Ancient history may have taught us to beware the ides of March, but more modern times point to an important and pivotal time in the third month of the calendar year — selection Sunday. Since November, the college basketball season has been raging on. Teams from around the country competed against each other both in and out of conference play. In the end, 68 teams were granted the honor of participating in the NCAA Division I college basketball tournament, better known as March Madness. Here is how the bracket breaks down this year. 

East

To no one’s surprise, Duke University secured the number one seed in the region as well as the number 1 seed in the tournament. Michigan State University came in at the second seed, but many expected them to land higher after defeating Michigan in the Big Ten tournament. They are definitely the best two seed in the tournament and should provide a formidable opponent for Duke in the elite eight if the two teams advance that far. Keep an eye on University of Maryland and Virginia Polytechnic Institute as potential upsets. 

South

In the south region, University of Virginia is hoping for a different result than last year. They became the first one seed to lose to a sixteen seed in tournament history after University of Maryland Baltimore County beat them in last year’s round of 64. This year, UVA is back and a one seed yet again, with 16 seed Garner-Webb looking to pull off the upset this year. Tennessee secured the two seed, but keep an eye on conference champion Cincinnati to pull out an upset win. 

Midwest

Despite not finishing at the top of their conference, University of North Carolina was skilled enough to eke out the third one seed of the tournament in the midwest region. The University of Kentucky takes the two seed, and despite losing some key players to injuries, they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. Kansas comes in at the four, but they will be faced with a red-hot Northeastern offense who can light it up from three. 

West

The west might be the most interesting division in the tournament this year. Two of the most fun  players to watch in the nation will go head to head in the first round. Marquette University’s Markus Howard will take on Murray State University’s Ja Morant. Gonzaga claims the one seed, but look to number two Michigan, number six Buffalo, and number seven Nevada to make some noise in the conference. 

There’s the breakdown of this year’s bracket. Check in for updates on your team and don’t forget to lock in your picks before Thursday’s games!