NCAA Tournament Saturday Previews: Michigan, Iowa hope to roll, Maryland in a weird one

We recapped games earlier. Now we tell you what’s coming.

Maybe. (I’ll be honest — I filled this out at about 11pm on Friday night and have crappy bandwidth where I am (and I’m with friends), so if there are games previewed below, great! If not, just skip to the comments and talk among yourselves.

[1] Michigan Wolverines vs. [16] Texas Southern Tigers

2pm | CBS | Mich -25.5 | O/U 142.5

BoilerBettor: If we’re being honest, this should have much intrigue to it. That said, not having Livers this weekend adds a bit of flavor to this spread. Of course, I’m going to avoid it because my liver has suffered enough. I do lean towards the under. This game should have a fair amount of pace to it but Texas Southern is flat awful from long range and Michigan’s size should allow them to defend the paint.

[2] Iowa Hawkeyes vs. [15] Grand Canyon Antelopes

5:25pm | TBS | Iowa -14.5 | O/U 145

BoilerBettor: I’m sure Iowa will be on high alert after what happened to Ohio State yesterday. However, the Antelopes, unlike Oral Bob, don’t play with a ton of pace. Iowa should cruise.

Stew: There had better had been paying attention yesterday! GCU was listed as the best of the 15 seeds, starts 2 centers, one of whom leads the country in FG%. Garza needs to stay out of foul trouble and Iowa needs to hit the open 3s. Manage those and they’ll cruise. But if they shout 10% from 3 and Garza had to sit, then it could be hold onto your butts time.

[10] Maryland Terrapins vs. [7] Connecticut Huskies

6:10pm | CBS | UConn -3 | O/U 130

BoilerBettor: Honestly don’t know what to expect here. I like UConn a lot but it’s Maryland so if you know what team shows up, can you shoot me some stock tips as well?

Any upsets you’re watching for?

MNW: Georgetown over Colorado. I can’t have much lower an opinion of the Pac-12 this year, and the Hoyas come in hot. Outside of that, San Diego State did not exactly show out for the Mountain West—could UCLA add BYU to the list of casualties?

Thumpasaurus: Give me Ohio over Virginia. The Hoos might not be at full strength, they’ve played it close to the chest, but Ohio is pretty legit. Illinois needed a miraculous play by Ayo to squeak by them at home, and they have five players that average double figures. They get it done with ball movement and may be a threat to a flat footed Virginia squad.

BoilerBettor from a pile of Guinness bottles and brackets aflame: In the same pod as Virginia, I’m looking at UCSB over Creighton in the 12-5 matchup. McDermott is probably going to be fired after the season for his not so great comments to his players and I question how motivated the Blue Jays are going to be. UCSB is one of the slowest teams in the field in terms of pace. If they dictate the speed of the game, they’ll be in a great position to pull the upset.

Any intriguing games?

MNW: MY Drake Bulldogs take on USC and Evan Mobley. Drake is down to about a 7-man roster and it’s been house money the entire way—it usually is when you win your first NCAA Tournament game in 50 years. But I love the story, and sixth-man-turned-starting G Joseph Yesufu is damn fun. Woof woof, wear the D.

Thumpasaurus: Former conference game Oklahoma - Missouri could be fun. Missouri is a Cuonzo Martin team: tremendous talent everywhere (except Mark Smith, who fucking sucks), yet could lose to anyone at any time. Oklahoma will be without 13ppg scorer De’vion Harmon. Each of these teams has had impressive wins in non-conference play before just kind of...falling out of their conference races in truly slapdick fashion. High ceilings, high volatility, former conference rivals but not in the Rutgers way, what’s not to love?

Fuck Mizzou btw.

Open thread for the day. Behave.