NCAA Event: What to observe in Sunday’s slate of March Insanity video games
Whereas the lads’s NCAA Event might have been mild on first-round upsets, the upshot is the second spherical is full of matchups between prime groups. All of the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds taking part in Sunday are nonetheless alive as colleges battle for a spot within the Candy 16.
Right here’s a rundown of the upcoming second-round motion.
No. 8 Connecticut vs. No. 1 Florida (12:10 p.m. ET)
The Gators (-9.5 unfold in line with BetMGM) are a substantial favourite towards the Huskies. Each of those groups excel at slowing down opposing offenses, specifically Florida, which held opponents to solely 40% capturing within the common season. Connecticut will even have to seek out a solution for Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr., a Naismith Trophy semifinalist who can rack up factors in a rush.
No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 1 Duke (2:40 p.m. ET)
This might be an thrilling matchup for followers who even have a watch on the NBA Draft. There are a number of gamers on this sport who’re projected to be chosen as excessive as the highest 10 come June, together with Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, and Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe. The showdown between Flagg and Edgecombe is particularly tantalizing, as Flagg is the consensus prime participant in school whereas Edgecombe is extensively thought-about to be the fourth-best professional prospect. Will the Bears have sufficient firepower exterior of Edgecombe to maintain up with the Blue Devils?
No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 3 Kentucky (5:15 p.m. ET)
The Preventing Illini are barely favored on this contest regardless of coming into because the decrease seed. This initiatives to be a detailed sport, because the groups are fairly evenly matched, particularly on the offensive finish. The Wildcats completed the common season ranked twelfth in adjusted offensive effectivity, whereas Illinois completed thirteenth. Each squads are coming off double-digit wins within the opening spherical.
No. 7 St. Mary’s vs. No. 2 Alabama (6:10 p.m. ET)
Are the Crimson Tide primed for an upset? Or did they study their lesson after the primary spherical? Alabama was on upset watch towards No. 15 Robert Morris within the first spherical, trailing deep within the second half earlier than finally pulling away. St. Mary’s, to be honest, had its personal challenges to start out the event, eeking out a three-point win towards Vanderbilt. The massive problem for the Gaels on this one might be attempting to decelerate Crimson Tide senior guard Mark Sears, an skilled scorer who received’t be afraid of the second.
No. 12 Colorado State vs. No. 4 Maryland (7:10 p.m. ET)
The Rams upset the Memphis Tigers to tip off the tourney, and now face a Terrapins workforce that was 11-1 in non-conference play within the common season. The stress level on this matchup might be if Colorado State can drag Maryland down into the mud. The Terrapins have been a lot better offensively this season, averaging 81.6 factors per sport in comparison with the Rams’ 67.2.
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Iowa State (7:45 p.m. ET)
The Cyclones enter this sport coming off a very dominant efficiency within the Spherical of 64, defeating Lipscomb 82-55, the place because the Rebels needed to maintain off a late comeback try from North Carolina. Iowa State misplaced solely as soon as to a non-conference opponent this season, and its offense is extra finely tuned operation in comparison with Ole Miss. The Cyclones scored extra, assisted extra, and have been extra environment friendly than the Rebels main as much as the event.
No. 10 New Mexico vs. No. 2 Michigan State (8:40 p.m. ET)
This might be a conflict of kinds within the second spherical. The Lobos need to play quick and power opponents right into a shootout. The Spartans, conversely, convey nearly a Huge Ten-football mentality to the court docket, attempting to stilt the circulate of the sport by defending and rebounding nicely. Michigan State is the extra gifted workforce and might be considerably favored, however New Mexico could have an opportunity if it will probably ratchet up the tempo of the sport.
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Arizona (9:40 p.m. ET)
The previous Pac-12 foes (RIP) will face off Sunday as non-conference opponents, with the Geese now members of the Huge Ten and the Wildcats representing the Huge 12. Each groups are coming off large wins within the opening spherical. Arizona is barely favored on this one, thanks largely to its one-two punch of Caleb Love and Jaden Bradley within the backcourt. Oregon will doubtless want a diverse, balanced offensive assault to tug off the upset.
