GREENVILLE GAMES
NO. 8 ARKANSAS (25-9) VS. NO. 9 SETON HALL (21-11)
South Region Time, TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Why Arkansas will win: The Razorbacks have been playing their best basketball of late, winners of eight of their last 10, and they’re motivated to get past the sour taste of a Southeastern Conference tournament championship game loss.
Why Seton Hall will win: The Pirates have the two things that help teams win in March: defense and rebounding. Angel Delgado is one of the best rebounders in the nation, and, in large part because of him, Seton Hall ranks among the top 40 teams nationally in offensive and defensive rebounding percentage.
NO. 1 NORTH CAROLINA (27-7) VS. NO. 16 TEXAS SOUTHERN (23-11)
South Region Time, TV: Approx. 4 p.m. ET, TNT
Why North Carolina will win: These Tar Heels know what they’re doing this time of year. The key pieces — Justin Jackson, Joel Berry II and Kennedy Meeks — were all integral parts of last year’s team that made it to the national championship game. North Carolina should rebound well from its Atlantic Coast tournament loss to Duke and cruise. Why Texas Southern will win: Even for a program that has challenged itself by playing as tough a non-conference schedule as anyone could dream, this would be a mighty tall task. The Tigers need a monster performance from Southwest Athletic player of the year Zach Lofton.
NO. 2 DUKE (27-8) VS. NO. 15 TROY (22-14)
East Region Time, TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, TBS
Why Duke will win: Jayson Tatum looks like the nation’s top freshman, Grayson Allen is hot from beyond the arc again, and Luke Kennard remains the team’s most consistent scorer. Throw in contributions from Amile Jefferson and Frank Jackson and signs of growth from freshman Harry Giles, and it makes sense why the Blue Devils were considered preseason title contenders. Why Troy will win: Other teams in similar situations have done it. Lehigh, a No. 15 seed in 2012, upset No. 2 Duke in one of college basketball’s greatest upsets. Two years later, the third-seeded Blue Devils fell to No. 14 Mercer. Even if Duke looks good in February or early March, there always remains the possibility of craziness.
NO. 7 SOUTH CAROLINA (22-10) VS. NO. 10 MARQUETTE (19-12)
East Region Time, TV: Approx. 9:50 p.m. ET, TBS
Why South Carolina will win: The Gamecocks have the nation’s third-most efficient defense, according to KenPom.com, and are particularly good against the three — Marquette’s favorite. If South Carolina can snap out of its rut — it has lost six of nine — and defend the deep ball like it knows it can, that’s where the game will be won.
Why Marquette will win: The Golden Eagles live and die by the three, which can be very good or very bad in a singleelimination tournament. Marquette averages 10.5 threes per game, fourth in the nation. Markus Howard (54.9%) leads the country in three-point shooting.