How Does the First Four in March Madness Works? Everything You Need to Know

While many eyes are focused on the totality of the NCAA Tournament, perhaps the most underrated part of the schedule is the First Four.

If fans wish to understand a little bit more about the First Four, here is some background information on the opening stage of the NCAA Tournament.

Why Do They Call It the First Four?

The beginning part of the tournament is called the First Four because just two days after Selection Sunday, a play-in tournament begins in Dayton, Ohio.

The miniature play-in tournament is made up of eight teams that match up across four games. Whoever wins each game officially advances into the Round of 64 with the other at-large teams.

In two of the First Four matchups, No. 16 seeds from lesser-known conferences will face off. In the other two matchups, No. 11 seeds from other major conferences will meet each other.

Have First Four Teams Made Deep Tournament Runs Before?

Just because a team plays in the First Four does not mean they can’t make a magical run in the tournament.

Fans remember the VCU Rams, led by former head coach Shaka Smart, going all the way from the First Four to the Final Four in 2011. In more recent history, the UCLA Bruins went from playing in the First Four to beating the No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the Elite Eight back in 2021. Of course, the Bruins were a Jalen Suggs buzzer-beater away from possibly making it to the national title game.

Even No. 16 seeds have succeeded after coming out of the First Four. Two seasons ago, 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson upset the No. 1-seeded Purdue Boilermakers in the Round of 64.

So, at the end of the day, all that matters is that teams can find a way to make the First Four. If you can make it into the dance, anything can happen because there is so much pressure on higher-seeded teams.

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The First Four gives teams a chance to gain some early momentum before the tournament picks up, which is very similar to wildcard teams in the NFL who have to play in the first round of the playoffs.

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