NCAA Tournament 2nd Round Preview

Well, it is an eventful Thursday and Friday March Madness as always. On Friday, we got more upsets, including Cleveland State over Wake Forest, a game we predicted. Also, three 12 seeds prevail once again over the 5 seeds. Purdue being the only five seed to advance. What upsets are in store for Saturday and Sunday? We'll predict Saturday's games now. Check back in after today's games or Sunday morning for those predictions.

UCLA vs Villanova (1:05 pm sat.)

Winner: Villanova

Result: Correct, Nova 89 UCLA 69

We like Villanova to overcome the talented back court of UCLA's in a very exciting opening game matchup. Darren Collison will be the key in this game. He is a premier defender and he, along with stud freshman Jrue Holiday will both have their hand full with the talented guard combo of Scotty Relnolds and sophomore Corey Fisher. Both teams will rely heavily on their guards, but in the end, Dante Cunningham of 'Nova will be the difference maker in a 'Nova win.

Maryland vs. Memphis (3:20 pm sat.)

Winner: Memphis

Result: Correct, Memphis 89 MD 70

This should be an excellent matchup between dipper-dandy Tyreke Evans and Grevious Vasquez from Maryland. Both are big, 6-6 combo guards who will be asked to bring the ball up and run the show for their respective teams. Maryland has shown that they can play with anyone by beating Duke, UNC and Wake Forest. They are battle tested from playing in the ACC and have momentum from beating a good Cal team the previous round. Memphis struggled in their first game, but they have too much defense and athletes for Maryland. Memphis prevails.

Texas A&M vs. Connecticut(3:40pm sat.)

Winner: Connecticut

Result: Correct, Connecticut 92 Teas A&M 66

This is an upset alert type of game. Connecticut has really been struggling since the injury to Jerome Dyson. They went 4-3 in the regular season without him, including a first round loss in the Big East Championship. A&M is going to need a big game out of Josh Carter and Elonu to win. Josh carter is a versatile athlete who stand 6-7 but can shoot the three at a high percentage and is also money when he gets to the line. Elonu is a 6-10 forward who will most likely see Hasheem Thabeet a few times today - he will have his work cut out for him. In the end, its going to be Thabeet's post presence and Price's outside shooting that will advance the Huskies.

Purdue vs. Washington(5:40 pm sat.)

Winner: Washington

Result: Incorrect, Purdue 76 Washington 74

This should be one of the best games on today. Washington will rotate between their three guard trio led by freshman point guard Isiah Thomas. They will try to force turnovers and push the tempo. They will use versatile athlete Poindexter and rebounding machine Brockman in their Half court sets. Washington does not shoot the three very much at all. Purdue, on the other hand, will try to play a grind it out, big ten type of game. they will rely on their length to alter Washington's shots and will need a big performance from Kramer and Moore. This one should go down to the wire, but we like Washington due to their outstanding guard play.

LSU vs. North Carolina(5:45 pm sat.)

Winner: UNC

Result: Correct, UNC 84 LSU 70

It's uncertain weather Ty Lawson of UNC will play in today's games. He is the ACC POY and that is a huge loss for UNC if he cannot go. Hansburough will be playing, and should have a very good game. He struggles versus tall, 7-0 centers, and LSU doesn't have one. The X- Factor will be Danny Green, if he is hitting his threes, then UNC rolls. LSU will rely on Marcus Thornton who scored 30 points vs. Butler. We still like UNC in this game though.

Michigan vs. Oklahoma(5:50 pm sat,)

Winner: Michigan

Result: Incorrect, Oklahoma 73 Michigan 63

This is the big 10-2 upset of the year. Everyone makes a big deal about 12 seeds over 5 seeds, but, there are often 10 seeds beating 2 seeds. This year, three 10 seeds defeated 7 seeds. We like Michigan and their 1-3-1 defense to give Oklahoma fits. Just like vs. Clemson, Michigan will pound everyone into the paint and try to take away Blake Griffin. We think that Oklahoma will not be able to make their threes, and it will be a back-breaker. Michigan has an excellent tournament coach who always exceeded expectations at WVU. We think he'll do it again.

Western Kentucky vs. Gonzaga(8:10 pm sat.)

Winner: Gonzaga

Result: Correct, Gonzaga 83 Western Kentucky 81

We like Gonzaga to win this game easily. WKU got an easy first round matchup versus a Fraisor-less Illinois team. Gonzaga will be too much for them as Heytvelt will have another double double and Micah Downs, the Kansas transfer will get it doing to the basket and from the outside. Gonzaga ended the Akron game on a huge run, and we like them to continue that run with a runaway win.

Texas vs. Duke(8:15 pm sat.)

Winner: Duke

Result: Correct, Duke 74 Texas 69

Texas is the only seven seed to advance in this years tournament. They will need A.J. Abrams to show up in a big way versus Duke. Duke will play a pressure man to man defense and that should make it difficult for Abrams to get good shots off. Texas has a huge mismatch, literally, in this game. Dexter Pittman is a monster in the paint and Duke has no capable big man to defend him. But, Duke's pressure man to man defense should give the Texas guards all they can handle and we like Duke to win a close win due to turnovers and easy points as Duke turns their defense to easy offensive points.