NCAA Tournament First Four: Expert Predicts UMBC and Texas Will Advance to Round of 64 The NCAA Tournament’s First Four begins in Dayton on Tuesday, featuring two high-stakes matchups: No. 16 seed UMBC of the America East faces No. 16 seed Howard of the MEAC at 6:40 ET, while No. 11 seed Texas of the SEC takes on No. 11 seed NC State of the ACC at 9:15 ET. CBS Sports and SportsLine analyst Matt Severance breaks down the games, offering insights into each team’s strengths and potential outcomes. UMBC, the Retrievers, enters the tournament with a strong record, having won 12 consecutive games—the second-longest active streak in the nation. The team, led by graduate guard DJ Armstrong, who scored a career-high 33 points in the America East tournament title game, has a history of upsets. In 2018, UMBC stunned No. 1 seed Virginia, marking its only NCAA Tournament victory in three attempts. The Retrievers’ 3-point shooting prowess, with Armstrong averaging 2.6 made threes per game and a 40.4% shooting rate, gives them an edge against the MEAC’s Howard. Howard, the MEAC regular-season champions, brings a formidable 1-2 punch in Bryce Harris and Cedric Taylor III, both averaging over 17 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. However, the Bison have struggled in past First Four appearances, going 0-4 in their previous four trips. Despite their offensive firepower, MEAC teams have a 4-7 record in the First Four, and Howard’s 0-1 mark in the round adds to the challenge. If UMBC advances, it will face Big Ten runner-up Michigan, a Midwest No. 1 seed, in the Round of 64. The America East has a 2-0 record in the First Four, but teams from the league have struggled in the next round, going 1-18 all-time.#texas_longhorns #umbc_retrievers #ncaa_tournament_first_four #nc_state_wolfpack #matt_severance
UMBC returns to March Madness, chasing the echo of history's greatest upset The University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers are back in the NCAA Tournament, eight years after their historic 2018 upset of No. 1 Virginia. The team, which had not competed in the tournament since that game, is now preparing for its First Four matchup against Howard at the University of Dayton Arena. The return has reignited memories of a moment that reshaped college basketball history. In 2018, UMBC, a 16-seed, stunned the nation by defeating Virginia, a No. 1 seed, in a game that became one of the most iconic upsets in NCAA Tournament history. The Retrievers outscored the Cavaliers 53-31 in the second half, with Jairus Lyles leading the charge by scoring 28 points. Virginia, known for its defensive prowess, was held to just 54 points, a stark contrast to its usual dominance. The game’s outcome left fans and analysts in disbelief, with many questioning how a team with such a low seed could topple a powerhouse. The victory was not just a shock; it was a defining moment for UMBC. At the time, the school was largely unknown outside of its chess program, and the win thrust it into the national spotlight. For Virginia’s coach, Tony Bennett, the loss was a humbling experience, though he acknowledged the unpredictability of sports. “If you play this game and you step into the arena, this stuff can happen,” he said. For Lyles, the win was a personal triumph, as he described the moment as a chance to “make history.” The aftermath of the 2018 game had lasting effects. Virginia used the loss as motivation, eventually winning the national championship the following year. UMBC, however, struggled to replicate the success.#university_of_maryland_baltimore_county #jairus_lyles #tony_bennett #university_of_dayton_arena #umbc_retrievers
