No. No. 1 seed Houston highlights the Midwest region of the men’s group.
With Selection Sunday out of the way, the 2023 men’s edition of March Madness is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday with the First Four before a full slate of games begins on Thursday.
In the Midwest Region, no. 1 Houston highlights support after a 31-3 season and an American Athletic Conference title. The Cougars will take the lead Thursday against No. 16 Northern Kentucky as they try to make a run in the Final Four under coach Kelvin Sampson.
Below is the full first round schedule for the Midwest Region:
first four
team: no. 11 Mississippi State (21–12) vs. no. 11 Pittsburgh (22–eleven)
Date of the match: Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Game time: 9:10 p.m. ET
Game location: UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio
TV: TruTV
first round
Team: No. 16 Northern Kentucky (22–12) vs. no. 1 Houston (31–3)
Match date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game time: 9:20 p.m. ET
Game Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
Television: TNT
Team: No. 8 Iowa (19–13) vs. no. 9 chestnut (20-12)
Match date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Game Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
Television: TNT
team: no 5 miami (25–7) vs. no. 12 drakes (27–7)
Match date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Game Location: MVP Arena in Albany, NY
Television: TBS
team: no 4 Indiana (22–11) vs. no. 13 Kent State (28–6)
Match date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game time: 9:55 p.m. ET
Game Location: MVP Arena in Albany, NY
Television: TBS
team: no. 6 Iowa State (19–13) vs. no. 11 State of Mississippi (21–12)/Pittsburgh (22-11)
Match date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Game Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
TV: Tru TV
team: no 3 Javier (25–9) vs. no. 14 Kennesaw State (26–8)
Match date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game time: 12:40 p.m. ET
Game Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
TV: Tru TV
team: no. 7 Texas A&M (25–9) vs. no. 10 Penn State (22–13)
Match date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game time: 9:55 p.m. ET
Game Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
Television: TBS
equipment: no 2 Tiles (26–8) vs. no. 15 Colgate (26–8)
Match date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Game Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
Television: TBS
Analysis and predictions of Pat Forde
Matchup to watch: This region is full of interesting early matchups, including Indiana’s against 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 what jumps off the page is no. Seed 9 Auburn receives preferential geographic treatment in Birmingham. That’s a handicap for first-round opponent Iowa, and potentially 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 led the Hoosiers his senior year. In his last four games, Jackson-Davis averaged 25.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He has a talented sidekick in freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, but Indiana’s existence in the tournament will largely depend on how far TJD can take him.
Annoying Clock: Fifth-seeded Miami is vulnerable against No. 12 Drake, which is a veteran team that has some athleticism on the perimeter and size in the middle. Miami has had some obvious lapses in focus this season, and this would be the wrong opponent to let down against. The Hurricanes’ best inside player, Norchad Omier, injured his ankle in the ACC tournament.
Regional winners: Texas.
