The NCAA Tournament starts Tuesday, March 17 with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. The opener is UMBC vs. Howard at 6:40 p.m. ET, followed by Texas vs. NC State at 9:15 p.m. ET. Both games air on truTV from UD Arena. If you want a welcome offer lined up for the first night of March Madness, theScore Bet promo code ACTNEWS gives new users a Bet Reset up to $1,000.
The basic idea is simple: make your first eligible wager, and if it loses, you get bonus funds back up to the qualifying limit. Just make sure you're physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, or Virginia. This offer is among the best printable March Madness bracket promos.
Why theScore Bet Offer Fits the First Four
The First Four is a good night for a reset-style promo because the whole slate is compact. You're not staring at 16 games and forcing action all afternoon. You get two nationally televised games, one early and one late, and that gives you a cleaner first-bet setup.
UMBC vs. Howard is the kind of opener where one run can flip everything fast. Texas vs. NC State, meanwhile, has the bigger-brand feel and the later standalone window. And, for a first wager, a lot of bettors would rather lock onto one game they can actually follow instead of spraying bets all over the board. That's where theScore Bet promo code ACTNEWS makes sense.
If your first read is right, great. If it's not, the reset cushions the miss and gives you bonus value back instead of turning your first March Madness bet into an immediate dead end.
First Four Betting Odds & Predictions for March 17
Texas vs. NC State Expert Pick: Over 159 (-110): Their first meeting in Maui ended in a 102–97 shootout, highlighting both teams’ high-powered offenses and struggles on defense. With Texas’ free-throw dominance and NC State’s rim-protection issues, this rematch again points to a high-scoring affair, making the over 159–162 the best play.
UMBC vs. Howard Expert Pick: UMBC -1 (-110): UMBC and Howard meet in a high-stakes 16-seed play-in, with both teams scorching hot—UMBC riding a 12-game winning streak and Howard 14-2 over its last 16. The Retrievers’ elite guard play, strong rebounding, and disciplined defense should neutralize Howard’s size and transition game, giving UMBC the edge to advance toward a matchup with Michigan.
How to claim theScore Bet Promo Code ACTNEWS
- Download theScore Bet app or head to the registration page.
- Create a new account and complete the required verification steps.
- Enter theScore Bet promo code ACTNEWS during sign-up.
- Make your first deposit.
- Place an eligible wager on an eligible game during the promotion period.
- If that first bet loses, you receive the reset in bonus funds up to $1,000.
Why today is the right time to use it
This is not some random Tuesday regular-season game wedged between bigger events. It's the first night of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The bracket is live, the standalone windows are clear, and both games are easy to track on one channel. If you were going to use a first-bet offer on college basketball, using the theScore Bet promo code ACTNEWS to do so on this specific match is a pretty clean landing spot.
Terms and Conditions
New users only, 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be physically present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, NC, OH, TN, and VA in order to wager. Players must sign up using a specified Promotion code and then place an Eligible Wager on an Eligible Game during the Promotion Period. Please Gamble Responsibly.
