March Madness 2015: NCAA Tournament Dates, Bracket Release TV Schedule

As exciting as the NCAA tournament itself tends to be, it can be argued that Selection Sunday is on the same level for diehard basketball fans.

While the bracket reveal is likely a torturous experience for those involved with teams that are firmly on the bubble, it is drama at its finest. Everyone wants to see how teams will be positioned for March Madness, and Selection Sunday provides that in an entertaining package.

With teams preparing and hoping for an invitation to go dancing, here is everything you need to know about when and where to watch both the Selection Sunday show and the NCAA college basketball tournament moving forward.

Key Tournament Information

Dates: March 17 through April 6

Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV

Live Stream: March Madness Live

Key Bracket Release Information

When: Sunday, March 15

Time: 6 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Live Stream: CBSSports.com

Teams to Watch

Gonzaga

There is no question that Gonzaga has been among the best teams in college basketball this year, but there is always a certain stigma attached to teams that don't play in a power conference.

The Bulldogs went 17-1 in the West Coast Conference and 32-2 overall en route to yet another conference title. According to ESPN College Basketball on Twitter, the Zags now have one of the longest NCAA tournament streaks in the nation:

"

Gonzaga now has 17 straight March Madness appearances, tied for the 3rd-longest active streak in Division I. pic.twitter.com/OICZm8mf94

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) March 11, 2015"

Gonzaga avenged a three-point loss to BYU by beating the Cougars handily in the WCC title game, and it will enter March Madness with plenty of momentum on its side.

The Bulldogs have played like a No. 1 seed this year, although they are currently in position for a No. 2 seed at best. They don't have a ton of big-time quality wins on their resume, which is what will likely keep them from anchoring a region.

Regardless of where Gonzaga lands, it has a dangerous lineup capable of beating any team in the country. As pointed out by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports Network, the Zags are able to create matchup nightmares thanks to their embarrassment of riches in terms of big men:

The main concern among Gonzaga fans is likely avoiding the region in which Kentucky is the No. 1 seed. Being on the opposite side of the bracket is ideal, but having to meet the Wildcats in the Elite Eight is something no team wants to do.

While the Bulldogs may have enough talent to beat Kentucky, they'll likely have their fingers crossed in hopes of landing elsewhere.

Wisconsin

After the Badgers made a run to the Final Four last year, hopes were high regarding Wisconsin's chances in 2015. The Badgers have largely lived up to the hype, although that doesn't mean that they are guaranteed a No. 1 seed.

Wisconsin has largely been great, but with a 10-point loss to Duke and an awful loss to Rutgers on its resume, it will present an interesting quandary to the selection committee. According to Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated, the Badgers are a divisive team when it comes to the argument of landing a top seed:

They may have the best player in the nation on their side in the form of senior forward Frank Kaminsky. Add in the likes of Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes, and the Badgers have a nucleus as good as any other team in college basketball.

If Wisconsin is not given a No. 1 seed, it faces the same fears that Gonzaga does in terms of avoiding Kentucky's region. The Badgers fell to the Wildcats by one point in the Final Four last year, and Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig admitted that the team would rather not have to deal with Kentucky until that point in 2015, per Hamilton.

"I feel like, collectively, we'd rather have them in a rematch in the Final Four or the national championship or something like that," Koenig said. "But, yeah, to us, it doesn't really matter."

As tough of a matchup as Kentucky would be for Wisconsin, ESPN analyst Dick Vitale believes it would be an equally scary proposition for the Wildcats:

Wisconsin may be the team with the best chance to take down Kentucky due to the presence of Kaminsky coupled with the ability to get hot from long range.

The Badgers have a legitimate chance to go all the way, and they may very well be the No. 2 favorite to win it all outside of Kentucky.

Murray State

There is no doubt that Gonzaga and Wisconsin are going dancing, but the same can't be said for a Murray State team that went 27-5 this season.

Despite the Racers' impressive record and perfect 16-0 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference prior to the conference tournament, their bubble could very well burst. That is due to the fact that they lost to Belmont, 88-87, in agonizing fashion in the OVC championship game.

Even with 27 wins to its credit, though, Murray State may be on the outside looking in. According to ESPN Stats & Info, it is incredibly rare for the Ohio Valley Conference to net an at-large bid:

The Racers present an interesting case after having such a strong season, but ESPN.com's Jeff Borzello accurately points out that they benefited from an extremely easy schedule:

With losses to Houston, Xavier, Portland and Valparaiso on its resume, Murray State is the furthest thing from a surefire tournament team.

The Racers could be an extremely dangerous team if they get in, as Cameron Payne has been one of the best point guards in the country, with averages of over 20 points and nearly six assists per game.

Add in three more players who average double figures in scoring, and it is clear that Murray State has the depth needed to do some damage in the Big Dance. Although its chances aren't totally dashed at this point, there is no doubt that Murray State faces an uphill climb.

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