Marching into Madness: A Complete Schedule of Men’s NCAA Basketball First Round Scores and Upsets
March Madness is upon us! The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is the most talked about sporting event of the year, with teams from all over the country competing for the title of national champion. The first round of games is always filled with upsets, buzzer-beaters, and nail-biting finishes. As a fan, keeping up with all the action can be challenging, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This article will provide a complete schedule of the first round of scores and upsets. From the top seeds to the underdogs, we’ll give you a rundown of each game, including the final score and any surprises that may have occurred. So grab your bracket and your favorite snack, and get ready to march into madness with us!
Overview of the NCAA Basketball Tournament
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is a single-elimination tournament every spring in the United States. The game features 68 teams from Division I, with the winner crowned the national champion. The tournament has 16 teams, divided into four regions – East, West, Midwest, and South. The first four teams to be eliminated will be the “play-in” games, which will be played on March 16th and 17th. The first round will be played on March 18th and 19th, with the action continuing through to the championship game on April 5th.
First Round Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament:
Friday, March 18th
- 12:15 PM ET – (7) UConn vs (10) Maryland
- 12:45 PM ET – (3) Arkansas vs (14) Colgate
- 1:15 PM ET – (1) Illinois vs (16) Drexel
- 1:45 PM ET – (6) Texas Tech vs (11) Utah State
- 3:00 PM ET – (2) Ohio State vs (15) Oral Roberts
- 3:30 PM ET – (8) Loyola-Chicago vs (9) Georgia Tech
- 4:00 PM ET – (5) Tennessee vs (12) Oregon State
- 4:30 PM ET – (1) Baylor vs (16) Hartford
- 6:25 PM ET – (4) Oklahoma State vs (13) Liberty
- 7:10 PM ET – (2) Houston vs (15) Cleveland State
- 7:15 PM ET – (4) Purdue vs (13) North Texas
- 7:25 PM ET – (8) Oklahoma vs (9) Missouri
- 9:20 PM ET – (3) West Virginia vs (14) Morehead State
- 9:40 PM ET – (5) Villanova vs (12) Winthrop
- 9:50 PM ET – (6) San Diego State vs (11) Syracuse
- 9:57 PM ET – (1) Gonzaga vs (16) Norfolk State
Saturday, March 19th
- 12:15 PM ET – (5) Colorado vs (12) Georgetown
- 12:45 PM ET – (4) Florida State vs (13) UNC Greensboro
- 1:15 PM ET – (3) Kansas vs (14) Eastern Washington
- 1:45 PM ET – (8) LSU vs (9) St. Bonaventure
- 3:00 PM ET – (1) Michigan vs (16) Texas Southern
- 3:30 PM ET – (7) Florida vs (10) Virginia Tech
- 4:00 PM ET – (2) Alabama vs (15) Iona
- 4:30 PM ET – (6) USC vs (11) Drake
- 6:25 PM ET – (8) North Carolina vs (9) Wisconsin
- 7:10 PM ET – (2) Iowa vs (15) Grand Canyon
- 7:15 PM ET – (5) Creighton vs (12) UC Santa Barbara
- 7:25 PM ET – (4) Virginia vs (13) Ohio
- 9:20 PM ET – (6) BYU vs (11) UCLA
- 9:40 PM ET – (3) Texas vs (14) Abilene Christian
- 9:50 PM ET – (7) Oregon vs (10) VCU
- 9:57 PM ET – (1) Baylor vs (16) Hartford
Key Matchups to Watch
The NCAA Tournament is filled with exciting matchups that leave fans on the edge of their seats every year. Here are a few key matchups to watch in the first round:
(1) Illinois vs (16) Drexel
Despite being a number one seed, Illinois must be on high alert in their first-round game against Drexel. Drexel won the Colonial Athletic Association to earn their spot in the tournament and will be looking to make a statement against the Fighting Illini.
(4) Virginia vs (13) Ohio
Virginia won the tournament in 2019 but will have their biggest challenge yet going up against Ohio. The Bobcats are a talented team with a high-scoring offense that could give the Cavaliers trouble.
(5) Creighton vs (12) UC Santa Barbara
Creighton is coming off a Big East Championship, but they will have to be careful against UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos have won 18 of their last 19 games and will be looking to pull off the upset.
Upset Predictions and Analysis
Every year, fans of the NCAA Tournament love to predict upsets. Here are a few games where we think the underdog could come out on top:
(7) UConn vs (10) Maryland
UConn is a talented team with great potential, but they must be careful against Maryland. The Terrapins have a strong defense and could cause problems for the Huskies.
(3) Arkansas vs (14) Colgate
Colgate is one of the surprising teams in the tournament, having won 13 straight games. If they can keep up their high-scoring offense, they could pull off the upset against Arkansas.
(6) Texas Tech vs (11) Utah State
Utah State is a team that is flying under the radar, but they could surprise a lot of people in the tournament. They have a talented roster and could give Texas Tech a run for their money.
Players to Watch in the First Round
The NCAA Tournament is always filled with talented players who can change the course of a game. Here are a few players to watch in the first round:
Cade Cunningham – Oklahoma State
Cunningham is one of the top players in the country and could lead Oklahoma State deep into the tournament. He is a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court.
Ayo Dosunmu – Illinois
Dosunmu is one of the best guards in the country and is a vital part of Illinois’ success. He can score from anywhere on the court and is also an excellent passer.
Luka Garza – Iowa
Garza is one of the most dominant big men in the country and could lead Iowa to a deep tournament run. He is a great scorer and rebounder and can dominate the competition.
Strategies for Filling Out Your Bracket
Filling out a bracket can be daunting, but a few strategies can help you make the most of your picks. Here are a few tips:
Don’t pick too many upsets
While upsets are a big part of the NCAA Tournament, staying moderate with your picks is crucial. Picking too many upsets can be risky and lead to many incorrect predictions.
Pick based on matchups
When making your picks, it’s essential to consider the matchups between teams. Some teams may be strong defensively, while others may have a high-scoring offense. By looking at the matchups, you can make more informed picks.
Consider team momentum
The NCAA Tournament is all about momentum, and teams that are playing well heading into the tournament are often the ones that perform the best. Look for teams on hot streaks and consider picking them to go far in the tournament.
Online Streaming Services
There are also a variety of online streaming services that will be showing the games, including CBS All Access, Hulu Live, and YouTube TV.
Conclusion
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is always one of the year’s most exciting events, and the first round is no exception. With so many teams competing for the national championship, there will surely be many upsets, buzzer-beaters, and nail-biting finishes. So grab your bracket, get ready to cheer on your favorite teams, and enjoy the madness! By following the schedule and keeping an eye on the key matchups, players, and strategies, you can make the most of your NCAA Tournament experience.
