SUNDAY’S NCAA MEN’S GAMES

12:10 p.m. — No. 8 Loyola Chicago vs. No. 1 Illinois, CBS

The magic of Sister Jean continues! Loyola Chicago (25-4) erased a second-half deficit to clinch a 71-60 win over Georgia Tech, advancing to the round of 32. Lucas Williamson led the Ramblers with 21 points.

Illinois (24-6) showed why it deserved a No. 1 seed, rolling to a 78-49 first-round win over Drexel. Ayo Dosunmu led the Fighting Illini with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Stopping Dosunmu should be Loyola Chicago’s No. 1 priority. The 6-5 junior guard is one of the best all-around players in the country, capable of filling up the stat sheet and playing smothering defense.

If the Ramblers work to neutralize Dosunmu, the matchup inside between Loyola Chicago center Cameron Krutwig (6-9, 255 lbs.) and Illinois center Kofi Cockburn (7-foot, 285) could determine the outcome of the game.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Illinois -7, O/U 133.5

2:40 p.m. — No. 9 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Baylor, CBS

Senior guard Brad Davison led Wisconsin to a commanding 85-62 win over North Carolina in the first round. Davison scored 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 shooting from 3.

Baylor overcame a slow start, cruising to a 79-55 victory over Hartford. Macio Teague led the Bears (23-2) with 22 points.

Three other Bears scored in double figures, including Jared Butler with 13, Davion Mitchell with 12, and Adam Flagler with 12 off of the bench.

This round of 32 matchup features two teams with drastically different playing styles. Wisconsin (18-12) looks to slow it down and play methodically in the half court.

Baylor loves to run the fast break and score in transition. Both teams are strong defensively, but the squad that dictates the pace can control the game.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Baylor -6.5, O/U 136.5

5:15 p.m. — No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 3 West Virginia, CBS

Buddy Boeheim’s 30-point performance led Syracuse to a 78-62 win over San Diego State in the first round. Boeheim is the first Syracuse player to score 30 points while shooting 70% from the field since 1987.

Miles Mcbride (30 points) converted strong defense into offense, leading West Virginia to a 84-67 win over Morehead State. The Mountaineers (19-9) forced 18 Morehead State turnovers. The miscues prevented the Eagles from closing the gap in the second half.

The West Virginia defense must throw multiple bodies at Boeheim to slow him down. Offensively, the Mountaineers have to keep the tempo high and prevent the Orange (17-9) from settling into their zone defense.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): West Virginia -3.5, O/U 147.5

6:10 p.m. — No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 3 Arkansas, TNT

Both teams should be on alert after avoiding first-round upsets.

Texas Tech trailed by three points at halftime, but the Red Raiders regrouped, outscoring Utah State by 15 in the second half for a 65-53 first-round win.

Colgate put a scare into Arkansas, leading by as much as six points in the second half. In the end, the Razorbacks’ high-pressure defense and elite athletes were too much for the Raiders as Arkansas pulled away for a 85-68 win.

The Razorbacks will need another strong all-around performance from senior Justin Smith. The IU transfer led Arkansas with 29 points, 13 rebounds and five steals.

Texas Tech’s go-to scorer Mac Mcclung was on the bench when the Red Raiders mounted their second-half comeback. Mcclung led Texas Tech with 16 points but he needed 16 shots to do it. Texas Tech will need a more efficient performance from Mcclung and more contributions from senior big man Marcus Santos-silva (6 points, 6 rebounds) if it wants to advance.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Texas Tech -1, O/U 141

7:10 p.m. — No. 10 Rutgers vs. No. 2 Houston, TBS

Rutgers earned its first NCAA Tournament victory since 1983, defeating Clemson 60-56 in Friday’s first round.

Geo Baker led the Scarlet Knights with 13 points.

Houston had six players reach double-figure scoring as the Cougars breezed past Cleveland State for a 8756 first round win.

The status of Houston forward Dejon Jarreau could go a long way in deciding the Cougars fate moving forward. The 6-5 senior played just 41 seconds after leaving the game with a hip pointer. Jarreau is Houston’s best defender and a capable scorer.

Rutgers’ rugged defense will create a nice contrast in styles versus a superefficient Houston offense.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Houston -8.5, O/U 131.5

7:45 p.m. — No. 15 Oral Roberts vs. No. 7 Florida, trutv

Cinderella has entered the dance! Oral Roberts became the ninth 15seed to defeat a 2-seed, knocking off Ohio State 75-72 on Friday.

Max Abmas entered the tournament as the leading scorer in the nation, but the 6-1 sophomore made himself a household name with his 29-point performance.

Florida coughed up a late led before pulling away in overtime for a 75-70 first-round win over Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech guard Nahiem Alleyne’s tying 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation was one of the highlights of the first day of the tournament. Gators big man Colin Castleton (19 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks) ended the Hokies’ run, scoring six of Florida’s 11 points in overtime.

Florida has length and athleticism at the guard spot with 6-5 sophomore Tre Mann. He’ll likely be assigned to Abmas on defense. A healthy Tyree Appleby can help cover Abmas as well. Appleby left the first-round game after getting elbowed in the head and did not return.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Florida -8.5, O/U 148.5

8:45 p.m. — No. 13 North Texas vs. No. 5 Villanova, TNT

North Texas (18-9) senior Javion Hamlet — and his dad’s awesome sweater — became instant tournament darlings during the Mean Green’s 78-69 first-round upset win over Purdue.

Hamlet led four North Texas player in double figures, scoring 24 points. He also added 12 rebounds and five assists.

Villanova earned a 73-63 win over Winthrop. Jeremiah Robinson-earl led the Wildcats with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Hamlet, the Conference USA Player of the year, showed why he’s one of the best mid-major players in the country. Without senior guard Collin Gillespie, the team’s emotion leader and best defensive player, Villanova (17-6) may have a hard time containing an experienced and confident North Texas squad.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Villanova -6.5, O/U 127.5

9:40 p.m. — No. 12 Oregon State vs. No. 4 Oklahoma State, TBS

Oregon State (18-12) struggled with consistency all season, but the Beavers put together a strong performance in the first round of the NCAA tournament, knocking off Tennessee, 70-56.

Oklahoma State (21-6) star freshman guard Cade Cunningham (15 points, 7 rebounds) showed why he’s viewed as a top NBA prospect, leading the Cowboys to a 69-60 win over Liberty.

Cunningham scored nine straight points in the final three minutes against the Flames.

Sunday’s game will be determined by Oregon State’s ability to remain hot on offense, while limiting Cunningham on defense.

The Beavers put four starters in double figures. Senior center Roman Silva scored a season-high 16 points against Tennessee on 8-of-8 shooting. Getting consistent contribution inside from

Silva could be an X-factor for the Beavers.

Betting odds (via BETMGM): Oklahoma State -5.5, O/U 142.5