Let’s talk about the NCAA Tournament. Because we know you are watching. Comment with some notes and pass along what you’re seeing that’s ridiculous, fun, interesting, WTF, and more - in this open thread.
Big East teams playing today
Butler Bulldogs vs Winthrop Eagles, 1:30 on TNT, from Milwaukee (upset alert).
KenPom says the Bulldogs have an 84% chance of winning. I’m less bullish.
Winthrop’s Pat Kelsey is a good coach who will get high-major offers soon enough. They Eagles are led by 5’7” shooting guard Keon Johnson. They’re experience but lack girth.... so they play fast and defend well.
Is Butler really this good? on a good day, they execute well. On a bad day, their so-so talent and/ or lack of size catches up to them.
Xavier Musketeers vs Maryland Terrapins, 6:50 on TNT, from Orlando
Xavier is predicted to have a slight edge in the matchup per KenPom, despite being the 11 seed to the Terps 6 seed. Maryland has Melo Trible but starts three freshmen next to them. Xavier, sans Edmond Sumner, did defeat Butler.
Villanova Wildcats vs Mount Saint Mary’s Mountaineers, 7:10 on CBS, from Buffalo
Yeah... no. Not gonna happen. Mount St. Mary’s is a fine enough team, and won a dramatic play-in game. But Villanova could shoot like trash and still bully their way to the win over the small Mount.
KenPom has this at a 98% victory chance for the Wildcats.
NCAA Tournament Games: Thursday, March 16 2017 (Round of 64)
Game | Tip Time (ET) | Network | Site |
---|---|---|---|
Game | Tip Time (ET) | Network | Site |
(5) Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. (12) Princeton Tigers | 12:15 p.m. | CBS | Buffalo |
Verne Lundquist / Jim Spanarkel / Allie LaForce | |||
(5) Virginia Cavaliers vs. (12) UNC Wilmington Seahawks | 12:40 p.m. | truTV | Orlando |
Ian Eagle / Steve Lavin / Evan Washburn | |||
(4) Butler Bulldogs vs. (13) Winthrop Eagles | 1:30 p.m. | TNT | Milwaukee |
Carter Blackburn / Mike Gminski / Debbie Antonelli / Lisa Byington | |||
(1) Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. (16) South Dakota State Jackrabbits | 2 p.m. | TBS | Salt Lake City |
Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas / Jamie Erdahl | |||
(4) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (13) Bucknell Bison | Approx. 2:45 | CBS | Buffalo |
Verne Lundquist / Jim Spanarkel / Allie LaForce | |||
(4) Florida Gators vs. (13) East Tennessee State Buccaneers | Approx. 3 p.m. | truTV | Orlando |
Ian Eagle / Steve Lavin / Evan Washburn | |||
(5) Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. (12) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | Approx. 4 p.m. | TNT | Milwaukee |
Carter Blackburn / Mike Gminski / Debbie Antonelli / Lisa Byington | |||
(8) Northwestern Wildcats vs. (9) Vanderbilt Commodores | Approx. 4:30 p.m. | TBS | Salt Lake City |
Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas / Jamie Erdahl | |||
(6) Maryland Terrapins vs. (11) Xavier Musketeers | 6:50 p.m. | TNT | Orlando |
Ian Eagle / Steve Lavin / Evan Washburn | |||
(1) Villanova Wildcats vs. (16) Mt. St. Mary's Mountaineers | 7:10 p.m. | CBS | Buffalo |
Verne Lundquist / Jim Spanarkel / Allie LaForce | |||
(7) Saint Mary's Gaels vs. (10) VCU Rams | 7:20 p.m. | truTV | Salt Lake City |
Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas / Jamie Erdahl | |||
(4) Purdue Boilermakers vs. (13) Vermont Catamounts | 7:27 p.m. | TBS | Milwaukee |
Carter Blackburn / Mike Gminski / Debbie Antonelli / Lisa Byington | |||
(3) Florida State Seminoles vs. (14) Florida Gulf Coast Eagles | Approx. 9:20 p.m. | TNT | Orlando |
Ian Eagle / Steve Lavin / Evan Washburn | |||
(8) Wisconsin Badgers vs. (9) Virginia Tech Hokies | Approx. 9:40 p.m. | CBS | Buffalo |
Verne Lundquist / Jim Spanarkel / Allie LaForce | |||
(2) Arizona Wildcats vs. (15) North Dakota Fighting Hawks | Approx. 9:50 p.m. | TBS | Salt Lake City |
Andrew Catalon / Steve Lappas / Jamie Erdahl | |||
(5) Iowa State Cyclones vs. (12) Nevada Wolf Pack | Approx. 9:57 p.m. | truTV | Milwaukee |
Carter Blackburn / Mike Gminski / Debbie Antonelli / Lisa Byington |