2023 March Madness: Men’s Midwest Region Tournament Schedule, Analysis and Predictions

No. 1 seed Houston highlights the Midwest region of the men’s bracket.

With Selection Sunday out of the way, the 2023 men’s edition of March Madness is set to begin Tuesday with the First Four before a full slate of games tips off Thursday.

In the Midwest Region, No. 1 Houston highlights the bracket after a 31–3 season and an American Athletic Conference title. The Cougars will tip off Thursday against No. 16 Northern Kentucky as they try to make a Final Four run under coach Kelvin Sampson.

Below is the entire first-round schedule for the Midwest Region:

First Four

Teams: No. 11 Mississippi State (21–12) vs. No. 11 Pittsburgh (22–11)

Game Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Game Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
Game Location: UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio
TV: truTV

First Round

Teams: No. 16 Northern Kentucky (22–12) vs. No. 1 Houston (31–3)

Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 9:20 p.m. ET
Game Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
TV: TNT

Teams: No. 8 Iowa (19–13) vs. No. 9 Auburn (20–12)

Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
Game Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama
TV: TNT

Teams: No. 5 Miami (25–7) vs. No. 12 Drake (27–7)

Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Game Location: MVP Arena in Albany, NY
TV: TBS

Teams: No. 4 Indiana (22–11) vs. No. 13 Kent State (28–6)

Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 9:55 p.m. ET
Game Location: MVP Arena in Albany, NY
TV: TBS

Teams: No. 6 Iowa State (19–13) vs. No. 11 Mississippi State (21–12)/Pittsburgh (22-11)

Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Game Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
TV: truTV

Teams: No. 3 Xavier (25–9) vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (26–8)

Game Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Game Time: 12:40 p.m. ET
Game Location: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
TV: truTV

Teams: No. 7 Texas A&M (25–9) vs. No. 10 Penn State (22–13)

Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 9:55 p.m. ET
Game Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
TV: TBS

Teams: No. 2 Texas (26–8) vs. No. 15 Colgate (26–8)

Game Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Game Time: 7:25 p.m. ET
Game Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
TV: TBS

Pat Forde’s Analysis, Predictions

Matchup to watch: This region is rife with interesting early matchups, including Indiana taking on a Kent State team coached by Rob Senderoff, who was penalized for NCAA violations that occurred while he was an assistant to Kelvin Sampson at … Indiana. But the thing that jumps off the page is No. 9 seed Auburn getting preferential geographic treatment in Birmingham. That’s a disadvantage to first-round opponent Iowa, and potentially to No. 1 seed Houston in the second round. Questionable work there by the selection committee.

Player to watch: Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis is a first-team All-American and double-double machine who has carried the Hoosiers during his senior year. In his past four games, Jackson-Davis has averaged 25.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He’s got a talented sidekick in freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, but Indiana’s tourney existence will largely depend on how far TJD can take it.

Upset watch: Fifth seed Miami is vulnerable against No. 12 Drake, which is a veteran team that has some athleticism on the perimeter and size in the middle. Miami has had some glaring lapses in focus this season, and this would be the wrong opponent  against which to have let down. The Hurricanes’ best interior player, Norchad Omier, injured an ankle in the ACC tournament.

Regional winner: Texas.