The field thins but the Madness continues; remaining teams settle in after Round 1 ST. LOUIS – The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s first round concluded with 68 teams eliminated, leaving 32 to advance. The bracket saw a lack of upsets, with higher seeds dominating most games. Of the 32 first-round matchups, 24 were won by the top-ranked teams, and only four of the eight lower seeds (8 vs. 9 seeds) advanced. The average margin of victory was 19.7 points, with only five games decided by single digits. Despite the lack of drama, standout moments emerged, including a thrilling overtime finish between Kentucky and Santa Clara, where the Wildcats survived a late surge by the Broncos. Notable performances included Connecticut’s Tarris Reed Jr., who recorded a rare 31-point, 27-rebound double-double against Furman, marking the first 30-25 stat line in NCAA Tournament history in 58 years. Reed, reflecting on his final March Madness, emphasized his focus on dominance. Meanwhile, Purdue guard Braden Smith broke Bobby Hurley’s all-time assist record with his 1,077th assist, a one-handed bounce pass to Trey Kaufman-Renn. Smith credited his teammates for his success, while Kaufman-Renn highlighted the bond between the duo over the years. Other highlights included Kansas’ Darryn Peterson scoring 28 points in a game where the Jayhawks overcame a 26-point deficit against California Baptist. Virginia’s 18 lead changes in a win over Wright State and UCLA’s walk-on player retrieving Skyy Clark’s lost tooth during a game against UCF added quirky moments. The tournament also saw the end of Cinderella stories, as Miami and Akron fell to higher-seeded teams, though their runs were praised for their resilience. Upcoming matchups promise intrigue, with No.#purdue #ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #st_louis #kentucky #santa_clara
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: 68 Names to Know Heading Into March Madness The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to begin, featuring a roster of standout players and coaches poised to make their mark. From freshman phenoms to veteran leaders, the 2026 field is packed with talent, offering fans a chance to witness historic moments. Here’s a breakdown of the key players and coaches to watch as the tournament kicks off. Cameron Boozer of Duke stands out as the most dominant player in college basketball this season. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound freshman averages 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, leading the No. 1-seeded Blue Devils. His performance has positioned him as the favorite for the Wooden and Naismith Awards, with the potential to guide Duke to its first national championship in 11 years. Bruce Thornton of Ohio State is another standout, serving as the Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer. His ability to score from beyond the arc and overpower smaller defenders makes him a game-changer. Thornton’s consistency over four years at his school highlights his durability and skill. Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s is a key reason the Red Storm, a 5-seed, is considered a threat. The 6-foot-9 senior big man leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and blocks. His physical style and finishing ability could carry St. John’s far in the tournament. Darryn Peterson of Kansas remains a mystery due to his inconsistent availability. While his potential as an NBA All-Star is evident in flashes, questions about his health and readiness for the Big Dance linger. A strong performance in the tournament could determine whether Kansas makes a deep run. Dominique Daniels Jr. of Cal Baptist is a scoring machine, averaging 23.2 points per game.#ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #darryn_peterson #cameron_boozers #bruce_thornton #zuby_ejiofor
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First Four Schedule and Results Dayton hosted the First Four games on March 17 and 18, 2026, as part of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The opening day featured two tightly contested matchups, with No. 16 seed Howard defeating No. 16 seed UMBC 86-83 and No. 11 seed Texas narrowly edging No. 11 seed NC State 68-66. These results set the stage for the second day of action, which included additional games to determine which teams would advance to the 64-team bracket. The First Four, introduced in 2011 when the tournament expanded from 65 to 68 teams, serves as a qualifier for the lowest-ranked teams. It features four games: two on the first day and two on the second, with the winners advancing to the main tournament. The 2026 edition saw No. 16 seeds Prairie View A&M and Lehigh face off, while No. 11 seeds Miami (Ohio) and SMU competed for a spot in the next round. The tournament’s structure ensures that the four lowest-ranked teams—typically No. 16 seeds and at-large inclusions—compete in a mini-tournament to secure a place in the 64-team bracket. The games are held at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, a venue that has hosted the First Four since 2011, except for 2021, when the event was moved to Indiana due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The First Four games on March 17 included Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU. The winners of these matchups would join the previously victorious teams from the first day, completing the selection process for the main tournament. The event concluded on March 18, with the final results determining which teams would advance to the next round. The tournament’s scheduling and format highlight the competitive nature of college basketball, as teams with lower seeds face off in a bid to secure a spot in the larger tournament.#ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #dayton #tru_tv #ud_arena #sling_tv
March Madness 2026 Begins Tonight in Dayton, Ohio The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament kicks off tonight in Dayton, Ohio, with the first round of games, known as the “First Four,” set to take place. Two matchups featuring No. 16 seeds will open the tournament, as Howard University faces UMBC, while No. 11 seeds NC State and Texas will square off in another early contest. Additional First Four games will be held on Wednesday, with Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami (OH) vs. SMU set to compete. All four matchups will be broadcast on truTV. The tournament will be televised across multiple networks, including CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with additional games available via streaming platforms. HBO Max and Paramount+ will also carry select matches, offering fans flexible viewing options. Notably, Paramount+ is currently offering a discounted rate of $2.99 per month for the first two months, providing an affordable way to access the tournament. For viewers seeking to stream truTV, several services provide access. The network is available on Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV, with the latter offering a promotional price of $59.99 per month for the first two months. A 10-day free trial is also available for YouTube TV, while Hulu provides a three-day trial. TruTV can be found on DIRECTV through the Choice, Ultimate, or Premiere Packs, as well as on Optimum, Spectrum, Cox, and Xfinity via their channel finder tools. To watch truTV live, users can access the network’s website or app with a valid cable login. A free 10-minute preview is available for new users. Alternatively, the Blue package on Sling TV offers access to truTV, though the Orange package does not include the channel.#ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #cbs #dayton_ohio #tru_tv #tbs
March Madness upset predictions: Ranking most likely first round surprises The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is known for its unpredictability, with upsets playing a central role in shaping the narrative of the event. While the 68-team format provides underdog teams with a chance to challenge powerhouse programs, the first round often features games that defy expectations. Over the next three weeks, Cinderella stories will unfold, and fans will be tasked with predicting which lower-seeded teams can topple their higher-ranked opponents. To aid in this process, here’s a breakdown of the eight most likely upsets in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, based on team dynamics, player injuries, and recent performance. The tournament’s structure allows for dramatic shifts in momentum, particularly when underdogs face teams with internal struggles or key injuries. For instance, the matchup between No. 11 South Florida and No. 6 Louisville highlights a potential clash between two stylistically similar teams. Both squads rely on fast-paced, three-point-heavy offenses, but Louisville’s reliance on freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. could be a vulnerability. Brown’s persistent back issues have left the Cardinals with a shaky interior presence, making them susceptible to the 6-10 forward Izaiyah Nelson of South Florida, who averages 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds. South Florida’s 11-game win streak and strong recent form make them a formidable contender in this matchup. Another key upset candidate is No. 11 VCU over No. 6 North Carolina. The Tar Heels are missing standout forward Caleb Wilson, who is sidelined after surgery on a broken thumb. Despite a 19-4 start, North Carolina has struggled since Wilson’s injury, posting a 5-4 record. VCU, however, has been dominant, winning 16 of its past 17 games.#south_florida #ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #louisville #mikel_brown_jr #izaiyah_nelson
Selection Sunday Announcers 2026: CBS Lineup Revealed The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s Selection Sunday will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET, with the bracket reveal set to broadcast on CBS. The event marks the beginning of the college basketball season’s most anticipated moment, as teams are matched against one another in a process that determines the path to the national championship. The bracket’s unveiling will feature a mix of established analysts and familiar faces, with the broadcast team offering insights into the matchups and potential upsets. Adam Zucker, based in New York, will serve as the primary host for the selection show. Joining him at the desk will be Clark Kellogg, Jay Wright, and Seth Davis. The panel will provide commentary on the seeding process, the implications of each team’s placement, and the likelihood of underdog stories emerging. The broadcast is expected to highlight the competitive dynamics of the tournament, with analysts breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the teams involved. The selection process itself involves a committee of experts who evaluate teams based on criteria such as win-loss records, strength of schedule, and performance in key games. The final rankings will determine which teams advance to the next round, setting the stage for the March Madness journey. Fans tuning in will get a glimpse into the strategic decisions behind the bracket, as well as predictions for the upcoming season. This year’s broadcast will continue the tradition of blending analysis with entertainment, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how the tournament’s structure is shaped. The presence of seasoned commentators like Wright and Davis, alongside Zucker and Kellogg, ensures a mix of expertise and engaging storytelling.#ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament #cbs #adam_zucker #clark_kellogg #jay_wright
North Carolina lands commitment from Malloy Smith, son of Kenny "The Jet" Smith Malloy Smith, a three-star point guard in the 2026 NBA draft class, has officially pledged his college basketball future to the University of North Carolina. The 6-foot-6 senior from Mater Dei High School in California made the decision after receiving an offer from UNC in mid-February and completing an official visit to Chapel Hill last weekend. His commitment places him among the Tar Heels’ top targets for the upcoming season, with the program now set to add him to its 2026 recruiting class. Smith, the son of former NBA star and UNC legend Kenny “The Jet” Smith, cited several factors in his choice. He emphasized the sense of familiarity and comfort he felt at UNC, noting the trust and confidence the coaching staff showed in his abilities. “Their future plans for me align with mine,” he said, adding that the program’s commitment to developing players resonated with his own goals. The 18-year-old also highlighted the rich tradition and history of North Carolina basketball as a major draw. “The fan base is special, and every coach who has ever played here has a connection to this program,” he explained. Smith praised the university’s legacy and the legacy of its coaching staff, which includes many former Tar Heels players. In describing his playing style, Smith said he thrives on creating opportunities for his teammates and using his speed to drive the offense. “I like to play fast and get the ball to my teammates,” he said. He also expressed excitement about contributing to the team’s energy and competitiveness, promising fans “exciting plays” during games. Smith’s commitment marks the third addition to UNC’s 2026 class, joining five-star point guard Dylan Mingo (ranked No.#university_of_north_carolina #malloy_smith #kenny_the_jet_smith #mater_dei_high_school #ncaa_men_s_basketball_tournament
