Road to the Final Four

The Road to the Final Four is the name of the pre-game program that leads into the television coverage of NCAA Basketball and the NCAA Tournament on CBS Sports. It can also be referred to colloquially to describe the season long journey that college basketball teams take in trying to reach the Final Four.

Overhyped?

The first round of the 2009 tournament was largely viewed as "dull" due to a lack of upsets (higher-seeded teams taking out low-seeded popular favorites).Chicago Tribune: Dribbling through Day 2 of the NCAA Tournament (March 20, 2009) On sports blogs, Gumbel was criticized for "overhyping" games that and situations that were really not particularly exciting, in order to make CBS' coverage seem more pressing or essential. For example, The Sporting News pointed out that Gumbel switched to the first-round game between UConn, a 1 seed, and Chattanooga, a 16 seed, by noting that Chattanooga had gone on a 7-1 run, without noting that they were still down 14 points.The Sporting News: Tracking the Madness: 2nd Session Superlatives (March 19, 2009)

Watch March Madness Online

CBS has exclusive broadcast rights for March Madness. Any games being broadcast elsewhere are delayed to give the network the opportunity to show them first. However, CBS and the NCAA have united to stream games online for free on the March Madness On Demand website.Official Site: NCAA March Madness on Demand Among the site's popular features is the so-called "Boss Button," which will switch automatically from a broadcast of NCAA games to a fake "spreadsheet," to make it appear that an employee is working rather than watching basketball. In 2009, the button is sponsored by Comcast.

NCAA West Region Bracket 2009

{{{RD1|First Round March 19 & 20 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD2|Second Round March 21 & 22 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD3|Regional Semifinals March 26 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale}}}

{{{RD4|Finals March 28 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale}}}

130}}}|

{{{RD1-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD1-team01|Connecticut}}}

{{{RD1-score01|103}}}

{{{RD1-seed02|16}}}

{{{RD1-team02|Chattanooga}}}

{{{RD1-score02|47}}}

{{{RD2-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD2-team01|Connecticut}}}

{{{RD2-score01|92}}}

{{{RD2-seed02|9}}}

{{{RD2-team02|Texas A&M}}}

{{{RD2-score02|66}}}

{{{RD1-seed03|8}}}

{{{RD1-team03|BYU}}}

{{{RD1-score03|66}}}

{{{RD1-seed04|9}}}

{{{RD1-team04|Texas A&M}}}

{{{RD1-score04|79}}}

{{{RD3-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD3-team01|Connecticut}}}

{{{RD3-score01|72}}}

{{{group1|}}}

{{{RD3-seed02|5}}}

{{{RD3-team02|Purdue}}}

{{{RD3-score02|60}}}

{{{RD1-seed05|5}}}

{{{RD1-team05|Purdue}}}

{{{RD1-score05|61}}}

{{{RD1-seed06|12}}}

{{{RD1-team06|Northern Iowa}}}

{{{RD1-score06|56}}}

{{{RD2-seed03|5}}}

{{{RD2-team03|Purdue}}}

{{{RD2-score03|76}}}

{{{RD2-seed04|4}}}

{{{RD2-team04|Washington}}}

{{{RD2-score04|74}}}

{{{RD1-seed07|4}}}

{{{RD1-team07|Washington}}}

{{{RD1-score07|71}}}

{{{RD1-seed08|13}}}

{{{RD1-team08|Mississippi St.}}}

{{{RD1-score08|58}}}

{{{RD4-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD4-team01|Connecticut}}}

{{{RD4-score01|82}}}

{{{group3|}}}

{{{RD4-seed02|3}}}

{{{RD4-team02|Missouri}}}

{{{RD4-score02|75}}}

{{{RD1-seed09|6}}}

{{{RD1-team09|Marquette}}}

{{{RD1-score09|58}}}

{{{RD1-seed10|11}}}

{{{RD1-team10|Utah State}}}

{{{RD1-score10|57}}}

{{{RD2-seed05|6}}}

{{{RD2-team05|Marquette}}}

{{{RD2-score05|79}}}

{{{RD2-seed06|3}}}

{{{RD2-team06|Missouri}}}

{{{RD2-score06|83}}}

{{{RD1-seed11|3}}}

{{{RD1-team11|Missouri}}}

{{{RD1-score11|78}}}

{{{RD1-seed12|14}}}

{{{RD1-team12|Cornell}}}

{{{RD1-score12|59}}}

{{{RD3-seed03|3}}}

{{{RD3-team03|Missouri}}}

{{{RD3-score03|102}}}

{{{group2|}}}

{{{RD3-seed04|2}}}

{{{RD3-team04|Memphis}}}

{{{RD3-score04|91}}}

{{{RD1-seed13|7}}}

{{{RD1-team13|California}}}

{{{RD1-score13|71}}}

{{{RD1-seed14|10}}}

{{{RD1-team14|Maryland}}}

{{{RD1-score14|84}}}

{{{RD2-seed07|10}}}

{{{RD2-team07|Maryland}}}

{{{RD2-score07|70}}}

{{{RD2-seed08|2}}}

{{{RD2-team08|Memphis}}}

{{{RD2-score08|89}}}

{{{RD1-seed15|2}}}

{{{RD1-team15|Memphis}}}

{{{RD1-score15|81}}}

{{{RD1-seed16|15}}}

{{{RD1-team16|CSUN}}}

{{{RD1-score16|70}}}

NCAA West Region Bracket 2009 News

SI.com: Why the NCAA tournament should... (February 17, 2009)
Bleacher Report: Predicting the NCAA Tournament Bracket (February 16, 2009)
PhoenixRegional.org: 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball West Regional
ESPN Video: West Region (Time: 4:52)

NCAA South Region Bracket 2009

{{{RD1|First Round March 19 & 20 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD2|Second Round March 21 & 22 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD3|Regional Semifinals March 27 FedExForum, Memphis}}}

{{{RD4|Finals March 29 FedExForum, Memphis}}}

130}}}|

{{{RD1-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD1-team01|No. Carolina}}}

{{{RD1-score01|101}}}

{{{RD1-seed02|16}}}

{{{RD1-team02|Radford}}}

{{{RD1-score02|58}}}

{{{RD2-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD2-team01|No. Carolina}}}

{{{RD2-score01|84}}}

{{{RD2-seed02|8}}}

{{{RD2-team02|LSU }}}

{{{RD2-score02|70}}}

{{{RD1-seed03|8}}}

{{{RD1-team03|LSU}}}

{{{RD1-score03|75}}}

{{{RD1-seed04|9}}}

{{{RD1-team04|Butler}}}

{{{RD1-score04|71}}}

{{{RD3-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD3-team01|No. Carolina}}}

{{{RD3-score01|98}}}

{{{group1|}}}

{{{RD3-seed02|4}}}

{{{RD3-team02|Gonzaga}}}

{{{RD3-score02|77}}}

{{{RD1-seed05|5}}}

{{{RD1-team05|Illinois}}}

{{{RD1-score05|72}}}

{{{RD1-seed06|12}}}

{{{RD1-team06|Western Kent.}}}

{{{RD1-score06|76}}}

{{{RD2-seed03|12}}}

{{{RD2-team03|Western Kent.}}}

{{{RD2-score03|81}}}

{{{RD2-seed04|4}}}

{{{RD2-team04|Gonzaga}}}

{{{RD2-score04|83}}}

{{{RD1-seed07|4}}}

{{{RD1-team07|Gonzaga}}}

{{{RD1-score07|77}}}

{{{RD1-seed08|13}}}

{{{RD1-team08|Akron}}}

{{{RD1-score08|64}}}

{{{RD4-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD4-team01|No. Carolina}}}

{{{RD4-score01|72}}}

{{{group3|}}}

{{{RD4-seed02|2}}}

{{{RD4-team02|Oklahoma}}}

{{{RD4-score02|60}}}

{{{RD1-seed09|6}}}

{{{RD1-team09|Arizona State}}}

{{{RD1-score09|66}}}

{{{RD1-seed10|11}}}

{{{RD1-team10|Temple}}}

{{{RD1-score10|57}}}

{{{RD2-seed05|6}}}

{{{RD2-team05|Arizona State}}}

{{{RD2-score05|67}}}

{{{RD2-seed06|3}}}

{{{RD2-team06|Syracuse}}}

{{{RD2-score06|78}}}

{{{RD1-seed11|3}}}

{{{RD1-team11|Syracuse}}}

{{{RD1-score11|59}}}

{{{RD1-seed12|14}}}

{{{RD1-team12|Step. F. Austin}}}

{{{RD1-score12|44}}}

{{{RD3-seed03|3}}}

{{{RD3-team03|Syracuse}}}

{{{RD3-score03|71}}}

{{{group2|}}}

{{{RD3-seed04|2}}}

{{{RD3-team04|Oklahoma}}}

{{{RD3-score04|84}}}

{{{RD1-seed13|7}}}

{{{RD1-team13|Clemson}}}

{{{RD1-score13|59}}}

{{{RD1-seed14|10}}}

{{{RD1-team14|Michigan}}}

{{{RD1-score14|62}}}

{{{RD2-seed07|10}}}

{{{RD2-team07|Michigan}}}

{{{RD2-score07|73}}}

{{{RD2-seed08|2}}}

{{{RD2-team08|Oklahoma}}}

{{{RD2-score08|63}}}

{{{RD1-seed15|2}}}

{{{RD1-team15|Oklahoma}}}

{{{RD1-score15|82}}}

{{{RD1-seed16|15}}}

{{{RD1-team16|Morgan State}}}

{{{RD1-score16|54}}}

NCAA South Region Bracket 2009 Blogs and Articles

StateNews.com: Spartans No. 2 seed in mock NCAA selection (February 17, 2009)
Bleacher Report: Predicting the NCAA Tournament Bracket (February 16, 2009)
STLtoday.com: Coaches get inside look at selections (February 15, 2009)
ESPN Video: South Region (Time: 5:03)

NCAA East Region Bracket 2009

{{{RD1|First Round March 19 & 20 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD2|Second Round March 21 & 22 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD3|Regional Semifinals March 26 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston}}}

{{{RD4|Finals March 28 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston}}}

130}}}|

{{{RD1-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD1-team01|Pittsburgh}}}

{{{RD1-score01|72}}}

{{{RD1-seed02|16}}}

{{{RD1-team02|East Tenn. St.}}}

{{{RD1-score02|62}}}

{{{RD2-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD2-team01|Pittsburgh}}}

{{{RD2-score01|84}}}

{{{RD2-seed02|8}}}

{{{RD2-team02|Oklahoma St.}}}

{{{RD2-score02|76}}}

{{{RD1-seed03|8}}}

{{{RD1-team03|Oklahoma St.}}}

{{{RD1-score03|77}}}

{{{RD1-seed04|9}}}

{{{RD1-team04|Tennessee}}}

{{{RD1-score04|75}}}

{{{RD3-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD3-team01|Pittsburgh}}}

{{{RD3-score01|60}}}

{{{group1|}}}

{{{RD3-seed02|4}}}

{{{RD3-team02|Xavier}}}

{{{RD3-score02|55}}}

{{{RD1-seed05|5}}}

{{{RD1-team05|Florida State}}}

{{{RD1-score05|59}}}

{{{RD1-seed06|12}}}

{{{RD1-team06|Wisconsin}}}

{{{RD1-score06|61}}}

{{{RD2-seed03|12}}}

{{{RD2-team03|Wisconsin}}}

{{{RD2-score03|49}}}

{{{RD2-seed04|4}}}

{{{RD2-team04|Xavier}}}

{{{RD2-score04|60}}}

{{{RD1-seed07|4}}}

{{{RD1-team07|Xavier}}}

{{{RD1-score07|77}}}

{{{RD1-seed08|13}}}

{{{RD1-team08|Portland State}}}

{{{RD1-score08|59}}}

{{{RD4-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD4-team01|Pittsburgh}}}

{{{RD4-score01|76}}}

{{{group3|}}}

{{{RD4-seed02|3}}}

{{{RD4-team02|Villanova}}}

{{{RD4-score02|78}}}

{{{RD1-seed09|6}}}

{{{RD1-team09|UCLA}}}

{{{RD1-score09|65}}}

{{{RD1-seed10|11}}}

{{{RD1-team10|VCU}}}

{{{RD1-score10|64}}}

{{{RD2-seed05|6}}}

{{{RD2-team05|UCLA}}}

{{{RD2-score05|69}}}

{{{RD2-seed06|3}}}

{{{RD2-team06|Villanova}}}

{{{RD2-score06|89}}}

{{{RD1-seed11|3}}}

{{{RD1-team11|Villanova}}}

{{{RD1-score11|80}}}

{{{RD1-seed12|14}}}

{{{RD1-team12|American}}}

{{{RD1-score12|67}}}

{{{RD3-seed03|3}}}

{{{RD3-team03|Villanova}}}

{{{RD3-score03|77}}}

{{{group2|}}}

{{{RD3-seed04|2}}}

{{{RD3-team04|Duke}}}

{{{RD3-score04|54}}}

{{{RD1-seed13|7}}}

{{{RD1-team13|Texas}}}

{{{RD1-score13|76}}}

{{{RD1-seed14|10}}}

{{{RD1-team14|Minnesota}}}

{{{RD1-score14|62}}}

{{{RD2-seed07|7}}}

{{{RD2-team07|Texas}}}

{{{RD2-score07|69}}}

{{{RD2-seed08|2}}}

{{{RD2-team08|Duke}}}

{{{RD2-score08|74}}}

{{{RD1-seed15|2}}}

{{{RD1-team15|Duke}}}

{{{RD1-score15|86}}}

{{{RD1-seed16|15}}}

{{{RD1-team16|Binghamton}}}

{{{RD1-score16|62}}}

NCAA Midwest Region Bracket 2009

{{{RD1|First Round March 19 & 20 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD2|Second Round March 21 & 22 Top 4 Sites}}}

{{{RD3|Regional Semifinals March 27 Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis}}}

{{{RD4|Finals March 29 Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis}}}

130}}}|

{{{RD1-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD1-team01|Louisville}}}

{{{RD1-score01|74}}}

{{{RD1-seed02|16}}}

{{{RD1-team02|Morehead St}}}

{{{RD1-score02|54}}}

{{{RD2-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD2-team01|Louisville}}}

{{{RD2-score01|79}}}

{{{RD2-seed02|9}}}

{{{RD2-team02|Siena}}}

{{{RD2-score02|72}}}

{{{RD1-seed03|8}}}

{{{RD1-team03|Ohio State}}}

{{{RD1-score03|72}}}

{{{RD1-seed04|9}}}

{{{RD1-team04|Siena}}}

{{{RD1-score04|74}}}

{{{RD3-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD3-team01|Louisville}}}

{{{RD3-score01|103}}}

{{{group1|}}}

{{{RD3-seed02|12}}}

{{{RD3-team02|Arizona}}}

{{{RD3-score02|64}}}

{{{RD1-seed05|5 }}}

{{{RD1-team05|Utah}}}

{{{RD1-score05|71}}}

{{{RD1-seed06|12}}}

{{{RD1-team06|Arizona}}}

{{{RD1-score06|84}}}

{{{RD2-seed03|12}}}

{{{RD2-team03|Arizona}}}

{{{RD2-score03|12}}}

{{{RD2-seed04|13}}}

{{{RD2-team04|Cleveland St.}}}

{{{RD2-score04|57}}}

{{{RD1-seed07|4}}}

{{{RD1-team07|Wake Forest}}}

{{{RD1-score07|69}}}

{{{RD1-seed08|13}}}

{{{RD1-team08|Cleveland St.}}}

{{{RD1-score08|84}}}

{{{RD4-seed01|1}}}

{{{RD4-team01|Louisville}}}

{{{RD4-score01|52}}}

{{{group3|}}}

{{{RD4-seed02|2}}}

{{{RD4-team02|Michigan St.}}}

{{{RD4-score02|64}}}

{{{RD1-seed09|6}}}

{{{RD1-team09|West Virginia}}}

{{{RD1-score09|60}}}

{{{RD1-seed10|11}}}

{{{RD1-team10|Dayton}}}

{{{RD1-score10|68}}}

{{{RD2-seed05|11}}}

{{{RD2-team05|Dayton}}}

{{{RD2-score05|43}}}

{{{RD2-seed06|3}}}

{{{RD2-team06|Kansas}}}

{{{RD2-score06|60}}}

{{{RD1-seed11|3}}}

{{{RD1-team11|Kansas}}}

{{{RD1-score11|84}}}

{{{RD1-seed12|14}}}

{{{RD1-team12|ND State}}}

{{{RD1-score12|74}}}

{{{RD3-seed03|3}}}

{{{RD3-team03|Kansas}}}

{{{RD3-score03|62}}}

{{{group2|}}}

{{{RD3-seed04|2}}}

{{{RD3-team04|Michigan St.}}}

{{{RD3-score04|67}}}

{{{RD1-seed13|7}}}

{{{RD1-team13|Boston Col.}}}

{{{RD1-score13|55}}}

{{{RD1-seed14|10}}}

{{{RD1-team14|USC}}}

{{{RD1-score14|72}}}

{{{RD2-seed07|10}}}

{{{RD2-team07|USC}}}

{{{RD2-score07|69}}}

{{{RD2-seed08|2}}}

{{{RD2-team08|Michigan St.}}}

{{{RD2-score08|74}}}

{{{RD1-seed15|2}}}

{{{RD1-team15|Michigan St.}}}

{{{RD1-score15|77}}}

{{{RD1-seed16|15}}}

{{{RD1-team16|Robert Morris}}}

{{{RD1-score16|62}}}

NCAA Midwest Region Bracket 2009 Blogs and Articles

Bracketography.com: NCAA Tournament Predictions (February 15, 2009)
ESPN: Bracketology (February 16, 2009)
Rivals.com: 2008 College Basketball Midwest Bracket
ESPN Video: Midwest Region (Time: 3:57)

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament 2009 Brackets

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