For New England college hockey fans, this is a special NCAA Tournament. Of the 16 teams that will begin play this week, eight hail from the six-state region, including four Massachusetts schools.

UMass will head to Fargo, North Dakota where they’ll meet Minnesota, the same team that bounced them from the 2022 Tournament on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Western Michigan and Minn-Mankato are also in Fargo.

As the sports broadcasters filled out their NCAA Men’s Tournament bracket, Smith picked his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, to take the championship despite its unfavorability. “Are you serious?

Maine, the Hockey East tournament champion, will play in Allentown, Pa. BC will play in Manchester, N.H. on Thursday; and BU will play in Toledo, Ohio.

NCAA men's hockey tournament is set, with the 16-team bracket in place and all roads leading to the Frozen Four in St. Louis. Regional play begins Thursday, with regional finals Saturday and Sunday, and the Frozen Four will be in St.

UConn made the 16-team NCAA Tournament field for the first time. The Huskies and perennial title contender Quinnipiac both go to Allentown.