March Madness Begins: Key Facts and Surprises

The first round of the tournament starts Thursday. Twelve games begin just after noon and keep going into the night. Fans expect close play, last‑second shots, and maybe a surprise win. A student manager named Amir “Aura” Khan is back on the scene. He helped McNeese beat Stephen F. Austin to earn a spot in March Madness last year. Khan’s energetic video of him leading the team with a boombox made him famous. He signed over 20 brand deals, showing how NIL can benefit anyone on a team. Bench players often shine in the tournament. Michigan’s rookie Trey McKenney, who averages about 10 points per game, can help the top‑seeded Wolverines if they need extra scoring. In a smaller program, Siena’s Gavin Doty has been a star, averaging more than 20 points and solid defense. His team faces the top seed Duke.Nebraska has never won a tournament game, with an 0‑8 record. Coach Fred Hoiberg leads the fourth seed after a 15‑game winning streak this season. He hopes to break that long drought against Troy. Texas survived the First Four, winning 68‑66 over NC State. Senior Tramon Mark hit a last‑second shot to keep the Longhorns in the tournament. Now they face BYU, a team known for strong scoring but weaker defense. The schedule is full of excitement. Fans can watch up to 12 games, many featuring underdogs and surprise moments.