An In-Depth Exploration: The History and Legends of the NCAA Tournament from 1939 to Today

March Madness is one of the most iconic sporting events in American culture, captivating college basketball fans every year. Since its inception in 1939, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament has evolved into a spectacle of drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments. Below is a comprehensive guide covering the tournament’s history, key moments, and the most significant records.

Brief Overview:

• The first NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament was held in 1939 with only 8 teams.
• The University of Oregon was the first champion, defeating Ohio State 46-33.
• The tournament expanded to 16 teams in 1951; to 32 teams in 1975; and to the current format of 64 teams in 1985.
• The “First Four” was introduced in 2001, and expanded to include three games in 2011.
• The term “March Madness” was first used to describe basketball by Illinois high school official Henry V. Porter in 1939. It was popularized in 1982 by CBS commentator Brent Musburger and has since become synonymous with the NCAA Tournament.
• The song “One Shining Moment,” which represents March Madness, was first aired after the 1987 NCAA Tournament.
• The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) was founded in 1938, predating the NCAA Tournament.
• UMBC made history in 2018 by becoming the first 16-seed team to defeat a 1-seed team, winning 74-54 against Virginia. FDU joined this historic group in 2023 by defeating Purdue.
• Duke University holds the record for the largest comeback in tournament history, and also for the largest lead ever overcome.
• Christian Laettner (Duke) is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Tournament history with 407 points. Only nine players have scored over 300 points in March Madness.
• Austin Carr of Notre Dame holds the single-game scoring record with 61 points in a game.
• Loyola Marymount University participated in the three highest-scoring games in tournament history, including a record-setting 149-115 win over Michigan in 1990.
• UCLA has won the most NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, with 11 titles, including a record seven consecutive wins from 1967 to 1973.
• Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski holds the record for the most wins in tournament history, with 101.

When did March Madness start?

The first NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament was held in 1939.

Who was the champion of the first March Madness?

In 1939, the University of Oregon won the inaugural NCAA Tournament, defeating Ohio State 46-33.

When did March Madness expand to 64 teams?

The tournament originally featured 8 teams in 1939, expanded to 16 teams in 1951, and to 64 teams in 1985. The field grew to 65 teams in 2001 with the introduction of the play-in game, and further expanded to include three additional play-in games in 2011, forming the “First Four.”

What is the Origin of the Term “March Madness”?

It was initially coined by Henry V. Porter, a high school official from Illinois. Porter in 1939 to describe basketball games. It was popularized in 1982 by CBS sports broadcaster Brent Musburger, and has since become a defining term for the NCAA Tournament.

What is “One Shining Moment”?

“One Shining Moment” is the theme song of March Madness. Composed by David Barrett in 1986, it was first used in the 1987 NCAA Tournament. Each year after the tournament ends, the song is played with highlights, reviewing key moments from dramatic shots to major upsets.

The song was created for Super Bowl XXI in 1987 but was not aired due to time constraints. CBS producer Doug Towey later used it for March Madness, where it became a staple.

Is the NIT part of March Madness?

No. While the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) is managed by the NCAA, it is separate from the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. The NIT was founded in 1938, a year before the NCAA Tournament, but it has not reached the popularity of the latter. The NIT typically features top teams that did not receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

What is the largest comeback in March Madness history?

In 2001, Duke University came back from a 17-39 deficit against Maryland with 6:37 remaining in the first half. Duke achieved a stunning comeback to win 94-84. This 22-point turnaround is the largest in tournament history.

Interestingly, Duke also holds the record for the largest lead ever overcome in a loss: in 1989, Duke, leading by 18 points at halftime, was defeated 95-78 by Seton Hall.

Who is the highest scorer in March Madness history?

Christian Laettner is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Tournament history with 407 points. Laettner played 23 tournament games (the maximum possible each season), averaging 17.7 points per game.

Here are the only nine players to score over 300 points in March Madness:

Notably, Oscar Robertson scored 80% of Laettner’s total points in far fewer games.

What is the record for the most points scored in a single game in March Madness history?

On March 18, 1990, Loyola Marymount defeated Michigan 149-115, setting the record for the highest-scoring game in NCAA Tournament history with a combined 264 points. This score far exceeds the second highest, also set by Loyola Marymount, with a combined score of 234.

Here is the list of the highest-scoring games in March Madness:

Who holds the record for the most points in a single March Madness game?

Austin Carr of Notre Dame holds the single-game scoring record with 61 points in a game against Ohio University in 1970. Carr is a scoring machine, holding three of the top five single-game scoring records in March Madness.

Here is the list of the highest single-game scores in March Madness: