Since there is only one men’s team left in the NCAA Tournament, I’m not wasting my time on a separate men’s preview. Instead, let’s focus on the two Big Ten women’s teams that are in action today: previews, a schedule for the day’s hoops—did you know the CBI is happening?!??!?!?! (but it’s on FloSports)—and an open thread below.

Previews

Women’s Tournament

[5] Iowa Hawkeyes vs. [4] Kentucky Wildcats

2:30pm | ESPNU

Stewmonkey13: If Caitlin Clark is on, and Iowa can limit turnovers (a tall task for this group, and McKenna Warnock or Gabbie Marshall is a good option, those is gonna be Iowa day. But that’s far from a guarantee. Iowa’s struggled to get a consistent 3rd option after Clark and Monika Czinano, and turnovers have been a big issue all year.

[6] Michigan Wolverines vs. [3] Tennessee Volunteers

4pm | ESPN2

RockyMtnBlue: Ok. I’ll admit it. I haven’t followed the lady Wolverines very closely this year, despite it being one of the best seasons they’ve ever had. I’m a bad fan (and also a Michigan fan, and therefor confused about sports played with spheres).

Michigan has pretty much been Naz Hillmon And Friends all year, but got terrific contributions from Leigha Brown and Akienreh Johnson in the first round. Who knows? If they can do it again maybe Michigan can surprise. It’d be nice to get starting PG Amy Dilk back from injury, though.

Men’s Tournament: Saturday, March 27

[12] Oregon State Beavers vs. [8] Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

1:40pm | CBS | LUC -6.5 | O/U 126
Midwest Region | Bankers Life Fieldhouse

MNW: This is, like, a chef’s kiss of a game. How do you pick against the Ramblers at this point? Porter Moser flexed on Illinois with a stifling defense—and what looked to me like a really brilliant adjustment on where the Ramblers ran their pick-and-rolls on offense to make Kofi Cockburn move side-to-side to defend the roll. And Cam Krutwig is just fucking ridiculous. (Sorry, Sister Jean. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.)

The Beavs bring with them some size to counter Krutwig in Very Large Man Roman Silva and Maurice Calloo, but it’s guard Ethan Thompson and his mop of hair that’ll shoot Oregon State through this one.

I’m just rooting for a damn good game, to be honest. Let’s get weird.

[5] Villanova Wildcats vs. [1] Baylor Bears

4:15pm | CBS | Baylor -6.5 | O/U 139
South Region | Hinkle Fieldhouse

MaximumSam: Baylor really bothered Wisconin’s guards. Wiscy was in good shape when they could get into their offense, but that seemed tough for them to do. Villanova is missing lead guard Collin Gillespie, which makes me doubt their chances here.

[15] Oral Bob’s House of Learnin’ vs. [3] Arkansas Razorbacks

6:25pm | TBS | Ark -11 | O/U 159.5
South Region | Bankers Life Fieldhouse

MaximumSam: The Lord God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to inspire televangelist Oral Roberts to start his own university, to provide a stage for the one true prophet, Max Abmas.

[11] Syracuse Orange vs. [2] Houston Cougars

8:55pm | TBS | UH -6 | O/U 140
Midwest Region | Hinkle Fieldhouse

MNW: For as fun as Loyola-Oregon State could be? This one, uh...

Look, at this point the Fighting Boeheims are what they are. So I’ll focus on how I like the renaissance that Kelvin Sampson has had in Houston—the old Deadspin piece about him is a good read—say “Go Cougars” and leave it at that.

Here’s your open thread for the day’s hoops. Go nuts.