As March Madness unfolds, a striking trend has emerged: a significant portion of the population is choosing to skip out on the annual ritual of filling out NCAA tournament brackets—a tradition that has taken on a cultural significance. Recent polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that about 70% of U.S. adults admit they never fill out a bracket for the NCAA men’s or women’s basketball tournaments. This trend showcases a shift in how the public engages with this iconic sporting event.
In East Lansing, Michigan, Jessica Caruss, a lifelong sports enthusiast and Michigan State fan, shared her sentiments regarding bracket participation. “Oh, I’m aware. I just don’t do brackets or anything,” Caruss said. “I don’t gamble; I don’t see the appeal of it. For me it’s not a rush. It’s stressful.” Caruss’s experience resonates with many who prefer to appreciate March Madness without getting embroiled in the competitive bracket-scoring games.
The data indicates that women are more likely to opt out of crafting brackets, with about 60% of those avoiding the activity identifying as female. Chris Lara from Belvidere, Illinois, also expressed reluctance to participate. While he supports the UCLA teams, his uncertainty about making correct predictions has led him to forgo the bracket experience. “I don’t have the knowledge to pick the teams correctly or to know the ones that are the best,” Lara remarked. “I would just go with my heart and pick teams. ... And then it wouldn’t work out well.”
There’s even a significant portion of the populace who barely registers the tournament itself. Justin Campbell, a 29-year-old from Brookhaven, Mississippi, explained his indifference toward March Madness. While some residents engage heavily with college basketball, others like him tend to prioritize football, noting, “I’m sure if I was in a different town where it was all we talked about, it might be different.”
The apathetic stance toward brackets seems to be shared among various demographics. Laura Edain, a 55-year-old from Seattle, articulated her lack of engagement when she recounted how conversation surrounding March Madness no longer penetrates her social circle: “I don’t think I would have participated, even then,” Edain reflected. “And now, I just am not in any kind of circle that really talks about it at all.”
Conversely, March Madness isn’t exclusive to the casual viewer; it celebrates the athletic feats of collegiate teams, including those of women. This year marks a pivotal turning point concerning equity in sports. For the first time in NCAA history, women's teams are set to receive an individual share of the March Madness revenue, an equity measure that has long been absent.
As the conference landscape continues to evolve, women's basketball teams competing in the NCAA Tournament are now entitled to financial incentives known as units for their participation. With conferences receiving $113,000 for each game a women’s team plays, this funding shed light on longstanding disparities.
Champions of equal rights in sports, like UNC Greensboro’s coach Trina Patterson, voiced their approval. “We are all playing in the same March Madness, the treatment for the men and women should be equal,” she insisted. Coaches from participating teams are excited at the newfound opportunities for their players, affirming the long journey to achieve equality in athletics.
Moreover, this year marks the debut of UNCG in the NCAA Tournament since 1998, while institutions like Yale, which stands at their own juncture of sports and educational leadership, aim to break through traditional barriers. Yale's athletic director, Vicky Chun, spoke on the dynamic shifts impacting college sports and the Ivy League’s authority in ensuring equitable competition.
Just like Yale, teams such as William & Mary and Columbia are breaking new ground as they participate in the tournament. The landscape is ripe for unexpected upsets, a hallmark of the March Madness experience that many fans love. The underdog narrative thrives as traditional powerhouse schools navigate negotiations involving name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation for athletes.
On the court, Xavier made headlines by defeating Texas 86-80 in a tension-filled First Four showdown. Marcus Foster led the Musketeers with 22 points, demonstrating the grit needed during a comeback win. Coach Sean Miller praised his team’s resilience, noting, “I thought we beat an excellent Texas team. They are disciplined. They have depth and talent.” This match revealed the hallmark of March Madness—intense competition and thrilling gambling-like stakes.
As the tournament progresses, the shift in brackets and units highlights an evolving narrative around gender equity in sports alongside the perennial thrill of unpredictability in match outcomes. The NCAA tournament, as a stage where both men and women share the spotlight, proves to be an engaging spectacle for all fans, even those reluctant to fill out brackets.
This year, the NCAA's embrace of gender equity practices alongside traditional March Madness excitement encourages audiences to think critically about who participates in the tournament and how their involvement is valued. As the final rounds loom, stories of athletes striving to seize their moment on center stage will continue to unfold, captivating fans across America, amidst a backdrop of fresh perspectives on fairness concerning both gender and participation.
