March Madness Bracket Revealed: UMBC Earns No. 16 seed, Plays Top Seed UVA
UMBC basketball will play in March Madness for the first time since 2008 against college basketball powerhouse Virginia Cavaliers.
The UMBC basketball Selection Show watch party shined in front of a national audience throughout TBS’ March Madness Selection Show as the Retrievers waited for the NCAA bracket announcement.
UMBC was among the first automatic qualifiers announced during the Selection Show and TBS broadcasted the Retrievers watch party as they celebrate their tournament berth.
"That team is fun to watch!" 👏
— America East (@AmericaEast) March 11, 2018
For the first time since 2008 @UMBC_MBB is going dancing!
🕺🐕🐾 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/FmSTPDMVny
As the south region bracket unveiled, UMBC learned their No. 16 seed in the NCCA tournament. The Retrievers will face the Virginia Cavaliers, who earned the top overall seed, on Friday, March 16 at 9:20 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte on TNT.
Despite being the last seed in their region, UMBC avoided the dreadful First Four play-in game on Tuesday featuring a pair of No. 16 seeds.
The Bracket: https://t.co/Jr1kdnP4HV #SelectionSunday pic.twitter.com/ynxB0hfOso
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 11, 2018
Even more, UMBC will remain on the East Coast and for some, in driving distance. A road trip of six hours and 43 minutes to be exact, per Google Maps.
Virginia basketball is enjoying one of the best seasons in program history, winning the ACC championship and finished the regular season atop the national rankings.
Defense is one of, if not, UVA’s biggest strength and ranks among the best in college basketball by not allowing a single opponent score more than 70 points.
The American East Conference champs will rely heavily on their star Jarius Lyles, who sunk a 3-pointer with less than a second remaining to upset Vermont. The senior is averaged 20.2 points including a career-best 38.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Next: UMBC Upsets Vermont, Advances to NCAA Tournament
A No. 16 seed has never beat a No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament history, so odds will remain low leading up to Friday’s game, but don’t doubt the 2017-18 Retrievers men’s basketball team as they look to make history.
UMBC is the only school locally in the state of Maryland to reach the NCAA tournament 2018.