clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NCAA Tournament Schedule, Time, TV, Odds Open Thread

Five Big Ten teams take the court today, from Des Moines to Jacksonville to Hartford. Come talk about them with us!

By MNWildcat
NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Four-North Carolina Central Eagles vs North Dakota State Bison Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

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?

This poll is closed

  • 38%
    Gophers
    (7 votes)
  • 61%
    Cardinals
    (11 votes)
18 votes total Vote Now

[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

  • 64%
    MSU to cover.
    (20 votes)
  • 29%
    MSU wins, does not cover.
    (9 votes)
  • 6%
    Middle Tennessee, Pt. II!
    (2 votes)
31 votes total Vote Now

[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

  • 64%
    Only if Mark Turgeon pulling his head out of his ass long enough to win a game counts as an upset.
    (22 votes)
  • 35%
    FEAR THE SWEATER VEST!
    (12 votes)
34 votes total Vote Now

[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

  • 76%
    Me too. Michigan big.
    (40 votes)
  • 23%
    Well, you never know...it IS March...
    (12 votes)
52 votes total Vote Now

[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:

This poll is closed

  • 85%
    Purdue
    (46 votes)
  • 14%
    Old Dominion
    (8 votes)
54 votes total Vote Now

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.