Hopefully you’ve filled out your brackets, because March Madness is finally here. The NCAA men’s tournament began Tuesday night with two of the First Four games, but the real action begins on Thursday and Friday. The women's March Madness games begin Friday and carry throughout the weekend.Here’s a look at which SEC teams are participating and what they can expect in their upcoming games.
NCAA men’s tournament
No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 16 Hampton
The Wildcats have defeated every team they’ve faced this season and Hampton will be Kentucky’s next victim. Manhattan lost the first game of the tournament to Hampton on Tuesday, and the now they will face Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s team. The question isn’t whether or not Kentucky will win, but rather by how many points.
No. 5 Arkansas vs. No. 12 Wofford
Led by sophomore forward Bobby Portis, the SEC player of the year, Arkansas will look to advance past a tricky Wofford team. Every year, there’s a good chance that at least one 12-seed will upset a five-seed, and Wofford has a chance to do so against the Razorbacks.
No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Georgia
Georgia has had one of the most injury-plagued seasons in the country, yet the Bulldogs are back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008 thanks to their 21-11 record. Led by senior forward Marcus Thornton, Georgia has a balanced scoring attack, but they will have to face Michigan State, the unranked Big Ten tournament runner-ups.
No. 8 NC State vs. No. 9 LSU
Like Georgia, LSU is another SEC team that has ended an NCAA tournament drought. The Tigers are playing in the competition for the first time since 2009, and their matchup with NC State should be one of the more entertaining games early on in the tournament. LSU and NC State have been inconsistent this year, with both teams showing glimpses of great play while unexpectedly struggling at other times.
No. 6 Xavier vs. No. 11 Ole Miss/BYU
Ole Miss is just 1-4 in its last five games entering Tuesday’s First Four matchup against BYU. If the Rebels earn a win against the Cougars, they’ll then face Xavier, one of six teams from the Big East to make the tournament.
NCAA women’s tournament
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 16 Savannah State
The Gamecocks won 111-49 against Savannah State earlier this season, and another big victory will be expected of South Carolina when the two teams meet again on Friday. Savannah State won the MEAC conference tournament to earn its bid to the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately for them, their reward is a rematch with the third-ranked team in the country.
No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Boise State
Although they lost senior center Isabelle Harrison for the rest of the year due to a torn ACL back in February, the Lady Vols have played well down the stretch in SEC play, with their only blemishes coming in losses to South Carolina.
No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 15 Tennessee State
The Wildcats have the privilege of being just one of two teams that have defeated South Carolina this year. Kentucky spoiled the Gamecocks’ chance at an undefeated record in conference play and sophomore guard Makayla Epps has stepped up big time for her team down the stretch.
No. 5 Mississippi State vs. No. 12 Tulane
Mississippi State’s program has undergone a makeover under head coach Vic Schaefer, and all the changes he’s made have been for the better. The Bulldogs are back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010, and an interesting second round matchup with Duke looms if they can advance past Tulane.
No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 UALR
Texas A&M suffered a surprising loss to LSU in the SEC tournament, but the Aggies will look to rebound against UALR in the first round. Texas A&M has been one of the SEC’s top teams since joining the conference in 2012, and perhaps the Aggies can channel their good play from last year that led them to an Elite Eight appearance.
No. 7 Northwestern vs. No. 10 Arkansas
In their first year under head coach Jimmy Dykes, the Razorbacks were a bubble team for much of the season and Arkansas did just enough to get into the tournament. Led by sophomore forward Jessica Jackson, Arkansas will look for a first round win against Northwestern, a quality opponent out of the Big Ten.
No. 6 South Florida vs. No. 11 LSU
LSU’s win over Texas A&M in the SEC tournament may have been enough to punch the Tigers’ ticket to the big dance. LSU has now made the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight season under head coach Nikki Caldwell.