Samford vs. Southern Women’s Basketball Game: How to Watch NCAA Tournament First Four Matchup The Southern Jaguars (19-13) and the Samford Bulldogs (16-18) will face off in a First Four matchup on Thursday, March 19, as part of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, will determine which team advances to the Round of 64. The winner of this contest will secure a spot in the next round, continuing their run in the tournament. For viewers, the game will be broadcast on a dedicated TV channel, with streaming options available for those unable to watch live television. Fans can access the broadcast through various platforms, ensuring wide availability for both local and national audiences. The exact channel and streaming services will be confirmed closer to the game date, but details will be provided through official NCAA channels. Odds for the matchup are currently set by BetMGM, with the Southern Jaguars slightly favored to advance. However, the underdog status of Samford, with its 16-18 record, adds intrigue to the contest. The game is expected to be a competitive showdown, with both teams bringing distinct strengths to the court. Southern’s experienced roster and Samford’s defensive resilience will likely shape the outcome. The NCAA Tournament First Four games are critical for teams seeking to extend their season, and this matchup highlights the high stakes of the early rounds. With the winner earning a place in the Round of 64, the game will serve as a pivotal moment for both programs. Fans can expect a tightly contested battle as both teams aim to make a deep run in the tournament. The game’s broadcast will provide real-time updates and analysis, allowing viewers to follow the action as it unfolds.#ncaa_tournament #first_four #southern_jaguars #samford_bulldogs #round_of_64
March Madness Kicks Off With First Four Play-In Games The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament officially begins with the First Four, a series of play-in games that determine the final teams in the 64-team bracket. These matchups, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, feature teams from smaller conferences and at-large selections competing for the last spots in the tournament field. The First Four serves as the opening stage of March Madness, setting the tone for the entire tournament. The First Four has been a staple of the NCAA Tournament since its introduction in 2011, when the tournament expanded from 65 to 68 teams. The format includes four games, with the winners advancing to the official 64-team bracket. This year’s 2026 tournament will see the No. 16 seeds facing off in two matchups: UMBC vs. Howard and Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh. Meanwhile, the No. 11 seeds will compete in Texas vs. NC State and Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU. The First Four is consistently held at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, a venue that has hosted the play-in games since the format’s inception. The city’s central location and the arena’s capacity make it an ideal choice for the event, which is under contract through 2026. The games will take place on March 17 and 18, with both matches broadcast on truTV. After the First Four, the winners will advance to the first round of the tournament, which begins on March 19. From there, the bracket progresses through the First Round, Second Round, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the national championship game, typically held in early April. While the First Four is technically a play-in round, it has historically produced memorable moments.#march_madness #tru_tv #first_four #university_of_dayton_arena #ncaa_division_i_men_s_basketball_tournament
Dick Vitale to Make NCAA Tournament Broadcasting Debut with Charles Barkley Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale will make his NCAA Tournament broadcasting debut on Tuesday when No. 11 seed NC State faces No. 11 seed Texas in the First Four game in Dayton, Ohio. The winner of that matchup will advance to the first round to face No. 6 seed BYU in Portland, Oregon on Thursday. Vitale will call the game alongside Brian Anderson, Charles Barkley, and sideline reporter Jenny Dell. This marks the first time Vitale will broadcast an NCAA Tournament game in his career, though he and Barkley previously teamed up for Indiana’s matchup against Kentucky earlier this season. CBS Sports Executive Producer Harold Bryant highlighted the significance of the broadcast, stating that Vitale “has meant so much to the game of basketball” and that having him call the game with Barkley will be “must-see TV.” The collaboration is expected to draw significant attention as the First Four kicks off the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Vitale, 86, made his return to television last year after a nearly two-year hiatus due to battling four types of cancer. His return was initially scheduled for a game earlier in 2025 but was delayed by an accident at his home. Vitale has been a staple of ESPN’s basketball coverage since the 1979-80 season, calling over 1,000 games throughout his career. He is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Beyond his broadcasting career, Vitale has been a prominent advocate for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation, raising tens of millions of dollars over the years. His contributions to the sport and charitable efforts have solidified his legacy as one of college basketball’s most influential figures.#ncaa_tournament #cbs_sports #charles_barkley #first_four #dick_vitale
NCAA Men's Tournament Kicks Off with First Four Games The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament officially begins on Tuesday with the First Four games, setting the stage for a season of high-stakes matchups and potential upsets. Two key contests will air on TruTV, featuring No. 16 seeds Howard and UMBC, and No. 11 seeds NC State and Texas. The winners of each game will advance to the first round on Thursday, with the victors facing No. 1 Michigan and No. 6 BYU, respectively. The Howard vs. UMBC matchup highlights the potential for Cinderella stories, as both teams have emerged from their conferences as tournament champions. Howard, led by guards Bryce Harris and Cedric Taylor, enters the tournament on an eight-game winning streak, having dominated the MEAC with a 11-3 conference record. The Bison’s success is bolstered by their strong offensive rebounding and free-throw shooting, averaging over 25 attempts per game with a 73% conversion rate. Their only loss in the last month came in overtime to Yale, a team that narrowly missed NCAA tournament qualification. UMBC, meanwhile, brings a storied history to the First Four, most notably their 2018 upset of No. 1 Virginia. The Retrievers, coached by Ryan Odom before he took over at Virginia, are making their first tournament appearance since that historic run. Under new coach Jim Ferry, UMBC has maintained a strong defensive presence, limiting opponents to just 67 points per game while outscoring them by 13 points on average. The team’s ball-control strategy, with fewer than 10 turnovers per game and just five steals, underscores their disciplined approach. The NC State vs. Texas showdown adds another layer of intrigue, as both teams have faced challenges in their respective conferences.#tru_tv #ncaa_men_s_tournament #first_four #bryce_harris #cedric_taylor
