RULES
ESPN’s Bracketology efforts are focused on projecting the NCAA Tournament field, which is how we expect the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee to select the field in March. ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi uses committee-favored data points, including strength of schedule and other seasonal metrics, including team sheet data similar to the NET and NCAA-available data, in his field predictions. To fully understand the NCAA selection criteria, visit the NCAA website.
68-Team bracket
The 68-team bracket is the standard version of the NCAA Tournament field that has been used since 2011. If the 2021 field is made up of 68 teams, there will be some key differences compared to previous years.
The major adjustment from a typical year is, of course, playing the entire NCAA Tournament at one site. It does not require geographical considerations when sowing seeds. In addition, there will be at least one less automatic selection this season, as the Ivy League’s decision to cancel the 2020-21 season will reduce the number of AQ entries to 31 this season.
48-Team bracket
In this scenario, the abbreviated selection process will reduce the field to 10 at-large teams and 10 automatic qualifiers (the latter of which will still receive an entry point). The top four seeds in each region will receive a bye to the second round, with four first round games in each region – 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10 and 8 vs 9 – going behind closed doors. the home court of the high seed.
To minimize travel, first-round couples are guided by geography as much as possible. And the shortened field means that only 32 teams will compete in the center field. All participants must post at least a .500 conference record – the “Lunardi Rule” – for general consideration.
16-Team bracket
In this scenario, the committee will select the 16 best available teams. All non-contest conference champions receive a designated revenue unit, although there are no automatic qualifiers.
Conference participation is limited to four teams to maintain national balance. No region shall have more than one team from one conference.
