SportsLine's model nailed 13 of the teams in the Sweet 16 last season and simulated the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket 10,000 times

But as the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Four schools will get that opportunity this year as they make their men's NCAA tournament debut appearances: the UC San Diego Tritons, SIU Edwardsville Cougars, Omaha Mavericks and High Point Panthers.

In the first game No. 16 St. Francis (PA) will square off with No. 16 Alabama State, with a trip to Kentucky to take on the top overall seed Auburn on the line. In the second game, No. 11 North Carolina — a surprising inclusion in the tournament — takes on No.