When does March Madness start? Tipoff dates for men’s & women’s tournaments, NIT

At the start of February, that beautiful little groundhog Punxsutawney Phil told us that we’re getting an early Spring this year. Now, if he could only find a way to bring us March Madness six weeks earlier. 

Still, March Madness is right around the corner and approaching fast. Both the Penn State men and women may need to win the Big Ten tournament to hear their name called on Selection Sunday, but there will be plenty of Big Ten teams included in both tournaments. 

From the conference, the Purdue men will look to avenge their loss to Farleigh Dickinson in the first round last year. On the men’s side, only Michigan State made it past the first weekend from the Big Ten in 2023 and Tom Izzo’s Spartans exited in the Sweet 16 with a loss to Kansas State in overtime. UConn won the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. 

The Big Ten women fared much better, with Caitlin Clark leading her Iowa Hawkeyes to the championship game before losing to LSU. Ohio State and Maryland also made the Elite Eight in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

Penn State men might be more likely to make the 32-team field in the NIT Tournament which begins on March 19. 

When is the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament?

• Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 17
• First Four: March 19-20
• First Round: March 21-22
• Second Round: March 23-24
• Sweet 16: March 28-29
• Elite 8: March 30-31
• Final Four: Saturday, April 6
• NCAA Championship Game: Monday, April 8

When is the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament?

• Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 17
• First Four: March 20-21
• First Round: March 22-23
• Second Round: March 24-25
• Sweet 16: March 29-30
• Elite 8: March 31-April 1
• Final Four: Saturday, April 5
• NCAA Championship Game: Monday, April 7

When is the 2024 NIT?

• First Round: March 19-20
• Second Round: March 23-24
• Quarterfinals: March 26-27
• Semifinals: April 2
• Championship: April 4