It’s the Best Time in Basketball Season

Every year, the NCAA Division I tournament is met with much excitement and enthusiasm from fans around the country. With March Madness currently taking place, you may be interested in learning about your local college basketball teams in and around the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Let’s explore the origins and importance of the NCAA tournament and discuss which local teams have participated in the past.

A Brief History of March Madness

The popular tournament of the NCAA Division I men’s 68 basketball teams has been played since 1939 and begins with Selection Sunday when all the teams are selected and announced. The name refers to the excitement everyone feels during the month of March when the tournament is held. It was first coined by a high school teacher and coach almost sixty years ago.

Currently, UCLA holds the record for most championships won, at 11, and the Kentucky Wildcats have won 8. Although the games are usually held in various places, 67 of the 2021 games are taking place in Indiana due to the pandemic. All of the teams will be housed on separate hotel floors and a limited number of spectators are allowed for all of the men’s games. Everyone else can watch the tournament via Livestream.

University of Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Bearcats, coached by John Brannen since 2019, represent Cincinnati’s local university at the NCAA Division I games. The team was formed in 1901 and has had more than 1800 all-time wins since then. In the 28 years leading up to 2019, the Bearcats played in 23 separate years, but they were not selected to play in the 2021 tournament. This is notable since they haven’t missed a tournament since the 2009-2010 season.

Xavier University

Another Cincinnati, Ohio, favorite are the Xavier Musketeers, a slightly newer team that was established in 1920 and has been a part of the NCAA tournament 28 times so far, most of them in recent history. The Musketeers have been deemed one of the 20 most important college basketball teams and have progressed to the Elite Eight several times, though never yet making the Final Four. Unfortunately, they are not taking part in 2021.

University of Dayton

The Dayton Flyers, based at the University of Dayton in Ohio, are coached by Anthony Grant and were ranked #3 in the AP poll in 2020, which is the highest-ranking they have enjoyed since the 1955-56 season. Like the Cincinnati teams, the Flyers, who have existed since 1903, are not in the NCAA tournament this year.

Northern Kentucky University

A final local team is the Northern Kentucky Norse, a more recent program that started in 1971 and was coached by John Brannen before he joined the University of Cincinnati. This newer team has only appeared in the NCAA Division I competition twice, in 2017 and in 2019, and until 2012, they regularly played in Division II.

Although the four teams are not participating in the NCAA Division I tournament this year, they have a great track record of being invited to take part and are likely to do so in the coming years. Whether you’re a local or just stopping by in Cincinnati, Ohio, visit Joseph Chevrolet while you’re here. Our friendly and competent team will be more than happy to show you our exclusive offers at our dealership.