You can smell it in the air — March Madness is here. The time of year when Cinderella stories are written, brackets get busted in record time, and the phrase "survive and advance" becomes a way of life. And it all starts with Selection Sunday on March 16th, when months of speculation and debate finally meet reality.

It’s the day the NCAA locks in the 68-team field for the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, letting us know who’s in, who’s out, and who’s going where.

When and Where to Watch

If you’re tuning in for the big reveal, the bracket announcement starts at 6 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Pacific) on CBS. The show is hosted by Adam Zucker, with analysis from Clark Kellogg, Jay Wright, and Seth Davis, along with NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee chair Bubba Cunningham. Expect in-depth breakdowns of the bracket, instant reactions, and debates over which teams got lucky and which ones got snubbed.

If that’s not enough, ESPN will be running coverage throughout the day, offering their own takes on the tournament field, sleeper picks, and the teams with the toughest paths to the Final Four. Whether you're looking for expert insight or just some good old-fashioned bracket banter, there will be no shortage of analysis leading up to tip-off.

Automatic Bids

Some teams have already locked in their invites by winning conference tourneys — 31 slots total. As of March 14, we know 14 of them: 

• Lipscomb (ASUN)

• Montana (Big Sky)

• High Point (Big South)

• North Carolina Wilmington (CAA)

• Robert Morris (Horizon)

• Drake (Missouri Valley)

• Saint Francis (Northeast)

• Southern Indiana University Evansville (Ohio Valley)

• American University (Patriot League)

• Wofford (Southern)

• McNeese State (Southland)

• Omaha (Summit)

• Troy (Sun Belt)

• Gonzaga (West Coast). 

More champs will be crowned on Sunday, so keep an eye on those final conference showdowns.

Predicting the Top Seeds

Selection Sunday also decides who snags the top seeds. While nothing’s certain until the committee makes it official, four programs look primed to take those top slots. 

Auburn may have stumbled late, but its overall record and Quadrant 1 wins keep it in the conversation. Duke has had a dominant ACC run and top-flight metrics, though Cooper Flagg’s ankle injury could affect their case. Florida has a strong SEC record — and a coach unafraid to say he wants that No. 1 spot. Houston, fresh off a Big 12 regular-season title, looks ready to roll. 

Don’t rule out Alabama or Tennessee if they impress down the stretch; both teams have the firepower to make a case for a top spot. The committee has been known to throw us a curveball or two, so don’t be shocked if one of these teams sneaks into the top-seed conversation when the dust settles.

Bracket Busters to Watch

Speaking of surprises, let’s talk sleepers. The thrill of March often comes from the little guys pulling off big upsets. 

• Georgia, under Coach Mike White, is a different squad these days, with a knack for offensive boards and stingy D. 

• St. John’s can struggle to score, but Rick Pitino’s crew will defend the paint like their lives depend on it. 

• Xavier has shot the lights out from beyond the arc lately, and a hot-shooting night can upend anyone’s bracket. 

• UC San Diego wields a “no-middle” defense that frustrates opponents, making it a tough out if it lands a 13-to-16 seed. 

• Don’t sleep on Drake, a mid-major led by a coach who’s thrived at every level — a recipe for bracket mischief.

The Madness Starts Here

Ultimately, Selection Sunday is the perfect launchpad for the madness to come. Maybe you’ll pick a bracket-buster that flames out early, or maybe you’ll ride a 12-seed straight into bracket glory. 

Either way, the emotional rollercoaster is what keeps us coming back. So, set your reminders, gather your stats, and be ready when CBS unveils the bracket at 6 p.m. ET. Then let the debate begin over which double-digit seed might become America’s next sweetheart. 

That’s what March is all about: the anticipation, the underdogs, and those unforgettable moments that remind us why we fell in love with college basketball in the first place.