Western New York Home To Opening Round Of NCAA Tournament

March Madness is will tip-off this week across the county and eight National Championship hopeful will start their journey here in Western New York.

The opening tip will happen this Thursday for eight teams looking to cut down the nets at the end of the NCAA tournament and take home the National Championship in Men's College basketball.

The seedlings came out earlier this week and it looks like Buffalo could be the home to a possible Cinderella run as two 12 seeds take on 5 seeds. Since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams 12 seeds have a 51-93 overall record making it one of the best ratios for upsets in the tournament.

Get our free mobile app

In 2021, Number 12 seed Oregon State beat Tennessee and would go on to make a run to the Elite 8. This year you could see a Cinderella play with your very own eyes.

Here are the teams that will tip-off in Buffalo at Keybank Center on Thursday.

Thursday 12:40 pm - Providence (4) Vs South Dakota State (13)

Providence (Seed #4) won the Big East and finished the season with a 25-5 overall record.

South Dakota State (Seed #13) went 18-0 in Summit League play this year and 30-4 overall.

Thursday 3:10 pm -  Iowa (5) Vs Richmond (12)

Iowa (Seed 5) won the Big 12 Championship and finished the season 26-9.

Richmond ( Seed 13) finished 6th overall in the Atlantic 10 with a 23-12 overall record.

Thursday 6:50 pm - UConn (5) vs New Mexico State (12) 

UConn (Seed 5) fell to Villanova in the Big East tournament semi-finals Ended the year with an overall record of 23-9.

New Mexico State (12) won the WAC Championship and finished the regular season with a 26-6 record.

Thursday 9:20 pm - Arkansas  (4) Vs Vermont (13)

Arkansas (4) is ranked 17th overall and lost in the SEC semi-finals. They have an overall record of 25-8

Vermont (13) won the America East tournament and come into the tournament with a 28-5 overall record.

Tickets are still available for the game on Thursday. Get tickets HERE