The GIST: And they’re off. As you read, March Madness is underway after last night’s opening men’s First Four action, with two more games and the tip-off of the women’s First Four fun on deck tonight.
The context: The First Four features eight squads (the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams) duking it out for spots in the official 64-team men’s and women’s tourneys.
A fun fact? First Four squads historically fare well in March Madness. Two First Four men’s squads — the 2011 VCU team and 2021 UCLA team — have advanced to the Final Four. Never say die.
Men’s: Wagner earned a No. 16 seed with their first-ever March Madness win, defeating Howard 71–68 last night, while Colorado State nabbed a No. 10 seed by throttling Virginia 67–42.
Now March Madness begins in earnest for both teams tomorrow: Wagner has a date with No. 1 seed UNC at 2:45 p.m. ET, while Colorado State faces No. 7 seed Texas at 6:50 p.m. ET. But before that, there are two more men’s First Four games. Grambling State battles Montana State for a No. 16 seed tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET, before Pac-12 tourney runners-up Colorado plays Boise State at 9:10 p.m. ET with a No. 10 seed on the line.
Women’s: The women’s First Four begins with tonight’s 7 p.m. ET No. 16 seed battle between Sacred Heart and March Madness first-timer Presbyterian. Then all eyes will be on the 9 p.m. ET fight for a No. 12 seed between Vanderbilt and Cinderella story Columbia, who are led by inspiring senior Abbey Hsu (pronounced SHOO).
And last but not least, the First Four rounds out tomorrow with No. 11 seeds Auburn and familiar March Madness face Arizona battling at 7 p.m. ET, and No. 16 seeds Holy Cross and UT Martin at 9 p.m. ET. All the hoops, please.
