NCAA Tournament: Things to note in Manhattan vs. Hampton

The first game of the NCAA tournament tips off later this evening in a first four matchup of Manhattan verses Hampton. Why is this game in particular important enough to write an article on? If you are bracket aware, then you’ll know that the winner of this 16 seeded game will take on the touted overall number one seed, Kentucky.

To this day a sixteen seed has yet to attain the upset over a one seed squad, but the feat has came close multiple times. Including a few years ago when WKU led number one Kansas by one at the half, and ended up losing that game by seven.

Today’s game between the Jaspers of Manhattan and the Pirates of Hampton will officially begin the road to Indy for the 68 teams that dream of going to the Final Four.

The Jaspers come in with an RPI of 169, while also having won nine of their last twelve. Manhattan comes into today’s game with a neutral site record of 5-2, while also boasting an 18-5 record of sub 150 RPI teams. Which includes their counterpart for the evening, the Pirates with an RPI of 255.

Hampton is the lone team in the field of 68 that has a losing record (16-17), despite that fact, the Pirates have been able to go 5-0 when playing on a neutral court. They, like Manhattan, have faired well in their last 12 outings, going 8-4. This outing in the NCAA tourney makes their 4th visit to the big dance, slightly less than the Jaspers who will make their 8th appearance this evening.

As far as predictions go, all eyes tend to look at the Jaspers to win this one and to face Kentucky in Louisville for the late game on Thursday, but who knows, we now begin the heat of March Madness.

The fight to play the unblemished Wildcats tips off tonight at 6:40 ET on TruTV.