March Madness Final Four
The Final Four is one of several rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Reaching the Final Four is a mark of distinction and a sign of a great basketball team. Keep reading to learn about the Final Four and how it works in March Madness.
What Is the Final Four in Basketball?
The Final Four is the semifinals of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. As the name implies, there are four teams left in the tournament at this point, one from each section or region of the bracket.
How Are Matchups Decided in the Final Four?
The winner from the top-ranked number one seed's region will play against the winner from the fourth-ranked number one seed's region, and the winner from the second-ranked number one seed's region will play against the winner from the third-ranked number one seed's region.
Number 1 Seeds in the Final Four
Each number 1 seed should theoretically make it out of their region to the Final Four, but this has only happened once since the NCAA adopted the 64-team format in 1985. Memphis, Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA all made it to the semifinals in 2008 after earning the distinction of being a 1 seed going into the tournament.
FAQ
What team has the most Final Four appearances?
As of the 2022 Tournament, the University of North Carolina has the most Final Four appearances, with 20. UCLA and University of Kentucky are tied for second most Final Four Appearances, with eight each.
What is the lowest seed to ever make the Final Four?
The lowest seed in the tournament to make it to the Final Four is an 11 seed, with five teams accomplishing the feat. These teams were LSU in 1986, George Mason in 2006, VCU in 2011, Loyola Chicago in 2018, and UCLA in 2021. However, none of these teams went on to win the championship.