What Is the First Four in March Madness? 5 Powerful Ways It Ignites Excitement and Underdog Magic

What is March Madness? It’s one of the most exciting and unpredictable sporting events in the world. Every year, millions of fans eagerly await the tip-off of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, a high-stakes competition that determines the national champion in college basketball. One of the most intriguing aspects of the tournament is the “First Four,” a unique set of games that kicks off the action before the main bracket takes shape. But what is the First Four in March Madness and why does it play such a crucial role? This article explores the origins, structure, and impact of the First Four, as well as its place within the larger NCAA tournament.

Understanding the First Four in March Madness

The First Four refers to the opening round of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. It consists of four games played between eight teams, determining the final four teams to secure a spot in the main tournament bracket. These games serve as a play-in round, allowing lower-seeded and at-large teams a final opportunity to advance to the traditional 64-team field.

Introduced in 2011, the First Four expanded the tournament field from 65 to 68 teams, ensuring more teams have a shot at competing for the national championship. The teams in the First Four fall into two categories:

The Four lowest-seeded AT-LARGE teams, who were selected by the NCAA Selection Committee but just barely made the cut.
The Four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers, conference champions who secured their bids by winning their respective conference tournaments but received the lowest rankings in the seeding process.

These teams face off in do-or-die matchups, with the winners advancing to the traditional first round of the tournament.

Why Does the First Four Exist?

The First Four was established for multiple reasons:

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES: By increasing the number of teams from 65 to 68, the NCAA provides more opportunities for schools to participate in the tournament, enhancing competition and inclusivity.
GENERATING EXCITEMENT: The First Four games create immediate excitement and drama, setting the stage for the unpredictable nature of March Madness.
REVENUE AND VIEWERSHIP: More games mean additional broadcasting opportunities, generating increased revenue for the NCAA and higher engagement from fans.

The Relationship Between the First Four and Selection Sunday

The teams that participate in the First Four are determined on NCAA Selection Sunday, a highly anticipated event when the tournament field is officially announced. On this day, the selection committee evaluates teams based on factors such as win-loss record, strength of schedule, and quality wins to determine which 68 teams will make the cut.

Once the selections are finalized, teams are assigned their seeding within the bracket. The lowest-seeded at-large teams and automatic qualifiers are placed into the First Four matchups, with their fate determined before the main tournament begins.

When Does the First Four Take Place?

If you’re wondering when does March Madness start, the answer lies with Selection Sunday and the First Four. The First Four games are traditionally played on the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday, setting the stage for the full bracket of 64 teams to begin competition that Thursday.

For example, in March Madness 2025, Selection Sunday will take place on MARCH 16, 2025, meaning the First Four games will occur on MARCH 18 and 19, 2025. These games are held in Dayton, Ohio, a location that has become synonymous with the start of the NCAA Tournament.

How the First Four Affects the Bracket

One of the most exciting aspects of the First Four is that teams who advance are placed into the full March Madness 2025 bracket, continuing their journey in the main tournament. While some might see these teams as underdogs, history has shown that First Four participants can make deep runs.

First Four Success Stories

Since its inception, multiple First Four teams have defied expectations and advanced far in the tournament, proving that these early matchups can be a stepping stone for success. Some notable examples include:

VCU (2011): Virginia Commonwealth University started in the First Four and made an incredible run to the Final Four, shocking the college basketball world.
UCLA (2021): The Bruins won their First Four game and went all the way to the Final Four, demonstrating the competitive level of First Four teams.

These Cinderella stories prove that teams coming from the First Four can make a legitimate impact on the tournament.

The Role of Seeding and the First Four

The First Four plays a significant role in seeding and competitive balance within the bracket. Because it includes both at-large teams and automatic qualifiers, the First Four serves as a proving ground where teams earn their place in the 64-team field.

What Is the First Four Out in March Madness?

While the First Four refers to the play-in teams, the First Four Out refers to the four teams that narrowly miss making the tournament. These teams are the first ones left out by the selection committee and are often considered for top seeds in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), a secondary college basketball tournament.

How the First Four Sets the Stage for the Final Four

The First Four is just the beginning of an intense three-week journey that ultimately leads to the Final Four—the last four teams standing in the tournament. As teams fight through the bracket, the unpredictability of March Madness continues to captivate fans and create legendary moments in college basketball history.

Teams that survive the First Four have to win five more games to reach the championship, making the journey from the play-in round to the title game one of the most difficult paths in sports.

The Growing Popularity of the First Four

As the NCAA Tournament continues to grow in popularity, so does the First Four. Fans have embraced these early games, recognizing their importance in shaping the tournament field. Some reasons for its rising popularity include:

COMPETITIVE MATCHUPS: The First Four often features exciting, closely contested games between evenly matched teams.
CINDERELLA POTENTIAL: Fans love seeing underdogs make deep tournament runs, and the First Four is where some of these stories begin.
BETTING AND BRACKETS: The First Four adds another layer to bracket challenges, making predictions even more engaging.

What is the First Four in March Madness and Why it Matters

So, what is the First Four in March Madness? It’s more than just an opening round—it’s a crucial component of the NCAA Tournament that offers teams a chance to prove themselves, sets the stage for thrilling Cinderella stories, and enhances the excitement of March Madness.

From its connection to NCAA Selection Sunday to its impact on the March Madness 2025 bracket, the First Four is an essential part of the tournament experience. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard basketball enthusiast, these opening games are a must-watch as they mark the beginning of one of the most exhilarating sporting events of the year.

As we look forward to when March Madness 2025 starts, keep an eye on the First Four—it just might produce the next great underdog story in college basketball history. The tournament has shown time and again that anything can happen, leading fans to ask, “What is the lowest seed to win March Madness?” Whether it’s a team coming from the First Four or an unexpected Cinderella run, the excitement of March Madness lies in the surprise victories that redefine what’s possible in college basketball.

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