Sports betting companies took notice of the new brackets for the 68-team NCAA basketball tournament.You may remember that the NCAA expanded the field from 64 to 68 teams but it was not known how the extra four teams would fit in. That sports betting question was answered as the NCAA has developed what they are calling a “First Four” to take get down to the normal 64 teams.
Sports betting companies will still be able to base their brackets on 64 teams since the normal Thursday and Friday action will have 32 games. The addition of four teams means that on either Tuesday or Wednesday, the last four at-large teams and the last four automatic qualifiers will play. The four winners will advance to games on Thursday or Friday. The NCAA is calling the first eight games the “first round”, the normal games on Thursday and Friday the “second round” and the weekend games the “third round.” The rest of the tournament will still have the normal names of Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four and championship game.
The first four games which will include the eight teams will be shown live on TruTV which is a partner in the new TV deal with CBS, Turner and TBS. ESPN had carried the play-in game in previous seasons. It is still likely that Dayton will be one of the sites for the four games.
The big difference with the addition of four more teams is that the last four at-large teams will be announced as they will have to play to get into the final 64. It could mean that two teams would be battling for a #12 seed while another two teams might meet to determine a #11 seed.
When you look at the brackets next year you will see them look just as they did in the past with the only change being the winner of the first round game going into the #12 slot, another winner going into the #11 slot and then the two automatic qualifiers going into the two #16 seeds. The NCAA Tournament will still be exciting and the addition of four teams won’t affect the 64 team bracket that everyone is used to seeing.