:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53726643/usa_today_9943738.0.jpg)
Today is the day, folks. The greatest day on the entire sports calendar. It is the first day of the NCAA Tournament. The buzz is palpable as we dream of upsets and buzzer beaters. No matter where you are, there is some place you can watch and no matter what team is your No. 1, there’s a reason to watch and something to root for. Here’s the rundown for day one.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8168131/usa_today_9932605.jpg)
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 12 Princeton
Region/Location: West/KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Time: 12:15 p.m.
TV/Stream: CBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
Line: Notre Dame -7
Who/what to root for: It’s the classic five versus 12 matchup. Every person filling out a bracket will have one of these upsets picked. Will the first game of the NCAA Tournament get that done? In this one go for the Irish. I still have not forgiven the Ivy League for what its representative did to UC in 2014.
No. 5 Virginia vs. No. 12 UNC-Wilmington
Region/Location: East/Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Time: 12:40 p.m.
TV/Stream: truTV/NCAA.com
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Steve Lavin (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline)
Line: Virginia -8
Who/what to root for: UNCW is a trendy pick to be this year’s giant slayer. But why go with the sheeple? Instead, pull for Virginia, who is UC’s brother when it comes to style of play, as the Cavaliers value defense over offense, ranking first in the nation in defensive efficiency and 351st in adjusted tempo.
No. 4 Butler vs. No. 13 Winthrop
Region/Location: South/BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time: 1:30 p.m.
TV/Stream: TNT/NCAA.com
Announcers: Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst), Debbie Antonelli (analyst) and Lisa Byington (reporter
Line: Butler -12
Who/what to root for: Butler beat UC for the second year in a row earlier this season. Go Eagles.
No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 16 South Dakota State
Region/Location: West/Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 2 p.m.
TV/Stream: TBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst) and Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
Line: Gonzaga -18
Who/what to root for: When did Gonzaga become the West Coast, Mid-Major version of Duke? While you should always hope for a No. 16 seed victory because of history and whatnot, Gonzaga is one of the lone programs standing against the domination of the Kentuckys and North Carolinas of the world.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8168135/usa_today_9943839.jpg)
No. 4 West Virginia vs. No. 13 Bucknell
Region/Location: West/KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Time: 2:45 p.m.
TV/Stream: CBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
Line: WVU -16.5
Who/what to root for: Former Bearcats head coach Bob Huggins leads the Mountaineers. Better luck next year, Bucknell.
No. 4 Florida vs. No. 13 East Tennessee State
Region/Location: East/Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Time: 3:10 p.m.
TV/Stream: truTV/NCAA.com
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Steve Lavin (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline)
Line: Florida -11.5
Who/what to root for: If you are wondering what that smell is its the scent of an upset. Root hard and amaze your friends when you confidently say ETSU will win all day.
No. 5 Minnesota vs. No. 12 Middle Tennessee State
Region/Location: South/BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time: 4 p.m.
TV/Stream: TNT/NCAA.com
Announcers: Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst), Debbie Antonelli (analyst) and Lisa Byington (reporter
Line: Minnesota -1
Who/what to root for: The most trendy pick in the entire nation and I’m another sucker who’s fallen into their trap. But the Blue Raiders have some strong scoring options like Jacorey Williams (17.3 PPG) and the Golden Gophers already got P.J. Fleck. What more do they want?
No. 8 Northwestern vs. No. 9 Vanderbilt
Region/Location: West/Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV/Stream: TBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst) and Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
Line: Vanderbilt -4
Who/what to root for: This is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for the Wildcats. If that’s not enough to make you root for them, how about the fact that they have two players from Ohio on the roster and Vanderbilt has none. Plus, even though he can’t play until next season, the Commodores Larry Austin Jr. used to play at Xavier. Gross.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8168137/usa_today_9932370.jpg)
No. 6 Maryland vs. No. 11 Xavier
Region/Location: West/Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Time: 6:50 p.m.
TV/Stream: TNT/NCAA.com
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Steve Lavin (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline)
Line: Maryland -1.5
Who/what to root for: Do you really need to ask? Terps by a billion.
No. 1 Villanova vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
Region/Location: East/KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV/Stream: CBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
Line: Villanova -26.5
Who/what to root for: What better way for the defending champs to go down than to a No. 16 team and who better to be on the call than Uncle Verne?
No. 7 St. Mary’s vs. No. 10 VCU
Region/Location: West/Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 7:20 p.m.
TV/Stream: TBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst) and Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
Line: St. Mary’s -5
Who/what to root for: The Bearcats are 2-3 all-time against VCU and they’ve never played St. Mary’s. The Gaels aren’t the most exciting bunch, ranking 350th in the country in adjusted tempo, but this is a great chance to cheer on not one, not two, not three, not four, not even five but six players from Australia.
No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 13 Vermont
Region/Location: Midwest/BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time: 7:27 p.m.
TV/Stream: truTV/NCAA.com
Announcers: Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst), Debbie Antonelli (analyst) and Lisa Byington (reporter
Line: Purdue -9
Who/what to root for: Even though UC had a miserable time in terms of the football season, it still managed to beat up on the Boilermakers, so maybe they deserve a little sympathy. Plus Caleb Swanigan is the double-double machine of your dreams.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8168147/usa_today_9890120.jpg)
No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast
Region/Location: West/Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Time: 9:20 p.m.
TV/Stream: TNT/NCAA.com
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Steve Lavin (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline)
Line: FSU -12
Who/what to root for: DUNK CITY THE SEQUEL! With that said, I’d like to throw some love to the Seminoles and Dwayne Bacon, one of my favorite players to watch. But that’s a personal thing, you should be rooting for 10 trillion dunks.
No. 8 Wisconsin vs. No. 9 Virginia Tech
Region/Location: East/KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Time: 9:40 p.m.
TV/Stream: CBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
Line: Wisconsin -4.5
Who/what to root for: Buzz Williams is Virginia Tech’s head coach. The former Marquette coach is a short, bald man who yells a lot during basketball games. He’s basically the ACC’s version of Mick Cronin. Stick with Mick...er...Buzz.
No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 15 North Dakota
Region/Location: West/Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Time: 9:50 p.m.
TV/Stream: TBS/NCAA.com
Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst) and Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
Line: Arizona -16.5
Who/what to root for: Allonzo Trier is easily the best player for either side so if an upset doesn’t really grab you, watching Trier handle the rock should be something to cheer for.
No. 5 Iowa State vs. No. 12 Nevada
Region/Location: Midwest/BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Time: 9:57 p.m.
TV/Stream: truTV/NCAA.com
Announcers: Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst), Debbie Antonelli (analyst) and Lisa Byington (reporter
Line: Iowa State -6.5
Who/what to root for: Although UC has split two meetings with the Cyclones in the last two seasons, I suppose competition has bred a little bit of affection rather than contempt. Nothing against Nevada, but I’ll be hoping to see Monte Morris and company keep dancing.