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March Madness games today: Ranking Thursday's NCAA Tournament games
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- March Madness games today: Ranking Thursday's NCAA Tournament games
Be sure to follow USA TODAY Sports' live March Madness bracket updates and scores, keeping track of all of NCAA Tournament's Day 1 games.
The day has arrived, college basketball fans. The Thursday that marks the first full slate of games in the Men's NCAA Tournament is like unto a national holiday for many. If that means you, we're here to enjoy the madness with you.
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This is your viewers' guide to the 16 games on the docket , including channel information and scheduled tip times. Keep in mind, of course, that the second game at a venue in a particular window might – and probably will – start a few minutes later than the time listed due to spillover from the prior contest, but that will become apparent as results unfold.
REGION BREAKDOWNS, PREDICTIONS: East | South | Midwest | West
PRINTABLE BRACKET: Fill out your picks for NCAA Tournament pools
March Madness today: Ranking best games in Thursday first round
1. No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) drives to the basket during the second half of his team's game against Clemson at Dean E. Smith Center.
Time/TV:6:50 p.m. ET, TNT
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The Cinderella Final Four run by the Rams in 2011 makes them a popular upset pick, though they haven't advanced beyond the first round in their last five tournament appearances. Nevertheless, the short-handed Tar Heels have a considerably lower ceiling without leading scorer Caleb Wilson and must hope Henri Veesaar can dominate the paint against VCU's smaller lineup.
2. No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida
Time/TV:1:30 p.m. ET, TNT
This was already going to be a tough draw for the Cardinals, and the absence of standout freshman Mikel Brown due to ongoing back issues makes the assignment that much more difficult. The Bulls - a trendy upset pick - are among the hottest teams in the field entering on an 11-game winning streak paced by the inside-outside tandem of Izaiyah Nelson and Wes Enis.
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3. No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis
Time/TV:9 :45 p.m. ET, CBS
It's the last game of the session, but these two teams that both like to run and gun should keep the energy level high. While Robbie Avila has the name recognition, six of his Billikens' teammates also average over nine points a game and could match the Bulldogs' depth.
4. No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU
Time/TV:12:15 p.m. ET, CBS
The round of 64 begins with what should be a close affair between power conference members. The Buckeyes finished the season strong thanks in large part to the efforts of long-time mainstay guard Bruce Thornton , while the Horned Frogs are led by the front-court duo of David Punch and Xavier Edmonds.
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5. No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas
Brigham Young's AJ Dybantsa is defended by Texas Tech guard Donovan Atwell during their game, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at United Supermarkets Arena.
Time/TV:7:25 p.m. ET, TBS
The well-traveled Tramon Mark showed he still has the clutch gene in the Longhorns' nail-biting First Four win in Dayton. It will now be up to Matas Vokietaitis and the big Texas front line to keep A.J. Dybantsa, BYU's one-man wrecking crew, from taking over.
6. No. 7 Saint Mary's vs. No. 10 Texas A&M
Time/TV:7:35 p.m. ET, truTV
In addition to the deliberate pace and hard-nosed defense that have defined the Gaels' program under long-time mentor Randy Bennett, this year's squad actually has more long-range shooting options in Mikey Lewis and Joshua Dent. Even so, their style contrasts with "'Buckyball," the frenetic approach preached by Aggies coach Bucky McMillan that has this season's team putting up 87.3 points a game.
7. No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point
Time/TV:1:50 p.m. ET, TBS
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Expect a breakneck tempo in this one; the Panthers put up 90 points a game while the Badgers aren't far behind at 83. High Point floor leader Rob Martin and prolific forward Terry Anderson will try to keep up with Wisconsin's high-volume guard duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell.
8. No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese State
Time/TV:3:15 p.m. ET, truTV
Vanderbilt's run to the SEC title game that included an upset of Florida didn't produce much of a seed boost. As such, the Commodores get a fairly tough opening draw with the battle-tested Cowboys, dancing for a third consecutive season as first-year coach Bill Armstrong maintained the program's momentum.
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9. No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy
Time/TV:12:40 p.m. ET, truTV
One of these programs will win its first ever NCAA tourney game. The Cornhuskers, which are the only Power Four team never to accomplish the feat, are led by sharpshooter Pryce Sandfort , They will be favored, but they shouldn't overlook the Trojans making their second consecutive trip to the Big Dance led by double-double candidate Thomas Dowd.
10. No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawaii
Time/TV:4:25 p.m. ET, TBS
Darius Acuff and the Razorbacks got a short turnaround and a long flight to Portland as a reward for winning the SEC tournament. The Rainbow Warriors feature seven-footer Isaac Johnson, who is familiar with the NCAA tournament stage from his two seasons at Utah State.
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11. No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Penn
Time/TV:9:25 p.m. ET, TNT
It took just a year for Fran McCaffery to take his alma mater back to the Big Dance, riding the incredibly hot hand of T.J. Power. The fact that the Quakers won both Ivy League tourney games in overtime might be of concern to Fighting Illini fans, as their team hasn't fared so well in extra periods of late, so Illinois will do its utmost to build a double-digit cushion as quickly as possible.
12. No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
Time/TV:4:05 p.m. ET, TNT
The Spartans and Tom Izzo have been in every NCAA Tournament since 1998, and though they occasionally bow out prematurely they'll have a considerable depth advantage in this year's opener. The Bison do, however, have several guys capable of heating up from long range, including Damari Wheeler-Thomas and Trevian Carson.
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13. No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State
Time/TV:10:00 p.m. ET, TBS
This is the second Big Dance for the Owls and the first representing Conference USA, though KSU is not without hoops history having claimed the Division II title in 2004. Nonetheless, they'll be punching above their weight considerably against Graham Ike and the Zags, now a tournament fixture but still seeking the ultimate prize.
14. No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho
Time/TV:10:10 p.m. ET, truTV
The day concludes with a moment in the sun for the Vandals, the unlikely Big Sky champs making their first tournament appearance since 1990. Their stay figures to be short, as the Cougars have the pieces in place to return to Championship Monday and finish the job this time.
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15. No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard
Time/TV:7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bison's first ever NCAA tourney win Tuesday night in Dayton provided a well-deserved spotlight for Bryce Harris and Ose Okojie. The run almost certainly ends here, however, as those second-chance opportunities will not be there against the Wolverines' rim protectors.
16. No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena
Time/TV:2:50 p.m. ET, CBS
The Blue Devils will look to make short work of this one as they'll still be down a couple of starters. Despite being coached by former Syracuse marksman Jerry McNamara, the Saints don't shoot three-pointers particularly well (30.4%), making a first-round stunner unlikely.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness games today: NCAA Tournament first round games ranked
