It began on March 12, 2002, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome.

This was the first year that the tournament used the so-called "pod" system, in which the eight first- and second-round sites are distributed around the four regionals.

This also marked the first time since 1987 that no team from the states of North Carolina nor Kentucky reached the Final Four.

The following are the sites selected to host each round of the 2002 tournament: Opening Round First and Second Rounds Regional semifinals and finals (Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight) National semifinals and championship (Final Four and championship) The following teams were automatic qualifiers for the 2002 NCAA field by virtue of winning their conference's tournament (except for the Ivy League, whose regular-season champion received the automatic bid).

Ohio State vacated all 32 games including its NCAA Tournament appearance from the 2001–02 season due to the Jim O’Brien scandal.