Closing the First Four
The intensity of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament is ramping up, as Wednesday night marks the conclusion of the First Four games. The victors of these final two contests will secure their places in the first round, set to tip off this Friday. Both games are scheduled to be broadcast on TruTV.
No. 16 Lehigh vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M
Time: 5:40 p.m. ET
Lehigh makes its return to the Big Dance for the first time since 2012, a year famously remembered for the team's massive upset over Duke. After a challenging mid-season slump, the Mountain Hawks have surged, riding a six-game winning streak into the tournament. Their offensive attack is spearheaded by junior guard Nasir Whitlock, who maintains an impressive 21 points per game and boasts a 45% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc.
Their opponent, Prairie View A&M, enters as the lowest-ranked squad in the field according to KenPom metrics. Despite a rocky regular season, the Panthers found their rhythm at the perfect time, winning their final three regular-season games followed by a four-game sweep in the SWAC tournament. While their scoring is anchored by guards Dontae Horne and Tai’reon Joseph, the team rarely relies on the three-point shot compared to their peers.
No. 11 SMU vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio)
Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
This matchup promises high-octane offense, as both squads rank among the top 25 nationally in scoring. SMU enters the tournament seeking redemption after a difficult end to their ACC campaign. Despite losing their final four regular-season games, the Mustangs boast a potent offense averaging 84 points per game, led by the scoring duo of Kevin Miller and Jaron Pierre.
On the other side, Miami (Ohio) presents a fascinating case study. With a staggering 31-1 record, the RedHawks were the only undefeated team during the regular season. Though a stumble in the MAC tournament forced them to rely on an at-large bid, their offensive efficiency remains elite; they rank second in the country, trailing only Alabama, with an average of 90.2 points per game.
«Six different players average at least 10 points a game for the RedHawks, who collectively shoot 39% from three-point range,» note analysts.
The winner of this high-scoring clash will move on to face No. 6 Tennessee in the next round.