All the arguments over who will be in or out can finally be put to rest as we officially have a March Madness bracket. The committee revealed the field of 68 on Sunday evening with the Auburn Tigers earning the No. 1 overall seed. While many like to look ahead at potential future matchups, I believe we should enjoy what we have now. The first round is always full of drama and excitement and with this year’s bracket, it should be no different.
Here are the 10 best matchups in the Round of 64:
10. Oklahoma vs UConn
The two-time defending champion UConn Huskies will be in a great first-round game against Oklahoma. The Sooners are in the bracket for the first time since 2021 and for the first time under head coach Porter Moser who became a household name after leading Loyola Chicago to the Final Four. The guard matchup in this one between UConn’s Solo Ball and Sooners’ freshman Jeremiah Fears will be a must-watch.
9. VCU vs BYU
This is a great 11v6 matchup that will likely be a trendy upset pick with VCU coming off their A10 tournament championship. The Rams are good, but BYU was one of the hottest teams down the stretch of the season winning their final eight regular season games. This one will be played in Denver Colorado so expect a heavy home crowd advantage for the Cougars.
8. Colorado State vs Memphis
Colorado State comes in red hot as winners of 10 straight and Mountain West tournament champions making them a bid stealer. They’ll go up against another conference champion in Memphis who will possibly be without one of their top players in Tyrese Hunter due to injury. Penny Hardaway’s Tigers were one of the most talked about teams early in the season after an impressive performance in Maui, but they have really flown under the radar since conference play began. Two of the best scorers in college basketball will be on the floor for this one with the Rams Nique Clifford and PJ Haggerty for the Tigers.
7. High Point vs Purdue
Possible upset alert here. High Point is making their first ever March Madness appearance, but they are a very good 13 seed that excels on the offensive end where they average 81.7 points per game. Purdue struggled down the stretch of the season, but they certainly have more talent and experience coming off a national championship appearance last season. Look for a high-scoring and fun to watch basketball game here.
6. Clemson vs McNeese
The winner of the previously mentioned game will get the winner of this one which is another upset alert. Will Wade and McNeese are in the tournament for the second straight year after rolling through the Southland Conference led by Player of the Year Javohn Garcia.
Clemson made a run in last year's tournament in large part due to the play of Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin who are the leaders of this team. McNeese is deep and played some tough opponents in Alabama and Mississippi State early in the season, so do not expect them to be intimidated by the Tigers. Also of note is that both of these head coaches (Will Wade and Brad Brownell) are extremely hot names in the coaching market and will likely not be at these schools next season.
5. Michigan vs UC San Diego
UC San Diego has been one of the most talked about teams in recent days after winning the Big West to make the NCAA Tournament in their first season eligible after transferring from Division II. They are not your typical 12-seed ranking 36th overall in KenPom and have a guy in Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones who is averaging 19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game and has the makings of the next great March story.
While the Tritons will be a popular upset pick they will have their hands full going against Michigan’s 7-foot duo of Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf. The Wolverines struggled down the stretch of the season but used a much-needed break to regroup and win the Big Ten tournament.
4. Marquette vs New Mexico
The guard matchup between Marquette’s Kam Jones and New Mexico’s Donovan Dent is enough to make this a top matchup in the round of 64. Outside of that these are two great teams who both have big-name head coaches in Richard Pitino and Shaka Smart. Both of these teams play fast and up-tempo which could make this a very entertaining back-and-forth game.
3. Missouri vs Drake
Now we have the game with two completely different styles of play where anything can happen. Missouri is a great offensive team that likes to run the court while Drake plays at one of the slowest tempos in all of college basketball and wants to beat you in the half-court.
This game also features two incredible storylines. After an 8-24 record last season, which included zero wins in SEC play, Missouri stuck with head coach Dennis Gates who now has them as a six seed after playing in the grueling SEC. On the other end, Drake lost just about everything from a 28-win team last year and rebounded by hiring Division II head coach Ben McCollum. He came in and did not miss a beat, losing just three games and doing so with several former D2 players.
This is the type of matchup with two completely different teams that makes March so special. Also, if you have not seen Drake and MVC player of the year Bennett Stirtz play this season, I highly recommend a watch.
2. Louisville vs Creighton
This is a classic 8v9 matchup that should live up to the hype. Both of these teams are coming off a loss in their conference tournament championship game and have shown flashes of greatness this season that could have resulted in a better seed.
I love the point guard matchup between Louisville player but Omaha native Chucky Hepburn and Creighton’s Steven Ashworth. The question, which just about every team who faces the Jays is tasked with, is how they will go about stopping big man Ryan Kalkbrenner.
This one will be played at Rupp Arena in Lexington Kentucky, which is just over an hour away from Louisville, so expect a strong showing from Cards fans. I would be very surprised if this game does not come down to the wire, and whoever wins is more than capable of knocking off No. 1 Auburn in the next round.
1. Kansas vs Arkansas
This is the perfect first-round matchup featuring John Calipari and Bill Self, two of the best coaches in the history of the sport. Both teams have had their struggles this season but found a way to make it here and for that, and the committee for giving us this, I am thankful.
These two teams are solid on the defensive end, but I would not be surprised to see this one turn into a shootout. This game has no shortage of talent on both sides and will feature some great athletic big men with the Jayhawks Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams going against Zvonimir Ivisic and Trevon Brazile from Arkansas. To make this one even more exciting per Jon Rothstein, Razorbacks freshman guard Boogie Fland will be available after being out since mid-January due to injury.
Just imagine if these two met early in the season when the hype around them was through the roof. Instead, we get to see them go at it in March on the biggest stage in the premier matchup of the Round of 64.