The Tar Heels delivered a message to their critics with an easy victory vs. the Aztecs on the first night of the NCAA Tournament

The First Four has been around since 2011 and features the last four automatic qualifiers and last four at-large bids playing to whittle the field from 68 to 64. This year will see two 16-seed vs. 16-seed matchups and two 11-seed vs. 11-seed matchups, but don’t write these games off because they involve double-digit seeds.

The First Four produced a thrilling finish in its opening game with Alabama State beating St. Francis 70-68 on a layup with a second left. That was followed with a dud when North Carolina, the tournament's most controversial team, absolutely blasted San Diego State to make the round of 64.

This NCAA basketball bonanza kicks off with the First Four Round – four games in each tournament to determine the final four teams in the Round of 64. It’s the last puzzle piece before the March Madness bracket is complete.

Who will win 2025 NCAA bracket? Our best men’s March Madness, Final Four predictions and picks are in for every game