Midwest Regional
No. 6 San Diego State (26-7) vs. No. 11North Carolina State (22-12), 9:30 a.m., trutv:
N.C. State has some talented offensive players, with five guys averaging in double figures, but the Wolfpack’s defense frequently is lax. The Wolfpack has an advantage in the frontcourt and need forwards C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell to take advantage. San Diego State is all about its deep backcourt, and N.C. State could have problems with swingman Jamaal Franklin, the Mountain West player of the year.
No. 8 Creighton (28-5) vs. No. 9 Alabama (21-11), 10:30 a.m., TBS:
Alabama can be quite ugly on offense, but the Crimson Tide generally plays lockdown defense. Creighton is an excellent offensive team (80.0 ppg, 50.9 FG%) but frequently is lax on defense. Creighton’s key guy is forward Doug Mcdermott (23.2 ppg, 61.0 FG%, 49.5 3-pt FG%, 79.9 FT%).
No. 3 Georgetown (23-8) vs. No. 14 Belmont (27-7), noon, trutv:
Belmont hasn’t played a team that made the NCAA field since its first two games of the season, but the Bruins are a good three-point shooting team (37.8%) — though how many good looks they get against the Hoyas is a big question. Belmont must get production from centers Scott Saunders and Mick Hedgepeth, who combine to average 20.0 points and 10.8 rebounds. Georgetown enjoys a big size advantage, and the Hoyas need to make sure Henry Sims and Otto Porter get the ball often in the low post. The Hoyas want to keep the score in the 60s.
No. 1North Carolina (29-5) vs. No. 16 Vermont (24-11), 1 p.m., TBS:
Vermont isn’t that big and isn’t that athletic. North Carolina is big and athletic, and basically is playing a home game. Vermont has given up more than 70 points only four times this season; North Carolina averages 82.
No. 4 Michigan (24-9) vs. No. 13 Ohio (27-7), 4:15 p.m., TNT:
The athletic Bobcats force 17.7 turnovers a game, which leads to baskets in transition. Guard D.J. Cooper is a jet with the ball, but he really has struggled with his shot (14.6 ppg, but 34.8 FG% and 31.3 on threes). Ohio isn’t that good on the boards either. Michigan guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. are a dangerous duo, and swingman Zack Novak is a dangerous three-point shooter.
No. 7 St. Mary’s (27-5) vs. No. 10 Purdue (21-12), 4:15 p.m., trutv:
Purdue sometimes struggles to score, is mediocre from the free-throw line and, on average, is outrebounded. But the Boilermakers take excellent care of the ball and have a legit go-to guy in forward Robbie Hummel. Forward Rob Jones and guard Matthew Dellavedova are a nice inside-outside duo for the Gaels.
No. 5 Temple (24-7) vs. No. 12 South Florida (21-13), 6:45 p.m., TNT:
South Florida ripped California in a play-in game — can the Bulls play that well on offense again? Temple has been excellent from three-point range (40.5%), but South Florida’s perimeter defense has been stingy this season. The Owls are extremely perimeter-oriented, and if center Michael Eric doesn’t provide something in the low post, Temple’s guards aren’t going to get many open looks.
No. 2 Kansas (27-6) vs. No. 15 Detroit (22-13), 6:45 p.m., trutv:
Detroit seems to have become a somewhat trendy upset pick, but the Titans lost 13 times and finished tied for third in the Horizon League. The Titans have a legit midmajor star in guard Ray Mccallum Jr., the coach’s son. Kansas has had some bad first-round losses, but this would be, by far, the worst.