Below is the schedule for today's games, as the final half of the Sweet 16 is determined.
REGION | GAME | VENUE | TIME | TV | ANNOUNCERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
South | Stanford Cardinal (10) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (2) | Scottrade Center (St. Louis, MO) | 1215p | CBS | Jim Nantz/Greg Anthony/Tracy Wolfson |
MidWest | Kentucky Wildcats (8) vs. Wichita State Shockers (1) | Scottrade Center (St. Louis, MO) | 245p | CBS | Jim Nantz/Greg Anthony/Tracy Wolfson |
East | North Carolina Tar Heels (6) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (3) | AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX) | 515p | CBS | Marv Albert/Steve Kerr/Craigh Sager |
MidWest | Mercer Bears (14) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (11) | PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC) | 610p | TNT | Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller/Rachel Nichols |
South | Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (12) vs. UCLA Bruins (4) | Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl (San Diego, CA) | 710p | TBS | Andrew Catalon/Mike Gminski/Otis Livingston |
West | Baylor Bears (6) vs. Creighton Bluejays (3) | AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX) | 745p | truTV | Marv Albert/Steve Kerr/Craigh Sager |
East | Memphis Tigers (8) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (1) | PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC) | 840p | TNT | Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller/Rachel Nichols |
West | Gonzaga Bulldogs (8) vs. Arizona Wildcats (1) | Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl (San Diego, CA) | 940p | TBS | Andrew Catalon/Mike Gminski/Otis Livingston |
A full day of games. I remember when the NCAA tournament's 2nd round was over by 7pm on Sunday. Let's take a look at each match-up.
Kansas-Stanford
Joel Embiid is still out for Kansas and the Jayhawks didn't have an easy time of it Friday against Eastern Kentucky. Stanford made surprisingly easy work of New Mexico. As the solo show in the early game, it's a good opportunity for Kansas's Andrew Wiggins to continue his climb back into top pick consideration in this year's NBA draft.
Wichita St-Kentucky
Game of the day, amirite? If WIchita can get through the Kentucky gauntlet, nobody will be able to take anything away from them. That's still a rather large IF though. Even if they manage to get through today, beating both Kentucky and Louisville in succession should almost get them a piece of the title anyway, even if they faltered afterward.
UNC-Iowa St
In what amounted to one of the sadder tales of the tourney, Iowa State lost key contributor Georges Niang to a broken foot toward the end of a game that was well in hand on Friday night. He had scored 24 points to lead the Cyclones to victory. UNC gutted out a win vs Providence and is the last ACC team remaining (yes, I'm ignoring UVA). I know there is a split camp out there between those value conference pride and those who value conference schadenfreude, so I'll let you guys fight it out. It's Roy Williams, so a Tar Heel loss would be just fine with me.
Mercer-Tennessee
This is a Volunteer team that beat UVA by 35. They have some horses. Mercer will always own a special place in my heart for beating Duke. The Vols may very well be eyeballing that final eight berth opposite Wichita St/Kentucky/Louisville, since I consider Michigan one of the weakest 2 seeds ever, especially considering the loss of McGary.
Stephen F Austin-UCLA
Everyone in the world is rooting for SFA. It's why there is still hope for the world.
Baylor-Creighton
McDermott the Elder guaranteed a victory. In what might be Baylor's least touted team in the past several years, they stand to make the biggest splash. High drama.
UVA-Memphis
UVA strangled Coastal Carolina after a shaky start. Just as expected. Memphis won fairly handily over a tough GW squad. They will give UVA all they can handle if they remain solid on the ball.
Gonzaga-Arizona
Familiar places for everyone. Both are familiar with the Sweet 16 out of the West Regional. This might be the game of the day, and it's last. So pace yourselves, it's a long day!