Mar. 18, 2025 marks the official beginning of the annual March Madness tournament. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 basketball tournament, also known as March Madness, has taken place every Spring since 1939. 

It begins on Selection Sunday, where selected teams discover opponents and they will be competing the same week. The tournament is expected to conclude at the Champion Round, taking place on Apr. 7th, according to junior Charlotte Gesell.

“Although I don’t watch college basketball, I really like watching March Madness,” Gesell said. “I look forward to watching it in the spring, and enjoy rooting for different teams.” 

The March Madness tournament is a popular event for both the men’s and women’s league, each representing schools across the country. With 64 colleges represented in the women’s league and 68 colleges in the men’s league, games take place simultaneously with much overlap.

“I was a part of the girls basketball team at our school this year and find basketball to be such a fun sport,” senior Ellie Ault Rosa said. “It’s really inspiring to watch professionals play and learn from their technique.”

Before the first game, many create a bracket with predictions on the outcome of the tournament. While there is no official prize involved in making these brackets, they create friendly competition and inspire more people to watch the game, according to global politics teacher Martin Jorgensen.

“I like watching basketball and enjoy watching some of the March Madness games every year,” Jorgensen said. “I did make a bracket, just for fun, and I hope Duke will win the whole tournament.” 

Many students at Convent & Stuart Hall compete with each other’s bracket predictions through a joined league. Broadcasted on TBS, TNT, TruTV or CBS, everyone’s invited to watch this ongoing tournament. 

“It’s really cool how this tournament inspires friendly competition and collaboration between people,” Gesell said. “I can’t wait to watch the championship game this Sunday.”