Previewing 2017 March Madness First Round

As is always the case, the 2017 March Madness national championship tournament is featuring a handful of highly intriguing first round matchups that have the look of thrilling affairs just waiting to happen.Thanks to this fun0filled look at some of the most anticipated first round matchups on this year’s March Madness predictions docket, you’re going to have a great chance to cash in early and often over the course of the exciting national championship chase. Now, let’s get started with a look at six super intriguing first round matchups.

A Closer Look At The Previewing 2017 March Madness First Round

  

No. 10 VCU vs. No. 7 St. Mary’s

When: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 7:20 PM ETWhere: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UtahTV: TBSNCAAB Odds: TBAAnalysis: St. Mary’s is a 4.5-point favorite over VCU Rams, but they still need to prove they can play with the ‘big boys’ after losing to previously No. 1 Gonzaga a convincing three times this season.

No. 9 Virginia Tech vs. No. 8 Wisconsin

When: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 9:40 PM ETWhere: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New YorkTV: CBSNCAAB Odds: Wisconsin -5Analysis: Simply put, can Virginia Tech’s high-scoring offense (79.2 ppg, 47th) put points on the board against Wisconsin’s powerful defense (61.4 ppg, 9th)?

No. 10 Wichita State Shockers (30-4) at No. 7 Dayton Flyers (24-7)

When: Friday, March 17, 2017 at 7:10 PM ETWhere: Bankers Life FieldhouseTV: CBSNCAAB Odds: Wichita State -6Analysis: Dayton may be the higher seed in this intriguing matchup but after watching Wichita State force their way into national powerhouse category the last three seasons, would you put anything past Wichita State?

No. 9 Vanderbilt (19-15) vs. No. 8 Northwestern (23-11)

When: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 4:30 PM ETWhere: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UtahTV: TBSNCAAB Odds: Northwestern +1 Analysis: Can the Northwestern Wildcats get another win after reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history? Who knows, but everyone will be watching – and likely rooting for the Cats!

No. 12 Princeton (23-6) vs. No. 5 Notre Dame (25-9)

When: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 12:15 PM ETWhere: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New YorkTV: CBSNCAAB Odds: Notre Dame -7Analysis: The Fighting Irish were on the wrong end of their ACC conference championship game loss against Duke the last time they took the floor. Can they avoid the dreaded 12 vs. 5 upset against Ivy League champ Princeton? Basketball purists will love this affair.

 No. 3 Florida State (25-8) vs. No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast (26-7)

When: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 9:20 PM ETWhere: Amway Center, Orlando, FloridaTV: TNTNCAAB Odds: Florida State -12 Analysis: All eyes will be on this all-Sunshine State matchup with Florida Gulf Coast back in the field after making national headlines because of their now famous tourney run in 2013. Just know that Florida State has beaten seven ranked opponents this season.