What Is the First Four in March Madness?

Florida Gulf Coast's Demetris Morant (21) and Fairleigh Dickinson's Mike Holloway (34) reach for the ball on the tip off in the first half of a First Four game of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Dayton, Ohio.
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)

The First Four is a series of four early March Madness games played on Tuesday and Wednesday, prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament’s round of 64 on Thursday.

In that way, the First Four is a bit like a light appetizer, served before the sprawling six-course meal that is the full March Madness slate.

A whopping 68 teams are chosen for the modern NCAA Tournament, and before Thursday’s round of 64 can begin, the field has to be whittled down from 68 teams to 64. 

To do that, two games are played on Tuesday night. Two more games are played on Wednesday night. The winners of all four games advance to the round of 64; the losers go home.

All eight teams involved in the First Four games are technically considered NCAA Tournament teams, even if the official first round doesn’t start until Thursday. 

First Four March Madness

Favorite (Spread)Underdog (Spread)TotalMoneyline
Alabama State (-3.5)St. Francis PA (+3.5)141.5-185/+150
North Carolina (-3.5)San Diego State (+3.5)142.5-175/+145
American (-2.5)Mount St. Mary's (+2.5)130.5-145/+118
Xavier (-2.5)Texas (+2.5)149.5-150/+125

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About the Author Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.