It’s a question heard every March around this time. ‘Have you filled out your bracket?’
Yes, 60 to 100 million people every year fill out an NCAA Basketball bracket.
Sports fan or not, basketball enthusiast maybe – March Madness is here.
Sixty-four teams began play for an NCAA Basketball Championship Thursday, including in Buffalo, NY.
Thousands of Canadians, including hundreds from here in Niagara, travelled over the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie to KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo to see a number of teams including the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines who hammered 16th seeded Howard 101-80 on Thursday evening.
What makes March Madness unique is that upsets are guaranteed – every year – to happen. Look no further than No. 12 High Point who ended fifth ranked Wisconsin’s dreams with an 83-82 victory.
Some people pick their favorite city, some people go with team colours, either way ‘March Madness’ has become part of the majority of people’s vernacular.
The 2025 ‘tournament’ averaged 9.4 million viewers per game, while the championship game drew 18.1 million.
And it’s not just men’s basketball, as 8.1 million tuned in to the NCAA Women’s Basketball championship game.
Filling out a bracket is one thing but betting on March Madness has reached monumental proportions. Up to $3.1 billion is expected to be wagered on this years tournament.
We know Canadian basketball is on the rise. Look no further than Hamilton’s Shay Gilgeous-Alexander who is not only the reigning NBA MVP, he also just sent a league record scoring at least 20 points in 127 games – breaking the record of Hall of Fame Wilt Chamberlin back in the 1960’s.
According to the Canadian website BasketballBuzz, a total of 168 Canadians suited up for NCAA Division I men’s teams this season, making our country by far the largest exporter of college basketball talent. And no fewer 36 Canadians are rostered by teams competing in the tournament, up from 20 last year and shattering the record of 30 set in 2022.
Here’s a look at the rest of the tournament schedule starting today (Friday) and including action from Buffalo.
First round (round of 64): Friday, March 20, from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Viejas Arena in San Diego, and Enterprise Center in St. Louis
Second round (round of 32): Saturday, March 21, from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and Moda Center in Portland
Second round (round of 32): Sunday, March 22, from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Viejas Arena in San Diego, and Enterprise Center in St. Louis
Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): Thursday, March 26, from Toyota Center in Houston (South Region), SAP Center in San Jose (West Region)
Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): Friday, March 27, from United Center in Chicago (Midwest Region), Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (East Region)
Elite Eight (regional finals): Saturday, March 28, from Toyota Center in Houston (South Region), SAP Center in San Jose (West Region)
Elite Eight (regional finals): Sunday, March 29, from United Center in Chicago (Midwest Region), Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (East Region)
Final Four (national semifinals and national championship): Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
The only advise this reporter will share is: I hope you took some upsets.
Enjoy the madness.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
