Thunderous Intentions
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Get ready for 2017 NCAA Tournament

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats players celebrate with the trophy after the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four at NRG Stadium. Villanova won 77-74. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats players celebrate with the trophy after the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four at NRG Stadium. Villanova won 77-74. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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What shirts will replace these in 2017 NCAA Tournament
Mar 18, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; View of March Madness shirts worn by Wisconsin Badgers players prior to the first half of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first round in the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Play-In Games:

While the tournament seeds are set, four teams will have to win an extra game and play their way into the tournament as the16th or 11th seeds. These four games known as “The First Four” will occur on March 14th and 15th with four of the eight teams advancing. All games in this round will be played in Dayton, Ohio.

As per the NCAA Tournament site chart below, note the middle 4 teams are competing for the 16th seeds. The winner of Mount St. Mary’s ad New Orleans will play Villanova in Round 1. Likewise, the winner of the North Carolina Central and UC Davis game will fill the 16th seed in the Midwest Bracket to play Kansas.

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Of the four teams playing on the outside part of the chart below the winner of the Kansas State vs Wake Forest game will slot into the South Bracket 11th seed. Likewise the winner of the Providence versus USC game will slot into the East Bracket.

The only unaffected Bracket is the West having already been filled with representatives in the 11th (Xavier) and 16 seeds (South Dakota State).

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Image and video hosting by TinyPic /

Round One:

Once the four teams from the play-in round are solidified, the tournament moves into full gear with all 64 teams playing Thursday, March 16th and Friday March 17th.

Given the tournament is strictly based on elimination, there is no room for error.  Off shooting nights or stars getting in early foul trouble can lead to quick ousts.

Round one offers the potential for the greatest upsets especially in the middle of brackets. Moreover,  this season has been labelled as one of great parity among the squads, so the potential for upsets is at a premium.

Games in this round and in round 2 will occur in:

  • Dayton, Ohio
  • Buffalo, New York
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Greenville, South Carolina
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Sacramento, California

Round Two:

The 32 winning teams from round one move on to play on Saturday March 18th and Sunday March 19th.

Sweet 16:

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The ‘Sweet 16’ get several days to prepare for their third game in the tournament (fourth if one of the lucky play-ins manages to usurp a top seed).  This round begins on Thursday, March 23rd and Friday March 24th.

Games in the Sweet Sixteen will occur in Kansas City, Missouri and San Jose, California.

Elite 8:

Repeating the format of opening weekend the 8 victorious teams move on to play Saturday March 25th and Sunday March 26th to establish the ‘Final Four’.

Games in the Elite 8 will occur in Memphis, Tennesee and New York, New York

Final Four:

For the first time the tournament moves out of March as the Final Four congregate on April Fool’s Day ( Saturday April 1st) to establish the two finalists.

Games in the Final 4 occur in Phoenix, Arizona.

NCAA Championship Game:

After a day of preparation and rest the final two teams tip off Monday April 3rd to decide the winner of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

The Championship game will occur in Phoenix, Arizona

Television Networks:

The four major television networks carrying the games are TBS, CBS, TNT and tru TV.

Remember to check back tomorrow as the TI team deliver definitive guides for all four brackets. And don’t forget to participate in the Thunderous Intentions 2017 NCAA Tournament Bracket.

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