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After almost two years of waiting, we can finally say the first round of the NCAA Tournament is back! If last night’s play-in games were any indication of the kind of games we will have today, then today is going to be fun.
Welcome back, #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/SjISeQ7GMf
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2021
Florida and Virginia Tech get the first round started
The first game of the day is at 12:15 on CBS. Number 7 seed Florida takes on 10 seed Virginia Tech. The winner of this game takes on the winner of 2 seed Ohio State and 15 seed Oral Roberts scheduled for 3 p.m. today.
https://twitter.com/GatorsMBK/status/1372880532313231360
Top seeds get started
Two number 1 seeds will begin their road to the Final Four today. First, Illinois takes on Drexel at 1:15. Then, Baylor squares off with Hartford at 3:30. Four of the last five national champions have been 1 seeds. Illinois and Baylor will look to add to that list this year.
https://twitter.com/BaylorMBB/status/1372886422869401605
Two 2 seeds also play today. Ohio State and Oral Roberts as mentioned earlier. Later, Houston takes on Cleveland State at 7:15.
SEC teams in the first round today
Florida is one of three SEC teams in the first round on Friday. The conference has six teams in overall.
Arkansas begins its tournament run against Colgate. The 3 seed Razorbacks will tip just 30 minutes after Florida at 12:45.
https://twitter.com/RazorbackMBB/status/1371458932531597320
Then, Tennessee takes on Oregon State in the 5/12 matchup at 4:30.
Time to dance.
It's GAMEDAY.#GBO / #MarchMadness
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 19, 2021
Other good games
Texas Tech was the national runner-up last time we had a tournament. The 6 seed Red Raiders begin their tournament against 11 seed Utah State.
Loyola Chicago will look to recapture the magic of their Final Four Run in 2018. The Ramblers will take on the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech in the 8/9 matchup.
https://twitter.com/RamblersMBB/status/1372592688927797252
Liberty is a 13 seed taking on 4 seed Oklahoma State. The Cowboys, led by consensus number 1 overall NBA draft pick Cade Cunningham, will look to avoid the upset.
Two national college basketball powers will square off tonight at 7:10. Number 8 seed North Carolina will take on 9 seed Wisconsin.
Just to close out the remaining games: Purdue takes on North Texas, Rutgers plays Clemson, Syracuse goes up against San Diego State, West Virginia clashes with Morehead State, and finally Villanova finishes the night up with Winthrop.
