They know what they’re doing at the University of Kansas. Their first basketball coach was Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of the game. Their second coach was Dr. Forrest ”Phog” Allen – the originator of the NCAA men’s basketball Tournament.

The first tourney was held in 1939. It was an eight-team format, with Oregon defeating Ohio State 46-33 to win the championship. The field would double to 16 teams in 1951, then grow bigger and bigger until reaching the familiar bracket of 64 in 1985. The “opening round” game for the 64th spot started in 2001. UCLA holds the record for most titles with 11, all but one coming between 1964 and 1973 under coach John Wooden.

The term “March Madness” itself also dates back to 1939 and an essay of the same name by H. V. Porter. Commentator Brent Musburger is credited with popularizing the term in the 1980s. If he only knew.