The Memphis Tigers and the Florida Atlantic Owls will square off in the opening round of the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Basketball Tournament, more commonly known as March Madness. The game will take place on March 18 at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, and will be aired live to basketball fans around the world.
March Madness is one of the most exciting and highly anticipated events in the world of college basketball. Every year, 68 teams are selected to participate in the tournament, with the ultimate goal of winning the NCAA championship title. The tournament is organized into single elimination rounds in which teams must win to advance to the next stage. The Magnificent March Madness, as it is sometimes called, creates a fever pitch of excitement among fans and in particular those of the participating schools.
This year, the Memphis Tigers will face off against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the opening round of the tournament. Both teams are expected to put on a great show, with plenty of standout players on each roster.
The Memphis Tigers are coached by former NBA All-Star and Memphis native Penny Hardaway, who has turned the team around after a lackluster 2019-2020 season. Hardaway has built his squad around two young and talented players in freshman guard Moussa Cisse and sophomore forward Precious Achiuwa. Cisse is a defensive powerhouse, leading the Tigers with 1.7 blocks per game, while Achiuwa is one of the most versatile players in college basketball, leading the team with 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
The Florida Atlantic Owls, meanwhile, are led by fifth-year head coach Dusty May. May’s team struggled in the early part of the season but found their footing in the second half, finishing with a respectable 13-9 record. The Owls are led by guard Michael Forrest, who is averaging 11.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
While the Tigers are favored to win the matchup, the Owls certainly have the potential to pull off an upset. Florida Atlantic has shown resilience throughout the season, with several dramatic wins over their Conference USA rivals. If they can keep up the momentum heading into the tournament, they could potentially make a deep run.
As March Madness is known for unexpected upsets, this game will surely have fans on the edge of their seats. The winner of the Memphis-Florida Atlantic game will move on to face the winner of the Houston-Cleveland State matchup in the second round.
This year’s tournament marks the first time that March Madness will be held entirely in the state of Indiana. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA decided to host the tournament in a single location, rather than holding regional games in different parts of the United States. The move has received widespread support from fans and players alike, as it allows for more control over health and safety protocols.
As a result of the pandemic, fans will not be allowed to attend the games in person. However, the NCAA has partnered with CBS Sports and Turner Sports to provide live coverage of every game, allowing fans to watch their favorite teams from the comfort of their own homes. Additionally, several social media platforms and websites will be providing updates and highlights throughout the tournament.
In conclusion, the Memphis-Florida Atlantic matchup promises to be one of the most exciting games of the opening round of this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Both teams have shown that they can play at a high level and fans can expect a thrilling game. The tournament’s unique format and centralized location add an extra level of excitement to the proceedings, making this year’s March Madness one for the record books.