March Madness 2026 First Round: NCAA Tournament Schedule, Preview, and Predictions
The NCAA March Madness hits the First Round with over 64 teams clashing for the Second Round. March Madness is all about future basketball stars from across the U.S., gathering from all over the country. Every year, this win-and-advance tournament features top college basketball teams and conducts a fierce knockout tournament. This time, around 56 teams enter the First Round tournament. Several teams have iconic stature among fans for their young squad and prolific nature. Let’s look at the First Round schedule and a preview of a few NCAA March Madness matches.
The 2025 March Madness was an utterly remarkable season with unparalleled performances from college teams. The previous season saw more emerging stars, while some emerging stars moved to the NBA draft. In particular, the Southeastern Conference has set a record with 14 of 16 teams qualifying. The Florida Gators won the title in the previous season’s March Madness tournament. It was their third title in their career, being one of the elite teams in Division I basketball. The Florida Gators, Houston Cougars, Auburn Tigers, and Duke Blue Devils all reached the semifinals. But the Auburn Tigers and Duke Blue Devils got eliminated. In the finals, the Florida Gators beat the Houston Cougars in a very close contest. The Florida Gators scored 65 points, while the Cougars scored 63 points.
Where to Watch the NCAA March Madness 2026 Tournament?
The March Madness 2026 tournament is live broadcast on TBS. You can also watch the NCAA March Madness on truTV and CBS.
In online streaming options, you can watch it on HBO Max, Paramount+, and Sling TV.
NCAA March Madness – Prize Pool
Traditionally, there is no prize pool for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. The winner never gets to receive prize money. However, the conferences receive money in a unit system. The NCAA pays a certain amount of money to each conference.
NCAA March Madness Format
Currently, the NCAA March Madness is in its First Round, where 56 teams are clashing. Teams from every major conference showed up, which are as follows: America East, American Athletic Conference, Atlantic 10, Atlantic Coast, A-SUN, Big 12, Big East, Big Sky, Big South, Big Ten, Big West, Colonial Athletic, Conference USA, Horizon, Ivy League, Metro Atlantic Athletic, Mid-Eastern, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot League, Southeastern, Southern, Southland, Southwestern Athletic, Summit League, Sun Belt, West Coast, Western Athletic.
The NCAA Committee selects 68 teams, with some automatically qualified and others entering the qualification stages. Currently, around 56 teams are in the First Round. The other 8 teams are competing in the First Four. After the First Round ends, there is the Sweet 16, followed by the Elite Eight, and the Final Four. Take a look at the NCAA March Madness schedule below.
NCAA March Madness First Round Schedule
Duke Blue Devils vs Siena Saints
Time: 12:20 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 2:50 p.m. ET | 11:50 a.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Vanderbilt Commodores vs McNeese State Cowboys
Time: 12:45 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 3:15 p.m. ET | 12:15 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Paycom Center
Michigan State Spartans vs North Dakota State Bison
Time: 1:35 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 4:05 p.m. ET | 1:05 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: KeyBank Center
Arkansas Razorbacks vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Time: 1:55 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 4:25 p.m. ET | 1:25 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Moda Center
North Carolina Tar Heels vs VCU Rams
Time: 4:20 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 6:50 p.m. ET | 3:50 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Michigan Wolverines vs To-be-Announced
Time: 4:40 a.m. IST | 7:10 p.m. ET | 4:10 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: KeyBank Center
BYU Cougars vs To-be-Announced
Time: 4:55 a.m. IST | 7:25 p.m. ET | 4:25 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Moda Center
Saint Mary’s Gaels (CA) vs Texas A&M Aggies
Time: 5:05 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 7:35 p.m. ET | 4:35 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Paycom Center
Illinois Fighting Illini vs Penn Quakers
Time: 6:55 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 9:25 p.m. ET | 6:25 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Georgia Bulldogs vs Saint Louis Billikens
Time: 7:15 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 9:45 p.m. ET | 6:45 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: KeyBank Center
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Kennesaw State Owls
Time: 7:30 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Moda Center
Houston Cougars vs Idaho Vandals
Time: 7:40 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 10:10 p.m. ET | 7:10 p.m. PT Date: 19 March 2026 Venue: Paycom Center
Kentucky Wildcats vs Santa Clara Broncos
Time: 9:45 p.m. IST | 12:15 p.m. ET | 9:15 a.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Enterprise Center
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Akron Zips
Time: 10:10 p.m. IST | 12:40 p.m. ET | 9:40 a.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Benchmark International Arena
Arizona Wildcats vs LIU Sharks
Time: 11:05 p.m. IST | 1:35 p.m. ET | 10:35 a.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Viejas Arena
Virginia Cavaliers vs Wright State Raiders
Time: 11:20 p.m. IST | 1:50 p.m. ET | 10:50 a.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Iowa State Cyclones vs Tennessee State Tigers
Time: 12:20 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 2:50 p.m. ET | 11:50 a.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Enterprise Center
Alabama Crimson Tide vs Hofstra Pride
Time: 12:45 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 3:15 p.m. ET | 12:15 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Benchmark International Arena
Villanova Wildcats vs Utah State Aggies
Time: 1:40 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 4:10 p.m. ET | 1:10 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Viejas Arena
Tennessee Volunteers vs To-be-Announced
Time: 1:55 a.m. IST | 4:25 p.m. ET | 1:25 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Clemson Tigers vs Iowa Hawkeyes
Time: 4:20 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 6:50 p.m. ET | 3:50 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Benchmark International Arena
St. John’s Red Storm vs Northern Iowa Panthers
Time: 4:40 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 7:10 p.m. ET | 4:10 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Viejas Arena
UCLA Bruins vs UCF Knights
Time: 4:55 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 7:25 p.m. ET | 4:25 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Purdue Boilermakers vs Queens University Royals (NC)
Time: 5:05 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 7:35 p.m. ET | 4:35 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Enterprise Center
Florida Gators vs To-be-Announced
Time: 6:55 a.m. IST | 9:25 p.m. ET | 6:25 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Benchmark International Arena
Kansas Jayhawks vs California Baptist Lancers
Time: 7:15 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 9:45 p.m. ET | 6:45 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Viejas Arena
UConn Huskies vs Furman Paladins
Time: 7:30 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Wells Fargo Center
Miami Hurricanes (FL) vs Missouri Tigers
Time: 7:40 a.m. IST (Next Day) | 10:10 p.m. ET | 7:10 p.m. PT Date: 20 March 2026 Venue: Enterprise Center
NCAA March Madness: A Few Selected Games Prediction
Duke Blue Devils vs Siena Saints Predictions
Duke Blue Devils Roster
Position
Players
Guards
Cayden Boozer, Dame Sarr, Isaiah Evans, Nikolas Khamenia, Caleb Foster, Darren Harris, Cameron Sheffield, Sebastian Wilkins, Jack Scott
Forwards
Cameron Boozer, Maliq Brown
Center
Patrick Ngongba II, Ifeanyi Ufochukwu
Siena Saints Roster
Position
Players
Guards
Gavin Doty, Justice Shoats, Reid Ducharme, Owen Schlager, Marcus Jackson, Mosi Clayton, Christian Jones, Chris Torres, Danny Murray
Forwards
Antonio Chandler, Francis Folefac, Tasman Goodrick, Isaiah Henderson, Tajae Jones, Brendan Coyle
Center
Riley Mulvey
Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are absolutely killing it with their above-average form. They have a high winning ratio, having over 95% winning chance both on the road and at home. The Blue Devils are actively looking for ways to enter the NCAA March Madness Final Four. Being a strong team on the Atlantic Coast, the Duke Blue Devils have a solid advantage in this game. Technically, their defense is strong with good perimeter protection. Offensively, the Blue Devils have a consistent scoring ability, with impressive three-point and two-point shooting. The Siena Saints are also having a strong momentum, winning matches on a streak. But they are not elite enough to beat the Blue Devils at home. They have a lower winning probability on the road. Therefore, the Duke Blue Devils are the favorite in this NCAA March Madness First Round game.
The Pick: Duke Blue Devils.
Michigan State Spartans vs North Dakota State Bison
Michigan State Spartans Roster
Position
Players
Guards
Coen Carr, Jeremy Fears Jr., Trey Fort, Divine Ugochukwu, Kur Teng, Denham Wojcik, Nick Sanders
Forwards
Jaxon Kohler, Kaleb Glenn, Jesse McCulloch, Cam Ward, Jordan Scott, Brennan Walton, Colin Walton
Center
Carson Cooper
North Dakota State Bison Roster
Position
Players
Guards
Damari Wheeler-Thomas, Andy Stefanowicz, Max Majerle, Markhi Strickland, Trevian Carson, Dom Clay, Riley Massey, Tay Smith, Riley Saunders, Emil Skyttä, Carson Smith
The Michigan State Spartans are ranked 3rd in the Big Ten standings. But they are currently in a two-game losing streak. They are strong at home matches, however. Overall, they have won 25 games and lost 7, which is a strong record. The North Dakota State Bison has a slightly similar record of 27-7 in the overall games. On average, they score about 80.7 points while allowing significantly fewer points. This is an important factor for the Bisons. They also have a good field-goal percentage and 3-pointer ability. But still, the Spartans have a better form. Their field goal percentage is also impressive. So, the Michigan State Spartans have the likelihood to win.
The Pick: Michigan State Spartans.
NCAA March Madness 2026 – Final Thoughts
The NCAA March Madness is a mix of entertainment and sportsmanship. As emerging players are coming together for the NCAA tournament, fans will be eyeing a new NBA star. Regardless, several new faces could steal the attention with their promising performances. Let’s look at how this NCAA March Madness unfolds.