2021 College Basketball Tournament First Four: UCLA Bruins vs. Michigan State Spartans March 18, 2020 by Marc Jerbs

On Thursday, the 2021 College Basketball Tournament will officially start with 4 play-in matches, also known as the First Four.

Among the featured play-in match is between UCLA Bruins and Michigan State Spartans.

Tip-off is set 9:57PM ET at the Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Both teams are 11th seed in the East Regional bracket wherein the winner will next face 6th seed BYU on Saturday.

UCLA and Michigan State are both perennial power house teams that does not need any further introduction.

But this season, they did not qualify for an automatic bid and higher seeding due to their regular season performances.

The other Thursday's play-in games are Texas Southern against Mount St. Mary's, Drake against Wichita State and Appalachian State verses Norfolk State.

The sportsbook handicappers have installed Texas Southern, Drake, Appalachian State and Michigan State as the favorites to win over their respective opponents.