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March Madness 2026: First Round Predictions and Expert Picks
3/20/2026, 12:07:36 PM
Overview of the First Round Matchups
The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament kicks off on Thursday with a series of highly anticipated matchups in the First Round. The opening game features No. 8 Ohio State facing off against No. 9 TCU at 12:15 p.m. EST on CBS. This marks the beginning of a 16-game schedule that will unfold throughout the day, showcasing a mix of established programs and underdogs.
Key Matchups and Predictions
Several notable games are scheduled for the First Round, with expert predictions provided by journalists from the USA TODAY Sports Network.
- Ohio State (8) vs TCU (9): Experts predominantly favor Ohio State, with all four analysts predicting a victory for the Buckeyes.
- Nebraska (4) vs Troy (13): Nebraska is also favored by all experts, who predict a win for the Cornhuskers.
- Louisville (6) vs South Florida (11): The majority of analysts lean towards South Florida, with three out of four predicting an upset.
- Wisconsin (5) vs High Point (12): Predictions are split, with three experts favoring High Point and one backing Wisconsin.
- Duke (1) vs Siena (16): Duke is the unanimous favorite among experts.
- Michigan State (3) vs North Dakota State (14): All analysts predict a win for Michigan State.
- Arkansas (4) vs Hawaii (13): Arkansas is favored by all experts.
- North Carolina (6) vs VCU (11): Predictions are mixed, with two experts favoring North Carolina and two favoring VCU.
- Michigan (1) vs Howard (16): Michigan is expected to win according to all analysts.
- BYU (6) vs Texas (11): BYU is favored by all experts.
- Saint Mary's (7) vs Texas A&M (10): Predictions are split, with two analysts favoring Saint Mary's and two favoring Texas A&M.
- Illinois (3) vs Penn (14): Illinois is the clear favorite among all experts.
- Georgia (8) vs Saint Louis (9): Predictions are mixed, with two analysts favoring Saint Louis and two favoring Georgia.
- Gonzaga (3) vs Kennesaw State (14): Gonzaga is favored unanimously.
- Houston (2) vs Idaho (15): Houston is also favored by all experts.
Implications of the Predictions
The predictions for the First Round highlight the competitive nature of the tournament, with several potential upsets anticipated. The outcomes of these games will set the stage for the subsequent rounds, impacting team momentum and fan engagement throughout the tournament.
Verbatim Quotes
As the tournament progresses, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring these matchups, eager to see how the predictions hold up against the unpredictability that March Madness is known for.
