CHARLOTTE

No. 2 North Carolina (26-10) vs. No. 7 Texas A&M (21-12)

West Region

Time, TV: 5:15 p.m. ET, CBS

Why North Carolina will win: Experienced guards usually win in March, and this is a particularly lopsided matchup in the Tar Heels’ favor. Seniors Joel Berry (17.0 ppg) and Theo Pinson (10.4 ppg) will be able to exploit freshman T.J. Starks in the backcourt. The Tar Heels, a terrific finishing team in transition, will feast on the Aggies’ typical sloppiness (-2.3 turnovers per game).

Why Texas A&M will win: For all their flaws, the Aggies have serious size and talent and rebounded better than any team in the SEC this season. Center Robert Williams, a potential NBA lottery pick, will force North Carolina to play its freshmen bigs in Sterling Manley and Garrison Brooks, who may not be ready physically for the kind of rugged style Texas A&M will try to impose.

No. 9 Kansas State (23-11) vs. No. 16 UMBC (25-10)

South Region Time, TV: approx. 7:45 p.m. ET,

TruTV

Why Kansas State will win: All season, the Wildcats showed they could beat the fringe NCAA tournament teams from the Big 12 but seemed to be a clear cut below the heavyweights. Now here they are, double-digit favorites in a Round of 32 game. Though this team wouldn’t scare anyone else in the field, Kansas State has the better roster and résumé.

Why UMBC will win: At this point, why not? The Retrievers are riding high and clearly unafraid of the moment following their historic 74-54 upset of Virginia. If they can stay hot from the three-point line (12-for-24 against Virginia), anything is possible, particularly against a team without its best player in Dean Wade.

Dan Wolken