March Madness is in full swing as the 68-team field for the NCAA Tournament was announced on Selection Sunday. UConn, the reigning national champion, has secured the top seed in the East Regional, intensifying the competition. Joining them as top seeds are Houston in the South, Purdue in the Midwest, and North Carolina in the West.

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo leads the Spartans to their 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, while Arizona’s Caleb Love could potentially face his former team, North Carolina. However, the West Region’s standout story revolves around Tyon Grant-Foster of Grand Canyon, who survived a cardiac arrest during a game almost two years ago.

If the seeds hold, the Midwest Region final could see Purdue against Tennessee, both striving to reach the Final Four. In the East Region, UConn will defend its title against tough competition from teams like Iowa State, Illinois, and Auburn. The South Region is rich in NCAA tournament history, with several teams boasting championship banners and recent Final Four appearances.

For teams that miss out on the NCAA tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) offers an alternative path to showcase their skills and compete at a national level.