With Selection Sunday out of the way, the 2023 men’s edition of March Madness is set to begin Tuesday with the First Four before a full slate of games tips off Thursday.
In the Midwest Region, No. 1 Houston highlights the bracket after a 31–3 season and an American Athletic Conference title. The Cougars will tip off Thursday against No. 16 Northern Kentucky as they try to make a Final Four run under coach Kelvin Sampson.
Below is the entire first-round schedule for the Midwest Region:
First Four
Teams: No. 11 Mississippi State (21–12) vs. No. 11 Pittsburgh (22–11)
Game Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Game Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
Game Location: UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio
TV: truTV
First Round
Teams: No. 16 Northern Kentucky (22–12) vs. No. 1 Houston (31–3)
Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 9:20 p.m. ET
Game Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
TV: TNT
Teams: No. 8 Iowa (19–13) vs. No. 9 Auburn (20–12)
Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Game Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
TV: TNT
Teams: No. 5 Miami (25–7) vs. No. 12 Drake (27–7)
Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Game Location: MVP Arena in Albany, NY
TV: TBS
Teams: No. 4 Indiana (22–11) vs. No. 13 Kent State (28–6)
Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 9:55 p.m. ET
Game Location: MVP Arena in Albany, NY
TV: TBS
Teams: No. 6 Iowa State (19–13) vs. No. 11 Mississippi State (21–12)/Pittsburgh (22-11)
Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Game Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
TV: truTV
Teams: No. 3 Xavier (25–9) vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (26–8)
Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 12:40 p.m. ET
Game Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
TV: truTV
Teams: No. 7 Texas A&M (25–9) vs. No. 10 Penn State (22–13)
Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 9:55 p.m. ET
Game Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
TV: TBS
Teams: No. 2 Texas (26–8) vs. No. 15 Colgate (26–8)
Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Game Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
TV: TBS
Pat Forde’s Analysis, Predictions
Matchup to watch: This region is rife with interesting early matchups, including Indiana taking on a Kent State team coached by Rob Senderoff, who was penalized for NCAA violations that occurred while he was an assistant to Kelvin Sampson at … Indiana. But the thing that jumps off the page is No. 9 seed Auburn getting preferential geographic treatment in Birmingham. That’s a disadvantage to first-round opponent Iowa, and potentially to No. 1 seed Houston in the second round. Questionable work there by the selection committee.
Player to watch: Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis is a first-team All-American and double-double machine who has carried the Hoosiers during his senior year. In his past four games, Jackson-Davis has averaged 25.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He’s got a talented sidekick in freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, but Indiana’s tourney existence will largely depend on how far TJD can take it.
