Basketball began in 1891, in which the first basketball game was ever played according to history. Then in 1895 the first recorded collegiate game was between Hamline and the Minnesota State School of Agriculture, soon to be known at the University of Minnesota. The rules for that game hadn’t quite been refined as that was allowed 9 players per side. The first intercollegiate match using the modern rule of five players per side is often credited as a game between the University of Chicago and the University of Iowa, on January 18, 1896.
Not long after that Pennsylvania got its first game played with the new rules. On March 20, 1897, Penn and Yale played in the first college basketball game with five players on a team. Not long after basketball was introduced into the 1904 Olympics and a tournament play was introduced. Not long after, Philadelphia got its first real introduction into the basketball world in 1938. The National Invitational Tournament (NIT) played at Madison Square Garden in New York City each March and April, it was founded in 1938 and was originally the most prestigious postseason showcase for college basketball. The first team to win was Philadelphia’s very own Temple Owls.
Not long after in 1951 the NIT began to fade out, with some help of scandals in New York City over a point-shaving scandal tied to seven schools. Most notably Kentucky and The City College of New York, and became the first team in history to win the NIT and NCAA Tournament the year before. This gave way for the NCAA Tournament in which we know of today to become the tournament of choice for many fans. Today the NIT is a secondary tournament for the teams that didn’t make it into the NCAA Tournament aka “March Madness”.
Although the NIT was the original power-house tournament, the NCAA tournament eventually took over by 1960. Over the years the NCAA Tournament has evolved rapidly as has college basketball as a whole. Through the 1960’s and 1970’s if you were watching the NCAA Tournament it was pretty much a foregone conclusion you were going to see UCLA and someone in the finals. From 1964-1975 they won 10 championships, missing only 2 with losses to UTEP and NC State. When the NCAA tournament expanded its field of teams from 25 to 32 in 1975, to 48 in 1980, to 64 in 1985, and to 68 teams in 2011, interest in the NCAA tournament increased again and again, as it comprised more and more teams, including all of the strongest teams from each conference.
March Madness has almost become a national pastime in sports. It is one of those most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, not just for the die hard college basketball fans, but the everyday fan can get involved as well. Some people might think it is a similar pool as the Super Bowl 10×10 box pools, but March Madness is a quite different. Your “March Madness Brackets” are what keeps everyone interested all tournament long, your favorite team might be knocked out, but that doesn’t mean your bracket is “busted”. Below we will explain the rules and how to play your very own bracket!
How to Fill Out Your Very Own Bracket
March Madness isn’t just for the die-hard basketball fan or the gambler who watches all season long. March Madness is where people from all walks of life, come together over a little wager, usually $10 or $20 but some people can get as serious as $1 Million prize for the Berkshire Hathaway winner for specific bets such as predicting the correct teams for the Sweet 16 or $100,000 for the person who comes the closest.
The first round of this year’s March Madness kicks off, and roughly 47 million people are expected to wager a total of $8.5 billion on this year’s tournament, according to the American Gaming Association. Even with all of the office pools and friendly wagering filling out brackets for the annual tournament also typically takes time away from work for millions of American workers, as March Madness reportedly results in billions of dollars in lost productivity for employers each year.
Picking your March Madness Bracket is one of the hardest predictions to make in sports next to predicting each pick in the NFL draft. March Madness though is without a doubt the most difficult, the odds of getting a perfect bracket is approximately 1 in 9.2 quintillion chances. Some though have calculated 1 in 120.2 billion chances. If you filled out a unique bracket every second of every day, it would take you 3,813 years to fill out 120.2 billion brackets. With those odds, obviously, no one has gotten the bracket 100% correct.
Different bar that host college teams
North Carolina Tarheels – Misconduct Tavern
1511 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215.732.5797
Website: misconducttavern.com
Neighborhood: Center City
Vibe: Sports Bar, Casual
North Carolina is one of the most well traveled college basketball teams in the country. With alumni from all over the country, not many teams show out like the Tarheels do. The North Carolina Tarheels has amassed seven National Championships over the programs historic tenure from 1910-present day that’s third all time behind UCLA and Kentucky.
Misconduct Tavern is a fun atmosphere for a college basketball game right in the heart of Center City, you’re just blocks away from all of your favorite late night spots in Philadelphia.
Parking
Latimer Parking
address
1510 Latimer Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215.545.2314
Latimer parking garage is one of the best when it comes to customer service, it’s also only one black away from Misconduct Tavern. Come out of the garage, make a right, walk to the end of the block (Locust St.) make a left. Walk down to 15th street, at the light, make another left. Up only about 20 seconds is misconduct on your right hand side
University of Kentucky – Tavern on Broad
address
200 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215.546.2290
Website: tavernonbroad.com
Neighborhood: Center City
Vibe: Bar, Casual
University of Kentucky is one of the most historic college basketball teams to date, they have been a model for consistency in the NCAA. History cites they are the second most winning team of NCAA championships only behind the 1960-1970 UCLA Bruins. They are also the most successful NCAA Division I basketball program in history in terms of both all-time wins (2,263) and all-time winning percentage (.764). Their last national championship was in 2012 under the tenure of coach Calipari.
Tavern on Broad is one of the coolest places to watch a game a true fan experience with 34 HDTV’s, there is not a bad seat in the house. Head over and enjoy a cold beer and great food. Don’t forget to ask about their private party and special event offerings. Whether you have a group of 10 people or 400 even if its a group of Kansas fans, Tavern on Broad is perfect to host your private watch party for your favorite team.
Parking
Parkway Bellevue Garage
address
1423 Locust St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 267.765.3665
Looking for somewhere to feel safe and comfortable to park, you don’t have to go much further, this garage is attached to one of the most prestigious hotels in the entire city, the Bellevue. Very simple and easy to get there, walk right through the Bellevue Hotel, passed the front desk clerk into where the shops are, go down the escalators, right towards the back, and right through the doors which open right into Tavern On Broad.
Park America
address
1500 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215.545.0293
LPark America has some of the nicest employees for a parking garage in the city, not the biggest and not attached to the bar, but it is only a short walk away. Straight out of the garage, go down the small (safe) alley which will bring your right the Bellevue.
Michigan Wolverines Fox & Hound
address
1501 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215.732.8610
Website: foxandhound.com
Neighborhood: South Philly
Vibe: Sports Bar, Dancing
Michigan Wolverines are one of the largest schools in the country as well as one of the largest fan bases in the country. Usually known as a big football school, in the 2017-18 season, the team went on to win the West regional title and advance to the Final Four following its win over Florida State, 58–54. The win improved the team’s record to 32–7, marking a new school record for victories. The 2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team moved on to the NCAA tournament championship, where they lost against Villanova to a score of 79–62.
Fox & Hound is a large sports bar with many tables that has 17 televisions and 9 types of drafts beers. There is a ton of space for you and all your friends to hang out all day long. There are also fun and games such as the Golden Tee golf game, enjoy playing this prior to the college basketball game a round or two of darts. Feels very much like the corner bar in South Philly, with all of the comforts of home.
Parking
Latimer Parking
address
1510 Latimer Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
Phone: 215.545.2314
Latimer parking garage is one of the best when it comes to customer service, it’s also only one black away from Fox & Hound. Come out of the garage, make a left, walk to the end of the block (Locust St.) make a right. Walk down about 45 second and it’s on your right hand side.
Michigan State – Field House
address
1150 Filbert St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Get Directions
Phone: 267-570-4000
Website: fieldhousephilly.com
Neighborhood: South Philly
Vibe: Sports Bar, Casual
Michigan State has been well known for many years for their collegiate basketball team and the continuous history of winning. They may not have won as many national championships, but they are a model of consistency. Their head coach Tom Izzo began his tenure in 1995 with Michigan state and has led them to 22 straight years of NCAA Tournament appearances with the streak still holding strong in the 2018-2019 season.
Field House has 30+ draft beers and every table and booth has a view of one of the 35+ televisions, located in five distinct sound zones throughout the two-story space. They also have two big screen projectors, one in the main dining room and one in the private room, but the reservations to get seated near these fill up usually a week before. For Super Bowl specials, enjoy $10 pizzas and $4 select cans.
Parking
SP+ Parking
address
1100 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Get Directions
Phone: 215.568.4025
Once you walk out of the parking lot be sure to hang a right up to Filbert Street, make another right, down the street is Field House.
Parkway 12th & Filbert Garage
address
1100 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Get Directions
Phone: 215.568.4025
Once you walk out of the parking lot be sure to hang a right up to Filbert Street, make another right, down the street is Field House.
Parkway 12th & Filbert Garage
address
1201 Filbert Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Get Directions
Phone: 267.606.4045
Parkway on 12th is just a hop skip and a jump away, leaving the garage walk up towards Filbert street, away from Arch Street, hang a quick left onto Filbert and Field House is right in front of you.
