With all NCAA Tournament games set for one geographic location, the schedule is taking on a different look this year.
The NCAA announced Tuesday that this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament is scheduled to begin with the “First Four” on Thursday, March 18, two days later than the usual Tuesday start. The opening round of 64 would then take place on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20, with second round games on the subsequent Sunday and Monday.
The Sweet Sixteen, typically on a Thursday and Friday, would move to Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, with all eight games airing in its own television window. The Elite Eight would then take place on the next two nights.
The Final Four is scheduled to remain on its originally scheduled date of Saturday, April 3 and the National Championship April 5. Selection Sunday is also slated for its originally scheduled date of March 14.
In its announcement, the NCAA said that viewers can expect games to air “in typical broadcast windows” on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV.
This year’s NCAA Tournament is scheduled to take place solely within the state of Indiana, with the final four rounds in Indianapolis. It is unclear what impact the modified schedule will have on the women’s tournament, as the schedules for the two events are typically staggered to avoid direct copmetition.
[News from NCAA 1.19]
