIT.

The selection show for the NIT will come at 9:30 p.m. ET, after the bracket reveal for the NCAA tournament. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The tournament will begin Tuesday with the first round and conclude with the championship game on April 4.

Oregon Ducks

In what is likely the final year of the Pac-12, Oregon claimed the conference championship by beating Colorado, 75-68. It was the Ducks' sixth Pac-12 tournament title and their first since 2019.

Senior center N'Faly Dante went 12 for 12 from the field for 25 points and was named the tournament's most outstanding player. Dante injured his tailbone during Oregon's semifinal win against Arizona.

UConn Huskies

The defending national champions won the Big East tournament for the first time since rejoining the conference four years ago.

The Huskies, who won their fifth national championship last year, are the likely No. 1 overall seed when the tournament bracket is unveiled.

Tristen Newton was named tournament MVP, scoring 13 points to go with 10 assists against Marquette, whom UConn defeated 73-57.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season after it won the Big Ten tournament title against Wisconsin. It is the first conference tournament title for Illinois since 2021 and it will be its 33rd appearance in the big dance.

The Fighting Illini outscored the Badgers 12-5 over the final 3:55 to preserve the victory. — Jordan Mendoza

Iowa State Cyclones

The Cyclones won their sixth Big 12 title by routing the nation's No. 1 team, Houston, 69-41.

The margin of victory was the largest over a No. 1 team since 1968 when UCLA beat Houston in the 1968 Final Four.

Keshon Gilbert was named the tournament's most outstanding player after scoring 16 points to lead Iowa State.