March Madness 2019 tips off this week, and it’s time to bust out those brackets just to have them — more than likely — busted on the first day.
The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is a three-week long 68-team, single-elimination tournament where each team has one goal: survive and advance through six rounds (seven for First Four teams) to be crowned the college basketball national champion.
Here’s everything you need to know for this year’s tournament, so you don’t miss out on a minute of the madness.
When does March Madness start?
It “technically” started on March 17 when 68 teams were seeded by the selection committee on “Selection Sunday.” Now that all the teams have been placed in the bracket, here’s a look at 67-game the schedule:
- First Four: March 19-20
- Round of 64: March 21-22
- Round of 32: March 23-24
- Sweet Sixteen: March 28-29
- Elite Eight: March 30-31
- Final Four: April 6
- National Championship: April 8
Where can I watch or stream the games?
Every game during March Madness can be watched 100% free from your TV, computer, and smartphone. Here are each of the TV channels that will broadcast the 2019 NCAA tournament games along with the NCAA’s official website and apps Apple/Android that will stream all the games.
TV: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV
Desktop: March Madness Live on NCAA.com
Mobile: NCAA March Madness Live app — iOS | Android
Which college basketball teams made the tournament?
Below you’ll find our printable bracket that includes all 68 teams seeded into initial matchups prior to the start of March Madness 2019.
Printable NCAA Bracket 2019 – Free and Filled
Who is the betting favorite?
The Duke Blue Devils, despite having some ups and downs during the season — mostly due to injuries — remain the heavy betting favorite and enter the 2019 NCAA tournament at +225 ($100 bet wins $225). Here are the odds for all 68 teams prior to the start of the tourney.
Odds to Win the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
(via Bovada)
- Duke (#1) +225
- Gonzaga (#1) +550
- Virginia (#1) +600
- North Carolina (#1) +700
- Kentucky (#2) +1100
- Michigan State (#2) +1200
- Michigan (#2) +1600
- Tennessee (#2) +1600
- Texas Tech (#3) +2000
- Auburn (#5) +3300
- Florida State (#4) +3300
- Houston U (#3) +3300
- Purdue (#3) +3300
- Iowa State (#6) +4000
- Virginia Tech (#4) +4000
- LSU (#3) +5000
- Villanova (#6) +5000
- Kansas (#4) +5500
- Marquette (#5) +5500
- Kansas State (#4) +6000
- Louisville (#7) +6600
- Buffalo (#6) +7500
- Wisconsin (#5) +7500
- Cincinnati (#7) +8000
- Nevada (#7) +8000
- Syracuse (#8) +10000
- Wofford (#7) +12500
- Florida (#10) +15000
- Iowa (#10) +15000
- Maryland (#6) +15000
- Mississippi State (#5) +15000
- Oregon (#12) +15000
- Central Florida (#9) +20000
- Murray State (#12) +20000
- Seton Hall (#10) +20000
- Washington (#9) +20000
- Minnesota (#10) +25000
- Mississippi (#8) +25000
- New Mexico State (#12) +25000
- Arizona State (#11) +35000
- Baylor (#9) +35000
- Ohio State (#11) +35000
- Oklahoma (#9) +35000
- St Mary’s CA (#11) +35000
- St. John’s (#11) +35000
- Virginia Commonwealth (#8) +35000
- Belmont (#11) +50000
- Georgia State (#14) +50000
- Northern Kentucky (#14) +50000
- Old Dominion (#14) +50000
- Saint Louis (#13) +50000
- Temple (#11) +50000
- Utah State (#8) +50000
- Cal Irvine (#13) +100000
- Iona (#16) +100000
- Liberty (#12) +100000
- Montana (#15) +100000
- Northeastern (#13) +100000
- Vermont (#13) +100000
- Yale (#14) +100000
- Abilene Christian (#15) +200000
- Bradley (#15) +200000
- Colgate (#15) +200000
- Fairleigh Dickinson (#16) +200000
- Gardner Webb (#16) +200000
- NC Central (#16) +200000
- North Dakota State (#16) +200000
- Prairie View A&M (#16) +200000
What are the best free NCAA bracket contests for 2019?
In terms of investing nothing (i.e. free) for the potential to win big money or prize, the Yahoo! Sports contest easily comes out on top this year with its $1 million prize for either picking a perfect bracket (good luck with those odds) or placing first in overall points scored.
Also, Qlik is offering an enticing challenge if you’re a stat junkie, and it has a $100,000 prize as well. Check out the Free March Madness Bracket Contests for 2019 section of our March Madness page if you want a full list of the best challenges with all the details — including links, rules, and prizes — for 2019’s best college basketball bracket contest.
Where can I get more bracketology and betting info on March Madness 2019?
That’s easy. Our March Madness page has in-depth information on historical trends and probabilities that’ll help show you what you need to be looking for when start to fill out your 2019 bracket or before you place a bet on this year’s NCAA tournament.