Ultimate Battle! Four Top Teams Clash in Historic 24-Hour Challenge!
The 2026 NCAA Tournament officially kicks off on Tuesday night, with a doubleheader to get the First Four underway. Action will begin at 6:40 p. m.
ET, with both games taking place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. In the opening game of the night, the UMBC Retrievers face off against the Howard Bison. UMBC arrived in Dayton late after a brief weather delay, but is ready to compete for the No.
16 seed. The winner of UMBC and Howard will secure the No. 16 seed in the Midwest and will face No.
1 seed Michigan in the Round of 64. The Wolverines are the tournament’s No. 3 overall seed.
— Watch NCAA Tournament First Four on Sling TV — In the nightcap, the Texas Longhorns will battle it out with the North Carolina State Wolfpack for the No. 11 seed in the West Region. The winner advances to the Round of 64 to face the No.