North Carolina vs. VCU NCAA Tournament Matchup: Odds, Predictions, and Key Details The 11th-seeded VCU Rams will face the sixth-seeded UNC Tar Heels in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament South Region on March 19. The game, set for 6:50 p.m. ET at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., marks the first-ever matchup between the two programs. VCU, led by first-year coach Phil Martelli Jr., enters the tournament with a 27-7 record after a 72-60 victory over Dayton in the A-10 tournament championship. UNC, meanwhile, lost its last two games, including an 80-79 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Tournament, and finished fourth in the league with an 12-6 record. UNC will be without star freshman forward Caleb Wilson, who is sidelined for the season following surgery for a broken thumb. The Tar Heels have turned to Henri Veesaar, averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in Wilson’s absence. VCU, which has won 16 of its last 17 games, will rely on its balanced scoring attack, with Terrence Hill Jr. projected to contribute 13.3 points in the matchup. The game’s odds show UNC as a 2.5-point favorite, with the over/under total set at 150.5 points. The total has dropped 5 points since opening at 155.5, reflecting cautious expectations for a low-scoring contest. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has a strong track record in NCAA Tournament predictions, simulated the game 10,000 times and leaned toward the under, projecting the total to fall in 52.4% of simulations. The model also highlighted key player contributions, with VCU expected to have two players scoring 12.6 points or more and UNC’s Veesaar projected to lead the Tar Heels with 16.4 points. The model’s analysis suggests the under total is a strong bet, aligning with recent trends in both teams’ games.#north_carolina #phil_martelli_jr #vcu #henri_veesarar #terrence_hill_jr
Bracket-Busting Teams to Watch March Madness has officially kicked off, and with the brackets finalized, the stage is set for a mix of powerhouse teams and underdog stories. While top seeds often dominate the conversation, several double-digit seeds and mid-tier teams are positioned to make waves. Here’s a breakdown of the key contenders and moments to watch. In the men’s bracket, chaos is expected in the first weekend, with three double-digit seeds standing out. The No. 11 seed Virginia Commonwealth Rams, led by coach Phil Martelli Jr., have been on a tear, winning 16 of their last 17 games and capturing the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Their 3-point shooting prowess and deep bench make them a dangerous threat, especially against the No. 6 seed North Carolina Tar Heels, who are missing injured star Caleb Wilson. Meanwhile, the No. 10 seed Santa Clara Broncos, riding a 17-game winning streak, have the tools to challenge higher-seeded teams. Their ability to force turnovers and hit from beyond the arc could be key if they advance past the No. 7 seed Kentucky Wildcats. High Point University, a No. 12 seed, is another dark horse. The Panthers finished the season 30-4, leading the nation in scoring margin and averaging 19.7 points per game. Their aggressive defensive style, which ranks third in turnovers forced per game, could disrupt the No. 5-seeded Wisconsin Badgers. On the women’s side, the landscape is slightly different. While top seeds like UConn and Texas remain strong favorites, several non-No. 1 teams could disrupt the Final Four. The No. 4 seed Oklahoma Sooners, led by freshman Aaliyah Chavez, have the firepower to challenge any opponent. Their recent overtime victory over South Carolina, where Chavez scored 26 points and dished out 8 assists, highlights their potential.#phil_martelli_jr #march_madness #virginia_commonwealth_rams #north_carolina_tar_heels #santa_clara_broncos
Wisconsin could play one of these teams in NCAA Tournament first round The Wisconsin men's basketball team is projected to be a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to bracket experts, which would place them in the first round against an 11th-seeded team. These matchups often involve bubble teams that secured at-large berths. Here are several teams that could face the Badgers based on current tournament projections. Southern Methodist, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, is coached by Andy Enfield, who previously led Florida Gulf Coast and USC. Entering March 11, the Mustangs have a 20-12 record and a 8-10 mark in conference play. They are seeking a strong run in the league tournament, including a matchup against Louisville on March 11. SMU has suffered four consecutive losses, only one of which was against a ranked opponent. Kevin "Boopie" Miller leads the team with 19.5 points per game, earning second-team all-conference honors. The Mustangs have not advanced to the NCAA Tournament since 2017. Virginia Commonwealth, led by Phil Martelli Jr., the son of St. Joseph's longtime coach, has a history of NCAA Tournament appearances. The Rams, under Shaka Smart’s previous tenure, reached the Final Four, and despite changing coaches, they have missed only three tournaments since that run to the national semifinals in 2011. The Atlantic 10 team finished 24-7 in league play to share the conference title. However, St. Louis holds the top seed in the tournament. A loss in the league tournament could leave VCU with a strong bubble case. Terrence Hill Jr., the A-10 Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year, leads three players in double figures. He is first-team all-conference, as is Lazar Djokovic. Rookie Nyk Lewis contributes 8.5 points per game.#andy_enfield #wisconsin_men_basketball #southern_methodist #virginia_commonwealth #phil_martelli_jr
