The NCAA Tournament tipped off on March 14 , 2006 with the opening round game in Dayton , Ohio , and concluded on April 3 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis , Indiana . A total of 65 teams entered the tournament . Thirty of the teams earned automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments . The automatic bid of the Ivy League , which does not conduct a post-season tournament , went to its regular season champion . The remaining 34 teams were granted " at-large " bids , which are extended by the NCAA Selection Committee . The Big East Conference led the way with eight bids . Florida won their first NCAA title , beating UCLA 73 – 56 in the final . Florida forward Joakim Noah was named the tournament 's Most Outstanding Player
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season