INDIANAPOLIS GAMES
NO. 7 MICHIGAN (24-11) VS. NO. 10 OKLAHOMA STATE (20-12)
Midwest Region Time, TV: 12:15 p.m., CBS
Why Michigan will win: The Wolverines captured their first Big Ten tournament title by winning four games in four days — after a scare on an airplane no less. Overall, they’ve won 10 of 12 games. Derrick Walton Jr. (15.0 ppg) and Zak Irvin (12.8 ppg) provide a solid scoring duo.
Why Oklahoma State will win: OSU scores the eighth-most points per game (85.5) in the nation. But the Cowboys have been inconsistent and enter the tournament having lost three in a row. Jawun Evans (19.0 ppg) and Jeffrey Carroll (17.4 ppg) were the second- and third-highest scorers in the conference.
NO. 2 LOUISVILLE (24-8) VS. NO. 15 JACKSONVILLE STATE (20-14)
Midwest Region Time, TV: 2:45 p.m., CBS
Why Louisville will win: The Cardinals played the sixth-toughest schedule and feature the sixth-best defense in the country. Donovan Mitchell (15.7 ppg) and Quentin Snider (12.7 ppg) provide threats. Jacksonville State played two games vs. teams from power five conferences (TCU and Maryland) and lost by an average of 22.5 points. Why Jacksonville State will win: Beginner’s luck and momentum? The Gamecocks allowed the fewest rebounds in the Ohio Valley (32 per game). Malcolm Drumwright (12.6 ppg) and Erik Durham (11.1 ppg) lead the team offensively. Seven-footer Norbertas Giga grabs 8.1 rebounds per game.
NO. 7 DAYTON (24-7) VS. NO. 10 WICHITA STATE (30-4)
South Region Time, TV: 7:10 p.m., CBS Why Dayton will win: The Flyers ranked second in the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage and scoring defense. Charles Cooke (16.1 ppg) and Kendall Pollard (14.1) carry the scoring load.
Why Wichita State will win: The Shockers have won 15 in a row, with their last loss coming to Illinois State in January. They led the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring offense (82.1 ppg) and margin of victory (19.6 ppg). History is on their side, too: They’ve made it to the second weekend of the tournament in three of the last four years.
NO. 2 KENTUCKY (29-5) VS. NO. 15 NORTHERN KENTUCKY (24-10)
South Region Time, TV: 9:40 p.m., CBS
Why Kentucky will win: The Wildcats have won 11 in a row. Malik Monk (20.5 ppg), De’Aaron Fox (16.1 ppg) and Edrice Adebayo (13.2 ppg) are a trio of talented freshmen who can put up big numbers. The Wildcats led the SEC in points per game and were fifth in the country (85.9).
Why Northern Kentucky will win: The Norse are making their NCAA debut and are riding momentum, having won 10 of 11 games. This is the team’s first winning season since 2011-12. They led the Horizon League in three-pointers made per game (8.6). Drew McDonald (16.4 ppg) leads the team offensively.