“The women players are kicking the men’s butts”

The GIST: And they’re off. As you read, March Madness is underway after last night’s opening men’s First Four action, with two more games and the tip-off of the women’s First Four fun on deck tonight.

The context: The First Four features eight squads (the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams) duking it out for spots in the official 64-team men’s and women’s tourneys.

• A fun fact? First Four squads historically fare well in March Madness. Two First Four men’s squads — the 2011 VCU team and 2021 UCLA team — have advanced to the Final Four. Never say die.

Men’s: Wagner earned a No. 16 seed with their first-ever March Madness win, defeating Howard 71–68 last night, while Colorado State nabbed a No. 10 seed by throttling Virginia 67–42.

• Now March Madness begins in earnest for both teams tomorrow: Wagner has a date with No. 1 seed UNC at 2:45 p.m. ET, while Colorado State faces No. 7 seed Texas at 6:50 p.m. ET.

• But before that, there are two more men’s First Four games. Grambling State battles Montana State for a No. 16 seed tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET, before Pac-12 tourney runners-up Colorado plays Boise State at 9:10 p.m. ET with a No. 10 seed on the line.

Women’s: The women’s First Four begins with tonight’s 7 p.m. ET No. 16 seed battle between Sacred Heart and March Madness first-timer Presbyterian. Then all eyes will be on the 9 p.m. ET fight for a No. 12 seed between Vanderbilt and Cinderella story Columbia, who are led by inspiring senior Abbey Hsu (pronounced SHOO).

• And last but not least, the First Four rounds out tomorrow with No. 11 seeds Auburn and familiar March Madness face Arizona battling at 7 p.m. ET, and No. 16 seeds Holy Cross and UT Martin at 9 p.m. ET. All the hoops, please.

⚾ MLB Seoul Series: LA Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres — Today and tomorrow at 6:05 a.m. ET — TSN4/5

• Both new-look squads are taking over baseball-crazed South Korea to jump-start the 2024 season. From $700M man Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers debut to the expected electric atmosphere in Seoul, these matchups will be well worth the early wakeup call.

🏒 PWHL: Boston vs. Toronto — Tonight at 7 p.m. ET — TSN3

• First-place Toronto is clearly in their winning era, hoping to extend their league-best 10-game win streak against middle-of-the-pack Boston.

🏀 NBA: Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — TSN4

• The Raptors need to channel that winning Six energy when they try to snap their seven-game losing skid and claim the crown from the Kings.

⛳ LPGA: FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship — Tomorrow through Sunday — Golf Channel

• The tour is back in the U.S. for the next four months, kicking off with this star-studded four-day event in Hollywood, hosted by South Korean and World Golf Hall of Famer Pak. Lights, camera, action.

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