First-time matchups in 2026 NCAA Division I men’s opening round

Posted on Posted in Big Ten, Dartmouth Big Green, ECAC, Michigan State Spartans, Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, NCHC, Penn State Nittany Lions, Wisconsin Badgers
First-time matchups in 2026 NCAA Division I men’s opening round

There are three first-time matchups in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA Division I men’s tournament. All three of the games involve teams from the Big Ten. And both games that will kick off the Worcester Regional include first-time matchups. It isn’t a huge surprise that one of these three games involves Penn State as that Division I program began 14 years ago – making it a young program compared to quite a few others in the field. The surprise is the Wisconsin versus Dartmouth game. These are two teams that have each been around for more than 100 years. Wisconsin began hockey in 1921 while Dartmouth was a pioneer of the sport back in 1905. Looking back, the three games this season are the most first-time games in the men’s opening round since we saw the same amount in 2021. The three games this year include:

  • Connecticut versus Michigan State (Worcester Regional)
  • Wisconsin versus Dartmouth (Worcester Regional)
  • Penn State versus Minnesota Duluth (Albany Regional)