March Madness Trivia

March Madness Trivia

One of America’s most popular sporting events is on the horizon and college basketball enthusiasts are eager to welcome it. 

This spring, over three long weekends, 68 teams will compete in the 83rd annual edition of the NCAA tournament. 

The tournament, also known as March Madness, is scheduled to begin on March 15 and will conclude with the championship game on April 4 in New Orleans. 

While you’re awaiting the First Four games, here are some March Madness trivia to refresh your knowledge of the tournament’s history.

NCAA Tournament Facts & History

Ready to take a trip down memory lane? Take a look at these NCAA history facts & trivia. 

Q: When did March Madness start?

A: 1939

The yearly college basketball tournament first began in 1939 in Evanston, Illinois.

Q: Who won the first March Madness?

A: Oregon Ducks

In 1939, the Oregon Ducks took home the first tournament title, beating Ohio State. 

Q: When did March Madness expand to 64 teams?

A: 1985

When the tournament began, it featured only eight teams. It kept expanding until 1985 when the modern format of a 64-team tournament began. 

Q: Where did the phrase March Madness come from?

A:  Henry V. Porter

The popular name of the event was first used by high-school secretary Henry V. Porter in an essay he wrote in 1939. 

Q: When was the women’s NCAA tournament introduced?

A: 1982

The first NCAA women’s basketball tournament was held in 1982. As of 2022 it goes under the same slogan as men’s basketball, and will now use the trademarked March Madness brand and marketing.

Q: What team has the most NCAA tournament appearances?

A: Kentucky

With 57 appearances, no school in college basketball has appeared more often than Kentucky.  North Carolina is second with 49.

Q: Which team has the most NCAA tournament wins?

A: Kentucky

Kentucky is once again in the lead with 129 NCAA tournament wins.  

Q: Which team holds a record for the worst loss in tournament history?

A: North Carolina

In 1941, the University of North Carolina set a record for ineffectiveness, recording a humiliating 20 points against Pittsburgh.

March Madness Facts and Trivia

This Q&A list of NCAA basketball March Madness trivia was only a warm-up! 

If you want to know more about the pinnacle of sporting events in college basketball in the United States, keep reading because we prepared a list of March Madness fun facts and trivia!

Q: Who is the only player to win the Final Four MOP despite not winning the National Title?

A: Hakeem Olajuwon/Dawn Staley 

Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston) was the last man to win MOP in 1983 even though he wasn’t on the Championship team. Dawn Staley (Virginia) was the only woman to do so when she got the award in 1991.

Q: What are the odds of filling out a perfect bracket?

A: 1 in 9.2 quintillion 

In other words, you’re more likely to win the lottery, get struck by lightning, and have a boa constrictor emerge through the pipes in your toilet all on the same day, so maybe place your sports bets on something else. 

Q: Who is the youngest head coach to win March Madness? 

A: Emmett McCracken

The youngest coach to win a title was Indiana Hoosiers trainer Emmett McCracken at the age of 31. 

Q: What is the traditional March Madness anthem?

A: One Shining Moment 

One Shining Moment is traditionally played at the end of the championship game. It was first played at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 1987.

Q: What is a record for most overtimes in a single game?

A: Seven 

The record for the longest game was set in 1981 when Bradley played against Cincinnati with seven overtimes. 

Q: What is the lowest seed ever to win the NCAA title game?

A: 8th seed

The lowest seed to win the national title is Villanova as a No. 8 seed in 1985. 

Q: Who has turned out the most NBA talent?

A: John Calipari 

John Calipari has turned out more NBA talent than any other coach. He has coached superstars like Denver Nuggets’ DeMarcus Cousins and New York Knicks’ Derrick Rose, who continues to be one of the players with the biggest NBA endorsement deals, despite a recent rocky patch in his career.

Q: Is the NIT part of March Madness?

A: No

The NIT (National Invitation Tournament) was founded a year before the NCAA tournament but didn’t become as popular. It is now operated by the NCAA, though separate from the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. 

Q: What player holds the single-game March Madness record for assists?

A: Mark Wade

With a total of 18, Mark Wade from the University of Nevada Las Vegas set the single-game record for assists in 1987.

Q: Which early college team got stuck with the unfortunate nickname the Tall Firs?

A: Oregon

Because they were taller than every team in the NCAA, Oregon was dubbed the Tall Firs. The team was led by centre Slim Wintermute (6-foot-8) and forward Lauren Gale (6-foot-4).

Q: What is the highest-scoring March Madness game ever?

A: Loyola Marymount 149, Michigan 115

The highest-scoring game in March Madness history was set in 1990 when Loyola Marymount beat Michigan by a final score of 149-115 to total 264 points.

Bottom Line 

We hope this list of March Madness trivia helped you prepare for the most intense, compelling and unpredictable six-day stretch in the world of college basketball. 

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