Comprehensive guide to March Madness

The most exhilarating three weeks on the college basketball calendar are here, as the 2023 NCAA Tournament is set to tip off this week.

Defending champion UConn eyes a second straight title and comes in as the No. 1 overall seed, but a mix of top programs and plucky underdogs stand in its way.

Find everything you need to know about the 68-team event below.

Region previews

East Region

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Defending champion UConn will look to go back-to-back and takes the court as the No. 1 overall seed in this year’s tournament, an honor that ensures the Huskies remain close to home and play in the East Region. While Danny Hurley lost three starters from last year’s title team to the NBA, he reloaded with a balanced attack that sees five players hit double-digit points per game. The rest of the East is stacked with title teams, as No. 2 Iowa State, No. 3 Illinois, and No. 4 Auburn all won their conference tournament crowns.

See full preview.

West Region

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The North Carolina roller coaster is back on a high with the top seed in the West Region. After narrowly losing in the final in 2022, the Tar Heels became the first preseason No. 1 to miss the tournament the following year as a result of a dismal campaign. However, the rise back to the top was swift, and R.J. Davis and Armando Bacot are looking to cap their illustrious careers with tournament glory. No. 2 Arizona is led by former North Carolina star Caleb Love, with a potential attention-grabbing reunion with his former school waiting in the regional final. No. 3 Baylor is packed with young NBA talent, while both No. 11 New Mexico and No. 12 Grand Canyon are popular upset picks in the opening round.

See full preview.

Midwest Region

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Will Purdue be doomed as a No. 1 seed again or will Zach Edey lead the Boilermakers deep into the tourney in his final collegiate season? Disaster struck Matt Painter’s program in last year’s tournament, as Purdue became just the second No. 1 to lose to a No. 16 in history. Virginia was the first team to suffer that fate but rebounded to win the entire tournament the following year. The Boilermakers will be hoping for a similar recovery. No. 2 Tennessee is powered by the high-scoring Dalton Knecht but must overcome coach Rick Barnes’ history of March failure to make a run. Tournament mainstays Creighton, Kansas, and Gonzaga also feature in the region, with upset-minded Oregon and McNeese looking to make noise.

See full preview.

South Region

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Another year, another No. 1 seed for Houston. The move to the Big 12 didn’t change things for the Cougars, who once again won 30 games and head to March Madness atop a region. Jamal Shead is the unquestioned leader at both ends for Kelvin Sampson’s outfit as they hope to erase last year’s Sweet 16 disappointment with a deep tournament run. No. 2 Marquette will go as far as point guard Tyler Kolek takes the team, but the Golden Eagles star has sat out since late February due to injury. No. 3 Kentucky will look to ride its dominant offense and NBA-bound freshman duo of Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham to tournament success, while No. 4 Duke will be hoping to avoid an early upset by No. 13 Vermont.

See full preview.

Tournament news/features

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  • Ranking all 68 March Madness teams
  • Kansas’ McCullar ruled out of NCAA Tournament
  • 5 teams that could bust your bracket in NCAA tourney
  • AP Poll: UConn back at No. 1 ahead of March Madness repeat bid
  • Edey unanimous again on AP men’s All-America 1st team
  • Mid-major stars who could shake up March Madness
  • Seismic changes in college sports could alter March Madness
  • Paige Bueckers remains heartbeat to UConn’s title hopes
  • Selection Sunday: UConn, Purdue, Houston, UNC get top NCAA seeds

Betting content

  • March Madness futures: Final Four and championship odds
  • March Madness regional betting preview: The East’s dark-horse candidate
  • March Madness regional betting preview: How the West will be won
  • March Madness regional betting preview: Do questions in the South create value?
  • March Madness First Four best bets
  • Midwest Region betting preview (Wednesday)
  • 5 games you need to win your bracket (Wednesday)
  • March Madness betting insights (Wednesday)

Previous winners

2023 – UConn
2022 – Kansas
2021 – Baylor
2020 – No tournament
2019 – Virginia
2018 – Villanova
2017 – North Carolina
2016 – Villanova
2015 – Duke
2014 – UConn
2013 – Louisville*
2012 – Kentucky

*Title later vacated

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