**2026 NCAA Tournament Kicks Off: Ranking Every First-Round Game from Best to Worst** The most-awaited weekend in the sports calendar has finally arrived, as the 2026 NCAA Tournament begins with its first round of matches. From Thursday to Friday, the 64 teams competing will be narrowed down to 32, with thrilling games expected all the way to the end. In ranking the first-round games from No. 1 to No. 32, we've identified some distinct categories. The games featuring No. 1 seeds against No. 16 seeds are often the most lopsided, with little upset potential and a likelihood of blowouts. However, there's always a chance for something extraordinary to happen. Another interesting category is the games in the 10-13 range, which feature highly-touted freshmen. These teams, including Tennessee's Nate Ament, BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Arkansas' Darius Acuff, and Kansas' Darryn Peterson, have the potential to cause upsets. But the games that really have Nigerians on the edge of their seats are those in the 9-1 range. These matchups are filled with intrigue, with many expected to be closely contested and entertaining. Some of these games even feature blue-blood programs facing stiff competition from lower-seeded teams outside the high-major structure. Here's the full ranking of the 32 first-round games from worst to best: 32. (1) Florida vs. (16) Prairie View A&M/Lehigh In this game, top-ranked Florida will look to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament. They are favorites to win this one, having easily dispatched teams of similar caliber during non-conference action. 31. (1) Michigan vs. (16) Howard On Thursday, No. 1 Michigan will face Howard, and while this is a mismatch, it's always exciting to see these powerhouse programs in action. As the games kick off, fans are eager to make their predictions. Will your team emerge victorious? You can join our Bracket Challenge to compete with others and win a dream trip to the 2027 Final Four. The clock is ticking, so get your brackets ready!