March Madness 2024: Everything You Need to Know

March Madness, the wildly unpredictable NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, is just around the corner. Known for its thrilling underdog stories, buzzer-beating moments, and bracket-busting upsets, this year’s tournament promises to deliver even more excitement. With 68 teams competing for the ultimate prize, the action begins with Selection Sunday on March 16, when the bracket will be revealed. The tournament tips off on March 18 with the First Four play-in games, followed by the first round on March 20. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or a casual viewer, here’s your ultimate guide to March Madness 2024, including how to watch, key dates, and streaming options.

Selection Sunday: The Bracket Revealed

The journey to the national championship begins on Selection Sunday, March 16. At 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT), CBS will unveil the men’s tournament bracket, revealing the 68 teams, their matchups, and the path to the Final Four. The women’s bracket will follow at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on ESPN. This is the moment when speculation turns into reality, and fans can start filling out their brackets. Make sure to tune in to CBS for the men’s selection show and ESPN for the women’s bracket reveal to kick off the madness.

March Madness Schedule: Key Dates and Rounds

The tournament is structured into several rounds, with each round narrowing down the competition until the final two teams face off in the championship game. Here’s the complete schedule for both the men’s and women’s tournaments:

• Men’s Tournament:

  • First Four: March 18-19
  • First Round: March 20-21
  • Second Round: March 22-23
  • Sweet 16: March 27-28
  • Elite Eight: March 29-30
  • Final Four: Saturday, April 5
  • National Championship: Monday, April 7
• Women’s Tournament:
  • 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: Friday, April 4
  • National Championship: Sunday, April 6

The men’s Final Four and national championship will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, while the women’s Final Four and championship will take place at a soon-to-be-announced location.

How to Watch March Madness Without Cable

Watching March Madness without cable has never been easier, thanks to a variety of affordable streaming options. The tournament games will be broadcast across four channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. Here’s how you can catch all the action without a traditional cable subscription:

1. Max and Paramount Plus with Showtime:

   • For just $10 a month, the ad-supported plan on Max gives you access to games broadcast on TBS, TNT, and TruTV.
   • To watch CBS games, including the Final Four and national championship, you’ll need the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan, which costs $13 a month.
   • Combined, these two services provide coverage of every game in the tournament for a total of $23 a month.
2. Live TV Streaming Services:
   • YouTube TV: At $83 a month, YouTube TV includes CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. It also offers a unique multiview feature, allowing you to watch up to four games simultaneously—perfect for the first two rounds when multiple games are happening at once.
   • Hulu with Live TV: Also at $83 a month, Hulu with Live TV includes all four channels needed to watch March Madness.

Both services offer free trials, and you can cancel anytime.

Devices to Stream March Madness

March Madness can be streamed on a variety of devices, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action. Both Max and Paramount Plus support popular platforms like:

• Smartphones (iPhone, Android)
• Tablets (iPad, Android, Fire)
• Streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV)
• Smart TVs (LG, Samsung, Vizio)
• Gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation)

Additionally, you can use the March Madness Live app, which is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and Xbox. The app offers a free three-hour preview, but you’ll need to log in with a pay-TV subscription to continue watching beyond that.

Watching March Madness with a VPN

If you’re unable to access the games due to location restrictions, a VPN can help. By connecting to a U.S.-based server, you can stream March Madness as if you were in the United States. Services like ExpressVPN are reliable and user-friendly, with plans starting at $6.67 a month for an annual subscription. Remember to ensure your VPN is set up correctly to avoid any issues with streaming services.

Last Year’s Champions and This Year’s Expectations

The UConn Huskies made history last year by winning back-to-back championships, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 in the final. This year, all eyes will be on teams like the Duke Blue Devils, led by star player Cooper Flagg, who are poised to be a No. 1 seed. Whether you’re rooting for a powerhouse program or a Cinderella story, March Madness promises to deliver unforgettable moments.

From Selection Sunday to the final buzzer of the championship game, March Madness is a must-watch event for basketball fans everywhere. With so many ways to stream the games, there’s no excuse to miss out on the excitement. Grab your bracket, fill it out with care, and get ready to witness the magic of college basketball!