RealGM Wiretap
The madness officially begins at the University of Dayton Arena tomorrow night as the #16 seed UMBC Retrievers take on the #16 seed Howard Bison in the NCAA First Four. With a ticket to the field of 64 and a date with #1 seed Michigan on the line, this clash of mid-major champions is the ultimate high-stakes opener to the Big Dance.
The UMBC Retrievers (24-8) arrive in Dayton on a program-record 12-game winning streak after clinching the America East title with a dominant 74-59 win over Vermont. Led by head coach Jim Ferry, the "Dawgs" are powered by DJ Armstrong Jr., who exploded for 33 points in the conference final, and First Team selection Jah'Likai King (13.9 PPG). UMBC ranks among the nation's best in taking care of the ball, averaging just 9.6 turnovers per game.
The Howard Bison (23-10), meanwhile, secured their third MEAC championship in four years under coach Kenneth Blakeney. Howard is led by MEAC Player of the Year Bryce Harris (17.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG) and Defensive Player of the Year Cedric Taylor III. With both squads entering the tournament as the hottest teams in their respective regions, tomorrow’s matchup promises a high-tempo battle between two programs hungry for a signature March moment.
How to watch UMBC vs Howard
Tomorrow's NCAA Tournament play-in game will be broadcast nationally on truTV, with a live stream available via March Madness Live and major streaming platforms.
How to watch UMBC vs Howard with Sling TV
To watch tomorrow's First Four matchup, fans can utilize Sling TV, which offers the most flexible and affordable way to catch truTV, TBS, and TNT throughout the NCAA Tournament.
Sling TV: The premier choice for March Madness cord-cutters. Sling Blue provides high-definition access to truTV, ensuring you don’t miss any of the Bison and Retrievers' battle. With the current one-day pass option, it is the perfect tool for fans following the First Four action in Dayton.
March Madness Live: While the service requires a cable or streaming login for most broadcasts, you can use your Sling TV credentials to authenticate the app and watch on the go.
How much is it to watch March Madness with Sling TV
- March Madness Kickoff - Monthly Focus
50% off Sling Orange + Blue Combo ($29.99) - Great to kick off the first few games, will include ESPN, TNT, USA and all the networks to watch the tournament
Sweet 16 and Beyond - Passes - 1 Day Pass ($4.99) - Great for catching a game you didn't expect to want to see, filling in gaps in a customer's existing streamer coverage, or watching on the go.
- 3 Day Pass ($9.99) - Great for catching a full weekend of games without locking into more time or recurring bills
