Average NCAA final score since 1987: 146 points

The average total score in NCAA men's basketball championship games from 1987 to 2024 is 146 points, with teams scoring about 73 points each. This average reflects the impact of the three-point shot introduced in 1987. For the 2024-2025 season, teams are averaging around 74 points per game, slightly up from 73.5 in the previous season. This consistency means that when predicting the final score for bracket tiebreakers, scores between 140 and 155 points are reasonable. Recent championship scores show a range of totals, with the highest being 186 points in 1990. The average score can help inform predictions for the upcoming tournament.