Men's March Madness live tracker: Updates from Thursday's first round

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMore than 130 days have passed since the 2025-26 men's college basketball season tipped off.It has been a season of captivating storylines, from the dominance of the freshman class to Miami (Ohio)'s perfect regular-season run -- and it's about to get even better.The first round of the 2026 NCAA tournament has finally arrived, with 16 games tipping off Thursday:(9) TCU vs. (8) Ohio State: 12:15(13) Troy vs. (4) Nebraska: 12:40(11) South Florida vs. (6) Louisville: 1:30(12) High Point vs. (5) Wisconsin: 1:50(16) Siena vs. (1) Duke: 2:50(12) McNeese vs. (5) Vanderbilt: 3:15(14) North Dakota State vs. (3) Michigan State: 4:05(13) Hawai'i vs. (4) Arkansas: 4:25(11) VCU vs. (6) North Carolina: 6:50(16) Howard vs. (1) Michigan: 7:10(11) Texas vs. (6) BYU: 7:25(10) Texas A&M vs. (7) Saint Mary's: 7:35(14) Penn vs. (3) Illinois: 9:25(9) Saint Louis vs. (8) Georgia: 9:45(14) Kennesaw State vs. (3) Gonzaga: 10(15) Idaho vs. (2) Houston: 10:10ESPN reporters are on-site, from Buffalo to Portland, to give you a real-time look at the Madness. Follow along as they and the rest of the staff track all the live action.