First Four: The Tourney Teasers

The Sportsletter’s Bracket Challenge

First Four: The NCAA Tourney Teasers

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

4 NCAA Tournament Teasers on the Eve of The Big Dance

The NCAA Tournament makes its triumphant return tonight with the First Four. You, like me, may not be too excited about those four measly precursors to your bracket’s success, but they mark the official start of March Madness. Even if they’re just teasers. So we’ll play along and leave you with a few teasers of our own. Four facts, one for each of the First Four, to be exact…

1. Tomorrow’s Bracket Primer is a Must-Read

We’re that confident. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into tomorrow’s March Madness Guide. So much that today’s edition might as well be… just… stalling until tomorrow? See what we’re doing? Teasers, just like the NCAA Tourney itself. But tonight’s games aren’t anything to scoff at (like this article).

2. The First Four Actually Matters

You’ll pretend it doesn’t, but don’t kid yourself. Watch the games. You may not think the last eight teams to make the field are true title contenders, but be careful. In 2011, 11-seed VCU had to beat USC in a First Four matchup. They went on to the Final Four. These games matter.

So until we reconvene tomorrow morning — waking up from this nearly 720-day nightmare since the 2019 NCAA Tournament — enjoy the moment and be grateful for what it is. Two pairs of 16-seeds and 11-seeds going head-to-head to trim the field to 64, and it’s on from there.

The First Four Schedule (Tonight)

16s: Texas Southern vs. Mount St. Mary’s (5:10 pm)

11s: Drake vs. Wichita State (6:27 pm)

16s: Appalachian State vs. Norfolk State (8:40 pm)

11s: UCLA vs. Michigan State (9:57 pm)

3. Your Bracket Is Only Guaranteed Tonight

Most expert bracketologists (like yourself) who’ve been doing this for years probably know the drill. You analyze the seeds, pick your favorite upsets, act like a genius and put money on the line (Or enter for free and a chance to win $500).

Right now, your 63 picks are absolutely perfect. Tomorrow, they won’t be. There’s a 1 in 9.2 quintillion chance of landing the perfect bracket. Don’t get too emotionally attached to your picks. It’s a relationship that will only break your heart.

4. Indianapolis is Basketball Paradise

I’m a little biased here, but that’s okay. This year’s NCAA Tournament bubble is hosted entirely in my hometown. All 67 games are in my backyard, and they’re all being played at venues where I’ve spent significant time (see more in tomorrow’s edition).

Indy is a special place for hoops fans, from historic Hinkle Fieldhouse to Mackey Arena and Assembly Hall. The NCAA headquarters are located inside the 1-mile radius that separates all four Indy-based hotels where the teams are housed. It’s like one giant win-or-go-home basketball camp.

And That Picture Above? It’s the world’s largest bracket (47,000 square feet) on the J.W. Marriott hotel in downtown Indy.

Reader Feedback: Email Jeff@TheSportsletter.com to ask direct questions about the NCAA bubble, Indianapolis tourney sites, or anything regarding the history of basketball in Indiana. He loves bragging about Indy.

That’s it for our teasers. I think we stalled long enough to pique your interest for tomorrow. Don’t forget to join The Sportsletter’s Bracket Challenge before Noon ET (Friday) for your chance to win $500.

The Madness is coming…

Featured Articles

Washington Post: How the NCAA Tournament Built Its ‘Bubble’ in Indianapolis

NCAA: 1 Team From Each Seed Line to Pick — And Why

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NFL

Free Agency (Day 3): Signed or Silence?

Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images

49ers Give Trent Williams Historic Deal, But Who’s Still Yet to Sign?

 

NFL free agency week continued with another historic deal on Wednesday. The San Francisco 49ers made OL Trent Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman of all-time with a six-year deal that resembles starting QB money. Another handful of big names got swiped off the board, but there’s still plenty of talent surrounded by silence. It’s hard to believe some of these names are still out there.

 

NFL Free Agency: Day 3

 

OL Trent Williams → 49ers

Deal: 6 Years, $138 Million

 

WR Curtis Samuel → Washington

Deal: 3 Years, $34.5 Million

 

CB Patrick Peterson — Vikings

Deal: 1 Year, $10 Million

 

LB Haason Reddick → Panthers

Deal: 1 Year, $8 Million

 

WR A.J. Green → Cardinals

Deal: 1 Year, $8 Million

 

WR John Brown → Raiders

Deal: 1 Year, $3.75 Million

 

Top Remaining Free Agents: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Kenny Golladay, DE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Will Fuller, WR T.Y. Hilton, DE Justin Houston, OT Mitchell Schwartz, CB Richard Sherman, CB Xavier Rhodes, WR Sammy Watkins, RB Chris Carson, OT Eric Fisher, LB K.J. Wright

 

Additional Storylines

B/R: Bears Reportedly Offered Seahawks 3 1st-Round Picks, 1 3rd-Rounder & 2 Starters for QB Russell Wilson

ESPN: Arizona Cardinals Acquire Pro Bowl Center Rodney Hudson From LV Raiders

SB Nation: Detroit Lions Give Up Next to Nothing for Rams DT Michael Brockers

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