Press Releases
Bracketology
March Madness, College Basketball, and the Creation of a National Obsession
By Joe Lunardi with David Smale
Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books, 312-676-4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com
Each March, about 70 million people fill out a bracket for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. For a few weeks each spring, America obsesses over March Madness. Everyone, from the casual fan who picks by mascot to the diehard who can spell Krzyzweski, wants to win their office pool. Joe Lunardi can help.
In Bracketology: March Madness, College Basketball, and the Creation of a National Obsession (Triumph Books, March 2, 2021), ESPN’s Joe Lunardi explores the history and evolution of March Madness, uncovering how forecasting the annual tournament grew to become a cultural phenomenon. Lunardi delves into the medley of art and science that produces the tournament field on Selection Sunday, explains the formulae he employs for his innovative Bracketology analysis and looks back at past tournaments and how they shaped the sport and its fans. Highlights include:
- A thoughtful foreword from Mark Few, head coach at Gonzaga University
- The selection committee: a look at how teams qualify for the tournament, and why some have it easier than others
- Insights and anecdotes from some of the biggest personalities, players and coaches in college basketball
- A thoughtful examination of the history of the NCAA Tournament, and how its growth and popularity surged with the advent of ESPN and increased coverage of college hoops
- Debunking the myths, understanding the language and mastering the insiders’ tips for filling out a winning bracket
Bracketology offers a comprehensive history and thorough assessment of March Madness and its place in American sports and culture. No hoops fan’s library is complete without it.
About the Authors:
Joe Lunardi is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. The foremost expert in predicting NCAA tournament results, he hosts a The Bracketology Show weekly on ESPN+.
David Smale has been writing about college and professional sports for more than 40 years. He is the author of several books, including The Ahearn Tradition and Pauley Pavilion: College Basketball's Showplace.
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