After a day in which the NCAA tournament mostly followed form, with only a handful of upsets, we begin the day with 48 teams left in the tournament. By this time tomorrow, 16 more squads will pack it in for home. Today brings us another full slate of games to that end, with the usual overlap required to play that many games in 12 hours. Where should your eyes land, if you’re lucky enough to be home and preparing for St. Patrick’s Day?
Early Games
12:15 (11) Texas vs. (6) Cincinnati (CBS)
12:40 (11) NC State vs. (6) San Diego St. (tru TV)
1:40 (9) Alabama vs. (8) Creighton (TBS)
The Pick: Truthfully, all three of these games have the potential to go to the wire, though my money is on NC State and SD State to be the most entertaining of the bunch. Take a long lunch and just dive into the 12:40 tip, and keep an eye on the early game, just in case.
Mid-Day Games
2:10 (10) Virginia vs. (7) Florida (TNT)
2:45 (14) St. Bonaventure vs. (3) Florida St. (CBS)
3:10 (14) Belmont vs. (3) Georgetown (tru TV)
4:10 (16) Vermont vs. (1) North Carolina (TBS)
4:40 (15) Norfolk St. vs. (2) Missouri (TNT)
The Pick: Wow. Just wow. Unless Alabama vs. Creighton turns into a second half barn-burner, you’re stuck with one of these. Virginia vs. Florida is a perfect example of the committee putting way too many power conference schools in the tournament. There’s certainly some other mid-majors our there who are just as good, and probably a good deal less boring. You’re best bet here is to go with St. Bonaventure and Florida St. and hope that Bonaventure shoots the lights out to keep a physical FSU team at bay. Then again, Georgetown likes to flame out in the tournament, maybe it’ll happy early this year against a scrappy Belmont squad. Or, go to happy hour-you know, the one where that cute girl bartender works the back bar with no TVs.
After Dinner Games:
6:50 (9) St. Louis vs. (8) Memphis (TBS)
7:15 (15) Lehigh vs. (2) Duke (CBS)
7:20 (13) Ohio vs. (4) Michigan (TNT)
7:27 (10) Purdue vs. (7) St. Mary’s (tru TV)
The Pick: True story-people from Ohio and Michigan like to talk a lot of trash to each other, and not always in good spirits. It’s also a fact that Michigan belongs as a four seed about as much as I belong in the NBA. OU is a veteran, tough team that’s going to give them fits, and it will be fun to watch because, really, who likes Michigan?
Late Games:
9:20 (16) Long Island/Brooklyn vs. (1) Michigan St. (TBS)
9:45 (10) Xavier vs. (7) Notre Dame (CBS)
9:50 (12) South Florida vs. (5) Temple (TNT)
9:57 (15) Detroit vs. (2) Kansas (tru TV)
The Pick: There’s only one thing better than watching Duke lose-watching Notre Dame lose. Make an appointment to enjoy that at 9:45 tonight. Keep an eye on USF/Temple, as we’re still due another 12-5 upset.
As always, feel free to use this space to yap about your team, your bracket, or how much you hate Michigan/Notre Dame/Duke.
