Let the madness begin: 3 things to watch at the NCAA basketball tournaments

As the NCAA basketball tournaments kick off on Tuesday, there are three key things to keep an eye on:

Top picks for men: The University of Connecticut Huskies, as the defending champions, are heavily favored to win again this year, aiming to become the first team to achieve back-to-back championships since Florida in 2007. Other top seeds include Houston, Purdue, and North Carolina, in a selection process described as particularly challenging this year due to close competition and unexpected “bid thieves.”

Increasing excitement for the women’s tournament: Interest in the women’s tournament is surging, partly because of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, who recently became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division 1 basketball. The competition is fierce, especially with teams like UCLA, Kansas State, and LSU challenging Iowa, and South Carolina seeking to maintain its undefeated record and win its second title in three years.

Scoping out the “Cinderellas”: The tournament is known for its underdog stories, often highlighted by the No. 12 vs. No. 5 seed matchups, which have historically resulted in numerous upsets. This year, games such as No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 James Madison and No. 5 Gonzaga vs. No. 12 McNeese State are being closely watched for potential surprises.

Source: NPR