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It’s finally here. March Madness. The NCAA Tournament. The Big Dance.
Thank goodness.
Here’s who’s playing in the Big Ten. If you’d like to join our picks competition, get last-minute pick advice from the OTE writers, or read up on any of the draws facing the various Big Ten teams, it’s your last chance! Oh my god, hurry!
[10] Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. [7] Louisville Cardinals
East Region: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA
11:15am | CBS | UL -5 | O/U 135.5
Drinking game:
- Reference to Pitino lawsuit: Drink.
- Mention of Matz Stockman: Drink.
- Jordan Murphy hits a double-double: Finish your drink.
- See Rick Pitino: Chug a beer in 15 seconds (that’s all it takes, I’m told).
That’ll get you good and tuned up for a day of basketball. And don’t lie to me—you weren’t getting any work done, anyways.
Poll
Who you got?
[2] Michigan State Spartans vs. [15] Bradley Braves
East Region: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA
1:45pm | CBS | MSU -18.5 | O/U 133.5
Go Braves.
Poll
Pick ‘em:
This poll is closed
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64%
MSU to cover.
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29%
MSU wins, does not cover.
-
6%
Middle Tennessee, Pt. II!
[6] Maryland Terrapins vs. [11] Belmont Bruins
East Regional: Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL
2:10pm | TruTV | MD -3 | O/U 147.5
[RELATED]
Most common 11-over-6 upset this year? I would bet so. But as an avid wearer of sweater vests, I can’t help but pull for Rick Byrd and the Bruins. Or really just Rick Byrd. Whatever.
Poll
Upset?
This poll is closed
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64%
Only if Mark Turgeon pulling his head out of his ass long enough to win a game counts as an upset.
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35%
FEAR THE SWEATER VEST!
[2] Michigan Wolverines vs. [15] Montana Grizzlies
West Regional: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA
8:20pm | TNT | Mich -15 | O/U 130
We’ve done this already. Next.
Poll
I’m bored.
This poll is closed
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76%
Me too. Michigan big.
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23%
Well, you never know...it IS March...
[3] Purdue Boilermakers vs. [14] Old Dominion Monarchs
South Regional: XL Center, Hartford, CT
8:50pm | TBS | Purdue -12.5 | O/U 126
PU:
ODU:
I don’t think it had dawned on me just how insane it is to have first-round games beginning on the East Coast at best, if we’re lucky, at 9:50pm GTZ+1.
First, I mean, they should just consider being in God’s Time Zone. But second...holy shit, that sounds miserable for all parties involved. And I can’t imagine there’s a ton of fun to be had in Hartford at about 12:30am when you finally get out of the stadium. Prove me wrong, Purdue fans.
Poll
Battle of the 7-footers:
Full Schedule for the NCAA Tournament:
That’s all I’ve got for you. Here’s your Open Thread for the day. Don’t be an asshat.