The First Four: More Than Just a Tournament Appetizer

The roar of the crowd, the squeak of sneakers, the palpable tension in the air – March Madness is upon us once again. But before the field of 64 teams officially tip off their campaigns for national glory, a smaller, more intimate stage sets the scene: the First Four. Introduced in 2011 when the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament expanded to 68 teams, the First Four games held annually at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, represent the true beginning of the madness. They are not mere television filler; they are crucial contests that can dictate the trajectory of the entire tournament.

This year’s First Four lineup promises a compelling mix of underdog stories and high-stakes matchups. Two games will feature contests between No. 16 seeds, where dreams are born and Cinderella stories begin. Alabama State will face off against Saint Francis (Pa.), while American will battle Mount St. Mary’s for a coveted spot in the main bracket. The other two contests will pit the last four at-large selections against each other, with North Carolina squaring off against San Diego State and Texas taking on Xavier. The stakes are high. A win guarantees a chance to dance with the big boys; a loss sends them home, wondering what could have been.

The impact of the First Four extends far beyond simply filling out the bracket. History proves that teams emerging from these play-in games can become serious threats. In fact, two No. 11 seeds that navigated the First Four gauntlet have gone on improbable runs all the way to the Final Four. The first, and perhaps most memorable, was VCU in 2011, the inaugural year of the expanded tournament format. VCU’s improbable run demonstrated the power of momentum and the inherent unpredictability of March Madness. In three other instances, a First Four team has advanced to at least the Sweet Sixteen, further solidifying the notion that these opening games are far from insignificant.

Perhaps the most stunning example of the First Four’s potential influence came just last year. While a No. 16 seed defeating a No. 1 seed is an extremely rare occurrence – only happening twice since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985 – it was a First Four team that achieved the unthinkable in 2023. Fairleigh Dickinson, fresh off a play-in victory against Texas Southern, stunned the basketball world by knocking off top-seeded Purdue, a team many had pegged as a national championship contender. This monumental upset serves as a potent reminder that anything is possible in March and that even the teams fighting for survival in the First Four possess the ability to rewrite history.

Let’s delve into the specific matchups that await us this week:

Alabama State vs. Saint Francis (Pa.)

Alabama State, led by Coach Tony Madlock, enters the First Four riding a wave of momentum, having won 10 of their last 11 games. Their strong finish to the season suggests a team peaking at the right time. Saint Francis (Pa.), on the other hand, brings a compelling underdog narrative. Despite being the only team in the tournament field with a losing record, they earned their spot through grit and determination. The prediction favors Alabama State with a score of 65-59, based on their recent form and overall team performance.

North Carolina vs. San Diego State

This matchup pits a traditional powerhouse against a team looking to recapture past glory. North Carolina, a team with a storied basketball tradition, finds itself in the First Four after a season of inconsistency. San Diego State, while talented, appears to be limping into the tournament. The prediction leans towards North Carolina, with a projected score of 79-72. The reasoning centers on North Carolina’s talented roster, which is expected to rise to the occasion and silence some of the doubts surrounding their inclusion in the tournament. The NCAA Tournament often sees teams on the bubble prove their worth, and North Carolina has the potential to be one of those teams this year.

American vs. Mount St. Mary’s

This is a regional battle, with the two campuses separated by a mere 60 miles. Both teams will be making the journey to Dayton for the chance to participate in the main draw. Mount St. Mary’s enters the tournament as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion in just their third season in the league. However, they face a tough test against American, a squad that dethroned Colgate, the conference’s five-time reigning NCAA Tournament representative, in the Patriot League. The prediction is a tight one, with American projected to win 59-57. American’s victory over a dominant Colgate team suggests they have the mettle to overcome Mount St. Mary’s.

Texas vs. Xavier

Xavier struggled earlier in the season without star big man Zach Freemantle. However, since his return, Sean Miller’s Musketeers have been one of the best teams in the Big East, winning seven of their last eight games. They face a Texas team whose record is somewhat inflated by a weak non-conference schedule. The prediction favors Xavier with a score of 81-73. Xavier’s late-season surge, fueled by Freemantle’s return, makes them a dangerous opponent. Their recent success in the highly competitive Big East conference suggests they are well-prepared for the challenges of the NCAA Tournament.

The First Four is more than just a prelude to the main event. It’s a crucible where teams are tested, dreams are forged, and legends are born. It’s a reminder that in March Madness, anything is possible, and every game matters. As the nation eagerly awaits the tip-off of the First Four, it’s important to remember that these games are not just television filler; they are a vital part of the tournament’s narrative, capable of shaping the entire landscape of March Madness. These eight teams will battle for survival, knowing that a victory in Dayton could be the first step on a journey to basketball immortality.