NCAA Tournament Round of 32: matchups, odds, announcers, streaming, how to watch

(1) Villanova Wildcats vs. (9) Alabama Crimson Tide

Time: 12:10 p.m.

How to watch: CBS | Stream

Odds: Villanova, -11

Villanova did everything everyone expected they would do against Radford. The Wildcats will have their hand full trying to bottle up star freshman guard Collin Sexton. However, having prepared for all the great points guards in the Big East (special shout-out to St. John’s Shamorie Ponds), Villanova is uniquely prepared for this task.

After playing a 9:30 PM game on Thursday, Alabama will have one of the quickest turnarounds to play on Saturday in the early afternoon. Star freshman guard has 25 points (7-14 FG, 1-5 3PT) and 6 assists against Virginia Tech, and he will need a similar performance to keep the game close. The big question is weather the Crimson Tide can get another performance from the likes of freshman guard John Petty, who put up 20 points (6-9 FG, 6-8 3PT) on the Hokies. Petty averaged 10.4 points per game this season, but has scored 39 points combined in his last two games.

(2) Duke Blue Devils vs. (7) Rhode Island Rams

Time: 2:40 p.m.

How to watch: CBS | Stream

Odds: Duke, -9.5

If we have to hear Duke stories about Danny and Coach K, I’m gonna barf all over this keyboard.

As you know, Duke is the Greatest Team with All The Talent. Two excellent shooters in Gary Trent, Jr. and Grayson Allen, plus mobile, versatile big men Wendell Carter and Marvin Bagley III. Their rebounding and grit may be questionable at times, but is Rhode Island the team to challenge it?

The Rams have guard talent and some toughness, but their lack of height is a real red flag in this game, where the Blue Devils should be motivated to play hard, fast and smart.

(5) Kentucky Wildcats vs. (13) Buffalo Bulls

Time: 5:15 p.m.

How to watch: CBS | Stream

Odds: Kentucky, -6

The Kentucky Wildcats got all they wanted and more from the Davidson Wildcats, and they will likely get more of the same from Buffalo. Freshman forward Kevin Knox (25 points, 8-16 FG, 0-3 3PT) and freshman guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 points, 5-13 FG) powered Kentucky past Davidson. Kentucky coach John Calipari has said freshman guard Quade Green is starting to “blossom” prior to their start of the SEC Tournament. Green has scored a combined 16 points (combined 6-17 FG, combine 0-7 3PT) in his last four games, so if he is going to be a strong contributor for Kentucky, Saturday would be a great time to start.

Buffalo was the lowest seed to pull out a victory on Thursday, and they did so in impressive fashion. Against a tournament dark horse in Arizona, the Bulls gave such a thumping that NFL All-Pro and former University of Buffalo defensive end Khalil Mack would be proud. The Bulls put up 89 points off of 34-62 shooting and 15-30 from deep. Given how great the Bulls can shoot, if they can get their shots off against the long and athletic defense of Kentucky, they will have a real chance to be playing again next weekend.

(3) Tennessee Volunteers vs. (11) Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

Time: 6:10 p.m.

How to watch: TNT | Stream

Odds: Tennessee, -6.5

Tennessee crushed Wright State’s hopes and dreams early and often on the way to a 73-47 game that may have been the least competitive of the first day. Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams were hard to contain.

Loyola-Chicago also brings a strong defense, so this game could be played in the 60’s. Clayton Custer led with 4/6 shooting from outside the arc and steady ballhandling; this team came to fight. Loyola is used to tight, slow-paced intimate games, and Tennessee likes to slow things down and be the guiding hand in the dance.

This game might have ugly stretches, but it will he a heck of a match.

(1) Kansas Jayhawks vs. (8) Seton Hall Pirates

Time: 7:10 p.m.

How to watch: TBS | Stream

Odds: Kansas, -4

Kansas has been vulnerable inside, giving up a fair amount of offensive rebounds to opponents. In Big 12 play, the number was 34.5% of opponents missed shots that were rebounded by the opponent. Seton Hall has Angel Delgado, Michael Nzei and Ismael Sanogo to get freaky with the boards.

Of course, Seton Hall has to defend well enough to keep the Jayhawks frm shooting easy threes. That didn’t happen in the first round game against NC State, where the Wolfpack hit half their shots from distance and fouled out Angel Delgado. Kansas’ Devonte Graham will look to add to his 29 points in the first round win over U Penn.

(4) Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. (5) Ohio State Buckeyes

Time: 7:45 p.m.

How to watch: CBS | Stream

Odds: Gonzaga, -2.5

One of these teams is going to the Final Four. I can feel it!

It might not Gonzaga, who struggled with UNC-Greeensboro, though Gonzaga has so much talented height on the floor. Interio-focused Gonzaga shot 22% from deep and 13/25 from the line in what felt like a tooth-grinding performance. They likely expect better from themselves in a rematch with the Buckeyes, who the Zags defeated 86-59 on Portland back in November.

Ohio State took the outside road to defeat South Dakota State, shooting 40 of their 72 shots from deep. They didn’t shoot well, mind you — 30% shooting from distance is pretty grisly — but that’s better than the Zags did.

For what that’s worth.

(3) Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. (6) Florida Gators

Time: 8:40 p.m.

How to watch: TNT | Stream

Odds: Texas Tech, -1.5

The three keys Florida used to beat St. Bonaventure will likely be their same formula for the rest of the tournament. First, Florida does not allow good shots from deep, and the Bonnies went 3-19 from deep. Second, Florida does not turn the ball over, and the Gators had 9 turnovers to St. Bonaventure 18. Finally, the Florida offense will come from red-shirt junior guard Jalen Hudson (16 points, 6-14 FG, 2-8 3PT) and red-shirt senior guard Egor Koulechov (20 points, 8-17 FG, 4-10 3PT). If Florida executes these, they will have a chance to win.

The Red Raiders are also a strong defensive team, so this will likely be a low scoring game. The Texas Tech defense looks to create turnovers, and senior guard Keenan Evans and freshman guard Jarrett Culver like to shoot the three.

Given both of these teams styles, the winner will likely be the team that wins the turnover battle.

(3) Michigan Wolverines vs. (6) Houston Cougars

Time: 9:40 p.m.

How to watch: TBS | Stream

Odds: Michigan, -3

Michigan had little trouble shaking off the rust from they long gap between the Big 10 Tournament and their NCAA Tournament opener, as they beat Montana 61-47. Red-shirt sophomore guard Charles Matthews put up 20 points (7-13 FG, 0-3 3PT) against Montana. Michigan collected shot poorly from deep (31.3%) relative to their season average ( 36.8%). If the Wolverines are to advance, they will need to shoot the ball better than they did against Montana.

Houston squeaked past San Diego State 67-65 thanks in large part to the 39 point (12-25 FG, 4-6 3PT) performance by senior guard Rob Gray. Houston was able to force 12 turnovers while committing only seven of their own. For Houston to advance, they will likely need to win the turnover battle and have a strong performance by Gray and either Davis (freshman guard Corey Davis Jr. or red-shirt junior guard Devin Davis).