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- NCAA. Men's March Madness 2026 Bracket and Schedule: Today's games, results, and standings in the First Four
The 2026 March Madness officially kicks into high gear today, Thursday, March 19, as the Duke Blue Devils (No. 1 seed) prepare to face the Siena Saints (No. 16 seed). For Duke, this tournament represents a chance at redemption and a return to the Final Four under head coach Jon Scheyer. For Siena, it is a historic opportunity to pull off what was once considered impossible: the 16-over-1 upset.
Where and When to Watch
The game will take place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, a venue that is expected to be dominated by Duke fans making the short trip from Durham.
- Tip-off Time: 2:50 PM ET / 11:50 AM PT.
- TV Network: CBS (Featuring the lead broadcast team of Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery).
- Live Stream: Paramount+ and the NCAA March Madness Live app.
The Matchup: Power vs. Perimeter
Duke enters the tournament with a staggering 32-2 record, having swept the ACC regular season and tournament titles. The Blue Devils are led by the presumptive No. 1 NBA draft pick, Cameron Boozer, who is averaging a double-double with 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Duke's primary strength lies in its interior dominance and defensive efficiency, currently ranked No. 1 in the nation according to KenPom metrics.
On the other side, the Siena Saints (23-11) arrive as the champions of the MAAC. Under coach Gerry McNamara, the Saints have developed a "never-say-die" identity. Their offense revolves almost entirely around sophomore guard Gavin Doty, who averages 17.9 points per game. Siena's path to a competitive game relies on their three-point shooting; they lead their conference in perimeter percentage, and they will need to hit at least 12 to 15 triples to keep pace with Duke's high-octane offense.
Betting Trends and Key Facts
- The Spread: Duke opens as a massive 28.5-point favorite. While a 16-seed beating a 1-seed is rare (only happening twice in history: UMBC in 2018 and FDU in 2023), Siena has been excellent against the spread this year, covering in 12 of their last 15 games.
- Rebounding Battle: Duke averages nearly 8 more rebounds per game than Siena. If the Saints cannot limit Duke's second-chance points, this game could get out of hand by halftime.
- Freshman Factor: Keep an eye on Duke's Isaiah Evans, who has been shooting over 45% from deep in the last month of play.