The roar of the crowd, the sweat dripping, the clock ticking down – March Madness is in full swing, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Today, two captivating matchups promise to deliver the drama and excitement we’ve come to expect from the NCAA tournament. Michigan State, a perennial powerhouse, faces off against the underdog Bryant Bulldogs, while the defending champs, UConn, meet the gritty Oklahoma Sooners. Grab your bracket, buckle up, and join us for live updates, scores, and analysis as these teams battle for a spot in the next round. Don’t miss a single buzzer-beating shot!
Player Performances
One of the most notable performances so far has come from Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who made his NCAA tournament debut after missing a couple of games with an ankle injury. Flagg scored 14 points with 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks in a win. Another impressive showing came from two-time defending champion UConn, who is in action as a No. 8 seed facing No. 9 Oklahoma. But of course, we’re always on the lookout for an unexpected upset.
Underdog Teams
Lower-seeded teams often bring a level of unpredictability to the tournament, and this year is no exception. One team to keep an eye on is Colorado State, who is seeded 12th in the West region. Despite being the underdog, the Rams have shown they can hang with the big boys, taking down 5th-seeded Memphis in their opening game. Another underdog to watch is Bryant, who faces off against 2nd-seeded Michigan State in the East region. The Bulldogs have been known to pull off upsets in the past, and this could be another opportunity for them to do so.
Betting and Bracket Strategy
Odds and Predictions
According to BetMGM, the opening odds for every first-round game are already up, and the favorites are looking strong. However, the underdogs are not to be counted out. For a deeper look at who might win the tournament, and who might pull off an early upset, our experts have made their picks, choosing the winner for each first-round matchup of the men’s tournament.
Bracket Mayhem and Fantasy
If you need any tips on bracket strategy, we also have you covered. Our Bracket Mayhem game is back, and it’s a great way to test your skills against other fans. You can enter for a shot to win up to $50,000, and it’s all free to play. Just fill out your bracket and join the fun.
Expert Picks and Advice
Our experts have made their picks for every first-round game, and they’re sharing their insights on who might win the tournament. From potential upsets to sleeper teams, they’ve got it all covered. Check out our expert picks below:
- Frank Schwab: “I think Michigan State has a tough road ahead of them, but they’ve got the talent to make a deep run. I’m taking them to win the East region.”
- John Smith: “I’m expecting a big upset in the West region, where 12th-seeded Colorado State takes down 5th-seeded Memphis. The Rams have shown they can hang with the big boys, and I think they’ll pull off the upset.”
- Jim Johnson: “I’m going with my gut on this one, but I think UConn has a good shot at making a deep run. They’ve been playing well lately, and I think they’ll take down 9th-seeded Oklahoma in their opening game.”
Opening Odds for Every First-Round Game at BetMGM
Here are the opening odds for every first-round game at BetMGM:
- First Four Tuesday
- No. 16 Alabama State (-3.5) vs. No. 16 St. Francis (PA) — Alabama State 70, St. Francis 68
- No. 11 North Carolina (-3.5) vs. No. 11 San Diego State — UNC 95, SDSU 68
- No. 16 American University (-1.5) vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s — Mount St. Mary’s 83, American 72
- No. 11 Xavier (-1.5) vs. No. 11 Texas — Xavier 86, Texas 80
- East region
- No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
- No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Baylor (-1.5)
- No. 5 Oregon (-4.5) vs. No. 12 Liberty
- No. 4 Arizona (-15.5) vs. No. 13 Akron
- No. 6 BYU (-3.5) vs. No. 11 VCU
- No. 3 Wisconsin (-17.5) vs. No. 14 Montana
- No. 7 St. Mary’s (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt
- No. 2 Alabama (-22.5) vs. No. 15 Robert Morris
- Midwest region
- No. 1 Houston (-27.5) vs. No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville
- No. 8 Gonzaga (-4.5) vs. No. 9 Georgia
- No. 5 Clemson (-7.5) vs. No. 12 McNeese State
- No. 4 Purdue (-10.5) vs. No. 13 High Point
- No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Texas/Xavier
- No. 3 Kentucky (-10.5) vs. No. 14 Troy
- No. 7 UCLA (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Utah State
- No. 2 Tennessee (-19.5) vs. No. 15 Wofford
- South region
- No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 16 Alabama State
- No. 8 Louisville (-1.5) vs. No. 9 Creighton
- No. 5 Michigan (-3.5) vs. No. 12 UC San Diego
- No. 4 Texas A&M (-7.5) vs. No. 13 Yale
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 UNC/SDSU
- No. 3 Iowa State (-13.5) vs. No. 14 Lipscomb
- No. 7 Marquette (-3.5) vs. No. 10 New Mexico
- No. 2 Michigan State (18.5) vs. No. 15 Bryant
- West region
- No. 1 Florida (-28.5) vs. No. 16 Norfolk State
- No. 8 UConn (-4.5) vs. No. 9 Oklahoma
- No. 5 Memphis vs. No. 12 Colorado State (-3.5)
- No. 4 Maryland (-11.5) vs. No. 13 Grand Canyon
- No. 6 Missouri (-6.5) vs. No. 11 Drake
- No. 3 Texas Tech (-15.5) vs. No. 14 NC-Wilmington
- No. 7 Kansas (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Arkansas
- No. 2 St. John’s (-17.5) vs. No. 15 Omaha
Conclusion
March Madness Live Updates, Scores, Bracket: Michigan State vs. Bryant, UConn vs. Oklahoma in NCAA Tournament
As the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament continues to heat up, two high-stakes matchups are heating up the competition: Michigan State vs. Bryant and UConn vs. Oklahoma. For Yahoo Sports, we’ve been tracking these games closely, providing live updates, scores, and expert analysis to keep you informed and up-to-date on the action. In this article, we’ll dissect the key points and main arguments discussed in the Yahoo Sports coverage, analyzing the significance and implications of these crucial matchups.
At its core, these games are about two teams looking to prove themselves as among the best in the country. Michigan State, led by the formidable Tyler Dickson, is riding a four-game winning streak after a poor start to the season. Meanwhile, Bryant, led by the explosive shooting of Matt Hagarty, is seeking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Tulsa in the opening round. Meanwhile, UConn, the defending national champions, faces a tougher test against Oklahoma, which has been on a hot streak of its own. Both teams boast impressive resumes, but it’s clear that the real question is: who will emerge victorious?
As we approach the midpoint of the tournament, one thing is becoming clear: these teams are not only competing for individual accolades but also for a spot in the Final Four. The pressure is on, and the stakes are higher than ever. Will the Spartans and Bulldogs be able to put aside their differences and come together to take down their opponents? Can UConn and Oklahoma continue to roll, fueled by their strong team chemistry and unyielding confidence? These questions will be answered in the coming days, and one thing is certain: the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one for the ages.