We’re on the hunt for upsets as the lads’s N.C.A.A. basketball match will get getting into earnest. Listed below are our picks for the video games we don’t wish to miss (all occasions Japanese):
No. 8 Maryland vs. No. 9 West Virginia
12:15 p.m., CBS
Our first recreation of the day must also be an excellent one. Maryland completed fifth within the Massive Ten however did rating a win in February over eventual No. 1 seed Purdue. West Virginia went 7-11 within the Massive 12, however the Mountaineers completed the common season with wins at Iowa State and in opposition to Kansas State. It’s laborious to root in opposition to Coach Bob Huggins and West Virginia’s pesky protection: In line with The Upshot’s bracket aggregator, followers in public bracket contests are choosing West Virginia barely extra typically than Maryland.
No. 7 Missouri vs. No. 10 Utah State
1:40 p.m., TNT
The 7-10 matchups are traditionally upset candidates, with the No. 10 seed profitable 39.5 % of the time. Modelers see this matchup because the most probably upset of this 12 months’s No. 7 seeds, with FiveThirtyEight giving Utah State a 64 % probability of advancing. The Aggies are 26-8 however didn’t play many top-tier groups. In line with Ken Pomeroy’s rankings, although, they function the Thirteenth-best offense in Division I. Missouri is not any slouch, with ahead Kobe Brown and guard D’Moi Hodge main the way in which, however the Tigers might have hassle slowing Utah State’s assault.
No. 8 Iowa vs. No. 9 Auburn
6:50 p.m., TNT
Iowa has a possible first-round N.B.A. draft choose in Kris Murray, whose twin brother, Keegan, was a lottery choose final 12 months. However the Hawkeyes have been inconsistent all season, together with in a house loss to woeful Japanese Illinois. Auburn additionally recorded an up-and-down season: The Tigers had profitable streaks of eight video games (to start out the 12 months) and 5 video games (in January), however in any other case didn’t win greater than two video games consecutively. Auburn’s protection might give the Iowa offense hassle; modelers are giving the sting to the Tigers on this tossup recreation.
No. 5 Duke vs. No. 12 Oral Roberts
7:10 p.m., CBS
Duke is a stylish Ultimate 4 choose in its first 12 months beneath Coach Jon Scheyer, however the Blue Devils might want to deal with Oral Roberts first. The Golden Eagles posted a document of 30-4, together with an ideal 18-0 in Summit League play. However Duke can be on a sizzling streak and has received its previous 9 video games on the way in which to an Atlantic Coast Convention match title. Followers are largely choosing Duke, however some modelers are skeptical, with Pomeroy giving Duke a 63 % probability to advance.