• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 19, 2025

Yes, the First Four Matters. Here’s Why

  • March Madness gets underway with the First Four in Dayton on Tuesday.
  • The preliminary action has previously created several financial success stories.
Feb 18, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Grambling State University Tigers guard Tra'Michael Moton (5) celebrates with guard Shawndarius Cowart (10) after making a basket against the Southern University Jaguars during overtime at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

The preliminary round of the men’s NCAA tournament is nothing to sleep on.

March Madness officially tips off Tuesday night with the First Four in Dayton—and crucial $2 million payment units are on the line for advancing to latter stages of the tournament.

Automatic qualifiers Wagner and Howard will compete for the West Region’s 16-seed, while fellow conference champions Grambling State and Montana State will battle for the 16 in the Midwest. At-large matchups featuring Colorado State–Virginia (Midwest) and Colorado–Boise State (South) will round out the preliminary action in Ohio over the next two days.

Since the bracket expanded to 68 teams in 2011, a First Four team has made it to the second round every year except once (’19). First Four winners have gone on to 21 main NCAA tournament games over the past 13 years and twice made it to the Final Four (VCU in ’11, UCLA in ’21). Last year, Fairleigh Dickinson became the first automatic qualifier from the First Four to win a tournament game, with the Knights’ upset of top-seeded Purdue leading to all kinds of off-court success, like a new media-rights deal with YES Network.

Staying Tru

If you want to watch the First Four, you’ll need to make sure your TV package includes TruTV—the oft-forgotten cable stepchild of Warner Bros. Discovery, the company that, alongside CBS, is paying some $900 million annually to broadcast March Madness. For years, sports fans have joked about TruTV’s irrelevance outside of March, but this month marks a major pivot for the channel, which is transitioning to airing sports content full-time on weeknights moving forward. 

Last year, First Four games averaged 1.35 million viewers on TruTV, down from the 1.75 million action in 2022, which benefited from the inclusion of Notre Dame and set a record for the two-night format. (In ’21, all four games aired on one night, spread across TruTV and TBS.) But after this year’s games on TruTV—which will include eight first-round matchups—WBD is hoping fans will stick around for the channel’s new nightly TNT Sports Update program, as well as a betting-focused show, plus simulcasts and alternate casts of NBA, NHL, MLB games.

Where the Madness Begins

The 13,000-seat University of Dayton Arena has hosted every First Four game outside of the pandemic-impacted 2021 tournament dating back to ’11. And even before that, it was the site of the one-game opening round featuring the two lowest-ranked automatic qualifiers, which began in ’01.

UD Arena routinely gets near-capacity crowds: About 25,000 fans typically attend First Four games over two nights. As of Monday afternoon, the cheapest official resale tickets cost $89 before taxes and fees. And for locals looking to capitalize on the new business in town, the March Madness bump will continue later this week, if not longer: Dayton’s men’s basketball notched its first NCAA tournament bid since 2017, earning a seven-seed; now the Flyers are set to face 10-seed Nevada on Thursday in Memphis.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”

Financial Behemoth Dodgers Win NL Pennant, Eye History

The biggest spenders would be MLB’s first repeat champion in 25 years.
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.

Featured Today

@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance, balancing science, taste, and the demands of professional football.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.