Understanding the NCAA Tournament’s First Four: Key Insights Explained

The First Four has become an integral part of the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, marking the official start of March Madness. This unique opening round features four games played earlier in the week before the Round of 64.

Understanding the history, format, and impact of the First Four is crucial for any college basketball enthusiast.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the origins, significant moments, and the overall structure of the First Four, providing a comprehensive guide to this exciting phase of the tournament.

Origins of the First Four

In 1999, the Mountain West Conference was added to Division I, and by the 2000-01 season, the conference received its first automatic bid.

This addition increased the total number of automatic qualifiers in the NCAA tournament to 31, and the total number of teams to 65.

To address this odd number, an opening-round game was introduced, where the two lowest-seeded teams faced off on the Tuesday after Selection Sunday.

The Expansion to 68 Teams

In 2011, the NCAA tournament expanded once more, this time to 68 teams. This expansion led to the creation of the First Four, which aimed to trim the number of teams from 68 to 64 before the first round.

As of the 2025 tournament, there are 31 automatic bids and 37 at-large selections.

Structure of the First Four

The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee ranks every team from No. 1 through No. 68.

In the current format, the First Four consists of eight teams: the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams.

Each subset plays against itself, meaning at-large teams face at-large teams, and automatic qualifiers face automatic qualifiers.

Notable Teams and Performances

Throughout its history, the First Four has seen some remarkable performances.

The standard-bearers are the 2011 VCU and 2021 UCLA squads, both No. 11 seeds that made it to the Final Four after starting in the First Four.

The 2011 First Four included teams like UTSA, Clemson, UNC Asheville, VCU, Alabama State, UAB, Arkansas-Little Rock, and Southern California.

Impact on the Tournament

Since the First Four’s inception, at least one First Four team has advanced to the Round of 32 in all but two seasons (2019 and 2025).

The first 68-team field saw No. 11 VCU knock off No. 11 seed USC in the First Four, then defeat No. 6 seed Georgetown, No. 3 seed Purdue, No. 10 seed Florida State, and No. 1 seed Kansas to reach the Final Four.

VCU was the only team to achieve this feat until 2021, when UCLA made a similar run, eventually losing in overtime to No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga in the Final Four.

Women’s Tournament Expansion

In November 2021, the NCAA announced the expansion of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament to 68 teams.

This expansion included teams like No. 16 seeds Howard, Incarnate Word, Longwood, and Mount St. Mary’s, as well as No. 11 seeds Dayton, DePaul, Missouri State, and Florida State.

Historical Context and Significance

The First Four games have always been hosted at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, except for 2021 when they were played in Indiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This change was part of a broader effort to hold all NCAA men’s tournament games within the state to minimize travel and potential virus exposure.

Dayton’s Basketball Legacy

Dayton’s role in hosting the First Four highlights its impressive history as a college basketball town. The community’s enthusiasm and support for the tournament have made it a fitting venue for these crucial opening games.

First Four Teams’ Success Rates

In the first 14 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments featuring the First Four, at least one team from this round has survived until the Round of 32 in all but two seasons.

This statistic underscores the competitive nature of these early matchups and the potential for lower-seeded teams to make deep tournament runs.

Unranked Champions

Since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, only five of 40 national champions were unranked to start the season.

This rarity highlights the unpredictability and excitement that March Madness brings each year.

Conclusion

The First Four is more than just a preliminary round; it’s a stage where underdogs can shine and set the tone for the rest of the NCAA tournament.

Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to March Madness, understanding the dynamics of the First Four enhances the overall tournament experience.

For more detailed insights, you can read the ultimate guide to the First Four on the NCAA website.

As we look forward to future tournaments, the First Four will undoubtedly continue to provide thrilling basketball moments and unforgettable Cinderella stories.