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First Four

The First Four constitutes the preliminary play-in games of the men's and tournaments, comprising four single-elimination contests held in , to reduce the initial 68-team field to 64 for the main . Introduced in alongside the expansion of the men's tournament from 65 to 68 teams, the format pits the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers—typically champions of smaller conferences—against each other in two games, with the other two games matching the four lowest-seeded bids. Winners of the automatic qualifier matchups advance as No. 16 seeds to face No. 1 seeds in the Round of 64, while winners enter as No. 11 seeds, providing underdog teams an opportunity to extend runs, as exemplified by Virginia Commonwealth University's advancement to the . Traditionally hosted at the since its inception, the First Four kicks off March Madness with heightened atmosphere, though participating teams historically face steep odds of deep tournament progression.

History

Pre-First Four Opening Round (2001–2010)

In 2001, the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament expanded from 64 to 65 teams by introducing a single opening round play-in game between the champions of the two lowest-rated conferences according to the NCAA's selection metrics, such as all-time winning percentage and conference strength. This change accommodated the addition of an automatic bid for the Mountain West Conference, increasing automatic qualifiers to 31 without reducing the 34 at-large selections that filled the main 64-team bracket. The play-in winner received a #16 seed and advanced to face a #1 seed in the first round, preserving the bracket's structure while addressing the empirical increase in Division I conference memberships from 31 to 32. The inaugural game on March 13, 2001, at featured Northwestern State () defeating Winthrop () 71–67, highlighted by Larry Hancock's three-pointer with one minute remaining to secure the victory. Northwestern State then lost to #1 61–47 in the first round. This format persisted annually through 2010, with the game consistently hosted at Dayton Arena and involving automatic qualifiers from smaller conferences, typically those ranked lowest by NCAA criteria. During this period, play-in winners included in 2002 (81–77 over Alcorn State), in 2003 (77–56 over ), in 2004 (75–56 over Florida A&M), and others such as UNC Asheville (2005), Florida A&M (2007), and Arkansas Baptist (2010, though typically low-major autos). None of the 10 play-in winners advanced beyond the first round, underscoring the competitive disparity between small-conference champions and major tournament seeds. The structure reflected causal realism in tournament design: it empirically mitigated dilution of higher-quality at-large teams by isolating low-probability advancement to one contested spot among automatic bids, amid Division I's growth to over 300 teams and stable at-large slots.
YearWinnerScoreOpponentConference of Winner
2001Northwestern State71–67WinthropSouthland
200281–77Alcorn StateMAAC
200377–56OVC
200475–56Florida A&MMAAC
2005UNC Asheville65–60High PointBig South
200668–60Horizon
2007Florida A&M58–57NiagaraMEAC
2008Mount St. Mary's81–79 (OT)Coppin State
2009Robert Morris77–62North Carolina Central
2010Winthrop74–70Arkansas-Pine BluffBig South
This era's play-in laid groundwork for broader inclusion of mid-major teams, as seen in later successes like Virginia Commonwealth University's 2011 Final Four appearance, where similar automatic qualifier dynamics influenced selection amid format evolution.

Introduction to the First Four in Men's Tournament (2011–2021)

The First Four was introduced in the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, expanding the field from 65 to 68 teams through four preliminary games held at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. These games consisted of two matchups between the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers (both No. 16 seeds) and two between the final at-large selections (both No. 11 seeds), with winners advancing to the main 64-team bracket as those seeds. This format replaced the prior single play-in game between the two lowest auto-bid teams, aiming to create a more equitable bracket by ensuring even numbers of teams per seed line and reducing early eliminations among small-conference champions. The shift responded to the proliferation of Division I programs, which numbered around 334 men's teams by 2010, intensifying competition for at-large bids among bubble teams evaluated via metrics like the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) and performance. By pitting comparable contenders against each other, the NCAA selection could extend invitations to more deserving squads without immediately disadvantaging them in the Round of 64, while also generating additional revenue through extra broadcast slots and ticket sales at a neutral site. This structure preserved bracket integrity, avoiding the odd-team-out issue of the 65-team format, and provided small s with protected auto-bid games rather than forcing them into high-stakes early clashes. A landmark validation came in the inaugural 2011 First Four, where (VCU), an at-large No. 11 seed, defeated 59-46 before embarking on a run to the , upsetting higher seeds including No. 1 along the way. This outcome empirically demonstrated the competitive viability of First Four participants, countering skepticism about their ability to contend in the main draw and setting a for potential in the expanded format. Through 2021, the First Four maintained its role in refining the field, with Dayton hosting annually to capitalize on local enthusiasm and logistical efficiency for the opening rounds.

Expansion to Women's Tournament and Recent Developments (2022–present)

In 2022, the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament introduced the First Four for the first time, expanding the bracket to 68 teams in alignment with the men's format to accommodate four additional play-in contests. These games pit the four lowest at-large #11 or #12 seeds against each other in two matchups, while the other two feature automatic qualifiers from smaller conferences lacking league tournament victories, with winners advancing as #11 seeds into the main 64-team bracket. The shift responded to rising empirical demand, as women's tournament viewership had climbed steadily, with the 2022 Final Four averaging 3.46 million viewers— the highest since 2012—prompting structural parity to capitalize on revenue potential from expanded media rights without altering core selection metrics like NET rankings. Unlike the men's First Four, fixed annually at University of Dayton Arena in , the women's games occur at designated first- and second-round regional sites to integrate seamlessly with subsequent rounds and reduce travel burdens on participants. For instance, the 2025 First Four spanned March 19–20 across sites in Spokane, Washington, and , hosting two games each day before feeding into regional brackets. This decentralized approach has preserved logistical efficiency, as evidenced by consistent scheduling amid women's basketball's viewership surge—first-round games in 2025 averaged 469,000 viewers, the second-highest since 2008, up 18% from 2023 despite the absence of prior megastars. Post-2022, the format has undergone no substantive modifications through 2025, even as I women's programs approached 351 teams and realignments intensified competition for at-large bids. Selection committee evaluations, grounded in data-driven criteria including and efficiency metrics, affirm that the First Four sustains bracket competitiveness by filtering marginal contenders without diluting higher-seed matchups, as higher seeds dominated first-round play (31-1 in ). Broader debates—to 72 or 76 teams—persisted into 2025 but yielded no changes for 2026, prioritizing stability amid revenue gains from events like the championship's 18.7 million viewers, which outpaced the men's final for the first time. This continuity underscores a causal link between sustained viewership growth—fueled by marketable rivalries and broadcast innovations—and format preservation, rather than reactive enlargement that could erode the 's merit-based intensity.

Format and Selection

Team Qualification Criteria

The First Four features eight teams divided into four at-large selections and four automatic qualifiers. The at-large teams consist of the four lowest-ranked among the 37 at-large bids selected by the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee, primarily evaluated using the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET), an efficiency metric that adjusts offensive and defensive performance for strength of schedule, tempo, and game outcomes. The committee supplements NET with qualitative factors including head-to-head results, records against common opponents, and performance in key quadrants of the NET system—where Quadrant 1 denotes the most challenging games (e.g., away wins against top-75 NET teams)—to identify bubble teams capable of competing at tournament levels. This metrics-driven approach prioritizes causal performance indicators over raw win-loss records, which can be inflated by weak schedules. Automatic qualifiers for the First Four are conference tournament champions from the 31 smaller Division I leagues whose teams receive the lowest overall seeds in the committee's 1-68 ranking. These bids, often from conferences like the (MEAC), (SWAC), or , secure entry regardless of NET ranking but must compete in play-in games if seeded below established thresholds for direct advancement, such as the 16-seed line. The process ensures representation for conference winners while subjecting lower-performing auto-bid teams to an additional empirical test, contrasting with direct inclusion for higher-seeded autos from major conferences. In distinction from the main bracket's 56 directly advancing teams, First Four participants—typically projected as 11- or 16-seeds—undergo play-in contests to claim those lines, enforcing stricter merit thresholds to filter marginal squads. Empirical data from evaluations reveals that at-large First Four teams predominantly emerge from (e.g., Big Ten, ), where tougher schedules yield superior efficiency metrics, underscoring the system's resistance to rewarding conference affiliation over verifiable performance despite occasional critiques of discretion. This structure, applied similarly in the women's tournament since , maintains field integrity by integrating objective data with oversight.

Game Mechanics and Seeding

The First Four features four single-elimination games designed to reduce the 68-team field to 64 for the main : two contests between the four lowest-seeded teams, typically assigned as No. 11 seeds, and two between the four lowest-seeded qualifiers, assigned as No. 16 seeds. These pairings ensure that competing teams of comparable overall face each other, with the victor assuming the higher seed's position in the to preserve matchup integrity. The games follow standard rules, including regulation play and overtime as needed, without modifications to scoring, timeouts, or other procedures that could introduce format-specific advantages or disadvantages. Winners of the No. 11 vs. No. 11 games advance into the main bracket as the No. 11 seed for their designated region, positioned to face a No. 6 seed in the first round (Round of 64). Similarly, victors from the No. 16 vs. No. 16 matchups enter as the No. 16 seed in their region, matched against a No. 1 seed. This integration occurs seamlessly within the pre-constructed bracket framework, where specific pod positions are allocated in advance for these outcomes, ensuring the overall seeding hierarchy and regional balance remain intact without re-seeding or adjustments post-game. The same mechanics apply to the women's tournament, implemented since 2022, aligning both divisions' formats for consistency in preliminary play. This structure prioritizes equitable competition by pitting underdogs against peers rather than top seeds prematurely, allowing winners to test their mettle in standard slots that reflect their assigned strength. For instance, No. 16 winners directly challenge No. 1 seeds, a matchup historically dominated by the top seed but one that underscores the format's commitment to unaltered progression paths. All contests are hosted at a predetermined neutral site to eliminate home-court effects, further emphasizing merit-based advancement.

Venue, Scheduling, and Logistics

The men's First Four games have been conducted annually at the in , since the format's introduction in 2011, leveraging the venue's established heritage dating back to 1970 and its capacity to host multiple tournament contests efficiently. This single-site model facilitates streamlined operations, including consistent staffing and fan access, while accommodating crowds that have routinely approached the arena's 13,435-seat capacity. These games are scheduled for the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the Round of 64, aligning with the broader timeline to integrate seamlessly into the progression; for instance, the 2025 men's matchups occurred on March 18 and 19. The women's First Four adheres to a parallel early-week structure, with 2025 games set for March 19 and 20, though utilizing dispersed neutral sites to align with regional logistics rather than a centralized location. Logistically, both men's and women's First Four contests employ neutral-court settings to preclude any home-team biases, governed by standard basketball rules and officiated by crews selected through committee assignments ensuring impartiality and uniformity across the postseason. This framework upholds competitive equity by standardizing conditions such as court dimensions, equipment, and timeout structures identical to subsequent rounds.

Results and Statistics

Men's Tournament Results (2011–present)

The men's First Four contests have yielded several competitive outcomes, with at-large bid winners demonstrating notable success in subsequent rounds. According to NCAA records, at-large First Four teams have advanced past the first round of the main bracket in more than 50% of cases since , providing against assertions that the format dilutes quality. In 2011, VCU defeated 74–48 in one at-large matchup, then advanced through the bracket to the , defeating 74–56 in the round of 32, Purdue 94–76 in the Sweet Sixteen, and Florida State 72–71 in the . Clemson beat UAB 70–52 in the other at-large game but fell to UConn 65–53 in the round of 64. Subsequent years featured additional deep runs, such as in 2018 when Loyola–Chicago edged 64–62 in the First Four before reaching the , and in 2021 when UCLA beat Michigan State 86–66 to advance as an 11 seed en route to the national semifinals. In the 2025 tournament, and secured at-large victories to enter the as 11 seeds, while Alabama State won the 16-seed matchup against St. Francis on a last-second shot; however, none of the First Four winners progressed beyond the round of 64, marking only the second such occurrence after 2019.

Women's Tournament Results (2022–present)

In 2022, the inaugural women's First Four games determined the final #11 and #16 seeds, with at-large teams securing the #11 slots. Missouri State defeated Florida State 61–50 in one #11 matchup. Dayton defeated DePaul 88–57 in the other #11 game. and Mount St. Mary's advanced from the #16 matchups, with the latter prevailing 70–something over Longwood. All four advancing teams lost in the first round: Missouri State to UConn, Dayton to Ohio State, to NC State, and Mount St. Mary's to . In 2023, automatic qualifiers showed early promise in the First Four. Chattanooga upset Pitt 59–38 in a #11 game to advance. Sacred Heart advanced as the #16 seed after winning its play-in game. Mississippi State also secured a #11 seed from the remaining #11 matchup. The winners exited in the first round: Chattanooga to , Sacred Heart to Stanford 92–49, and Mississippi State to Louisville. In 2024, automatic bids swept the First Four. Presbyterian defeated fellow auto Sacred Heart 49–42 to claim the #16 seed. Jackson State outlasted at-large Vanderbilt 66–62 in overtime for a #11 seed. Both advanced teams fell in the first round: Presbyterian to South Carolina and Jackson State to Alabama. In 2025, matchups remained competitive, with a mix of at-large and auto successes. Columbia rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat Washington 63–60 in a #11 seeds battle. Iowa State overcame Princeton 68–65 after trailing by 13 at halftime. William & Mary advanced to face Texas, while Southern progressed as the #16 seed before losing to UCLA 84–73 in the first round. As in prior years, First Four participants have yet to record a first-round win, underscoring the challenge for bubble and lower-seeded teams despite occasional upsets in play-ins.

Performance Trends and Empirical Outcomes

In the NCAA men's basketball tournament, First Four auto-qualifier winners, who enter the main bracket as No. 16 seeds, have recorded just one victory since the format's inception in 2011—that being Fairleigh Dickinson University's 63–58 upset over No. 1 seed Purdue in 2023—demonstrating consistently poor advancement against top competition. In contrast, at-large bid winners from the First Four, typically seeded No. 11, have achieved greater empirical success, including two appearances (Virginia Commonwealth in 2011 and UCLA in 2021) and multiple first-round triumphs, though exceptions like zero main-bracket wins in 2019 and 2025 underscore their vulnerability. This bifurcation reveals that participants, drawn from the bubble of major-conference contenders, outperform small-conference auto-qualifiers in win rates and seeding outcomes, suggesting the format filters stronger teams into higher brackets while auto-bids from lesser leagues rarely sustain competitiveness. The women's First Four, implemented starting in , exhibits analogous patterns in its nascent dataset across three full tournaments through 2024, with winners advancing sparingly beyond the Round of 64 and no documented 16-over-1 upsets; at-large entrants again secure higher seeds and marginally superior first-round results compared to auto-qualifiers, though the limited sample (12 main-bracket entrants total) precludes robust statistical divergence. Empirically, the structure yields revenue through elevated viewership—such as the 2024 's cumulative 6.2 million viewers, a 14% increase year-over-year and the second-highest Tuesday-Wednesday total on record—without eroding elite bracket dynamics, as top seeds have absorbed only isolated losses from these games.

Reception and Impact

Achievements and Economic Benefits

The First Four games have delivered high viewership and dramatic moments that enhance tournament engagement. In 2025, North Carolina's First Four victory over San Diego State drew 2.2 million viewers on , marking a record for a tournament opener. Similarly, Xavier's 2025 comeback win over averaged 2.4 million viewers, the highest for any First Four contest to date. These figures underscore the format's ability to generate early excitement through competitive matchups involving bubble teams and automatic qualifiers. Underdog narratives emerging from the First Four have amplified bracket unpredictability and fan interest. The format provides opportunities for lower-seeded or smaller-conference teams to advance, as seen in Virginia Commonwealth University's 2011 progression from a First Four win over to the , a feat that highlighted the potential for extended runs. Such outcomes contribute to the tournament's empirical edge in unpredictability, with historical data showing higher upset rates in play-in games compared to main early rounds, fostering broader participation from non-power programs without relying on financial subsidies. Economically, the First Four has driven significant local benefits in Dayton, Ohio, where has hosted since 2011. The 2025 edition generated $6.63 million in direct spending and economic impact for the region, supporting hotels, restaurants, and businesses through fan influxes exceeding prior years. NCAA-wide, the 2011 expansion to a 68-team field, incorporating the First Four, has bolstered overall March Madness revenue, which exceeded $900 million in 2024 from and related streams, enabling greater distribution to member institutions and sustaining competitive balance for programs.

Criticisms and Ongoing Debates

Critics have argued that the First Four format compromises the integrity of bid selections by extending opportunities to underperforming teams from , often displacing automatic qualifiers from or smaller conferences that won their league tournaments. For example, in the 2025 NCAA men's tournament, North Carolina's selection as the final team and placement in the First Four drew widespread scrutiny due to its 1-12 record against Quadrant 1 opponents, highlighting perceptions that the NCAA Evaluation Tool () metrics disproportionately benefit programs with historical strength and resources over recent conference champions from less prominent leagues. Empirical outcomes reinforce concerns about limited impact, as First Four winners—typically 11- or 16-seeds—have rarely advanced beyond the round of 64 since the format's 2011 debut, with only reaching the that year; of the 28 winners through 2025, fewer than 20% have secured a second-round victory, suggesting the extra games serve more as an extension for bubble teams than a viable path for underdogs. This pattern has fueled claims that the structure dilutes competitive equity without enhancing potential, particularly as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal have accelerated talent migration to , eroding mid-major rosters and reducing their viability in NET-based evaluations. Ongoing debates center on whether to expand automatic bids for smaller conferences to counter perceived power-conference dominance in allocations, versus preserving the 's data-driven emphasis on efficiency metrics, which critics from equity-focused advocates argue entrenches resource disparities amid NIL-induced roster instability. Proponents of more auto-bids cite causal links between portal/NIL dynamics and decline, where top performers depart annually, as evidence for structural reforms to maintain broad participation; opponents counter that NET adjustments already account for , and further bid proliferation could lower overall field quality. Initial skepticism toward the 68-team expansion in , which introduced the First Four, questioned whether play-in games would erode tournament prestige or fan interest, yet attendance data has consistently exceeded 12,000 per session at , with 2025 viewership peaking at 2.4 million for key matchups—levels comparable to early main-bracket games—and no observable decline in overall upset rates or bracket engagement, indicating the format has not causally diminished event quality despite persistent critiques.

Broadcasting and Media

The men's basketball First Four games are televised nationally on , a Turner Sports network, under the joint CBS Sports and Turner Sports media rights agreement that runs through the 2032 tournament. This setup assigns all four opening-round contests to truTV, with production and commentary provided by Turner personnel, continuing a format established when the First Four debuted in 2011. Viewership for the men's First Four has increased over time, reflecting broader interest in underdog matchups despite airing on a cable channel with limited carriage compared to broadcast networks. In 2025, the four games averaged a record 7.4 million viewers on truTV, up 20% from 2024 and surpassing prior highs like the 2021 session's 7.6 million cross-platform gross audience. Earlier editions, such as 2014, drew about 1.5 million per game, indicating steady growth tied to competitive outcomes and prominent teams. For the women's tournament, the First Four—added in 2022 to expand the field to 68 teams—is broadcast on ESPN networks, primarily and for the opening matchups. ESPN holds exclusive rights to the entire women's basketball championship, televising all games across its platforms including for later rounds. This coverage aligns with ESPN's long-term deal for the event, emphasizing comprehensive national exposure similar to the men's but without a dedicated opening-round cable window equivalent to .

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