CHARLOTTE
No. 7 Texas A&M (20-12) vs. No. 10 Providence (21-13)
West Region
Time, TV: 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS
Why Texas A&M will win: No denying size and talent on roster Billy Kennedy has assembled. Big man Robert Williams is projected lottery pick and coSEC defensive player of year, and 6-9 D.J. Hogg is matchup problem as 38.5% shooter on threes.
Why Providence will win: Ed Cooley always gets his guys to play as hard or harder than opponent, though sometimes their offensive challenges (No. 105 in Ken Pomeroy efficiency ratings) get in way.
No. 2 North Carolina (25-10) vs. No. 15 Lipscomb (23-9)
West Region
Time, TV: approx. 2:45 p.m. ET, CBS Why UNC will win: Despite losing so many key players off their national title team, Tar Heels turned into high-powered offensive unit that rebounded better than anyone in ACC (+10.0 per game).
Why Lipscomb will win: Bisons have won 12 of last 13 and will try to overcome lack of size with precise ball movement and shooting. Guard Garrison Mathews scored 20 or more points 21 times.
No. 8 Creighton (21-11) vs. No. 9 Kansas State (22-11)
South Region
Time, TV: 6:50 p.m. ET, TNT
Why Creighton will win: Bluejays’ best player, Marcus Foster (20.3 ppg), spent two seasons at Kansas State before transferring.
Why Kansas State will win: Bruce Weber has made four NCAA tournaments in six years but is yet to get out of first round, so he’s overdue. Wildcats don’t wow you in any area but shot 47.2% from field.
No. 1 Virginia (31-2) vs. No. 16 UMBC (24-10)
South Region
Time, TV: approx. 9:20 p.m. ET, TNT Why Virginia will win: It’s hard to find fault with team that passed every test this season, including ACC regularseason and tournament titles. With Cavaliers’ No. 1 defense, it’s hard to see them getting upset this early, even if they struggle to shoot. Sixth man De’Andre Hunter’s broken wrist, announced this week, is long-term concern.
Why UMBC will win: There’s little to suggest these Retrievers can become first No. 16 seed to knock off a No. 1, as their forays into playing high-major competition this season didn’t go well (lost to SMU, Arizona and Maryland by average of 19 points).