March 17, 2026, 9:37 p.m. ET
Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale have been a part of truTV‘s broadcast crew for the second sport of Tuesday’s First Four within the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament.
Prior to tip-off of NC State vs. Texas, Barkley joined the studio crew that included Jalen Rose, Bruce Pearl and Jamal Mashburn.
Barkley was requested about his favourite for this 12 months’s March Madness, which devolved right into a stream of consciousness.
“This is the Arizona ass-kicking Invitational, and we’re accepting all challenges,” Barkley mentioned.
“Listen, Michigan has a great team. I love coach (Dusty) May, I think that (LJ Cason) injury might hurt them a little bit. I think the injuries are going to hurt Duke. Now you could have gone back and forth between UConn and Florida, who is at No. 1 seed.
“Obviously I feel St. John’s got screwed a bit of bit within the seeding,” Barkley added.
“And I’m going to make one factor completely clear: Miami Ohio got screwed, too. They needs to be the next seed. They went 31-0, and I do know my man Bruce Pearl, who I like, disagrees with me. I’m not a giant proponent of energy of schedule. It’s not their fault everybody of their convention sucks. They solely performed the schedule they have been dealt. They needs to be in the primary draw. And I do not often root for groups aside from Auburn to be sincere with you, however I’m rooting for Miami Ohio to advance on this event.”
Miami performs in Wednesday’s First Four towards SMU.
