March Madness Play-In Games Kick Off on March 17 The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament officially begins with the play-in games, also known as the First Four, starting on Tuesday, March 17, in Dayton, Ohio. These matchups will determine the final four spots in the 64-team bracket. The men’s tournament kicks off with the First Four games on March 17 and 18, followed by the first round on March 19 and 20. The women’s tournament will start its First Four games on March 18, with the first round beginning March 20. The play-in games feature four matchups, with the first two games scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. At 9:15 p.m. ET, No. 11 Texas will face No. 11 NC State, while No. 16 UMBC will take on No. 16 Howard at 6:40 p.m. ET. On Wednesday, March 18, the remaining First Four games will take place, with No. 11 Miami (OH) vs. No. 11 SMU at 9:15 p.m. ET and No. 16 Prairie Views vs. No. 16 Lehigh at 6:40 p.m. ET. The first game of the men’s tournament will be the 6:40 p.m. ET matchup between No. 16 UMBC and No. 16 Howard on Tuesday, March 17. All First Four games will be broadcast on truTV, with live streaming options available through the March Madness Live app and SlingTV. The games will be held at the University of Dayton’s UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. For the women’s tournament, the first game of the First Four is set for March 18, with the first round beginning March 20. Bracket submission deadlines for both the men’s and women’s tournaments are approaching. For the men’s tournament, brackets must be submitted by Thursday, March 19, with deadlines set for NCAA (noon), ESPN (12:15 p.m.), Yahoo! (12:15 p.m.), CBS (noon), and USA TODAY (noon). The women’s tournament brackets are due by Friday, March 20, with NCAA (noon), ESPN (11:30 a.m.), Yahoo! (11:10 a.m.), CBS (11:30 a.m.), and USA TODAY (11:15 a.m.) as submission times.#ncaa #march_madness #umbc #dayton_ohio #tru_tv
UMBC Holds Off Vermont for First America East Championship Since 2018 UMBC’s men’s basketball team secured its first America East Championship since 2018 with a decisive 74-59 victory over Vermont. The Retrievers, led by standout performer D.J. Armstrong Jr., overcame a resilient Vermont squad to claim the title in a tightly contested game. The win marked a significant milestone for UMBC, which had not won the conference tournament since its historic upset of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament in 2018. The game was a battle of wills, with Vermont initially holding a lead but ultimately faltering under UMBC’s relentless pressure. Armstrong, who finished with 33 points and 17 rebounds, was instrumental in the Retrievers’ late-game surge. His clutch shooting, including a pivotal four-point play after a three-pointer while being fouled, shifted the momentum in UMBC’s favor. The crowd at the Kai Arena, which saw a record crowd of over 4,700, erupted as the Retrievers closed the game on a 13-3 run. Vermont, a five-time tournament champion, struggled to find its rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc. The Catamounts shot just 5-27 from three-point range and 4-10 from the free throw line, failing to capitalize on key opportunities. Vermont’s leading scorer, T.J. Hurley, was held in check with 11 points, shooting 1-8 from three-point range. UMBC, in contrast, thrived from long range, hitting 10 three-pointers and converting 22-26 free throws. The victory solidified UMBC’s position as the top team in the America East during the regular season. The Retrievers are now set to make their third NCAA tournament appearance, with hopes of securing a higher seed than in 2018. Their historic 2018 upset of a No.#america_east #umbc #dj_armstrong_jr #vermont #kai_arena
UMBC Secures America East Title, Earns NCAA Tournament Bid DJ Armstrong Jr. poured in 33 points, including seven 3-pointers, to lead the Retrievers to a 74-59 victory over Vermont in the America East championship game. The win secured UMBC’s first NCAA tournament berth since 2018 and marked their third appearance in the postseason. The Retrievers, ranked No. 1 in the tournament, will compete for the first time since their historic upset of No. 1 seed Virginia in 2018. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected UMBC as a No. 16 seed in his latest bracket, giving the team another chance to face a top-tier opponent. Armstrong’s performance was pivotal, as he hit three 3-pointers, including a four-point play, to give UMBC a 64-56 lead with under two minutes remaining. The Retrievers closed the game by making 10 of 10 free throws, with Armstrong and Josh Odunowo combining for the final 10 points. Armstrong shot 9 of 11 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line, while Ace Valentine added 13 points and made all seven of his free throws. UMBC’s 22-of-26 free-throw accuracy contrasted with Vermont’s 4-of-10 performance. TJ Long led Vermont with 17 points, but the Catamounts struggled from the line, limiting their ability to close the gap. Long’s 3-pointer early in the second half gave Vermont a 17-12 lead, but Armstrong’s three-point play sparked a 12-2 run to give UMBC a 30-28 halftime advantage. Vermont managed a 51-48 lead in the second half but couldn’t sustain the momentum. UMBC’s dominance at home this season, with a 15-2 record, and their undefeated home slate against America East opponents underscored their strength. The victory not only secured the America East title but also positioned UMBC for a potential NCAA run, with Armstrong’s heroics setting the stage for a historic chapter in the program’s history.#ncaa_tournament #joe_lunardi #america_east #umbc #dj_armstrong_jr
2026 NCAA Tournament Picks: Predictions for Every March Madness First-Round Game The NCAA Tournament’s first-round games are set to begin, and analysts have provided detailed breakdowns of how each matchup might unfold. These predictions focus on team strengths, defensive strategies, and individual player impacts to project outcomes. The First Four games kick off Tuesday, with several high-profile matchups expected to shape the bracket. In the No. 16 UMBC vs. No. 16 Howard matchup, Howard’s defensive versatility gives it an edge. The team’s switchable wing defenders, including Bryce Harris and Alex Cotton, could neutralize UMBC’s star guard DJ Armstrong. While UMBC has the best player on the floor, Howard’s cohesive defense is projected to secure the win. The No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 NC State game highlights contrasting styles. Texas’ drop coverage is expected to challenge NC State’s shooters, but the Wolfpack’s recent performance against Texas in November suggests they could find ways to counter. Despite Texas’ slight edge in recent matchups, NC State’s balanced attack and shooting efficiency make it the favored team. Lehigh’s dominance over Prairie View hinges on the presence of Nasir Whitlock, a key player who could tilt the game in favor of the Leopards. Similarly, SMU’s depth and defensive adjustments, particularly against Miami (Ohio)’s Eian Elmer, are seen as critical factors. SMU’s ability to control the paint and limit turnovers is expected to give it the upper hand. The No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena game is a mismatch in terms of size and talent. Duke’s seven-man rotation, featuring players like Cayden Boozer and Paolo Banchero, overwhelms Siena’s roster. Despite Siena’s individual talent, Duke’s physicality and depth make it a near-impossible matchup for the mid-major squad. Ohio State’s matchup against No.#texas #ncaa_tournament #umbc #nc_state #howard
Howard University Men’s Basketball Advances to NCAA Tournament First Four Howard University’s men’s basketball team has been matched against No. 16 seed UMBC in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four, as revealed during the Selection Sunday show on CBS. The game, set for March 17 at 6:40 p.m. ET, will air on truTV and marks the first time the two teams will meet in the tournament. This will be their fourth overall matchup, with UMBC securing a 95-77 victory in a previous contest on November 25, 2024. UMBC, the America East Regular Season and Tournament champions, earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018 through its conference automatic bid. The Retrievers advanced to the conference tournament final by defeating Vermont, 74-59, and three players—Jah’Likai King (First Team All-Conference), DJ Armstrong Jr. (Second Team), and Ace Valentine (Second Team)—were honored for their contributions. Caden Diggs was named Sixth Man of the Year, and head coach Jim Ferry received Coach of the Year recognition. Howard’s path to the tournament included a decisive 70-63 win over No. 3 North Carolina Central in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament final, held in Norfolk, Virginia. This victory marked the program’s sixth conference tournament title in history and its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bison are led by MEAC Player of the Year Bryce Harris, a graduate student guard from Brentwood, New York, and Defensive Player of the Year Cedric Taylor III, a senior from Atlanta. Head coach Kenneth Blakeney, entering his seventh season at Howard, has guided the team to its most successful campaign in recent years. The Bison’s success in the MEAC and their NCAA Tournament berth highlight the program’s growing competitiveness in collegiate basketball.#howard_university #umbc #jahlkai_king #dj_armstrong_jr #ace_valentine
Prepare your brackets! DC-area teams seeded in the NCAA men’s, women’s tournaments The NCAA men’s and women’s tournament brackets have been released, with several teams from the D.C. region set to compete for national championships. The brackets highlight the return of multiple local programs to the postseason, including Howard, UMBC, Maryland, and Virginia Tech. Howard University’s men’s basketball team is making its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, earning a spot in the First Four against UMBC. The Bison, who won the MEAC Tournament, will face the Retrievers in Dayton, Ohio, with the winner advancing to face No. 1 seed Michigan. Howard’s coach, Kenny Blakeney, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “We have earned it.” The Bison enter the tournament with an 23-10 record and an eight-game winning streak. UMBC, the America East champion, brings a 24-8 record and a 12-game winning streak into the matchup. Virginia, seeded No. 3 in the Midwest bracket, will face No. 14 seed Wright State in Philadelphia. The Cavaliers, who finished second in the ACC, are making their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. VCU, the Rams, will also compete in the South bracket, taking on North Carolina in their first-round game. The Atlantic 10 champions have reached the tournament for the 21st time in program history. In the women’s tournament, Maryland returns for the 16th straight season, earning a No. 5 seed. The Terrapins, led by head coach Brenda Frese, will face Murray State in the first round at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Howard’s women’s team, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022, is seeded No. 14 and will face Ohio State in Columbus on March 21. Virginia Tech, seeded No. 9 in the Fort Worth region, will take on Oregon, while West Virginia, the No. 4 seed, will challenge Miami (Ohio).#howard_university #umbc #dc_area #ncaa_men #ncaa_women
UMBC men's basketball team faces delays as weather disrupts travel plans The UMBC men's basketball team remains stranded at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport due to severe weather delays, preventing them from departing for their NCAA Tournament game in Dayton, Ohio. The Retrievers, who are making their first tournament appearance since defeating top-seeded Virginia in 2018, were scheduled to board a 12 p.m. flight but have yet to depart three hours later. The delay has forced the team to miss their planned 4 p.m. media availability to preview their First Four matchup against Howard, which is set for 6:40 p.m. tomorrow night. Despite the logistical challenges, the Retrievers have secured their spot in the tournament as a 16-seed, following their America East regular season and conference tournament championships. The team will compete in the First Four play-in game in Dayton, where the winner will face 1-seed Michigan in the Midwest Region. Howard, the opponent in tomorrow’s game, has already arrived in Dayton, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest. The flight delay stems from a ground stop at BWI-Marshall Airport, which was implemented due to severe weather conditions earlier in the day. While the ground stop was lifted in the afternoon, the team’s departure was still delayed, complicating their schedule. The NCAA Tournament game against Howard marks a significant milestone for UMBC, as the Retrievers aim to build on their historic 2018 upset of Virginia. The team’s situation highlights the unpredictable nature of tournament travel, particularly during adverse weather conditions. While the Retrievers have managed to land safely in Dayton shortly before 6 p.m., the delay underscores the challenges teams face in balancing preparation and logistics during high-profile events.#ncaa_tournament #umbc #dayton_ohio #america_east
