**Kicking off the 2026 NCAA Tournament: Expert Predictions and Picks for Thursday's Games** The moment Nigerians and basketball fans worldwide have been waiting for is finally here – the 2026 NCAA Tournament is in full swing. As the anticipation builds, it's time to lock in our final bracket picks and focus on the games ahead. Thursday's afternoon slate brings exciting storylines, including a chance for Nebraska to make history by securing their first-ever NCAA Tournament win. The evening games promise to be thrilling, with future NBA stars like AJ Dybantsa making their debut, and top teams like Michigan, Houston, and Gonzaga facing off against lower-seeded opponents. To help you navigate the action, our team of experts has selected six games from the 16-game slate on Thursday to highlight. We'll be providing a range of picks, including against-the-spread, totals, and team totals. For those who prefer straight-up picks, our panel of CBS Sports experts has got you covered. Don't forget to get back into your pools and enter our Bracket Challenge for a chance to win a dream trip to the 2027 Final Four. Let's take a closer look at some of Thursday's games: **Nebraska vs. Troy** (4) Nebraska vs. (13) Troy 12:40 p.m. on truTV | March Madness Live Nebraska's defense has been a force to be reckoned with this season, thanks to coach Fred Hoiberg's philosophy of guarding without fouling and forcing opponents into bad shots. The Cornhuskers excelled in defensive efficiency in Big Ten play, which has been a huge boost during their shooting slumps. Can Troy's offense find a way to break through Nebraska's defense, or will the Cornhuskers make history with their first-ever NCAA Tournament win?