6 first-round matchups NBA scouts can't wait to see in March Madness
As always, when the NCAA men's basketball tournament begins, NBA scouts will have an extra close eye on some March Madness games more than others.
For this exercise, we looked at teams meeting in the first round that have potential pros suiting up for both teams. So while Duke may have the most pros (e.g. Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, etc.) on its roster, their opening round matchup against Mount St. Mary's likely won't exactly give much for talent evaluators to learn.
Perhaps the most compelling matchup for scouts is (8) Connecticut vs. (9) Oklahoma in the West region. UConn's Liam McNeeley and OU's Jeremiah Fears are both currently projected as top-20 picks in our latest mock draft.
1. Missouri vs. Drake
Top players to watch: Bennett Stirtz (Drake), Anthony Robinson (Missouri)
When to watch: Thursday, March 20, 7:35 p.m. (truTV)
2. Mississippi State vs. Baylor
Top players to watch: V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor), Rob Wright (Baylor), Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State)
When to watch: Friday, March 21, 12:15 p.m. (CBS)
3. Memphis vs. Colorado State
Top players to watch: Nique Clifford (Colorado State), PJ Haggerty (Memphis)
When to watch: Friday, March 21, 2 p.m. (TBS)
4. Marquette vs. New Mexico
Top players to watch: Kam Jones (Marquette), Donovan Dent (New Mexico)
When to watch: Friday, March 21, 7:25 p.m. (TBS)
5. Connecticut vs. Oklahoma
Top players to watch: Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma), Liam McNeeley (UConn), Alex Karaban (UConn)
When to watch: Friday, March 21, 9:25 p.m. (TNT)
6. Illinois vs. Xavier
Top players to watch: Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois), Will Riley (Illinois), Tomislav Ivisic (Illinois), Dailyn Swain (Xavier), Ryan Conwell (Xavier)
When to watch: Friday, March 21, 9:45 p.m. (TNT)
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 6 first-round matchups NBA scouts can't wait to see in March Madness
-
March Madness: Scouting Michigan State men's basketball vs Bryant in NCAA tournament
March Madness: Scouting Michigan State men's basketball vs Bryant in NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Ranking 20 NBA Draft prospects to watch during 2025 March Madness
Before the 2025 NBA Draft, plenty of prospects will have an opportunity to showcase their game on the biggest scouting stages during March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Georgia basketball vs. Gonzaga scouting report
It's Georgia vs. Gonzaga in the March Madness bracket. Here's our scouting report for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
March Madness: How to watch the NCAA Tournament
Learn more about how to watch the first round of NCAA March Madness men's basketball games. See the schedule, bracket, start times, what channels to watch and more.NBC News - 1d -
NCAA Tournament first-round matchups kick off March Madness. Breaking down each game
The first Thursday of the NCAA men's tournament features 16 matchups that make up half of the first round. A breakdown of every game.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
March Madness 2025 odds, matchups: Opening lines for first-round NCAA tournament games
Here are the odds on every March Madness first-round game at BetMGM sportsbook.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Oregon basketball vs. Liberty in men's NCAA Tournament: March Madness 'never gets old'
It’s Oregon basketball vs. Liberty in March Madness to open its NCAA Tournament men’s bracket. Here’s what Oregon said about the first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
March Madness first round predictions: NCAA bracket picks for every men’s game
Who will win 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket? Our best men’s March Madness first round predictions are in.Yahoo Sports - 18h -
Drake basketball vs. Missouri preview: 3 things to watch in the NCAA Tournament game
Here are three things to watch in Drake men's basketball's March Madness matchup against Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Commanders GM Adam Peters is having a good 2025 offseason
Adam Peters hasn't gotten all he wanted, but he has made the Commanders better.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
NCAA Tournament expert predictions for Florida basketball vs Norfolk State in first round
Gators Wire's staff gives its predictions for Florida basketball's first round matchup with the Norfolk State Vikings on Friday evening.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
NFL insider suggests way Bengals can 'punt' on Trey Hendrickson decision
One NFL insider offered up an idea for the Bengals.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Aberdeen boxer Corey McIntosh taking on Brendan Needham in UK’s Transatlantic Clash 2
Aberdeen has its own nationally ranked boxer, and this spring he will be representing the city in a tournament in England.Yahoo Sports - 27m -
2025 women's March Madness coaches who played in WNBA, from Dawn Staley to Kara Lawson
From South Carolina's Dawn Staley to Duke's Kara Lawsn, meet the 2025 March Madness coaches who played in the WNBA after starring as college players.Yahoo Sports - 27m
More in Sports
-
Commanders GM Adam Peters is having a good 2025 offseason
Adam Peters hasn't gotten all he wanted, but he has made the Commanders better.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
NCAA Tournament expert predictions for Florida basketball vs Norfolk State in first round
Gators Wire's staff gives its predictions for Florida basketball's first round matchup with the Norfolk State Vikings on Friday evening.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
NFL insider suggests way Bengals can 'punt' on Trey Hendrickson decision
One NFL insider offered up an idea for the Bengals.Yahoo Sports - 26m -
Aberdeen boxer Corey McIntosh taking on Brendan Needham in UK’s Transatlantic Clash 2
Aberdeen has its own nationally ranked boxer, and this spring he will be representing the city in a tournament in England.Yahoo Sports - 27m -
2025 women's March Madness coaches who played in WNBA, from Dawn Staley to Kara Lawson
From South Carolina's Dawn Staley to Duke's Kara Lawsn, meet the 2025 March Madness coaches who played in the WNBA after starring as college players.Yahoo Sports - 27m