Raise your hand if this is one of the most fun NCAA Tournaments in recent memory. There have been great games throughout both days, now will things settle down and we'll see the higher seeds take care of business?
Below is the list of games and what channel you can expect to find the games.
REGION | GAME | VENUE | TIME (EST) | TV | ANNOUNCERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
South | Pittsburgh Panthers (9) vs. Florida Gators (1) | Amway Center (Orlando, FL) | 1215p | CBS | Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Kristine Leahy |
MidWest | Saint Louis Billikens (5) vs. Louisville Cardinals (4) | Amway Center (Orlando, FL) | 245p | CBS | Anderson/Bonner//Leahy) |
MidWest | Texas Longhorns (7) vs. Michigan Wolverines (2) | BMO Harris Bradley Center (Milwaukee, WI) | 515p | CBS | Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Lewis Johnson |
West | North Dakota State Bison (12) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (4) | Spokane Memorial Arena (Spokane, WA) | 610p | TNT | Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jaime Maggio |
South | Dayton Flyers (11) vs. Syracuse Orange (3) | First Niagara Center (Buffalo, NY) | 710p | TBS | Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Allie LaForce |
West | Oregon Ducks (7) vs. Wisconsin Badgers (2) | BMO Harris Bradley Center (Milwaukee, WI) | 745p | CBS | Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Lewis Johnson |
East | Harvard Crimson (12) vs. Michigan State Spartans (4) | Spokane Memorial Arena (Spokane, WA) | 840p | TNT | Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jaime Maggio |
East | Connecticut Huskies (7) vs. Villanova Wildcats (2) | First Niagara Center (Buffalo, NY) | 940p | TBS | Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Allie LaForce |
Potential Upsets
I think of today's eight games, I'm only looking at one upset that I like. Pitt was dominant in their round 1 game while Florida struggled, but I think Billy Donovan will have his Gators ready to dominate today. I could see Oregon giving Wisconsin a run but I just don't think it will happen.
(4) San Diego State vs (12) North Dakota State - This is the one game I see where a double-digit seed advances to the second weekend. NDSU beat Oklahoma whilst their best player had a bad game and I have no doubt they will play this game with the confidence that they are very capable of winning.
Best Games to Watch
Is all of them an acceptable answer? I don't really think there are any outstanding games on today's docket but they could all be decent. I think a lot of these games could either be great games or duds with little in between. Dayton might give Syracuse a run or get run. Oregon might make shots and beat Wisconsin or the Badgers would win by 20. Even Pitt might stay hot and if Florida struggles again they could be the first 1-seed to go down; or the Gators will destroy Pitt to right their ship.
(7) Connecticut vs. (2) Villanova - I'm not exactly sold on UConn, but I'm not in love with Nova either. I like this Big East (the real, "old" Big East) match-up has some intrigue. Both are good programs who know each other well and it should make for a good game.
I do think the Saint Louis and Louisville game may be the worst of the day. The Billikens will try to grind the game to a halt but I think Louisville will overwhelm them.
Big Ten
After Iowa, Ohio State and Nebraska disappointed the conference I think our prestige can be restored after we go 3-0 today. (but would anybody really be sad to see Bo Ryan lose today?) I think Michigan and Michigan State will both make deep runs, perhaps both to the Final Four, but it was disappointing to see those three losses in round 1 and the play-in game.
Bourbon and Basketball Night
I got friends coming over to watch basketball tonight and the bourbon collection will be out. I'm excited about both.