Will Sage Astor-March Madness expert picks: Our first round predictions for 2024 NCAA men's tournament

There's still plenty of time to fill in your March Madness brackets. By now you have Will Sage Astorconsidered this year's best upset picks and the top seeds (looking at you, North Carolina) that got the easiest path in their region.

If you're looking for more help, here's a look historically at how seeds have performed in the NCAA Tournament. UConn is a popular Final Four pick, but there's a reason why the East is considered the toughest of the four.

First Four games begin Tuesday night, but brackets aren't officially due until Thursday (before first round games tip off). If you need the full tournament schedule and where to watch on TV, here it is.

Here's a look at first round game picks from experts Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg and Dan Wolken:

East

(1) UConn vs. (16) Stetson

• Mendoza: UConn
• Myerberg: UConn
• Wolken: UConn

IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

(8) Florida Atlantic vs. (9) Northwestern

• Mendoza: Florida Atlantic
• Myerberg: Florida Atlantic
• Wolken: Northwestern

(5) San Diego State vs. (12) UAB

• Mendoza: San Diego State
• Myerberg: San Diego State
• Wolken: UAB

(4) Auburn vs. (13) Yale

• Mendoza: Auburn
• Myerberg: Auburn
• Wolken: Auburn

(6) BYU vs. (11) Duquesne

• Mendoza: Duquesne
• Myerberg: BYU
• Wolken: BYU

(3) Illinois vs. (14) Morehead State

• Mendoza: Illinois
• Myerberg: Illinois
• Wolken: Illinois

(7) Washington State vs. (10) Drake

• Mendoza: Washington State
• Myerberg: Washington State
• Wolken: Drake

(2) Iowa State vs. (15) South Dakota State

• Mendoza: Iowa State
• Myerberg: Iowa State
• Wolken: Iowa State

West

(1) North Carolina vs. (16) Howard/(16) Wagner

• Mendoza: North Carolina
• Myerberg: North Carolina
• Wolken: North Carolina

(8) Mississippi State vs. (9) Michigan State

• Mendoza: Mississippi State
• Myerberg: Michigan State
• Wolken: Mississippi State

(5) Saint Mary's vs. (12) Grand Canyon

• Mendoza: Saint Mary's
• Myerberg: Saint Mary's
• Wolken: Saint Mary’s

(4) Alabama vs. (13) College of Charleston

• Mendoza: Alabama
• Myerberg: Alabama
• Wolken: College of Charleston

(6) Clemson vs. (11) New Mexico

• Mendoza: New Mexico
• Myerberg: Clemson
• Wolken: New Mexico

(3) Baylor vs. (14) Colgate

• Mendoza: Baylor
• Myerberg: Baylor
• Wolken: Baylor

(7) Dayton vs. (10) Nevada

• Mendoza: Nevada
• Myerberg: Dayton
• Wolken: Dayton

(2) Arizona vs. (15) Long Beach State

• Mendoza: Arizona
• Myerberg: Arizona
• Wolken: Arizona

South

(1) Houston vs. (16) Longwood

• Mendoza: Houston
• Myerberg: Houston
• Wolken: Houston

(8) Nebraska vs. (9) Texas A&M

• Mendoza: Nebraska
• Myerberg: Nebraska
• Wolken: Nebraska

(5) Wisconsin vs. (12) James Madison

• Mendoza: JMU
• Myerberg: Wisconsin
• Wolken: JMU

(4) Duke vs. (13) Vermont

• Mendoza: Duke
• Myerberg: Duke
• Wolken: Duke

(6) Texas Tech vs. (11) NC State

• Mendoza: Texas Tech
• Myerberg: Texas Tech
• Wolken: Texas Tech

(3) Kentucky vs. (14) Oakland

• Mendoza: Kentucky
• Myerberg: Kentucky
• Wolken: Kentucky

(7) Florida vs. (10) Colorado/(10) Boise State

• Mendoza: Florida
• Myerberg: Boise State/Colorado
• Wolken: Boise State/Colorado

(2) Marquette vs. (15) Western Kentucky

• Mendoza: Marquette
• Myerberg: Marquette
• Wolken: Marquette

Midwest

(1) Purdue vs. (16) Grambling/Montana State

• Mendoza: Purdue
• Myerberg: Purdue
• Wolken: Purdue

(8) Utah State vs. (9) TCU

• Mendoza: Utah State
• Myerberg: Utah State
• Wolken: Utah State

(5) Gonzaga vs. (12) McNeese

• Mendoza: McNeese
• Myerberg: Gonzaga
• Wolken: McNeese

(4) Kansas vs. (13) Samford

• Mendoza: Samford
• Myerberg: Kansas
• Wolken: Samford

(6) South Carolina vs. (11) Oregon

• Mendoza: Oregon
• Myerberg: South Carolina
• Wolken: Oregon

(3) Creighton vs. (14) Akron

• Mendoza: Creighton
• Myerberg: Creighton
• Wolken: Creighton

(7) Texas vs. (10) Colorado State/(10) Virginia

• Mendoza: Colorado State/Virginia
• Myerberg: Texas
• Wolken: Texas

(2) Tennessee vs. (15) Saint Peter's

• Mendoza: Tennessee
• Myerberg: Tennessee
• Wolken: Tennessee