Here’s the post’s guide to some of Monday’s best NCAA tournament games:
(() Oregon vs. (2) Iowa
At 12:15, CBS
After getting an unprecedented free pass in the round of 32, how would Oregon fare against an Iowa team with a game already under their belt? As usual with Iowa, slowing down Luca Garza will be important, but fortunately if the contenders of the year are shooting from the outside, as they did in the first round of the Hawkeyes in the Grand Canyon (4-for-5) 3-pointers won).
(8) Oklahoma vs. (1) Gonzaga
2:40 pm, CBS
“Finally, Gonzaga against a power conference program that might expose them.” not so fast. The Zags were already tested by Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Iowa and Virginia in their non-conference slate – and they passed with flying colors. Oklahoma managed to top Missouri without number-two leading scorer Davion Harmon (COVID), but the prospect of a shorthand sunners squad is not much of a threat to Gonzaga.
(13) Ohio vs. (5) Crayton
6:10 pm, TNT
Ohio’s Jason Preston has gone from NBA blogger to the story of March Madness, and the journey to the Sweet 16 could be further. The Bobcats’ win over the Virginia team dealing with COVID issues was one of the most popular upset picks, and for good reason. Creighton, meanwhile, looked vulnerable against UC Santa Barbara, and would be home by now if not for a lapse in the final seconds. After Stingy pushes for a triple-double in the first round against Virginia, Preston will have a shot at an up-and-down game.
No. 8 LSU vs. No. 1 Michigan
7:10 pm, CBS
Can the second 1-8 be upset? LSU enters the game with five wins in its final six bouts, and the loneliness was a one-point setback for second-seeded Alabama in the SEC tournament title game. Freshman Cameron Thomas led an impressive race at No. 8 St. Bonavanture with 27 points, taking on the game for the big stretch. This is where the absence of Michigan star Isaiah Liver can be truly felt, especially if star freshman big man Hunter Dickinson, the team’s lead scorer and rebounder, is not the owner of the paint.
No. 5 Colorado vs. No. 4 Florida State
7:45 pm, TBS
These two teams are going in opposite directions. Colorado has lost just once since Feb. 20 and shut out No. 12 Georgetown’s 96-73 in which it hit an absurd 16 out of 25 3-point attempts. Florida State is just 3-3 from their last six games, and struggled against No. 13 UNC Greensboro in the 10-point, closer than the final result indicated by the early-round win. Colorado will be the best player on the floor in McKinley Wright IV, a senior point guard as powerful scoring as he makes for his teammates.
(10) Maryland vs. (2) Alabama
8:45 pm, TNT
After avoiding an upset by Rick Pitino’s Iona squad, Alabama now has a clash of styles against defensive-oriented Maryland, fresh to limit UConn to 32.3 percent in the first round. The Crimson preferred to rise and fall down the court, while the Turps want to stop things and rely on a relentless defense led by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Darryl Morsell, who upset UC Buoys’ James Buonite for 6 Is -16 night.
(6) USC vs. (3) Kansas
9:40 pm, CBS
The final Sweet 16 ticket is the most commonly found in this performance at college basketball programs (Kansas) and one school, known for its football prowess (USC). Don’t ignore the Trojans though, as the Pac-12 won a sensational 5-0 win on Saturday, not Oregon’s non-contest edge. Forward Jalan Wilson’s return from the COVID protocol would be a boon for Kansas’ future chance lottery pick Evan Mabbi, who pitched 17 and 11 against Drake.
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