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Quizzes > Sports > Basketball

NCAA Basketball Trivia Quiz: How Well Do You Know March Madness?

Ready for NCAA tournament trivia? Test your March Madness trivia skills now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of NCAA basketball trophy bracket and quiz icons on coral background

Use this NCAA basketball trivia quiz to measure your Hoops IQ on classic games, seeds, upsets, and champions. Play to have fun and pick up a few facts for your bracket. For a warm-up, try a college hoops practice quiz, or explore more basketball questions .

Which team won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 2023?
UConn Huskies
North Carolina Tar Heels
Duke Blue Devils
Kansas Jayhawks
The UConn Huskies defeated San Diego State in the 2023 championship game to claim their fifth national title. Their balanced defense and star guard performances led them to victory. They finished the season with a 35-3 record, showcasing their consistency. .
Which program holds the record for the most NCAA men's basketball championships?
Duke Blue Devils
Kentucky Wildcats
North Carolina Tar Heels
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins have won a record 11 NCAA men's basketball championships, including a run of seven straight titles from 1967 to 1973 under coach John Wooden. Their dominance in that era set a benchmark for college basketball dynasties. No other program has come close to that total. .
What is the commonly used nickname for the NCAA tournament?
College Clash
Spring Showdown
April Awe
March Madness
The term "March Madness" was popularized to describe the excitement and unpredictability of the NCAA tournament, which spans much of March. It captures the frenzy of upsets and buzzer-beaters that occur each year. The name is now officially trademarked by the NCAA. .
In a standard NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, how many teams are selected to the main bracket?
68
72
64
60
Since 2011, the NCAA men's tournament has featured a 68-team field, including the First Four play-in games. This format expanded from 65 teams in 2001 and 64 teams prior. The four additional teams increase opportunities for automatic qualifiers. .
Which team became the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in the men's tournament?
Stanford Cardinal
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights
Princeton Tigers
UMBC Retrievers
In 2018, the UMBC Retrievers shocked the college basketball world by defeating the Virginia Cavaliers 74-54. It marked the first time a No. 16 seed had ever beaten a No. 1 seed in men's NCAA tournament history. That upset remains one of the biggest in March Madness lore. .
What is the name of the trophy awarded to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament champion?
The Helms Trophy
NCAA Championship Trophy
The Wooden Award
Larry O'Brien Trophy
The official NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Trophy is awarded to the winning team. It is distinct from individual honors like the Wooden Award, which goes to the best player. The trophy features an emblematic silver basketball atop a black base. .
Which coach is commonly referred to as "Coach K"?
Roy Williams
Mike Krzyzewski
John Calipari
Jim Boeheim
Mike Krzyzewski, head coach at Duke University from 1980 to 2022, is universally known as "Coach K." He led Duke to five national championships and over 1,200 career wins. His impact on both college and international basketball is legendary. .
In what month does the NCAA March Madness tournament typically begin?
March
April
May
February
The NCAA tournament traditionally begins in mid-March, hence the nickname "March Madness." Though some games (the First Four) may start in late March, the bulk of the tournament runs throughout the month. It typically concludes in early April. .
What is the term for the round of 64 in the NCAA tournament?
First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Second Round
Elite Eight
After the First Four play-in games, the round involving 64 teams is officially called the First Round. Winners from this round advance to the Round of 32, then to the Sweet Sixteen, and so on. The terminology helps fans track progress through the bracket. .
Which player holds the record for the most points scored in a single NCAA Division I men's tournament game?
Pete Maravich
Bill Walton
Oscar Robertson
Austin Carr
Austin Carr scored 61 points for Notre Dame against Ohio University in the 1963 NCAA tournament, setting the single-game scoring record. His performance remains the highest in tournament history. Carr's scoring outburst included 26 field goals and nine free throws. .
When was the shot clock introduced in NCAA men's basketball?
2000
1985
1976
1990
The NCAA introduced a 45-second shot clock for men's basketball in the 1985 - 86 season to speed up play and reduce stalling. It was later reduced to 35 seconds in 1993 and then to 30 seconds in 2015. The shot clock revolutionized the pace of college basketball. .
In which season did the NCAA men's tournament first adopt the three-point line?
1986-87
1984-85
1990-91
1979-80
The NCAA officially implemented the men's three-point line at 19 feet, 9 inches for the 1986 - 87 season. The rule change added a strategic element, rewarding long-range shooting. The distance has since been moved back in later years. Three-point adoption.
Which conference has won the most NCAA men's basketball tournament championships?
Big East Conference
Big Ten Conference
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
The ACC leads all conferences with 15 NCAA men's basketball championships through 2023, thanks largely to traditional powers like North Carolina and Duke. Their success spans from Dean Smith's era to modern-day stars. The ACC's depth has kept it competitive year after year. .
Who famously hit the championship-winning shot for NC State in the 1983 NCAA final?
Dereck Whittenburg
Thurl Bailey
Sidney Lowe
Lorenzo Charles
Lorenzo Charles caught an airball from Dereck Whittenburg and dunked it at the buzzer to give NC State a 54-52 upset win over Houston in 1983. The miracle finish is one of the most iconic moments in tournament history. It capped Jim Valvano's Cinderella run to the title. .
What is the maximum number of games a team can play in the NCAA tournament?
7
4
5
6
In the 64-team bracket format, a team must win six games to claim the national title: Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the Championship. The First Four is technically separate and only applies to play-in teams. Thus, six is the standard maximum. .
Which team is known as the "Hawkeyes" in NCAA basketball?
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Indiana
University of Illinois
The University of Iowa's athletic teams are nicknamed the Hawkeyes, a reference to the state's moniker. Their basketball program has made multiple NCAA tournament appearances. The Hawkeye name honors Chief Black Hawk of the Meskwaki tribe. .
What is the name of the NCAA basketball tournament's Most Outstanding Player award?
Championship MVP
Final Four MVP
Tournament MVP
Most Outstanding Player (MOP)
The NCAA awards the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) to the top performer of the Final Four. It's separate from the regular-season awards like the Wooden Award. Past winners include Bill Walton, Michael Jordan, and Anthony Davis. .
Which 11-seed reached the Final Four in 2018, becoming the seventh double-digit seed to do so?
Loyola Chicago Ramblers
USC Trojans
Syracuse Orange
Xavier Musketeers
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers captured the national spotlight in 2018 by advancing to the Final Four as an 11 seed. Coached by Porter Moser, they ignited interest with their underdog run and the presence of team chaplain Sister Jean. They were the seventh double-digit seed to make the Final Four. .
Which team has the most Final Four appearances in NCAA men's basketball history?
Kentucky Wildcats
North Carolina Tar Heels
Duke Blue Devils
UCLA Bruins
As of 2023, the North Carolina Tar Heels have reached the Final Four 21 times, more than any other program. Their appearances span from Frank McGuire's 1957 team to the Roy Williams era. This consistency underscores UNC's elite pedigree. .
Who is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I men's basketball history?
John Wooden
Larry Bird
Pete Maravich
Oscar Robertson
Pete Maravich scored 3,667 points in just three college seasons (1967 - 70) at LSU, averaging 44.2 points per game. He remains the NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader despite playing before the three-point line. His impact on the game is still celebrated. .
Which coach has the most NCAA tournament wins?
Rick Pitino
Jim Boeheim
Roy Williams
Mike Krzyzewski
Mike Krzyzewski holds the record for NCAA tournament victories with over 90 wins across his tenure at Duke. His six Final Four titles and five national championships contribute to this total. Coach K's postseason success is unparalleled in college basketball. .
What was the seed of the lowest-seeded team to ever win the NCAA men's national championship?
7
8
6
5
The Villanova Wildcats won the 1985 championship as an 8 seed, the lowest seed ever to win the title. Coached by Rollie Massimino, they defeated Georgetown in the final. Their upset run remains one of the greatest in tournament history. .
Who was the only coach to lead an undefeated season culminating in an NCAA championship in men's basketball?
Jay Wright
Adolph Rupp
John Wooden
Bob Knight
Bob Knight coached the 1975 - 76 Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 32-0 record, clinching the national championship. They remain the last undefeated champion in Division I men's basketball history. John Wooden's UCLA teams went undefeated but only in the regular season, as there was no NCAA Tournament in his first championship year. .
Which team holds the record for the most consecutive NCAA tournament appearances?
Kentucky Wildcats
Duke Blue Devils
North Carolina Tar Heels
Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks have made the NCAA tournament every year since 1990, marking the longest active streak at over 30 consecutive appearances. This run reflects the program's sustained excellence under coaches Larry Brown, Roy Williams, and Bill Self. .
Who hit the famous "The Shot" to send Duke vs. Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight to overtime?
Grant Hill
Grant Williams
Bobby Hurley
Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner's buzzer-beater - off a full-court inbounds pass - gave Duke a 104-103 double-overtime win over Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight. The shot helped Duke reach its second straight national championship game that year. It remains one of the most replayed moments in March Madness. .
Which player has won the NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player award three times?
Hakeem Olajuwon
Bill Walton
Jerry West
Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)
Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, won the Most Outstanding Player award three straight times from 1967 to 1969 at UCLA. His dominance in John Wooden's system helped the Bruins win a record seven consecutive championships. No other player has matched that feat. .
In which city was the first ever NCAA men's basketball Final Four held in 1939?
Evanston, Illinois
Kansas City, Missouri
Minneapolis, Minnesota
New York, New York
The inaugural NCAA tournament in 1939 featured just eight teams, with the Final Four hosted in Evanston, Illinois, at Northwestern University's Patten Gymnasium. Oregon defeated Ohio State in the championship. The event has since grown into one of the biggest sports spectacles worldwide. .
Who is the only coach to reach the Final Four with three different schools?
Rick Pitino
Roy Williams
Tubby Smith
John Calipari
Rick Pitino led UMass to the 1996 Final Four, Kentucky to the 1997 title game, and Louisville to the 2005 and 2013 Final Fours. No other coach has achieved Final Four appearances with three different programs. This underscores his adaptability and success across varied roster builds. .
Which school holds the record for most consecutive NCAA Tournament game wins?
Georgetown Hoyas
North Carolina Tar Heels
Duke Blue Devils
UCLA Bruins
UCLA won 47 consecutive NCAA tournament games between 1964 and 1975 under coach John Wooden, including 10 straight championships. This unparalleled streak highlights one of the most dominant eras in sports history. No modern program has come close to matching it. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand NCAA Tournament History -

    Learn about the structure and evolution of ncaa basketball trivia from its inception through modern March Madness milestones.

  2. Recall Iconic Buzzer-Beaters -

    Identify and remember the most thrilling last-second shots that have defined memorable ncaa tournament trivia moments.

  3. Identify Cinderella Stories -

    Recognize underdog teams and their historic upsets as featured in classic ncaa tournament trivia challenges.

  4. Analyze Classic Matchups -

    Break down legendary games and key strategies behind memorable march madness trivia questions and answers.

  5. Apply Strategy Knowledge -

    Use insights from trivia to forecast brackets and sharpen your March Madness bracket-picking skills.

  6. Evaluate Your Hoops IQ -

    Test and assess your ncaa basketball trivia prowess to see if you can achieve a perfect score.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Tournament Structure & Seeding Fundamentals -

    Every ncaa basketball trivia fan should know the field starts with 68 teams - four First Four play-in games that trim the bracket to 64 before single-elimination heats up. Teams are seeded 1 - 16 in four regions, with higher seeds generally enjoying path advantages; mnemonic "68 Teams Start, 63 Games to Chart" helps lock in both the field size and total match count.

  2. Iconic Buzzer-Beaters & Last-Second Legends -

    Some of the most memorable ncaa tournament trivia moments hinge on clutch shots, like Kris Jenkins' 2016 title-clincher (0.8 seconds on the clock) and Christian Laettner's 1992 Elite Eight jumper. Remember "0.8 = Jenkins Gate" to recall the dramatic finish that ended North Carolina's title drought and cemented Villanova's magic.

  3. Cinderella Upsets & Statistical Odds -

    Cinderella stories fuel march madness trivia questions and answers 2023, from 12-seed shocks (which win about 35% of 5-vs-12 matchups) to historic 16-over-1 feats by UMBC in 2018 and Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023. A handy stat: only two No. 16 seeds have ever toppled No. 1s - UMBC vs. Virginia and FDU vs. Purdue - so "16=magic" is an easy way to remember those rare upsets.

  4. Bracket Combinatorics & Probability -

    With 63 games in a 64-team bracket, the total number of possible outcomes is 2^63 (about 9.2 quintillion), making perfect picks nearly impossible. Think of each game as a coin flip and use the formula 2^G - where G is games - to grasp how bracket odds explode in march madness trivia and ncaa tournament trivia alike.

  5. Championship Records & Most Outstanding Players -

    UCLA's 11 national titles remain the gold standard, and legends like Bill Walton (1973 MOP, 23 pts/20 reb in the title game) and Carmelo Anthony (2003 MOP, led Syracuse to its first crown) define tournament lore. Remember "11 Banners, Walton's Power, Melo's Hero" to lock in these record-setting achievements.

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