It’s the moment fans of college basketball have been waiting for – the first round of the NCAA Tournament gets underway Thursday with 16 games – including two involving Florida schools.
The Florida Gators, seeded No. 4 in the East Region, open their March Madness at 3:10 p.m. when they take on 14th seeded East Tennessee State inside the Amway Center in Orlando.
Later Thursday at 9:20 p.m., the Florida State Seminoles – seeded No. 3 in the West Region and making their first tournament appearance since 2012 – will take the court in Orlando against No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles were the darlings of the tournament in 2013, becoming the first No. 15 seed to make it to the Sweet 16.
Friday, the Miami Hurricanes take the court for the second straight season when the No. 8 seeded team in the Midwest Region takes on ninth seeded Michigan State in Tulsa, OK at 9:20 p.m. Miami made it to the Sweet 16 round last year, losing to eventual national champion Villanova
This year’s Final Four takes place April 1st in Glendale, AZ with the championship game on April 3rd.
