NCAA Releases Updated 'March Madness' College Hoops Schedule

Published|Updated

After cancelling the tournament last season due to COVID-19, the NCAA is now looking to bring back the tourney just a bit later than usual in 2021.

Tuesday an updated schedule was released via Twitter.

The so-called "First Four" teams will begin play on Thursday, March 18. In past years, the "First Four" teams competed on Monday or Tuesday for a spot in the 64-team tournament. The first round of the actual tourney would then start on Thursday. However, with the "First Four" playing on Thursday this year, the first round won't start until Friday the 19th. The remainder of the first round will play on Saturday the 20th.

The second round will be on Sunday the 21st of March and Monday the 22nd, and the Sweet 16 will kickoff on Saturday the 27th with games also on the 28th.

The National Championship Game will take place on Monday, April 5th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Here's the update that the NCAA released Tuesday afternoon:

🚨 #MarchMadness Scheduling Update!

🏀 March 18 - First Four
🏀 March 19/20 - First Round
🏀 March 21/22 - Second Round
🏀 March 27/28 - Sweet 16
🏀 March 29/30 - Elite 8
🏀 April 3 - Final Four
🏀 April 5 - National Championship

In case you forgot, the Virginia Cavaliers defeated Texas Tech 85-77 in overtime to win the title in the last tournament.





















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Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."