Ralph Cotran on the NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament bracket.

1. The NCAA Men’s
Soccer Tournament…
Explained

2. The Official Bracket
was released yesterday

3. Notre Dame was predictably
awarded the #1 seed after
last year’s championship.

4. With soccer growing in popularity
after this year’s World Cup, the hopes
are that this year’s NCAA tournament
will have record audiences.

5. There’s still a barrier to entry for
the average sports fan, having to
learn the ins and outs of a new
tournament.

6. Here’s what you need
to know…

7. There are 24 conferences in NCAA
men’s soccer. Each conference’s
champion is automatically
qualified.

8. The top 16 teams
receive first-round byes.

9. The Atlantic Coast Conference has the
most teams in the tournament, with Notre
Dame, Syracuse, Louisville, Virginia,
North Carolina, and Wake Forest

10. Top teams are….

11. Notre Dame
UCLA
Michigan State
Maryland
Indiana
Stanford
Clemson
Georgetown
Syracuse
Charlotte
Providence
Creighton
Louisville
Washington
California
Virginia