The brackets are ready in, not the Road to the Final Four, but the Read to the Final Four, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The NCAA and the Local Organizing Committee are staging a March Madness of their own, made up of 68 elementary schools, the exact same number of colleges who are invited to The Big Dance in mid March.
Local Organizing Committee Director Jenny Carnes says the goal for the kids is not to score the most hoops, but to read the most.
"Every school that is participating has a giant bracket that we have printed out for them, and they will advance through the rounds," Carnes said.
She says each school will advance based on which school has the most third-graders who did the most reading.
"We have 68 elementary schools from around the city that are participating in this reading bracket challenge, so they will advance through the brackets," she said.
The Final Four of reading will gather at the Alamodome during the Final Four of basketball, and the winners will get a brand new bicycle, which, when your 9, is probably a lot bigger deal than a trophy.
Northside ISD Deputy Superintendent Ray Galindo says this is a thrilling event for the students and their parents, and he thanks the NCAA for 'investing in our communities beyond the court.'
"Third grade is pivotal for young students as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn," Galindo said.