WICHITA GAMES
No. 1 Kansas (27-7) vs. No. 16 Penn (24-8)
Midwest Region
Time, TV: 2 p.m. ET, TBS
Why Kansas will win: With a four-guard lineup that fires up three-pointers (and hits
40%) Kansas has overcome a lack of size and depth. Starting center Udoka Azubuike a game-time decision with a sprained knee.
Why Penn will win: Penn ranks No. 2 nationally in three-point field-goal defense and could foil Kansas’ perimeter shooting strategy. The Kenpom rating system has Penn as the highest-rated No. 16 since 2012, when UNC Asheville played Syracuse to the wire.
No. 8 Seton Hall (21-11) vs. No. 9 N.C. State (21-11)
Midwest Region Time, TV: approx. 4:30 p.m. ET, TBS
Why Seton Hall will win: With four starters averaging at least 13 points, Seton Hall has the kind of balance that allows a team to weather an off night from one player. The Pirates play a physical game — they’re among the national leaders in blocked shots and rebounding — and their strengths play into N.C. State’s weakness.
Why N.C. State will win: The idea behind Wolfpack’s pressure defense is to force a fast pace and to grind down opponents. When it works, they force mistakes, especially later in games. Offensively, they shoot plenty of three-pointers — this means every starter, and includes 7-foot sophomore Omer Yurtseven.
No. 6 Houston (26-7) vs. No. 11 San Diego State (22-10)
West Region Time, TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, TBS
Why Houston will win: Led by senior guard Rob Gray and a grinding defense, Houston’s No. 18 RPI is a reflection of the Cougars’ strength. There’s also this: Houston has not lost consecutive games this season.
Why San Diego State will win: The Aztecs won three games in three days to earn the Mountain West’s automatic bid, and since guard Trey Kelly returned from injury last month, they’ve won nine in a row.
No. 3 Michigan (28-7) vs. No. 14 Montana (26-7)
West Region Time, TV: approx. 9:50 p.m. ET, TBS
Why Michigan will win: Winners of nine in a row, including the Big Ten tournament for the second consecutive season, the Wolverines are led by Mo Wagner’s inside-out game. But their strength is fierce defense, they allow 63.5 points a game.
Why Montana will win: The Griz are in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013. But junior guard Ahmaad Rorie, a transfer from Oregon, leads a team that won the Big Sky’s regular-season and tournament titles. Montana is hot, having won six consecutive (with only two losses since late December).