First Round Men’s Basketball Tournament: Odds, Spreads, and Totals Revealed

The 2026 Men’s College Basketball Tournament is set to commence with an exciting set of matchups. A total of 68 teams have qualified for this prestigious tournament, with the First Four games scheduled for March 15 and 16. Top seeds this year include Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and defending champion Florida, all of whom are favored to win their opening games.

First Four Matchups Overview

The First Four games will feature several interesting showdowns, each with closely contested odds.

• UMBC vs. Howard
  • Time: 6:40 PM ET
  • Location: Dayton, Ohio
  • Moneyline: UMBC -122, Howard +102
  • Total Points: 140.5
  • Record: UMBC (24-8), Howard (23-10)
• Texas vs. NC State
  • Time: 9:15 PM ET
  • Location: Dayton, Ohio
  • Moneyline: Texas -110, NC State -110
  • Total Points: 157.5
  • Record: Texas (18-14), NC State (20-13)
• Lehigh vs. Prairie View A&M
  • Time: 6:40 PM ET
  • Location: Dayton, Ohio
  • Moneyline: Lehigh -166, Prairie View A&M +140
  • Total Points: 142.5
  • Record: Lehigh (18-16), Prairie View A&M (18-17)
• SMU vs. Miami (OH)
  • Time: 9:15 PM ET
  • Location: Dayton, Ohio
  • Moneyline: SMU -310, Miami (OH) +250
  • Total Points: 164.5
  • Record: SMU (20-13), Miami (OH) (31-1)

Key Matchups in the First Round

In addition to the First Four games, several high-profile matchups are on the schedule for the first round. Notable games include:

• Duke vs. Siena
  • Spread: Duke -27.5
  • Location: Greenville, South Carolina
  • Record: Duke (32-2), Siena (23-11)
• Michigan State vs. North Dakota State
  • Spread: Michigan State -16.5
  • Location: Buffalo, New York
  • Record: Michigan State (25-7), North Dakota State (27-7)
• Arizona vs. Long Island University
  • Spread: Arizona -30.5
  • Location: San Diego, California
  • Record: Arizona (32-2), Long Island (24-10)

Betting Insights and Forecast

The odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook indicate a strong sentiment towards the favorites. Many teams have high winning projections based on their performance in the regular season.

Amid these matchups, fans and analysts are eager to see how the dynamics unfold across the tournament. Keep an eye on these games as each contest brings unique narratives and potential upsets.

For in-depth coverage and updates, stay tuned to El-Balad as the tournament progresses.