NCAAs

NCAAs is a colloquial term for the National Collegiate Athletic Association championships, the national championships conducted by the NCAA in the United States. The NCAA, founded in 1906, governs intercollegiate athletics for more than 500 member institutions and administers championships across three divisions (I, II, III). While the NCAA oversees many sports, the events most commonly referred to as the NCAAs are the Division I basketball tournaments for men and women, and these are colloquially called the NCAAs or March Madness.

The organization runs a multi-round, single-elimination format. Championships are decided through a combination of automatic bids earned by conference champions and at-large selections, with the men's tournament field typically around 68 teams and the women's field expanded to 68 teams in recent years.

Games are played at neutral or rotating venues, culminating in the Final Four and national championship.

The NCAAs have a prominent place in American sports culture, featuring large media coverage, extensive bracket betting pools, and significant economic impact on host cities. They also serve as a platform for student-athletes and have sparked discussions about amateurism, compensation, and name, image, and likeness rights.