The stakes get larger with each passing spherical, and Saturday’s slate of games has the possibility to be one of many highlights of the men’s NCAA Tournament.
Saturday’s winners earn a spot within the Sweet 16, and the eight video games characteristic some of the best teams and gamers in school basketball. Three No. 1 seeds are in action, and the spotlight is on first-team All-Americans Jalen Wilson of Kansas and Alabama ahead Brandon Miller, and doubtlessly Houston’s do-everything guard Marcus Sasser.
Here’s the list of Saturday’s eight games ranked by how watchable they are.
No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 5 Duke
Time/TV: 2:40 p.m. ET, CBS
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A matchup of the 2 highest seeds of the day, the Blue Devils are taking half in their best basketball of the season, having rolled by way of the ACC Tournament and dispatching their first-round opponent Oral Roberts with relative ease, upping their successful streak to 10. But this recreation shall be predicated on defense.
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Tennessee is succesful of maintaining the rating low, but it additionally must restrict Duke heart Kyle Filipowski from dominating within the paint if the Vols wish to advance. The Volunteers ranked third in the NCAA in scoring protection, second in field-goal percentage protection and first in three-point percentage protection. Look for maximum television publicity, particularly among Duke haters if the Blue Devils find themselves down late.
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 8 Maryland
Time/TV: 9:40 p.m., TBS
There is little doubt all eyes might be on Miller, not only because he has been in the information these days, but in addition because he played 19 minutes in the Crimson Tide’s opening-round victory over Texas A&M Corpus-Christi and had a goose egg in the scoring column. Maryland will need another massive game from Julian Reese, who led the Terps with 17 factors, 9 rebounds and three blocks of their win over West Virginia. If Alabama performs its A-game, this one can get out of hand early.
No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 15 Princeton
Time/TV: 6:10 p.m., TNT
Style of play generally matters, particularly watching school basketball, but this matchup in the battle of the Tigers is intriguing because of the seeds concerned. Princeton is trying to turn out to be just the fourth No. 15 to make it past the second spherical, however in case you are on the lookout for offensive fireworks, there are much better choices. Princeton can bog opponents down with its deliberate tempo of play, however Missouri has excellent offensive expertise in Kobe Brown and D’Moi Hodge that may make that a moot level if the Tigers get rolling as they did in the second half in opposition to Utah State.
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 8 Arkansas
Time/TV: 5:15 p.m., CBS
Arkansas is taking part in a No. 1 seed for the third straight NCAA Tournament, and as much good as there was against Illinois, the way the Razorbacks shot the ball merely won’t work in opposition to Kansas. The Jayhawks had no issues with Howard within the first spherical, even without head coach Bill Self, who is still recovering from a medical problem that caused him to overlook the Big 12 Tournament.
To have a chance, Arkansas must push the tempo to get simple buckets, forcing the Jayhawks to defend in a way where the Razorbacks get open three-point seems. Both groups have the potential of scoring into the 80s.
No. 1 Houston vs. No. 9 Auburn
Time/TV: 7:10 p.m., TBS
The health of Sasser is the largest concern for Houston. Sasser left the first-round game after solely 14 minutes in opposition to Northern Kentucky after re-injuring his groin, leaving the Cougars seeking changing his offensive manufacturing. The Norse shot 28% and solely misplaced by 11, which shows you Houston had points putting them away.
Houston’s calling card is on the defensive finish, especially in opposition to guarding the three-point line, and Auburn is totally atrocious from deep. This is about Sasser’s availability. If he performs and is even a little bit effective, Houston wins simply. But the sportsbooks are sniffing around and giving Auburn a puncher’s probability, which makes for an intriguing prime-time matchup.
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 7 Northwestern
Time/TV: 8:40 p.m., TNT
The Bruins have the talent to cut down the nets in Houston, and the greatest way they go about their business lets you know they are well-coached and won’t self-implode. They additionally could not care much less about three-point shooting and will merely put on you down on protection. Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell lead a balanced Bruins assault and freshman ahead Adem Bona could return from a shoulder damage.
Northwestern doesn’t make mistakes, averaging less than 10 turnovers per game, however UCLA comes into the game ranked second in the nation in turnover margin, so one thing has to provide. The Wildcats want to leap on UCLA early to have a shot at an upset, however that’s simpler stated than carried out.
No. 2 Texas vs. No. 10 Penn State
Time/TV: 7:45 p.m., CBS
A popular sleeper pick to reach the Final Four, Texas is using excessive following its Big 12 championship and carried that momentum into a straightforward win in opposition to Colgate. Marcus Carr and Sir’Jabari Rice, who made seven three-pointers within the first round, lead the offensive expertise.
Penn State is one of the greatest three-point capturing teams within the nation (39% from 3-point range with 13 threes vs. Texas A&M). The Nittany Lions are one of many worst offensive rebounding teams in the nation, so if they aren’t constantly hitting photographs, the Longhorns – buoyed by a deep bench – will run them out of the fitness center.
No. 5 San Diego State vs. No. 13 Furman
Time/TV: 12:10 p.m., CBS
Nothing in opposition to the 2 groups involved, however there isn’t a doubt individuals are going to tune in largely as a result of it’s the first game of the day. Furman beat Virginia on a late 3-pointer by JP Pegues with 2.2 seconds left preceded by an all-time blunder by Cavaliers guard Kihei Clark. The Paladins characteristic balanced scoring with 4 starters who average in double digits.
San Diego State was stingy on the defensive finish in its win against Charleston, holding the Cougars to 32% shooting. The Aztecs weren’t significantly better at capturing, however this sport may turn right into a bore-fest if the groups can’t put the ball within the basket.
Follow Scooby Axson on Twitter @ScoobAxson
