The Big Dance Begins
The time has come. Whether you’ve cleared your schedule or are simply counting down the hours, the NCAA tournament’s opening days are officially here. Over the next 48 hours, CBS and Turner Sports will broadcast 32 games to kick off the madness. To help navigate the chaos, we have ranked every first-round contest, ranging from “must-watch” thriller potential to games that will likely be decided by halftime.
Tier 1: Essential Viewing
1. Kentucky (7) vs. Santa Clara (10) — This matchup perfectly captures the magic of March. It pits a major program against a gritty mid-major looking to make a statement. While Santa Clara may lack a household name, their size and physical style, combined with high-level coaching, could pose a serious problem for Kentucky if the Broncos adjust to the early tip-off.
Tier 2: Upset Watch
2. St. John’s (5) vs. Northern Iowa (12) — Northern Iowa is a dangerous draw. They play at an incredibly slow pace, designed to frustrate opponents and force them into uncomfortable half-court sets. If they can force turnovers, St. John’s could be in for a long night.
3. North Carolina (6) vs. VCU (11) — Without their star forward at full health, the Tar Heels are vulnerable. VCU enters the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the Atlantic 10, winning 16 of their last 17 games.
4. Wisconsin (5) vs. High Point (12) — Wisconsin’s reliance on the 3-point shot makes them wildly unpredictable. If their shots aren't falling, the fast-paced High Point squad has the talent and funding to pull off a shocker.
5. Louisville (6) vs. South Florida (11) — The absence of Louisville’s star freshman Mikel Brown, sidelined by a back injury, has significantly narrowed the gap between these two teams. South Florida looks like a prime candidate for an upset.
Tier 3: Seeking History
9. Nebraska (4) vs. Troy (13) — Nebraska is infamous for being the only power-conference team to never win an NCAA tournament game. Despite a stellar season, they face a tough challenge in Troy, a team that has already proven they can compete with high-major talent.
Tier 4-5: Strategy and Toss-Ups
While many fans might look to pick McNeese (12) against Vanderbilt (5) based on recent reputations, analysts suggest caution. Vanderbilt is well-equipped to handle high-pressure defenses, unlike some other teams in the field. Other games to watch include the high-stakes battle between Ohio State (8) and TCU (9), and the grudge match between Villanova (8) and Utah State (9), where the Aggies feel they were unfairly seeded.
«The winner will be whoever executes its half-court offense better.» — On the clash between Clemson and Iowa.
Tier 6-8: Predictable Outcomes
Some matchups, such as Purdue (2) vs. Queens (15) or UConn (2) vs. Furman (15), appear heavily lopsided on paper. While upsets are the heartbeat of the tournament, there is a clear divide in talent for games like Duke (1) vs. Siena (16) or Florida (1) vs. the play-in winner. In these instances, barring a historic miracle, the favorites should cruise to the second round.