NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen tip times, odds, streaming, announcers for March 22

Thursday’s NCAA Tournament games will feature a number of names and teams that were not expected, a couple of names that make sense, and no number 1 seeds. Kentucky has what looks like a clear path to the Final Four, but Kentucky also hasn't been great this season.

Will it matter?

These games have allowed the coaching staffs at Texas A&M and Kansas State to both solidify their positions at their schools, have introduced us to Eric Musselman’s bare chest and has reminded us that no lead is ever safe.

(11) Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. (7) Nevada Wolf Pack

Time: 7:07 p.m.

How to Watch: CBS | Stream

Announcers: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Lisa Byington

Odds: Nevada, -2.5

Loyola has not lost since the end of January, and watching their close calls against Miami and Tennessee, it’s obvious that some luck has come along for the ride (and their Sister Jean on the sidelines, too). One of the best stories from this year’s tournament, Chicago’s most accomplished NCAA Tournament team strides into the Sweet Sixteen with a slow and deliberate pace, fundamentally sound defense, and the ability to drive inside for points.

Nevada not only has survived close calls; they have come back on both Texas (down 14 in the second half) and against Cincinnati (led for only the last 9 seconds, and trailed by 22 in the second half).

Loyola’s Aundre Jackson has led the Ramblers with 28 points from the bench, while point guard Clayton Custer has had 24 in the two games. Cody Martin and Caleb Martin are the focal point for the seven-man Wolf Pack, but Kendall Stephens and Jordan Caroline have put up points.

Loyola’s defense has been better than Nevada’s, for what it’s worth, but neither of these teams will go quietly.

The winner takes on the Kansas State/ Kentucky winner on Saturday.

(7) Texas A&M Aggies vs. (3) Michigan Wolverines

Time: 7:27 p.m.

How to Watch: TBS | Stream

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Dana Jacobson

Odds: Michigan, -3.5

Freshman guard Jordan Poole, Michigan’s Miracle Man, willed the Wolverines past Houston on a buzzer-beater out in Wichita, Kansas. Despite Poole’s heroics, Michigan’s offense has stemmed from guard Charles Matthews, who has averaged 15.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists so far this tournament. Michigan ranks 43rd in the country in defensive rebounds, and defensive rebounding will be key against Texas A&M and their offensive rebounding front-court.

Texas A&M blew out the two-seed North Carolina in the second round 86-65. Center Tyler Davis averaged a double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) through the first weekend, while guard TJ Starks has averaged 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over the same span. The Aggie offense will need to continue to run through their bigs, as forward DJ Hogg had a 22.9 assist percentage against North Carolina.

The winner plays the winner of Florida State/ Gonzaga.

(9) Kansas State Wildcats vs. (5) Kentucky Wildcats

Time: 9:37 p.m.

How to Watch: CBS | Stream

Announcers: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Lisa Byington

Odds: Kentucky, -5.5

The five-seed Kentucky, now the highest seed in the south, will take on Kansas State after Kentucky beat the likes of Davidson and Buffalo. Kentucky was a 4.5 point favorite over Davidson and a 5.5 point favorite over Buffalo. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Queens native Hamidou Diallo were two of the best players in the tournament last weekend, with Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists and Diallo averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1 assist. If they can keep a similar pace this weekend, they will likely be playing next weekend, and we did not even have to mention Kevin Knox.

Kansas State will need a better offensive performance than they had against America’s sweetheart, UMBC, on Sunday. Kansas State scored 50 points against the 16 seed only making 18 shots from the floor in the contest. Guard Barry Brown had an effective weekend last weekend, however, averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. If Kansas State is to continue playing, forward Makol Mawien may need to start playing like he was in the Big 12 Tournament, where he averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

The winner gets the Nevada/ Loyola winner.

(9) Florida State Seminoles vs. (4) Gonzaga Bulldogs

Time: 9:59 p.m.

How to Watch: TBS | Stream

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dan Bonner, Dana Jacobson

Odds: Gonzaga, -6.5

The Seminoles took out #1 seed Xavier by coming back from a 12-point deficit and forcing late turnovers in a game where FSU was left for dead. Leonared Hamilton’s team has great balance, with multiple attacking wings in Terance Mann and Braian Angola, forward Phil Cofer and a 7’4” center from Chad. How many basketball players do you know from Chad? Did you even remember that was a country?

Anyway, they’re tall. Which will be interesting for Gonzaga, a team that is just about as tall. Guard Zach Norvell shined in both games with 43 points, dropping 28 against Ohio State. But Rui Hachimura and Jonathan Williams are capable of big nights. Parisian Killian Tillie has been quiet on offense over two games, but could also break out.

Fun fact! Nine countries will be represented on the rosters: USA, Canada, France, Japan, Colombia, Chad, Nigeria, Denmark and Switzerland.

The winner faces the winner of Michigan/ Texas A&M.