NCAA Tournament First Round: Must-Watch Matchups

0:00On March 16, the men's NCAA tournament bracket is locked in with 68 teams ready to battle for the national title over the next few weeks. The first round kicks off after the first four in Dayton, featuring 32 games across Thursday and Friday on networks like CBS, TNT, TBS, and True TV. Sports Illustrated ranked these matches from 32, the least must watch. The number one, the camp missed showdown, so you can prioritize a mid, work, family, or meals. Lower ranked games mostly pit-top seeds against Longshot 16s, like Florida Facing Prairie View A&M, or Lehigh, Duke vs. Sienna, or Arizona, against Long Island University. These often look like blowouts thanks to size mismatches and elite defenses, though underdogs like UMBC carry upset history. Mid-packed tilts add flavor with stars like Purdue's Braden Smith, Chasing Records, or Kansas Tangling with Scoring Machine, Dominique Daniels Jr. from, California Baptist.

1:03Fans are buzzing over breakout players and coaching storylines. From Rick Patino's revamped St. John's, to Mark Pope's Rolla Coaster, Kentucky Squad, close calls could come from high-tempo offenses in Wisconsin vs. High Point or Illinois against Penn's TJ power, who dropped 44 in there. Conference Final These games highlight March Magic, where mid-majors force turnovers or guards like Jeremy Fears Jr. steal the spotlight. The rankings heat up with top contests like number 4 BYU, led by leading scorer A.J. DeBanza against Texas or NC State, number 3 Louisville, and... South Florida and a fast-paced shootout, and number 2 Georgia vs. St. Louis, featuring efficient big-man Robbie Avila. The Crown Jewel is number 1, North Carolina, taking on VCU's Deep Rotation and a nearby neutral site that promises waves of fresh legs and intensity. Expect fireworks as these first round clashes set the tournament's tone, with proven March performers like Houston and Gonzaga lurking for deeper, runs.