COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NCAA TOURNAMENT March Madness begins INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA Tournament has returned to the big stage with a small first step, proving it can still showcase tight games and generate real excitement, even in mostly empty arenas. A 710-day hiatus caused by the pandemic officially ended Thursday night with the tournament’s First Four games. Those contests that will…
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT-SCHEDULE NCAA opening night provides close games UNDATED (AP) — March Madness certainly is back. The NCAA Tournament’s First Four consisted of an overtime contest, a pair of one-point games and a 10-point, halftime comeback. All told, the four games were decided by a combined 16 points. The overtime game was won by UCLA, which trailed by…
No. 11 seed UCLA (18-9) vs. No. 6 seed Brigham Young (20-6) NCAA Tournament First Round, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis; Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: UCLA is set to face off against Brigham Young in a NCAA first round matchup. UCLA won 86-80 in overtime against Michigan State on Thursday, while Brigham Young is coming off of an 88-78 loss…
No. 16 seed Norfolk State (17-7) vs. No. 1 seed Gonzaga (26-0) NCAA Tournament First Round, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis; Saturday, 8:20 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Norfolk State and Gonzaga will take the floor in a NCAA first round matchup. Gonzaga earned an 88-78 win over Brigham Young on March 9, while Norfolk State won 54-53 against App State on…
No. 14 seed Abilene Christian (23-4) vs. No. 3 seed Texas (19-7) NCAA Tournament First Round, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis; Saturday, 8:50 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Abilene Christian and Texas are set to square off in a NCAA first round game. Texas earned a 91-86 win over Oklahoma State in its most recent game, while Abilene Christian walked away with…
No. 10 seed Maryland (16-13) vs. No. 7 seed UConn (15-7) NCAA Tournament First Round, Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana; Saturday, 6:10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Maryland and UConn will take the floor in a NCAA first round matchup. UConn lost 59-56 to Creighton in its most recent game, while Maryland fell 79-66 against Michigan in its last outing. TEAM…
No. 10 seed VCU (19-7) vs. No. 7 seed Oregon (20-6) NCAA Tournament First Round, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis; Saturday, 8:57 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: VCU and Oregon will meet in a NCAA First Round matchup. Oregon lost 75-64 to Oregon State last week, while VCU came up short in a 74-65 game against Saint Bonaventure on Sunday. SENIOR STUDS:…
No. 9 seed Missouri (16-9) vs. No. 8 seed Oklahoma (15-10) NCAA Tournament First Round, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis; Saturday, 6:25 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Missouri and Oklahoma will meet in a NCAA first round battle. Oklahoma lost 69-62 to Kansas on March 11, while Missouri fell 70-64 against Arkansas last week. STEPPING UP: The do-everything Austin Reaves has averaged…
No. 15 seed Grand Canyon (17-6) vs. No. 2 seed Iowa (21-8) NCAA Tournament First Round, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis; Saturday, 5:25 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Grand Canyon is ready to square off against Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Grand Canyon got past New Mexico State by 18 in its last outing, while Iowa fell to…
No. 16 seed Texas Southern (17-8) vs. No. 1 seed Michigan (20-4) NCAA Tournament First Round, Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana; Saturday, 2 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Texas Southern and Michigan are set to face off in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Texas Southern won 60-52 against Mount St. Mary’s on Thursday, while Michigan is coming off of…
