NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen tip times, announcers, streaming, odds for March 23

Let’s take a moment and ask what the deuce is going on in the other side of the March Madness brackets? Kansas State, who was outscored in the Big 12, is in the Elite Eight? Loyola does it again? Florida State is playing no-stars ball? Michigan is a monster?

In the Midwest Region, though, Kansas is still on top despite having little interior presence. Villanova still tops the East, and outside of Michigan, may be the most complete team.

As for the two seeds, Purdue has an injury to work around, and Duke... well, Duke is looking really solid to reach the Final Four.

But the chaos may not avoid the remaining top seeds and remaining number two seeds. NCAA Tournament matchups, tip times, how to watch, announcers, and betting odds, all below.

(5) Clemson Tigers vs. (1) Kansas Jayhawks

Time: 7:07 p.m.

How to Watch: CBS | Stream

Announcers: Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson

Odds: Kansas, -4.5

Clemson blew out Auburn by 31 points, the most lopsided game thus far in this tournament. the Tigers’s offense is lead by guard Gabe DeVoe, who averaged 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last weekend. Additionally, forward Elijah Thomas averaged a double-double during the first round with 12 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Clemson will likely not have as easy a time with Kansas, and will need to establish their balanced offensive attack early to succeed.

Seton Hall gave Kansas everything the Jayhawks wanted and more, where Kansas had to squeeze out a 83-79 victory over the Pirates. While the Jayhawks strongly benefited from shooting 26 free throws against Seton Hall, Kansas is 253rd in the nation in attempted free throws and altering that approach this late in the season may be ineffective. If Kansas maintains their elite ball movement, this could be a high scoring affair.

The winner gets the victor of Syracuse/ Duke.

(5) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. (1) Villanova Wildcats

Time: 7:27 p.m.

How to Watch: TBS | Stream

Announcers: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Allie LaForce

Odds: Villanova, -5

Villanova is the only Big East team playing this weekend.

The Wildcats blew out both Radford and Alabama last week, and look to continue their impressive play against West Virginia. Guard Mikal Bridges has been impressive, to say the least, averaging 18 points and 4.5 rebounds in only 26 minutes per game last weekend. Guard Jalen Brunson has also been superb, averaging 14 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 26 minutes per game in the same span. Pretty much everyone for Villanova has looked good. Maybe it’s a Big East coast bias, but if Villanova does not turn the ball over, I don’t see how they would lose this game.

Speaking of forcing turnovers blowing out opponents, West Virginia had a productive weekend. The Mountaineers blew out Murray State and in-state rival Marshall by a combined 40 points. West Virginia forced 16 turnovers against Murray State and 18 against Marshall. If a team needs to force turnovers to beat Villanova, West Virginia is a team that could do it. The Mountaineers forced the third most turnovers this season, and will need to do so against the Wildcats.

The winner gets to play either Texas Tech or Purdue.

(11) Syracuse Orange vs. (2) Duke Blue Devils

Time: 9:37 p.m.

How to Watch: CBS | Stream

Announcers: Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery, Tracy Wolfson

Odds: Duke, -11.5

Ugh, an ACC conference game? Again? Duke? Again? Syracuse squeaks into the tournament and makes a run again?

Who to cheer for in this sad display of Things St. John’s Fans Hate?

Why can’t teams figure out this damned 2-3 zone? Maybe it’s the confounding length of Oshae Brissett and Tyus Battle. The Orange held both Michigan State and TCU to under 0.90 points per possession, which is elite, and held Arizona State to 0.93. Brissett has paced the Orange, scoring 53 points in three games to take out Arizona State in the play-in game, TCU and then Michigan State.

Will Duke find enough offense to dispatch the surprise run from Wegman’s Country?

Maybe. Duke has been fortunate, though, to face Iona and Rhode Island, two teams in the bottom 60 of NCAA height. Duke is also familiar with Syracuse, and squished them 60-44 in late February. Marvin Bagley III scored 44 points in the first two NCAA Tournament games (22 each game) to pace the Blue Devils, who have gotten balanced scoring from their starters.

The winner gets either Kansas or Clemson.

(3) Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. (2) Purdue Boilermakers

Time: 9:59 p.m.

How to Watch: TBS | Stream

Announcers: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Allie LaForce

Odds: Purdue, -1.5

Purdue — which if badly spelled in your internet search on your phone, can be written as “ordure” — will not be planning on having 7’2” center Isaac Haas back, noting that his elbow is still broken, even if Purdue engineers are working on a brace, and he needs to audition for professional opportunities in the coming months.

The Boilermakers found themselves fighting off a late challenge from the never-say-die Butler squad, but 20 points from Vincent Edwards and a late three from Dakota Mathias fended off a Cincinnati-level collapse. Purdue will continue to lean on their three-point shooting against a Red Raiders team that doesn’t force opponents off of the three-point line.

The Red Raiders, with some good height and a busy rotation, rebound the defensive end well and are solid defenders. Guard Keenan Evans scored 45 points in the first and second round games. And you may catch a glimpse of former DePaul forward Tommy Hamilton off the bench.

The winner goes on to play the winner of Villanova/West Virginia.