Off Tackle Empire - 2023 NCAA Tournament, NIT Previews — Big Ten in March MadnessThe quintessential Big Ten smoking room.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49191/offtackle-fave.png2023-04-11T07:10:00-05:00http://www.offtackleempire.com/rss/stream/234043812023-04-11T07:10:00-05:002023-04-11T07:10:00-05:00Who was the LEAST bad at picking brackets? 2023 OTE Bracket Challenge Results
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<img alt="Syndication: Palm Beach Post" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b9Yi10mEb1SYWWf8LtGKKa2bd2g=/0x0:5583x3722/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72168685/usa_today_20420493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Who was the LEAST bad at this?</p> <p id="WyT9L1">For most of us...</p>
<p id="ETDMvi">...well, let’s pretend this never happened.</p>
<p id="PI6YcG">The 2023 Off Tackle Empire Bracket Challenge results are in, and we’ve got two—calling them <em>winners</em> doesn’t feel right, but <em>least losers? </em>That works for me.</p>
<h2 id="7TWsTW">Men’s Tournament Challenge</h2>
<p id="Eq5m8u">In a draw in which basically everyone was lost from the early stages of the Dance, when <a href="https://www.rockchalktalk.com">Kansas</a>, <a href="https://www.azdesertswarm.com">Arizona</a>, and, of course, <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue</a> bowed out early, user <strong>zmaximus</strong> managed to correctly predict that the <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> Huskies would make the national championship!</p>
<p id="epnYBO">Of course, they had them losing to Purdue, but whatever.</p>
<p id="u2mzWv">Congrats to zmaximus and their wonderfully-named bracket Marchtothesea which, with 730 points, finished above 96.3% of all entries.</p>
<p id="2ygP21">Of writers in the Men’s Challenge, Thumpasaurus finished in third with 620 points, ahead of 91.1% of all entries. I was not the worst of the OTE writers, and that will be the only question I take on the matter.</p>
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<h2 id="mkoCKF">Women’s Tournament Challenge</h2>
<p id="3X1d1t">Much more drama here, with the presence of both <a href="https://www.garnetandblackattack.com">South Carolina</a> and <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa</a> in the Final Four grabbing all but one of the fourteen completed brackets on the women’s side.</p>
<p id="MeI5vG">The eventual winner <em>didn’t</em> have Iowa taking the title, though! DesWarin—who I really hope is just using the German genitive case even though they’re missing the “s” on the end—had <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> in the Final Four. That was enough to vault them over The Pickinator, who despite getting the entire non-Iowa Final Four right, missed on the Hawkeyes past the Sweet Sixteen. The aptly-named Tom Picks the Hawks had Iowa over Sakerlina but missed the other side of the bracket, leaving the opening for DesWarin.</p>
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<h2 id="8B3V7N">Claim Your Reward!</h2>
<p id="JOCrFn">As always, the winners can write a Fanpost of their own design and, as long as it meets minimal editorial standards, we will front-page it! Feel free to contact me (minnesotawildcat at gmail dot com) with questions.</p>
<p id="Il88q7">Thanks to everyone who participated. Basketball!</p>
https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/4/11/23678113/2023-ncaa-tournament-bracket-challenge-winners-off-tackle-empire-big-ten-blog-losers-all-aroundMNWildcat2023-04-03T09:50:00-05:002023-04-03T09:50:00-05:00On Iowa-LSU and Taunting: NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship Recap
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<figcaption>Just phenomenal caption work by Hawkcentral: “Background: Angel Reese (10) shows Iowa Caitlin Clark her ring finger during the final seconds of the women’s NCAA Tournament national championship game.” | Zach Boyden-Holmes / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>What <em>was</em> unexpectedly the Jasmine Carson Show tuned into...well, a bunch of old white dudes on the Internet being angry. Which sucks.</p> <p id="DZITDb">Well, you certainly got your money’s worth.</p>
<p id="8x0UkV">Whether you rooted for Iowa, <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>, or a good game—and we can’t promise the third item on that list occurred—the women’s basketball national championship in Dallas certainly delivered some bang for its buck.</p>
<h2 id="XnvPnl">[3] LSU Tigers 102, [2] <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> 85</h2>
<p id="4FGQa9">It didn’t matter that LSU guard Jasmine Carson hadn’t scored in three games: she couldn’t miss on Sunday afternoon, going 5/6 from deep and 8/9 from the field en route to 22 points of unaccounted-for production. </p>
<p id="6PM4xl">Up ten with 1:40 to go in the first half, LSU reeled off seven straight points, capped off by an absurd Carson banked-in three to make it 59-42 at half. While Iowa buried three straight threes to get it to a seven-point game in the third quarter, it wasn’t to be.</p>
<p id="WK1rKz">Refereeing concerns dominated social media, but we will remind you here that, at Off Tackle Empire, if you persist in such silliness, <a href="https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/2/17/23604210/big-ten-referees-missed-calls-purdue-maryland-i-should-get-to-defenestrate-you">you will be required to buy a one-way ticket to Prague and accompany me to a third-story window in the castle there</a>.</p>
<p id="mJX6ha">LSU shot a ridiculous 65% from deep and 54% from the field, grabbed 42.4% of available offensive rebounds, and let Alexis Morris cook (21 points and 9 assists) on a night where Iowa kept a decent lid on Angel Reese’s production—even if the star forward grabbed 6 offensive boards by herself.</p>
<p id="jgPTBs">Iowa bombed away, as Iowa is wont to do, with Caitlin Clark shooting a ridiculous 19 threes (making 8, a 42% clip) en route to 30 points—a game high—and 6 assists. But Monika Czinano was not her usual efficient self from the field (5/11), the Hawkeyes struggled on the interior glass, and lacked the bench depth to overcome foul trouble in a tightly-called game. (I realize “tightly-called” is carrying a lot of water, for some of you, and once again I would direct you to purchase that ticket to Prague so I can shove you out a window and tell you to learn just one other thing about the game of basketball.)</p>
<p id="HWJAlT">The Cinderella story for Iowa thus ends <em>this</em> year, but I wouldn’t bet against the Hawkeyes next year: Caitlin Clark will be back, hungry and angry. </p>
<h3 id="s0dcuw">The Controversy</h3>
<p id="8VSEpJ">That is, of course, in part—perhaps—because of this noise, which led to the postgame being less about the excellence of the two teams on the court and more about, well, a chance for old white Twitter warriors to air their grievances in the name of “the sanctity of the game” and “good sportsmanship”:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ANGEL REESE TO CAITLIN CLARK <a href="https://t.co/2NY0CEzwJ3">pic.twitter.com/2NY0CEzwJ3</a></p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1642646161659154432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2023</a>
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<p id="Dl5plA">And for that, we leave it to the OTE hivemind:</p>
<blockquote><p id="AGaDbd"><strong>MNW: </strong>A reaction to Iowa/LSU would be great, writers. I’d especially appreciate someone tackling the Angel Reese/Caitlin Clark controversy. I trust we could handle this in a deft enough way to avoid taking the same side as Dave Portnoy.</p></blockquote>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526129.152919"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>What’s Portnoy’s side?</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526272.666329"><strong>beezer07: </strong>LSU player who taunted Iowa superstar is a “piece of shit”.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526290.043649"><strong>misdreavus: </strong>LOL definitely not on that side!</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526371.194759"><strong>beez: </strong>Here’s my very short and unprofessional take: all the dudes getting bent out of shape over shit talking in a Natty are the same dudes who call it the No Fun League because they penalize celebrations/taunting, won’t shut up about the “pussification” of sports, and rail against participation trophies.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526416.926669"><strong>misdreavus: </strong>And you know, there’s the whole “hasn’t Clark been doing this exact same thing herself all tournament long?”</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526442.915759"><strong>beez: </strong>If money were to be provided, I’d bet the “data” shows that these dudes are silent in 98% of taunting situations regardless of race, but this was a big stage and it involves the two…sides most likely to get their brain dead followers to like and subscribe.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526458.489439"><strong>misdreavus: </strong>So you’re left with either 1) a group of people who didn’t watch a second of women’s hoops until this very moment, or, more sinisterly, 2) a whole group of people who didn’t seem to have a problem with this until the black girl did it.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680526586.811249"><strong>beez: </strong>“Baseball is boring” Bromie Brohan said. “And the worst part is when the thugs in MLB pimp their home runs. Just act like you’ve been there before!” “There are children who saw this taunt, and now they’re going to have a bad attitude their whole lives. And by the way, did you see what that lil BITCH LeBron did the other day? Why can’t he act more like Luka?”</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680527307.687409"><strong>MNW: </strong>Well, that’s the article...</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680527346.461949"><strong>beez: </strong>Need to throw together a bibliography. Something I did repeatedly in elementary and middle school and pretty sure never ever again.</p>
<p id="k7sazK"><strong>WhiteSpeedReceiver: </strong>I thought it was established fact that Iowa fans have the thinnest skin on earth when they’re the subject of the joke, particularly when they’re getting their ass beat at the time (see: Stanford Marching Band).</p>
<h3 id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680527372.143899">OK, but let’s let the Iowans talk:</h3>
<p id="3tlRix"><strong>Creighton: </strong>My thoughts, organized in no particular order:</p>
<ul>
<li id="zXsSSe">Shit talking is good for sports and should be encouraged</li>
<li id="6qH3yu">The Iowa coaches and players were not upset by it so you shouldn’t be either</li>
<li id="VEs2Mv">Fuck Dave Portnoy</li>
<li id="wV5Xcf">Policing the behavior of 20 year olds on the biggest day of their lives is weird freak behavior</li>
<li id="vvNMTq">Complaining about Reese takes heat off the actual villain (Mulkey)</li>
<li id="LjfA0c">Dave Portnoy’s girlfriend cheated on him with her SoulCycle instructor</li>
<li id="ym48Sv">“classless” is a racist dog whistle and I’m not surprised at some of the people using it to complain</li>
<li id="JasFlH">If you’re genuinely mad at Angel Reese and not just frustrated with the loss, you have to know that, as a shit talker, your angry tweets are only feeding her and making her more happy so it’s best to talk about other things like how portnoy stands on his tippy toes in photos so it looks like he’s taller than 5’5”.</li>
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<p id="XLDHIV">I have Olbermann muted and almost missed this exchange as a result:</p>
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<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680529161.786249"><strong>beez: </strong>The best part of the Olbermann tweet is that two tweets later he apologized because he doesn’t follow womens bball and didn’t know the context.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680529198.711489"><strong>misdreavus: </strong>So he was (1) above.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680529413.722939"><strong>Creighton: </strong>He’s always been a massive clown and any positive things I’ve heard said about him boil down to “he hates the same people i hate” (personally can’t relate because i don’t think he hates himself).</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680530144.330809"><strong>Stewmonkey13: </strong>Angel Reese is awesome and great for women’s college basketball. Caitlin Clark is awesome and great for women’s college basketball. </p>
<p id="t2BjSJ">Kim Mulkey is a bag of Shit walking around in a shiny suit. David Portnoy is a bag of Shit walking around in a short suit. </p>
<p id="e6WztK">Talking Shit is generally fun and good for sports. Is there maybe a slight difference in the way they did the shit talking? Sure, but does it really matter? Fuck no. Not really. Any claim otherwise is sour grapes for losing, at best, and outright racism is just flying all over the place from awful national figures. </p>
<p id="aCniKn"><strong>Creighton: </strong>I can’t stress enough how much it irritates me that we let someone other than Mulkey become the main character. Reese wasn’t the one who spent the entire game 3 feet onto the floor grabbing the arms of refs in the middle of a game.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680530242.356489"><strong>Stew: </strong>Caitlin Clark, Lisa Bluder, and the rest of the Iowa team don’t need, or want, anyone coming to their defense over some perceived slight by internet shitbags.</p>
<p id="K8jw3p">Fuck all of this. Iowa lost because LSU played better.</p>
<h3 id="EU0mal">Final thoughts, gang?</h3>
<p id="KE85MC"><strong>Kind of...: </strong>It’s just a fucking choose-your-own-misadventure book:</p>
<p id="Iq7yiv">Reese did something Clark did, but in a different way. Clark did it toward her teammates walking to a huddle. Reese did it to Clark’s face after stalking her around the court. But Clark’s hand wave in the South Carolina game was more dismissive than any mimicking of John Cena moves. Reminds me of the old-timer I interacted with a few years ago who loved the enthusiasm Baker Mayfield brought the game, but couldn’t stand Cam Newton dabbing. We could do this all day, but it’s pointless.</p>
<p id="it8Qww">Anybody with an opinion make a call, now and forever: do you want the whole loaf or none? There’s no half. Nobody’s going to appoint you commissioner of celebrations, so either you’re against them or you’re for them and nobody gives a fuck about the distinctions you draw. [Or, just admit you’re inconsistent, and live with that. I though the Argentina goalkeeper was classless, but Randy Moss “mooning” Lambeau was some of the funniest shit ever. NOBODY’S completely principled on this.]</p>
<p id="YM1ibx">And, yeah, we should talk about Kim Mulkey. She’s a fucking embarrassment. Pretty quickly reaching Fran levels (but with rings.) [How’s that for trash talk?]</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680530354.501629"><strong>Creighton: </strong>If one of Angel’s friends was in a jam in Russia, I’m pretty sure she’d have more to say than “no comment” when asked about it.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680530404.476929"><strong>Stew: </strong>That’s because Reese can still help Mulkey.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680530550.956049"><strong>WSR: </strong>We don’t need to discuss Mulkey. This is a basketball thread, and she’s off trying to get those Dalmatians to make an outfit to wear while protesting the Manhattan DA.</p>
<p id="threads_view_C3ZREMU8P-1680525749.774209-1680530427.168819"><strong>Creighton: </strong>If Fran did any of that shit they’d have sent him to The Hague instead of talking about his love of sequins.</p>
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https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/4/3/23668032/iowa-lsu-women-basketball-national-championship-recap-caitlin-clark-angel-reese-taunting-reactionMNWildcatCreighton MStewMonkey13beezer07misdreavus79WhiteSpeedReceiverKind of...2023-04-02T14:27:00-05:002023-04-02T14:27:00-05:00NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship: Iowa vs. LSU — Open Thread
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<img alt="NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Championship-Louisiana State vs Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IaroorSo5rQwWRYonDhPQhh3s3M=/0x0:5538x3692/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72140584/usa_today_20377315.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Can Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes finish a sweep of the SEC in the Final Four? </p> <p id="GWFGml">In an NCAA Tournament already rife with storylines, Caitlin Clark and the <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a>, with their upset victory over undefeated #1 <a href="https://www.garnetandblackattack.com">South Carolina Gamecocks</a>, found a way to make even more.</p>
<h3 id="slMbb4">[2] Iowa Hawkeyes vs. [3] <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU Tigers</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="UytfT8">2:30pm CT | ABC/ESPN+ | Iowa -3 | O/U 157<br>American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)</h4>
<p id="SVTFTZ">Against Maryland transfer Angel Reese, who’s averaging 23 and 16 on the season, the Hawkeyes will have their work cut out for them. Expect G Gabbie Marshall for Iowa to run herself ragged all over again keeping up with Tigers G Alexis Morris, and be prepared for the Hawkeyes to have to extend themselves a little farther than the downright disrespectful triangle-and-two in the lane that invited South Carolina to get into a street fight on Iowa’s terms. Lisa Bluder—the ebullient high-fiver in the cover photo—deserves a world of praise on her own terms for how she’s marshalled a questionable Iowa defense into a potential national champion, and she’s certainly awoken the hordes of Iowa faithful.</p>
<p id="sFskry">But, of course, it’ll come down to the usual: can LSU possibly contain Caitlin Clark?</p>
<p id="OE4u0d">Unless Kim Mulkey wears something out of Gru’s closet from <em>Despicable Me</em>—didn’t he wear a jacket of some kind with tentacles or extra arms or something?—it’s not a matter of stopping the Hawkeyes’ ace shooter, it’s a matter of slowing her down. Clark’s made believers of most of the Big Ten and wider college basketball world: in just a few minutes we’ll see if she can complete a storybook ending.</p>
https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/4/2/23667145/ncaa-womens-basketball-national-championship-iowa-lsu-time-tv-how-to-watch-preview-picks-odds-lineMNWildcat2023-04-01T15:30:00-05:002023-04-01T15:30:00-05:00NCAA Tournament Men’s Final Four Open Thread
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<p>HOOT HOOT</p> <p id="oL0Bqs">And now for something completely different from the wide-open thrill-ride that was the Women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four...uh...</p>
<h2 id="qelBlE">Men’s Final Four</h2>
<p id="ZT1QDV">All times CT, all games at NRG Stadium in Houston.</p>
<h3 id="o0xX8B">[9] Florida Atlantic Owls vs. [5] San Diego State Aztecs</h3>
<h4 id="6QT8Zr">5:09pm | CBS | SDSU -2.5 | O/U 132</h4>
<p id="ayBAMO">Scientific logic here, from <a href="https://www.owlpages.com/owls/articles.php?a=63">World Owl Mythology</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="uDds4X"><strong>Aztecs:</strong> one of their evil gods wore a Screech Owl on his head</p></blockquote>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: North Texas at Florida Atlantic" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ax5xHxwHxtGBF1iDYtxO_xpKJrY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24553224/usa_today_10452917.jpg">
<cite>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="vsHeQY">FAU by a million.</p>
<div id="Enk12u"><div data-anthem-component="poll:11834946"></div></div>
<h3 id="RZuCLI">[5] <a href="https://www.stateoftheu.com">Miami Fluoride Hurricanes</a> vs. [4] <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> Huskies</h3>
<h4 id="susJWk">7:49pm | CBS | UConn -5.5 | O/U 149</h4>
<p id="TwDavU">Much to my dismay, I learned while writing this “article” that Miami left for the ACC in 2002, while UConn remained independent in football until 2004, when it finally joined the Big East the same year Temple was expelled for sucking too much.</p>
<p id="wxlrou">2004 was also the year that Pittsburgh, Boston College, West Virginia, and Syracuse all tied for the Big East title with a 4-2 record. </p>
<p id="oWHJNU">Rutgers and Temple both went 1-5.</p>
<p id="7NYHz4">The only time Miami and UConn have ever played in football was 2002, the Huskies’ first season in FBS. The Canes won, 48-14.</p>
<div id="p54B22"><div data-anthem-component="poll:11834948"></div></div>
<p id="hEj0FY">Here’s your game thread for the evening. No illegal links or whatever—not that we can do anything to stop them, thanks to Coral, but we’ll shake our fingers at you collectively and you’ll feel that shame and judgment.</p>
<p id="R4b1Me">ok have fun bye</p>
https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/4/1/23665893/ncaa-tournament-final-four-time-tv-odds-line-spread-picks-watch-fau-sdsu-miami-uconn-basketballMNWildcat2023-03-25T10:15:00-05:002023-03-25T10:15:00-05:00Buckeyes, Terrapins, Hawkeyes still alive! March Madness Weekend Open Thread: Men’s and Women’s
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<figcaption>Brenda Frese coaching and Iowa fans complaining — all the classics of the Big Ten, right there. | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Three Big Ten teams still in action! Do any survive the weekend?</p> <p id="j9Nevo">Busy week, busy life. Apparently <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a> bombed outta the NCAA Tournament, so the Big Ten is done? Surely we’re all taking this rationally and not—</p>
<aside id="hYMTeF"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"It’s Time to Admit the Big Ten is a Mid-Major in College Basketball","url":"https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/24/23654940/matt-painter-purdue-dusty-may-florida-atlantic-badgers-hoosiers-terrapins-wolverines-spartans-izzo"}]}'></div></aside><p id="f5v6ZM">Well. OK. I see!</p>
<p id="pcWSnC">Regardless of all that, the conference <em>is</em> still alive in women’s basketball—in fact, <em>three</em> teams are still kicking in postseason play, with Iowa, Maryland, and OSU all still alive. The Hawkeyes advanced to the Elite Eight last night, and the Terps and Buckeyes will try to do the same today.</p>
<p id="vOXI4H">No real big previews for you unless other writers have something to say, as I’m unpacking and laundering from the last work trip and gearing up to go on another tomorrow morning. Exciting times!</p>
<h1 id="TD4G3c">Saturday, March 25</h1>
<p id="1d60Yy"><small><em>All times CT, all lines taken from ESPN, all errors intentional.</em></small></p>
<h2 id="Dq3RC9">NCAA Women’s Tournament (Sweet Sixteen)</h2>
<h3 id="hDqJyR">[3] <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> vs. [2] <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="UAX7MN">10:30am | ESPN | MD -5 | O/U 137.5 | Greenville, SC</h4>
<p id="te8SK8"><strong>MNW: </strong>There’s an interesting timeline in which Brenda Frese sticks around and turns Minnesota into a women’s basketball powerhouse. I always forget she was only in Minneapolis for one year.</p>
<p id="7kSy0K">On the Notre Dame side, I’ll be honest: I didn’t even know Muffet McGraw was gone.</p>
<h3 id="I4lEv0">[4] <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA Bruins</a> vs. [1] <a href="https://www.garnetandblackattack.com">South Carolina Gamecocks</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="AZpu6b">1pm | ESPN | SCar -16.5 | O/U 127.5 | Greenville, SC</h4>
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<h3 id="ZW7MRU">[3] <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> Buckeyes vs. [2] <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> Huskies</h3>
<h4 id="28PLeg">3pm | ABC | UConn -10 | O/U 145 | Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle)</h4>
<p id="2wo2YN"><strong>MNW: </strong>Thanks for playing, Buckeyes. It was nice while it lasted.</p>
<h3 id="PoxcWX">[4] <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a> vs. [1] <a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com">Virginia Tech Hokies</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="M9BOiQ">5:30pm | ESPN2 | EVEN | O/U 137.5 | Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle)</h4>
<p id="mZmq1C"><strong>MNW: </strong>I think I’m tied for sixth in the OTE Women’s Bracket Pick’em Challenge—please do not ask me how I’m doing on the men’s side, thanks—but I didn’t know VaTech would just be a basic pick’em against Tennessee. I learned something!</p>
<h2 id="O1A9cf">NCAA Men’s Tournament (Elite Eight)</h2>
<h3 id="vY2O85">[9] Florida Atlantic Owls vs. [3] <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State Wildcats</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="oKwJsA">5:09pm | TBS | K-State -2 | O/U 144 | Madison Square Garden</h4>
<p id="tGgjFl"><strong>MNW: </strong>The K-State argue-oop might be my favorite play I’ve ever seen in a Tournament game. That it knocked out Michigan State is just gravy.</p>
<h3 id="OelDOn">[4] UConn Huskies vs. [3] <a href="https://www.slipperstillfits.com">Gonzaga Bulldogs</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="VFEt6K">7:49pm | TBS | UConn -2.5 | O/U 154 | T-Mobile Arena (Vegas)</h4>
<p id="6vSsek"><strong>MNW: </strong>I hate Gonzaga. I am so goddamn tired of Drew Timme and this bullshit program just pulling shit out of their ass and it working. And I think I genuinely like Mick Cronin. So that game the other night blew.</p>
<h1 id="zpJHGR">Sunday, March 26</h1>
<h2 id="KeGFcP">NCAA Men’s Tournament (Elite Eight)</h2>
<h3 id="LKpgFp">[6] Creighton Bluejays vs. [5] San Diego State Aztecs</h3>
<h4 id="xrA1da">1:20pm | CBS | Creighton -1.5 | O/U 133.5 | KFC Yum! Center (Louisville)</h4>
<p id="UBeLW0"><strong>MNW: </strong>Must hate my <a href="https://www.bigeastcoastbias.com">Big East</a> rival Jays. But why did this need to be a thing, NCAA?</p>
<div id="LrAXwE">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Flying high into the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Elite8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Elite8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/iQdV5RAUaW">pic.twitter.com/iQdV5RAUaW</a></p>— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1639472846127742976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2023</a>
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<p id="Africj">Go Aztecs, who have made clogging the paint into a work of damned art.</p>
<p id="yiGXtj">Also, there was this:</p>
<div id="rIoTmx">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MARTIN: wow if Princeton wins they’ll be in the Elite 8!<br><br>FRASIER: they’re already in an Elite 8 - the Ivy League<br><br>NILES: yes but that’s technically the Elite 7 Plus Cornell</p>— Ben Rosen (@ben_rosen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ben_rosen/status/1639449426661085190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2023</a>
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<h3 id="yvPlky">[5] <a href="https://www.stateoftheu.com">Miami Hurricanes</a> vs. [2] <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="TPQ2FH">4:05pm | CBS | Texas -4 | O/U 150 | T-Mobile Center (KCMO)</h4>
<p id="Pvrtta"><strong>MNW: </strong>Go hurricane.</p>
<p id="yc1PEN">Not like, Miami, just a hurricane to hit the building.</p>
<p id="Tg9X0S">I guess it’s Kansas City: go tornado.</p>
<h2 id="7b3jqg">NCAA Women’s Tournament (Elite Eight)</h2>
<h3 id="nbPYwH">[9] Miami Hurricanes vs. [3] <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU Tigers</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="TpT0GE">6pm | ESPN | Line, Total TBD | Greenville, SC</h4>
<p id="i5ln5O"><strong>MNW: </strong>I just...I mean...</p>
<div id="qHBV2I">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/dtoZ25jlww">pic.twitter.com/dtoZ25jlww</a></p>— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) <a href="https://twitter.com/HeavensFX/status/1639408901191004161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2023</a>
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<p id="ucrSRx">I <em>almost</em> have to hand it to her looking like Cruella de Belle. How many Muppets died to make that monstrosity, Kim?!</p>
<h3 id="F1bhNs">[5] <a href="https://www.cardchronicle.com">Louisville Cardinals</a> vs. [2] <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="VMAIJz">8pm | ESPN | Line, Total TBD | Seattle, WA</h4>
<p id="Xq1rlE">Having just been to the hog confinement lot that is Iowa, nothing would make me happier than Caitlin Clark hitting a game-winning shot and then, in the postgame press conference, denouncing the horrific Iowa anti-trans bills.</p>
<p id="kQ9mwQ">I hope the state collectively explodes, and with all the ag runoff in the water, it could happen!</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="IvJZ9q">
<p id="WVq6oe">Have a good time, gang. I’ll be watching soccer or throwing a sawbuck on black 33.</p>
https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/25/23656189/ncaa-tournament-games-schedule-time-tv-watch-iowa-louisville-maryland-notre-dame-ohio-state-uconnMNWildcat2023-03-18T09:00:00-05:002023-03-18T09:00:00-05:00ALL ABOARD THE TRAINWRECK: March Madness Saturday Open Thread
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<img alt="Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PBPFu3De1zQ0T2aT311ewcWqUYU=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72088959/usa_today_20258805.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>TRAINWRECKED.</p> <p id="wYvWFF">So...uh...here’s the thing.</p>
<p id="a7qL6h">When our Purdue writer is the one doing gamethreads, and Purdue is a 1-seed, you don’t expect a rage-quit until at LEAST the second weekend.</p>
<p id="Eo3vOh">Oops.</p>
<h1 id="fRiN2K">Friday’s Scores</h1>
<h2 id="udLkOh">NCAA Men’s Tournament</h2>
<h3 id="1wZerx">[16] Fairleigh Dickinson Knights 63, [1] <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a> 58</h3>
<p id="1679101637.485579"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>BoilerUp89 punching in and writing his season ending comments. Feel free to use this on whatever article gets written: There’s a lot of losses I can write thru. This is not one of them. I’m gonna need a month or three or five. </p>
<p id="tteT5f">For my fellow boilerbots, I don’t know what to tell you. If you are like me, you aren’t reading this anyway. As a huge college basketball fan, I’ve left tonight wondering why I choose this as one of my hobbies. And tonight, I’m left with no answers. I suppose I’ll be dusting myself off and doing this again next season, but right now I’m left feeling empty.</p>
<p id="QzG9YS"><strong>MaximumSam</strong>: All of Purdue’s faults rose together in one very sad game. The freshman back court struggled with relentless pressure. The freshman point guard had as many turnovers as points. FDU basically just hung on to Zach Edey like a crop of little barnacles and didn’t bother guarding the three, but Purdue shot just 19%. By the end, everyone was passing up shots besides Foster Loyer. </p>
<p id="dRzIwZ">The good news for Purdue is they could return nearly everyone, and there is literally no way to do worse in the tourney next year.</p>
<p id="T3T208"><strong>Buffkomodo</strong>: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. <br>To be a little serious, this is what happens when you’re 1 dimensional and rely on freshman guards. It’s what happens when your best player or most explosive player isn’t a ball handler. To be honest, I’ve loved watching the Painter era at Purdue because I do truly respect him and it does suck for you guys that every year this will be brought up from now on.</p>
<p id="sMespO">The difference between Matt Painter and Tony Bennett is 1 national championship. Looks like yours might be coming next season Purdue, so cheer up!</p>
<p id="e0MOn9"><strong>Kind of...</strong>: A lot of the contextual factoids have already been shared: FDU is <em><strong>far worse</strong></em> by advanced metrics than UMBC, they needed Merrimack to be ineligible to even get a bid, Painter has lost to 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16 seeds now, etc. </p>
<p id="h6uKw3">But if my purpose is to twist the knife a bit, here’s my observation: I’m going to take Boiler fans even less seriously the next time I hear “we were definitely making the Final Four until Hummel got hurt in 2010.” Matt Painter coached that team too.</p>
<p id="S0IVjU"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Man, I feel terrible for Purdue fans. I guess, in a way, being a fan of Penn State makes scenarios like this one basically impossible, so I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to relate. And, given the choice, I think I prefer living in the world where merely making the tournament is cause for elation, because I cannot imaging the anguish that this fanbase must be going through right now. </p>
<h3 id="8AgSOT">[4] <a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com">Indiana Hoosiers</a> 71, [13] Kent State Golden Flashes 60</h3>
<p id="sIWODV">Hey, Trayce Jackson-Davis is taller than a MAC team! </p>
<p id="YcR3PT">Do with that what you will.</p>
<div id="JjaxJc">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pete Nance is here with Miller Kopp’s family. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iubb?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iubb</a> <a href="https://t.co/75YBNVYPgY">pic.twitter.com/75YBNVYPgY</a></p>— Keegan Nickoson (@Knickoson42) <a href="https://twitter.com/Knickoson42/status/1636917816166055937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="XLGnS2">Glad Pete Nance finally got to be at an NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p id="OSEcpw"><strong>MaximumSam</strong>: A surprisingly ho hum win where the Hoosiers controlled basically the whole game. I’m glad I didn’t stay up to watch it.</p>
<p id="ADdva3"><strong>Buffkomodo</strong>: This game was nip and tuck (mostly nip) in the first half until Indiana extended its lead heading into the half. The Hoosiers pushed the lead to double digits in the second half and never really let the game get scary. </p>
<p id="rp0XRQ">And that’s really the secret to winning games in this tournament. Do everything you can to keep a cushion when you have it otherwise you could wind up on the wrong end of a buzzer beater.</p>
<p id="65qdJa">A lot will be made about TJD, and rightfully so. However this game belongs to Miller Kopp and Race Thompson. They were awesome and outscored the TJD/JHS combo overall. If they play like this Sunday, Indiana has a chance to get back to the Sweet 16.</p>
<p id="xYKtFo"><strong>Kind of...</strong>: Given that Drake should have beaten Miami—despite the Bulldogs’ best player shooting 1-13—because Drake dominated in the paint, you’ve got to like Indiana’s odds of getting through to the Sweet 16. If this happens, look for multiple think pieces on the nature of the Purdue/Indiana rivalry.</p>
<p id="GhR3co"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>For a second there, it did look like Indiana might have thought they were playing <em>Penn, </em>and not <em>Kent, </em>State.</p>
<h3 id="ytVNYw">[7] <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State Spartans</a> 72, [10] <a href="https://www.conquestchronicles.com">USC Trojans</a> 62</h3>
<p id="5GxTOY">I’ll admit to being a little surprised by this result, but when your old-ass coach is doing this, that’s a sign of something:</p>
<div id="Y0udiu">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tom Izzo took his frustration out on a clipboard <br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/hHJjk7iO8z">pic.twitter.com/hHJjk7iO8z</a></p>— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1636789677310246912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="yDmjuq">Anywho welcome to the neighborhood, USC. You’re gonna hate it here.</p>
<p id="PnOalf"><strong>MaximumSam</strong>: Sparty made a spirited effort to give this game away. They missed the front end of three consecutive one and ones at the end and six free throws in a row. Luckily for them, USC did not resemble Iowa in any way, and was happy to throw the ball away as opposed to make a bunch of threes. I’m still a Spartan believer, but man I can’t fathom why they look so bad down the stretch of games. </p>
<p id="vZrboQ"><strong>Buffkomodo</strong>: Breaking clip boards is easy for everyone but Jay Wright apparently. Could explain why he’s a better coach than me. Also the PAC-12 is the big loser this year, so cheers OTE fans! We’re still not last place (except you Purdue).</p>
<p id="daiZJ8"><strong>Kind of...</strong>: Don’t want to be arrogant and say “I’m not surprised” but I definitely thought MSU was winning. And I think they have a real shot against Marquette, too. I based this optimism on the fact that Wisconsin, deemed not good enough to make the tournament beat USC on a neutral court, and beat Marquette on the road. Duke/Sparty Elite Eight?</p>
<p id="FteDfk"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>I mean, it’s “beat Marquette and the Final Four is yours” for Michigan State, right?</p>
<h2 id="Y78lOs">NCAA Women’s Tournament</h2>
<h3 id="pdQAxh">[2] <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> 95, [15] Southeast Louisiana Lions 43</h3>
<h3 id="v6ypC3">[2] <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a> 93, [15] Holy Cross Crusaders 61</h3>
<h3 id="B1P3Rj">[6] <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> 71, [11] UNLV Rebels 59</h3>
<h1 id="MNld7C">Saturday’s Games</h1>
<h2 id="soRkW6">Men’s NCAA Tournament</h2>
<h3 id="b2LXbY">[13] Furman Paladins vs. [5] San Diego State Aztecs</h3>
<h4 id="9BBuqY">11:10am | CBS | SDSU -5.5 | O/U 137.5</h4>
<h5 id="mmMhCF">South Region: Orlando, FL</h5>
<p id="1n6GkB">The Aztecs nearly choked against College of Charleston, while Furman benefited when Virginia <em>did</em> choke! I don’t know that San Diego State will be as bad from three as Virginia was, but I do know that the Paladins can capitalize if they are.</p>
<p id="KvIzCq"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Last Mountain West Team Standing!</p>
<h3 id="ldDMea">[5] <a href="https://www.dukebasketballreport.com">Duke Blue Devils</a> vs. [4] <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="hoBNSW">1:40pm | CBS | Duke -3.5 | O/U 128.5</h4>
<h5 id="4CF1Ha">East Region: Orlando, FL</h5>
<p id="Jf6Dho">This is what happens when you lose, Purdue. One of these teams is probably going to the Elite Eight. Are you happy now?</p>
<p id="fyKm6u"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Oh right I forgot these two were here. Still.</p>
<h3 id="jy5lkY">[8] <a href="https://www.arkansasfight.com">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> vs. [1] <a href="https://www.rockchalktalk.com">Kansas Jayhawks</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="JRmE7C">4:15pm | CBS | KU -3.5 | O/U 143.5</h4>
<h5 id="LkCRGN">West Region: Des Moines, IA</h5>
<p id="V6fCFA">The Hogs looked pretty impressive in keeping the Illini at arm’s length for the entirety of their game—Kansas will not afford them that courtesy, obviously, nor are they likely to shoot 27% from deep and 65% from the line or turn it over 17 times. Arkansas will need to be a lot more efficient on offense to make it stick even <em>if</em> Kansas is sloppy — but hey, we all get the Liberty Bowl redux we wanted.</p>
<p id="madwMo"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>[sarcastic voice] “Why is one pronounced Kansas, but the other one pronounced Arkansaw?”</p>
<h3 id="GZ47Th">[15] Princeton Tigers vs. [7] <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com">Missouri Tigers</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="U3kcfU">5:10pm | TNT | Mizzou -6.5 | O/U 149</h4>
<h5 id="tnQxcd">South Region: Sacramento, CA</h5>
<p id="PQ0ewc">Did you know that both these teams are called the Tigers?</p>
<p id="83dEND">I’m on the fence as to whether Princeton will struggle with Mizzou’s athleticism and pressing ability or be able to pick it apart with that Ivy League precisi—they shot <em>how</em> badly against Arizona?</p>
<p id="Dtw77E">Genuinely happy for longtime Northwestern assistant—and Bill Carmody disciple—Mitch Henderson and Princeton, though. Here’s hoping.</p>
<p id="EfQD5k"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Tigers vs Tigers. It’s almost like there are too many Tiger mascots in college sports.</p>
<h3 id="mvvXvj">[9] <a href="https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com">Auburn Tigers</a> vs. [1] Houston Cougars</h3>
<h4 id="f8oP1E">6:10pm | TBS | UH -5.5 | O/U 132</h4>
<h5 id="sb1A4J">Midwest Region: Birmingham, AL</h5>
<p id="5WTbxA">Did the Coogs wake up after a 63-52 slopfest against fellow clock-burners Northern Kentucky? Marcus Sasser claims he’s going to be 100% for Auburn, but, uh...the Tigers sure looked decent in their romp over Iowa.</p>
<p id="1EpJJW">Now, Houston is a team that is actually familiar with the concept of “playing defense,” and the way that both Bruce Pearl and Kelvin Sampson set up their squads, this could easily be a first-to-60 proposition. I’d take the under here and miiiiiight lean Auburn in an upset.</p>
<p id="0rKtzT"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Oh look more Tigers. At least they’re facing Cougars...</p>
<h3 id="PWVvxI">[10] <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com">Penn State Nittany Lions</a> vs. [2] <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="2Wr2Vu">6:45pm | CBS | Texas -5.5 | O/U 139</h4>
<h5 id="5l5QZp">Midwest Region: Des Moines, IA</h5>
<p id="jmjUfn">I didn’t know that Jalen Pickett and Andrew Funk were the Second Coming of...well, name a famous duo. Bird and McHale? Rizzoli and Isles? It’s like 2am and I’m watching Australian Rules Football.</p>
<p id="fZEDme">Why is Marcus Carr still here? Is it 2017?</p>
<p id="daowuq"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>No, I don’t care that a Nittany Lions is just a type of cougar. </p>
<p id="8sS4nQ">Penn State is going to need to play just as well, if not better than they did against A&M. Texas can shoot from outside, and has the athleticism to actually force Pickett out of what he wants to do. Of course, if the threes are falling it won’t matter much, but I’m not expecting that kind of performance again, so let’s hope they can just keep it close.</p>
<h3 id="YACFz2">[7] <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a> vs. [2] <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA Bruins</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="JIBwsh">7:40pm | TNT | UCLA -7.5 | O/U 126.5</h4>
<h5 id="z0hsCM">West Region: Sacramento, CA</h5>
<p id="rI4cGY">I want to believe. I so badly do.</p>
<p id="x1kNK1"><a href="https://www.obnug.com">Boise State</a> shoved Northwestern’s defensive rebounders in a goddamn locker on Thursday, yet the ‘Cats really did control that game, force Boise into some tough shots, and largely deserve to win.</p>
<p id="LEfcq4">I don’t think they get that benefit of the doubt against UCLA.</p>
<p id="EpH4u9">While I do think Chase Audige and Boo Buie can hold their own defensively against the UCLA backcourt of Tyger Campbell and Amari Bailey, who knows what the hell Jaime Jaquez Jr. is going to do to Robbie Beran or Matt Nicholson or whoever the ‘Cats try to throw at him on defense. It may not be pretty if Jaquez gets going.</p>
<p id="LCaMs7">On the other hand, Northwestern matches up a <em>little</em> better with the Bruins on account of that defense. We’ll see how the Bruins do facing another real team without Jaylen Clark and a possibly-still-injured Adem Bona. Drag it into the mud and hope for a slightly-above-average game from Northwestern’s guards, and the ‘Cats could grind out a 62-60 kind of donnybrook.</p>
<p id="aDXp2d"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>UCLA already plays like a Big Ten team, so this is just a preview of next next season.</p>
<h3 id="F1pEUv">[8] Maryland Terrapins vs. [1] <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="pbSLm3">8:40pm | TBS | Bama -9 | O/U 144.5</h4>
<h5 id="7ApYzn">South Region: Birmingham, AL</h5>
<p id="oyJrWJ">The committee giveth and the committee taketh away, huh, Kev?</p>
<p id="frnkvO">I can’t wait to hear about how it was unfair that Maryland had to go from an 11am game to an 8:40pm game. That’s why they’ll lose this one.</p>
<p id="1moRD0"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>You know what Maryland, if you beat Alabama, I’ll force Penn State fans to acknowledge you as a rival in football. How’s that sound?</p>
<h2 id="cAJSN9">Women’s NCAA Tournament</h2>
<h3 id="fqMPYy">[1] Indiana Hoosiers vs. [16] Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles</h3>
<h4 id="9jwVxB">10:30am | ESPN2 | IU -30 | O/U 139.5 | at Indiana</h4>
<h3 id="qG76ao">[3] <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> Buckeyes vs. [14] James Madison Dukes</h3>
<h4 id="pIMVK7">12:30pm | ESPN2 | OSU -18 | O/U 143 | at Ohio State</h4>
<h2 id="JbrU8c">Men’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament">NIT</a>
</h2>
<h3 id="JEh0eL">[3] Michigan Wolverines at [2] <a href="https://www.anchorofgold.com">Vanderbilt Commodores</a>
</h3>
<h4 id="A8wPbF">11am | ESPN | Vandy -2 | O/U 148 | Clemson Region</h4>
<h3 id="uLVtI8">[4] <a href="https://www.downthedrive.com">Cincinnati Bearcats</a> at [NR] Hofstra Pride</h3>
<h4 id="SNiEC5">1pm | ESPN+ | <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> Region</h4>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZwFGlr">
<p id="XhIuRv">Here’s your open thread for the day’s hoops. Behave.</p>
https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/18/23641981/ncaa-tournament-schedule-games-march-18-tv-time-watch-maryland-alabama-northwestern-ucla-previewMNWildcat2023-03-17T09:00:00-05:002023-03-17T09:00:00-05:002023 NCAA Basketball Tournament Round 1, Day 2 Previews & Game Thread
<figure>
<img alt="Southeast Missouri State v Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G-qyI9lyRsdx-LRyDcDJEJxzySo=/1x0:2581x1720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72085304/1473574818.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Sparty, Purdue, and Indiana hit the court today. Read previews for ALL the Day Two games and talk about them here!</p> <p id="klmVkg">I get it. You had too many chicken wings and one too many beers at the bar last night while screaming at the television. Now your boss keeps calling you trying to get you do respond to a customer’s emergency.</p>
<h1 id="gMsOis">
<em><strong>MNW: </strong></em><em>HOW ‘BOUT THEM WILDCATS</em>
</h1>
<p id="76NkTc">Do yourself a favor and take a break from work while preparing yourself for Friday’s games by reading previews for all 16 games today (along with their TV stations and approximate tip times). Tip times are still Central Time. There is no use complaining about it. The plans to use Central Time have been on display in the planning department.</p>
<p id="doR1Le"><small><em><strong>MNW Note: </strong></em></small><small><em>And the beatings will continue until morale improves.</em></small></p>
<p id="Gs9APf">If you don’t feel like reading the previews, then fine. See if I care. Take a nap before the games, ignore your boss until Monday, and use this as your game thread. </p>
<p id="ZLNnA9">Behave. Usual rules apply. Complain about the refs at your own risk. Violators must provide their own airfare to Prague.</p>
<h2 id="layt6t">Afternoon Sessions</h2>
<p id="dhd90J"><small><em>All lines provided by ESPN on Thursday morning. Because that’s when MNW had time to do it. If you use what we write to bet, seek professional help.</em></small></p>
<h3 id="aKDkOW">#7 <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State Spartans</a> (19-12) v. #10 USC Trojans (22-10)</h3>
<h4 id="Vel0D9">11:15 am, CBS, Columbus | MSU -2 | O/U 137.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ohio State v Michigan State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NlqNcGagmTMXsVYyhAibLjlToUE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511547/1472661704.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Don’t talk to me, I’m hungover</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="h42Anv">The battle of the ancient armies of the Mediterranean. Tom Izzo leads Michigan State to a 25th straight NCAA tournament (a Division 1 record for a coach at one university). Sparty meets future conference mate USC in their third straight appearance under Andy Enfield. Just 22 more to go, Andy!</p>
<p id="NZg8hG">January, February, Izzo. Or something. Although this doesn’t appear to be one of the better Michigan State squads under Tom Izzo, they have excellent guard play and perimeter shooting. AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker are a potent 1-2 punch while Joey Hauser and Jaden Akins offer excellent shooting ability that can help stretch the opposing defense. The issue for Michigan State is that they are rather undersized at the post position. Jason Kohler isn’t ready for a big role yet, while Hauser and Mady Sissoko haven’t been able to be counted on close to the rim. This leaves Michigan State vulnerable to good rebounding teams and a cold shooting game can doom them.</p>
<p id="M5nO8H">The Trojans defeated Auburn and <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA</a> at home and that’s really the extent of their resume. USC has been a solid defense and freshman Vincent Iwuchukwu is an excellent rim protector. Iwuchukwu though has missed the last two games and will be a game time decision. USC will run a lot of their offense thru their point guard Boogie Ellis but aren’t afraid to pound it inside when they have an advantage and have three centers they can rotate in if Iwuchukwu is able to play.</p>
<p id="2uyzJD"><strong>MNW: </strong>This is a really interesting matchup—Kenpom has both teams in the low 40s on offense <em>and</em> defense, with Sparty’s slower pace and tougher SOS keeping them a little higher in the ol’ rankings. </p>
<p id="Uk8ZvP">Ellis is great, but man, that Drew Peterson cat could give Sparty a lot of trouble if his back is OK. 6’9” guard, good off the bounce, and a shooter who’s not afraid to get into the lane and mix it up, either.</p>
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<h3 id="0TqhXr">#3 <a href="https://www.bannersontheparkway.com">Xavier Musketeers</a> (25-9) v. #14 Kennesaw State Owls (26-8)</h3>
<h4 id="vScKAU">11:40 am, TruTV, Greensboro | Xavier -13 | O/U 154</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Butler v Xavier" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WexOWBQ1hLND5loV03LatV2_YQM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511574/1471340074.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Sean Miller is sweating already</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="LoRX8D">Xavier returns to the tournament after a four year drought under current Miami-Ohio (why?) head coach Travis Steele. The Muskies face our only first time dancer in the Kennesaw State Owls.</p>
<p id="iVtUWl">Having watched a lot of Xavier games this season I can tell you they are a very talented offense. Graduate transfer Sooley Boum is the type of point guard fully capable of dragging his team to victories and Colby Jones, Adam Kunkel, and former Iowa Hawkeye Jack Nunge can all knock down open threes at a high clip. While the loss of Zach Freemantle to injury was a blow, Xavier hasn’t missed too much of a step since he went down. Former Hoosier Jerome Hunter has raised his game to another level as his minutes have increased. The issue for Xavier is their defense. Sean Miller is a good defensive coach, but the personnel he inherited aren’t athletic enough or strong enough to be excellent defenders. Xavier can outscore plenty of teams, but if they get into a tight one I’m not sure they can make stops.</p>
<p id="pqHefS">Kennesaw State is a good three point shooting team (37.1%). While that isn’t as good as Xavier, it’s good enough that they could make a run at pulling an upset. Chris Youngblood is an excellent knock down shooter and look for him to get hot if the Owls are in it. KSU lacks height in the post though, and Xavier will look to exploit their lack of size by driving to the rim off of ball screens.</p>
<p id="hTVLYg"><strong>MNW: </strong>First, congrats to the Owls and Owl faithful. It’s such a great feeling, and I hope their fans make the trip up I-85 and give ‘em hell in Greensboro.</p>
<p id="J3onvp">Nunge was such a good get—though I believe due to a family tragedy—for Xavier, and having a guy that big who can space you and body you is a helluva asset. That’s going to pay off big against them Fightin’ Owls, who struggled with size in losses at San Diego State and Indiana. Give them a shorter matchup and maybe there’s some fun, but I think X gon’ give it to ‘em today.</p>
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<h3 id="zlTJ91">#3 <a href="https://www.ourdailybears.com">Baylor Bears</a> (22-10) v. #14 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (27-7)</h3>
<h4 id="r2GYEJ">12:30 pm, TNT, Denver | Baylor -10.5 | O/U 143</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xnYfAs174WFGtHLdi5lk70U0WTE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511580/1472906714.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Sam Morris/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="1u1o3T">Baylor has now made their 4th straight tournament under Scott Drew. The Gauchos (excellent team name by the way), return after a 1 year absence. In their previous appearance they lost a heartbreaker to Creighton in the 1st round.</p>
<p id="3pqm7b">Baylor has a very effective offense that shoots and makes a lot of threes off of good ball movement. Upperclassmen starters LJ Cryer, Flo Thamba, and Adam Flagler will look to start their campaign to win a second national championship after being on the Baylor team that won it all in 2021. The Bears defense however is their worst in over a decade. They give up too many offensive rebounds and open looks near the rim.</p>
<p id="Cfqf2V">The Gauchos will try to slow this game down, work their offense, and get good looks close to the basket. They don’t shoot a lot of threes and are fairly neglectful of crashing the offensive boards. Despite season ending injuries to two rotation pieces, Santa Barbara was able to share the Big West regular season crown and claim the auto bid in the Big West tournament. Four senior starters means the Gauchos will leave it all on the floor, and two of them were at Santa Barbara for their close loss to Creighton in 2021 so there is tournament experience here. Cole Anderson, Miles Norris, and Calvin Wishart shoot threes above 38% while the rest of the team will mostly avoid taking long range shots to get more high percentage shots.</p>
<p id="2bXJN9"><strong>MNW: </strong>I just don’t see the Gauchos getting the space for those kinds of looks against a superior athletic team like the Bears. Spread the floor and pray for some hot shooting, though.</p>
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<h3 id="LvE9WD">#5 Saint Mary’s Gaels (26-7) v. #12 Virginia Commonwealth Rams (27-7)</h3>
<h4 id="oaBAVm">1 pm, TBS, Albany | SMC -4.5 | O/U 123</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 12 Atlantic 10 Tournament" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rA_DrvnAhMN6Qrg6cMSfCeFawMA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511601/1248343285.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="ssqRil">Ever since Gonzaga forced St. Mary’s to start scheduling a difficult non-conference slate, they’ve started making more tournaments. Take notes <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a>. This is St. Mary’s second straight NCAA tournament appearance and the 9th of Randy Bennett’s tenure. Everyone’s least favorite former tournament Cinderella, VCU, meets them in the opening round after having to forfeit in 2021 due to COVID.</p>
<p id="mEWcue">Saint Mary’s is the second slowest team in the tournament (behind only Virginia). They play a defense that runs opponents off the three point line and secure a very high percentage of their defensive rebounds. Then they get on offense and slowly look for a high quality shot. Alec Ducas and Aidan Mahaney are over 40% from three but that’s cancelled out by Logan Johnson’s sub 30%. A couple of large humans given St. Mary’s the ability to dump the ball inside when they need an easy bucket.</p>
<p id="1r3n4e">VCU blew their shot at an at-large bid by the end of the first week of December, but then lost only three more games the rest of the way. Former Michigan Wolverine Brandon Johns starts for the Rams and gives them a good 1-2 punch in the post with fellow starter Jalen DeLoach. The Rams surround their post players with two guards that are shooting above 40% on the season. They struggle with turnovers, but create a bunch of turnovers when on defense and generally frustrate opponents. VCU will lean on their defense, but unlike St. Mary’s they want to get out and run on fast breaks.</p>
<p id="aVW4yi"><strong>MNW: </strong>Wait, why is VCU not our favorite Cinderella? Is it that Sister Jean? Them Retrievers? ...OK, yeah, never mind. Point taken.</p>
<p id="udzcZM">VCU is VCU, and Saint Mary’s is fucking Bennett-Ball but with an international flair. It’s going to be interesting to watch each one try to impose their pace and style on the other. I think Saint Mary’s is disciplined enough to rise above the chaos (or havoc, whatever), though, and possesses the defense to slow Johns and DeLoach.</p>
<p id="btlvYr"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>MNW clearly does not recall who VCU beat in the Round of 32. I hold grudges.</p>
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<h3 id="C5SXZI">#2 <a href="https://www.anonymouseagle.com">Marquette Golden Eagles</a> (28-6) v. #15 Vermont Catamounts (23-10)</h3>
<h4 id="znAnJt">1:45 pm, CBS, Columbus | Marquette -10.5 | O/U 144.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Vermont v UMBC" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zZjcyMTkaxXEddrGsmZKeMpMdDs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511607/1455028580.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Remember when Vermont beat Syracuse?</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="JSNvkr">So if you read the <a href="https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/15/23636874/purdue-boilermakers-worrisome-ncaa-tournament-precedents">tournament history piece</a> yesterday, you’ll know that Marquette is on shaky ground here after making the tournament for their second consecutive season to start Shaka Smart’s tenure in Milwaukee. Vermont meanwhile is still the Vermont machine.</p>
<p id="S9rGE3">Since losing to the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> in overtime, Marquette finished the season 22-3, winning both the <a href="https://www.bigeastcoastbias.com">Big East</a> regular season and tournament. The team is unselfish, take care of the basketball, and move quickly to get a good look before their opponent can get set on defense. Defensively, its all about getting steals for the Golden Eagles. One issue for Marquette is their lack of experience. The team has no juniors or seniors. Will they be emotionally ready for the big stage and lights of the NCAA tournament? Will Shaka make his first Sweet 16 since his horrible, no good, very bad Final Four run?</p>
<p id="KzVRf9">Vermont has had plenty tournament trips, but hasn’t had a win since they beat Syracuse in 2005. The Catamounts have the country’s second longest active win streak at 15, but the America East isn’t exactly full of juggernauts. On offense, Vermont has a pretty good shooting percentage, but they are one shot and done and struggle to get to the foul line as they take a lot of threes. Defensively, they aren’t much to write home about but they do a good job of boxing out and preventing second chance points. The Catamounts top six players in their rotation are all seniors and four of them were on the roster last year when they fell four points short of their upset bid against Arkansas.</p>
<p id="Pl5atm"><strong>MNW: </strong>If you’re ready to dislike someone, Travis Kolek from Marquette is excited to meet you—not because he’s a bad person, but because he’s got <em>that kind of game</em>. Drops almost 8 assists a game, shoots nearly 40% from three, looks like he’s covering up a receded hairline...</p>
<p id="7sXEjS">...I digress (said the fat man on his couch).</p>
<p id="X4krXT">It’s a Shaka Smart team, and they do Shaka Smart things—you’ll see the pressing D, the frantic pace...but Kolek really does facilitate an offense unlike what the Golden Eagles have had the last few years and coaches. Kam Jones will shoot it a ton, but forwards Oliver Maxence Prosper and Oso Ighodaro are going to do some work inside.</p>
<p id="J1oJZ1">While Vermont’s got an old roster, but they’re not particularly long—I’d be surprised if Marquette pulled away in this one, but prepare to Ring Out Ahoya in Columbus.</p>
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<h3 id="vbNQDy">#6 <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State Cyclones</a> (19-13) v. #11 <a href="https://www.cardiachill.com">Pittsburgh Panthers</a> (23-11)</h3>
<h4 id="Xc0gRQ">2:10 pm, TruTV, Greensboro | ISU -4 | O/U 131</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Pittsburgh v Mississippi State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eKa88l2kmldye36XsqMKxQ8e84o=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511610/1473613709.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>I like to imagine the MSU player is jumping away from the Pitt player here</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="tt2tMH">Iowa State makes their second tournament appearance in a row and they meet the First Four winner Pittsburgh. One first four team usually makes a run. Will it be this one?</p>
<p id="9RUx1a">Did Fran and T.J. Otzelberger make an agreement to have completely different teams? Iowa State has a top 10 defense and an offense that we are better off not talking about. They struggle with turnovers and shooting and do not want to get into a track meet. Minnesota Gopher refugee Gabe Kalscheur is a key piece of the Cyclones offense.</p>
<p id="Sex6xZ">Pitt survived their first four game against <a href="https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com">Mississippi State</a> in a game that set basketball back twenty years. The Panthers have some good shooters, especially starting SG Greg Elliott so it was a little surprising they only scored 60 points against MSU. Federiko Federiko’s status for today’s game is unknown after missing their First Four game.</p>
<p id="njTTsd"><strong>MNW: </strong>This game will be disgusting and you can’t make me watch it.</p>
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<h3 id="Q5nU5v">#6 Creighton Bluejays (21-12) v. #11 <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com">NC State Wolfpack</a> (23-10)</h3>
<h4 id="jrq8pD">3 pm, TNT, Denver | Creighton -5 | O/U 148</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Creighton v Villanova" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RS2BY6g_fk4EdfTP2TbOx2kzv7M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511628/1469542436.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Kalkbrenner is really good</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="V18PHS">Greg McDermott’s Creighton squad makes their third straight tournament and 11th of his career. He is still seeking his first Elite 8 and will attempt to do so against <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a> and a Kevin Keatts that narrowly avoided being shown the door by grabbing one of the last bubble spots for their first Big Dance since 2018.</p>
<p id="dVPz98">Creighton is a really good team that went on a long losing streak surrounding star center Ryan Kalkbrenner’s getting sick with mono. In Kalkbrenner, Creighton has one of the games best centers and they’ve surrounding him with perimeter shooters. The Bluejays only have one senior so this may just be a practice tournament run for next year if everyone else comes back. My concern with Creighton is they don’t feed their star player the ball enough. Not enough teams can guard a 7’1” guy and he’s making 74.3% of his 2 point attempts this season. Get him the ball!</p>
<p id="PtgF4n">Despite stumbling down the stretch in a weak ACC, NC State eked out an 11 seed. NC State beat Duke and Miami FL at home back in January and as I search their resume for other good wins, I don’t see any. A lack of experience in the tournament could see NC State come out cold and Kevin Keatts hasn’t won a game in any of his previous three tournament appearances. With just one guy over 6’9” on the roster (the rarely used Ebenezer Dowuona), NC State could struggle to matchup with Creighton’s Kalkbrenner.</p>
<p id="cEe2Om"><strong>MNW: </strong>Man, remember when Creighton was just going to run away with shit this year? A 6-0 start with wins over then-#21 <a href="https://www.vivathematadors.com">Texas Tech</a> and #9 Arkansas, and then...</p>
<p id="rCoSsM">A two-point loss to #14 Arizona. A five-point loss to #2 Texas. And the wheels came off: by 10 to Nebraska. By 3 to <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com">BYU</a>. By 2 to <a href="https://www.houseofsparky.com">Arizona State</a>. By 11 to Marquette. While the Jays righted the ship and ripped off seven straight against the soft underbelly of the Big East, it’s a weird vibe outta Omaha.</p>
<p id="rNIbJd">To note: Creighton only runs five deep—foul trouble, injury, or illness, and I might be jumping off the Jaywagon. Not against a mediocre NC State, though.</p>
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<h3 id="hv46A5">#4 <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">Connecticut Huskies</a> (25-8) v. #13 Iona Gaels (27-7)</h3>
<h4 id="nPl90s">3:30 pm, TBS, Albany | UConn -9 | O/U 141</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic - Iona v Seattle U" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LKZVwbJg3wSpvz0rNRPvjfZGLG4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511629/1245804314.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Slick Rick returns</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="oJ0wWw">A dangerous and under seeded Connecticut squad makes their third tournament in a row - moving to the Big East sure helped revitalize that program - and gets to face Rick Pitino’s Iona squad. This is the second time in three years that Iona has made the NCAA Tournament and they have one of the few coaches that have won it all.</p>
<p id="2hZTG6">The nation’s third to last team to lose a game, Connecticut started the season 14-0 before losing 5 of their next 6. Since then they’ve regained their early season form, losing close games to only Xavier, Creighton, and Marquette. Adama Sonogo and Donovan Clingan are the best 1-2 center rotation in the country this season and no opponent wants to see freshman PF Alex Karaban rising up to take an open three. The Huskies are a complete roster, with a top 20 offense and defense. Can Dan Hurley make his first Sweet 16? This will be just his 5th tournament appearance, but he’s never had a roster this talented.</p>
<p id="wgyaNZ">Iona has the nation’s 3rd longest win streak at 14. Although the Gaels beat just one top 100 team all year (Saint Louis), they swept the MAAC championships and were competitive in almost all their games. Iona has a 7 footer to matchup with UConn’s centers but as a team that gets most of the points in the paint they could struggle to score against UConn’s length. Can Rick capture some magic for Iona before he moves on to a new job next season?</p>
<p id="wHuUaM"><strong>MNW: </strong>Absolutely disgusting stuff here. Compelling and gross.</p>
<p id="zIR0vh">UConn gets a first look at a future Georgetown or St. John’s head coach, and Pitino gets to pray that Nelly Junior Joseph and Osborn Shema can handle those bigs inside. Worth noting the Huskies limit opponents to the second-fewest threes made and just 30.2% shooting from outside; we’ll see if Gaels gunner Walter Clayton Jr. can find space.</p>
<p id="AVcpKe">Do you think the switch to a 30-second shot clock was triggering for Rick Pitino?</p>
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<h2 id="y1Gghv">Evening Sessions</h2>
<h3 id="9L4WvD">#1 <a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com">Purdue Boilermakers</a> (29-5) v. #16 Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (20-15)</h3>
<h4 id="fPxkYI">5:50 pm, TNT, Columbus | Purdue -23 | O/U 145</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Penn State v Purdue" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_yvuVa3dcQQ_q1TzMn6Az3jqy8s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511803/1473295632.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Nobody panic. NOBODY PANIC!</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="EZMD6U">Purdue enters the tournament with their first 1 seed since 1996 and the first of Matt Painter’s coaching career. Will they finally break thru to a Final Four or are they doomed to follow in Virginia’s footsteps? Fairleigh Dickinson blew out Texas Southern in Wednesday’s First Four game by shooting over 40% from three while holding Texas Southern to just 1 of 17 from behind the arc.</p>
<p id="8USD3H">Purdue went undefeated in the non-con, won the Big Ten by three games, and then won the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten tournament</a>. So why does it feel like they are at risk for an early exit? Zach Edey is going to be the national player of the year and barring foul trouble he’s going to get his stats against the shortest team in the <s>tournament</s> country. Will the rest of the team avoid turnovers and make some shots? Can Edey guard FDU on the perimeter? Probably, but you have to play the game.</p>
<p id="Mv7ExX">FDU beat up Texas Southern on Wednesday. They are now up to team #300 on Kenpom. Their only win over a top 300 team this season? A 17 point win against Saint Joseph’s back on December 3. If the Knights can repeat their 40% three point shooting, get Zach Edey in foul trouble, and hold Purdue to below 6% from three like they did to Texas Southern, they can pull off the upset.</p>
<p id="1QS1cM"><strong>MNW: </strong>No thanks.</p>
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<h3 id="KCIrnW">#6 <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com">Kentucky Wildcats</a> (21-11) v. #11 Providence Friars (21-11)</h3>
<h4 id="ehiXBX">6:10 pm, CBS, Greensboro | UK -4 | O/U 144.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 08 Georgetown at Providence" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l-QRpgFAzMRsq53xf3yVtWBX2V8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511820/1246940648.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="0Rrpt9">John Calipari leads Kentucky to just their second consecutive tournament appearance. The Wildcats haven’t won a tournament game since 2019 and will face everyone’s favorite coach Ed Cooley.</p>
<p id="M0u5Xx">Living in Cincinnati, I will occasionally hear Kentucky basketball on the radio when I’m scanning radio channels on the weekend and driving around the city. So I have to ask, how does <em>Kentucky basketball </em>have some of the worst radio announcers in the business? </p>
<p id="eW8vD0">Okay, back to the Wildcats team. UK hasn’t made the Final Four since 2015. This year’s squad doesn’t appear likely to break that streak, despite the overwhelming advantage Oscar Tschiebwe offers them on the boards. They aren’t an excellent shooting team, and outside of their games against Tennessee their defense has been porous. Former Hawkeye CJ Frederick has seen his 3 point shooting nosedive after leaving Iowa.</p>
<p id="DEGX8J">Ed Cooley is my favorite coach to watch. His teams are never super talented, but he out schemes and makes adjustments with the best of them. It would be great to see Providence break thru for a Final Four before Cooley hangs it up. That being said I don’t know that this is the team to do it. Bryce Hopkins and Noah Locke are good shooters, but they are going to need great nights to make up for the size disadvantage Providence has in this one.</p>
<p id="XHCbwh"><strong>MNW: </strong>I was coming here to say the same thing about Ed Cooley—he’s a good coach and seems like a decent dude.</p>
<p id="cjBJhV">What’s weird for me about Providence is how they’ve regressed a little on defense over the last few years. I don’t know if that’s the lack of height this year or what, but it doesn’t stop them on the offense boards—27th in the country ain’t bad. They turn it over and foul at a high clip, though.</p>
<p id="ZONphO">Feels like Tschiebwe has a helluva day at the office, and we have to listen to more Calipari.</p>
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<h3 id="P5o93t">#5 Miami Florida (25-7) v. #12 Drake Bulldogs (27-7)</h3>
<h4 id="iZcJ9l">6:25 pm, TBS, Albany | Miami -2 | O/U 146.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 05 MVC Arch Madness - Drake vs Bradley" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dLK1yA7uVjCDj8T8B80YIA6rAYQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511826/1248059043.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="uUJNLz">After attempting to buy a team in the transfer portal, Miami won the ACC regular season title before losing to Duke in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/acc-basketball-tournament">ACC tournament</a>. I’m pretty sure Miami’s championship is more of an indictment of the ACC than anything else. After losing to Bradley in the regular season finale (and losing the regular season crown as a result), Drake came back to defeat Bradley in the Arch Madness championship game.</p>
<p id="lTrepK"><strong>MNW: </strong>NOW we’re talking! For Kind of...’s Drake Bulldogs, just make sure you know Tucker DeVries. Or, if you don’t, you’ll probably know enough by the time the pregame show is done—6’7” guard, coach’s kid, fills the cup regularly from inside and out (nearly 7 threes a game, and 39% from deep!). He’s got a scoring partner in slasher guard Roman Penn, who facilitates the offense well but can also get to the hoop. And F Darnell Brodie was a great pickup from Seton Hall—he brings heft inside that you don’t normally get from Missouri Valley players not named Cameron Krutwig.</p>
<p id="jXFCb2">Drake’s one of the better three-point shooting teams in the country, they take care of the defensive glass, and they shoot free throws well. But turnovers and fouls—as well as a real drop in production when they turn to their bunch—will be an issue. I have this as a 12-over-5 upset in most of my brackets, as I think a lot of folks do, but it’s a disservice to Miami’s pack of hot-shooting guards. Take the over, and gimme the Bulldogs.</p>
<p id="KhrteI"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>When Tucker DeVries graduates watch for Minnesota or Nebraska to hire his dad.</p>
<p id="ElSHmQ">I’m still sad Bradley lost in Arch Madness.</p>
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<h3 id="4M2ekM">#3 <a href="https://www.slipperstillfits.com">Gonzaga Bulldogs</a> (28-5) v. #14 Grand Canyon Antelopes (24-11)</h3>
<h4 id="RJ6LaE">6:35 pm, TruTV, Denver | Zaga -15.5 | O/U 155.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Syndication: Arizona Republic" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wJD_HHf-nXhHS-qqk3daKuiU_fs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511842/usa_today_20043489.jpg">
<cite>Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
<figcaption>We don’t need a three, take a two</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="njunte">Gonzaga stumbled in WCC play twice this year and took non-conference losses to Purdue, Texas, and Baylor but remain a very talented team capable of another deep run. Bryce Drew makes his triumphant return to the NCAA tournament and will try to get his first victory in the Big Dance.</p>
<p id="q0rUL7"><strong>MNW: </strong>Nope. You cannot trouble me to care about this game. (I realize that’s not helpful, BU, because you asked for a preview, but man am I tired of Gonzaga and do I dislike Grand Canyon outside of their student section.)</p>
<p id="FGiTVE"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>Fine I’ll finish what I started - thank you for the two previews you wrote though, 32 in two days is at the edge of my limit and it is appreciated. Gonzaga is being overlooked a bit this season. Yeah, Gonzaga wasn’t as dominant this season as the last couple, but they’ve got some nice pieces, an explosive offense, and can matchup with anyone.</p>
<p id="A2zGGp">I’m not a fan of Grand Canyon - I mean how good of a school can a giant hole in the ground be? - but it has been interesting to watch Bryce Drew resurrect his career there. The airline flying GCU to Denver temporarily lost their uniforms and team gear, so GCU had to borrow some equipment for practice from Baylor. Noah Baumann and Chance McMillian are the names to watch.</p>
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<h3 id="fjR5On">#8 Memphis Tigers (26-8) v. #9 Florida Atlantic Owls (31-3)</h3>
<h4 id="A3yxJ7">8:20 pm, TNT, Columbus | Memphis -2 | O/U 153</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 11 American Tournament" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WRfwf7_wlRkS6hW18UGwlcUVPnk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511856/1248223312.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Dangerous man</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="xiVewP">Penny Hardaway has made his second consecutive Big Dance with a roster of 10 seniors and 1 freshman. Memphis will try to face a 1 seed for the second consecutive year. Florida Atlantic went on a 20 game winning streak and threatened a two bid CUSA before winning the CUSA tournament. Future Hoosiers head coach Dusty May will make his first tournament appearance as a head coach.</p>
<p id="yCQFM4">Kendric Davis is really, really good and fully capable of carrying Memphis on a tournament run. Memphis plays fast and likes to get out in transition off of turnovers created by their pressure defense but they cannot rebound and they foul a ton. The Tigers’ biggest loss this season was by 8 as Memphis was in every game this season.</p>
<p id="s69q3H">FAU is a balanced team. Their athleticism isn’t going to overwhelm you, but they shoot well, take good shots and play a disciplined defense. 7’1” Vladislav Goldin is a problem for opposing teams, while Johnell Davis, Bryan Greenlee, and Nick Boyd all shot over 39% from three on the season.</p>
<p id="lmbinH"><strong>MNW: </strong>VLADISLAV GOLDIN.</p>
<p id="HTEndJ">Tough 8-9 matchup for both teams, who likely deserved a little better—elite defenses and very good offenses in this one, and neither team afraid to run a little bit. If FAU can get into their half-court sets and get some threes in the air, they squeak out a minor upset.</p>
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<h3 id="yaaEhV">#3 <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State Wildcats</a> (23-9) v. #14 Montana State Bobcats (25-9)</h3>
<h4 id="URECc1">8:40 pm, CBS, Greensboro | KSU -8.5 | O/U 139.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 09 Big 12 Tournament - TCU at Kansas State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hocDmcSSQIDkiJMYXpxR0UrYV60=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511871/1248039248.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>National coach of the year?</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="53erQX">First year head coach Jerome Tang has taken a team picked dead last in the Big 12 preseason poll and gotten Kansas State a 3 seed in the tournament. The Wildcats will face a Bobcats squad making their second consecutive appearance in the Big Dance after they were blown out by Texas Tech last season.</p>
<p id="aAe7BO"><strong>MNW: </strong>The Bobcats—and amazingly-named HC Danny Sprinkle—bring a fun roster here with a LOT of size. Unless I’m conflating them with another team (Iet’s not pretend I check my facts here), you’ll see a couple sets on offense where they post up <em>three</em> forwards at the same time and run some really unique-looking slips, screens, and high-low action. Worth a watch.</p>
<p id="bcaMsX">It’s a unique bunch—forwards Raequan Battle (formerly of Washington) and Jubrile Belo and Great Osobor (both from England)—lead the ‘Cats in scoring, with G Darius Brown setting the table alongside <em>another</em> limey, G Caleb Fuller. Montana State rolls decently deep, but they do <em>not</em> shoot well from three. Instead, they’ll go to work inside, hope to draw fouls (they shot the 2nd-most and made the 8th-most FTs at the 37th-best clip in the nation), and rely on a defense that limits inside shooting.</p>
<p id="hRE56P"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>Kansas State is the team nobody is talking about and don’t expect me to change that <em>yet</em>. They lost to Butler and as I enjoy telling my Butler friend, Butler was terrible this year.</p>
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<h3 id="WElcnK">#4 <a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com">Indiana Hoosiers</a> (22-11) v. #13 Kent State Golden Flashes (28-6)</h3>
<h4 id="VUTRoU">8:55 pm, TBS, Albany | Indiana -4 | O/U 140.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 11 MAC Tournament - Kent State vs Toledo" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wj4bUPG_hFeDdfu6W7DJOn9-eyM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511904/1248053023.jpg">
<figcaption>You can’t make me</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="LQgfLg">Indiana will try to make it back to the second round for the first time since Tom Crean led them to the Sweet 16 in 2016. Standing in their way is a Kent State team that challenged Houston and Gonzaga early in the season.</p>
<p id="NRnKyK">So... Indiana. I’ve picked you guys to go to the Elite 8. Surely, you will do exactly what I’ve predicted and no other outcome is possible? Trayce Jackson-Davis is a great college basketball player and gives Indiana an incredibly high floor. That should see them thru their first two games (barring a collapse from the Hoosiers’ shooters), but how far they go after that will depend on Jalen Hood-Schifino. The freshman is absolutely capable of taking over any game, but he’s been inconsistent. The rest of the Hoosiers team provides a solid defense and most of the time knocks down enough threes.</p>
<p id="Y5w0u5">Part of me is bitter that Toledo continues to be the bridesmaid of the MAC. But Kent State is a good team in their own right. Jalen Sullinger (nephew of Jared) and Giovanni Santiago are accomplished three point shooters but Santiago is doubtful for the first round due to a hand injury. The question for Kent State is who guards TJD? The Golden Flashes are a good defensive squad but Drew Timme scored 29 on them and TJD is better than Timme. Best bet is to double aggressively and hope the Hoosiers named Miller Kopp and Trey Galloway have off shooting nights.</p>
<p id="mh4eyf"><strong>MNW: </strong>IU being only 4-point favorites against a 13-seeded MAC team is objectively hilarious. The Flashes are a legitimately dangerous MAC team, though, and former Kelvin Sampson text-man Rob Senderoff has built a solid program despite the usual limits of <a href="https://www.hustlebelt.com">MACtion</a> size. They don’t do a ton glaringly well on offense but steal (9 spg) and block (4 bpg) at a good clip, avoid fouls, and take a lot of threes.</p>
<p id="Aclpls">Buffkomodo: The 4 point favorite thing doesn’t bug me because most lines are that tight right now. Indiana fans have blocked out the 2001 upset game and rather fondly remember the 2002 elite 8 beating the Hoosiers laid on the Flashes. Honestly, Indiana should overpower a good but not glorious Kent State team. Where Indiana will run into trouble is when it comes up against elite offenses, which Kent State simple doesn’t have. It pays to have the best player in the pod and Indiana will win this probably by 7+.</p>
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<h3 id="yWa1Cw">#6 Texas Christian Horned Frogs (21-12) v. #11 Arizona State Sun Devils (23-12) </h3>
<h4 id="Vbh41q">9:05 pm, TruTV, Denver | <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a> -6 | O/U 140</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 10 Big 12 Tournament - TCU at Texas" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KPZqirhTUc_KU6YxvViN11iTKaE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24511903/1248106516.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="YSs2S9">Jamie Dixon and TCU faces a red hot Arizona State team that crushed Nevada.</p>
<p id="q4BOH1"><strong>MNW: </strong>Again, gross. This is what we’re left with?</p>
<p id="eYkOW9">More seriously—two good defensive teams who do play at a nice clip. I didn’t see a second of Sparky throttling Nevada, but them scoring that much was certainly a surprise. TCU does <em>not </em>shoot the ball well from deep—indeed, they take the 33rd-fewest threes in D-I, so I guess credit them for knowing their limitations. Instead, they get to the line a decent amount, move the ball well, and collect steals and blocks at a high rate.</p>
<p id="RvVhmm">Jamie Dixon does have a little cloud over his head after backup C Eddie Lampkin stepped away from the team, accusing Dixon of racially-tinged abuse, though little’s come out since then. </p>
<p id="HVyKrV">If Arizona State pushes this one into the 70s or 80s, I think Sparky pulls it out—but neither team is terribly good shooting the ball, so we could get one of those tired-leg, neutral-site clangfests. Gimme the Frogs, but I don’t like the pick.</p>
<p id="GA9i0U"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>I don’t really know what to think of TCU. They started out well this season before finishing just 4-7 in their last 11. Two of those four wins though were against Kansas State and Texas. The Horned Frogs will want to push the pace and get transition buckets off of turnovers or leak outs off of defensive rebounds. This leaves them a bit susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds to their opponents, but they’ve mostly been able to survive that. What TCU doesn’t want to see is Arizona State shoot threes like they did Thursday because the Horned Frogs own 30.6% from three can’t keep up with that. Oh, and I’m pretty sure I saw that Lumpkin has entered the transfer portal.</p>
<p id="izp5gT">Arizona State’s head coach Bobby Hurley is now 2-1 in the First Four, but in his three previous tournament appearances he was unable to make the Round of 32. Their 98 points against Nevada came out of nowhere as their previous high on the season was 91 against San Diego and the Sun Devils were much more comfortable playing in the 60s and 70s all season. Shooting over 50% from three and 70% from two will improve a lot of things, but I’m not expecting ASU to repeat that.</p>
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<h3 id="QqzNjs">NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament (<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-women/d1/2023">bracket</a>, <a href="https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/13/23637368/comments-on-the-womens-ncaa-tournament-field">previews</a>)</h3>
<p id="LQjUCH">Should be two quick ones in the women’s NCAA Tournament today—Iowa and Maryland should outclass their low-major opponents—and an interesting 6/11 matchup, as Michigan faces UNLV in Baton Rouge.</p>
<h3 id="6Rv3Cf">[2] <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a> vs. [15] Holy Cross Crusaders</h3>
<h4 id="o0tRzh">March 17, 1:30pm, ESPNews | MD -26.5 | O/U 133.5</h4>
<h3 id="vR535z">[6] <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> vs. [11] UNLV Rebels</h3>
<h4 id="HHGFCA">March 17, 2pm, ESPNU | Michigan -4.5 | O/U 137.5</h4>
<h3 id="qxwOaq">[2] <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> vs. [15] SE Louisiana Lions</h3>
<h4 id="n49nxQ">March 17, 3pm, ESPN | Iowa -30.5 | O/U 140.5</h4>
<p id="XNk7qz">Sometimes I feel like retrofitting the “Uncomfortable Girl in Club” meme to reflect Iowa fans telling anyone who will listen about Caitlin Clark would be apt.</p>
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https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/17/23642321/2023-ncaa-tournament-march-17-schedule-games-time-tv-watch-channels-big-ten-preview-march-madnessBoilerUp89MNWildcat2023-03-16T09:00:00-05:002023-03-16T09:00:00-05:002023 NCAA Basketball Tournament Round 1, Day 1 Previews & Game thread
<figure>
<img alt="Southeast Missouri State v Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L57b17AwimxC1xld_ycd5RO1-ew=/1x0:2581x1720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72081050/1473574818.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s time for the Big Dance!</p> <p id="klmVkg">da-da-da-da DA da-da-da</p>
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<p id="GA29lp">It’s here! March Madness is finally here!</p>
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<p id="Sjs1HF">While you wait and watch the year’s most watched <em>The Price is Right </em>of the year or try to cram 8 hours of work into 4, here are your previews for all 16 games today, along with their TV stations and approximate tip times. Tip times are central time because this blog is run by people that make poor decisions.</p>
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<p id="Gs9APf">Or just skip the previews and use this as your game thread. Behave. Usual rules apply. Complain about the refs at your own risk. Violators must provide their own airfare to Prague.</p>
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<h2 id="layt6t">Afternoon Sessions</h2>
<h3 id="aKDkOW">#8 <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a> (21-12) v. #9 <a href="https://www.smokingmusket.com">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> (19-14)</h3>
<h4 id="Vel0D9">11:15 am, CBS, Birmingham | WVU -2 | O/U 137.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Maryland v Indiana" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ih299pXoKAIzfZNf1YQ6ytxffDo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24500430/1472710482.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>How does Willard have more hair than me?</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="h42Anv">Both teams return to the NCAA tournament after missing it last season. I assume the committee put them together for the storyline of two neighboring states playing each other, but its hard to think of two neighboring states that care less about each other.</p>
<p id="NZg8hG">Maryland plays away from home where they haven’t beat anyone other than the <a href="https://www.thedailygopher.com">Minnesota Gophers</a> since November. Their home/road splits are really what everyone is wondering about with regards to Maryland. The home version of Maryland can beat just about anyone while the road version of Maryland probably struggles to beat the 16 seeds in this field. Which one is neutral site Maryland? Or are they somewhere in between? This is the 2nd consecutive tournament appearance for head coach Kevin Willard and his 6th overall but Willard has just a 1-5 tournament record.</p>
<p id="drUmWB">West Virginia lost 11 conference games in the rough and tumble Big 12 and joined the ranks of the limited number of teams that have finished four games below .500 in conference play and still made the tournament. They are led by Bob Huggins in his 39th season as a head coach. Huggins has made two final fours and is 34-25 in the tournament, but hasn’t had a deep run since 2010. The Mountaineers have 6 seniors in the rotation including former Iowa Hawkeye Joe Toussaint. They have a balanced offense, like to play quick, and grab a lot of offensive rebounds. Their defense has been just average this season relying on generating turnovers to get stops, but struggling to avoid fouling.</p>
<p id="R56qwF"><strong>MNW: </strong>I think if West Virginia wins, those Hill People Counties in western Maryland should be allowed to secede and join West Virginia. They can crown Huggy Bear their king and get to banning what I’m calling (soft-C) Cecond Round Terps.</p>
<p id="p6BPnV"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>How is the total for this game 137.5? We’d be lucky to break 120 the way these teams play.</p>
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<h3 id="0TqhXr">#4 <a href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com">Virginia Cavaliers</a> (25-7) v. #13 Furman Paladins (27-7)</h3>
<h4 id="vScKAU">11:40 am, TruTV, Orlando | UVA -5.5 | O/U 131.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 07 Southern Conference Basketball Men’s Championship - Furman v UT Chattanooga" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5x5hN6OeB9FuhIfSjCIIMj6nfA4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24500454/1239093676.jpg">
<cite>Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>What we say to the bosses asking us to do work today</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="LoRX8D">Virginia returns to the field after a one season absence while Furman makes their first appearance since 1980! Must be a good year for stuff that last happened in 1980. It was nice of the committee to give Furman fans a reasonable eight hour drive to Orlando for their first appearance in a long time.</p>
<p id="EWXO9D">Tony Bennett is one of just six coaches in the tournament field with a national championship to his name, but his teams play a painfully slow tempo that make them susceptible to upsets as the lower number of possessions allow for more noise in the outcomes of games. This year’s Virginia team excels at sharing the basketball and avoiding turnovers. They started the year red hot beating Baylor and Illinois in Las Vegas, but then proceeded to not live up to the expectations created by those wins for the rest of the year. They merely shared the ACC regular season crown with Miami and lost to Duke in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/acc-basketball-tournament">ACC tournament</a> championship. They have four seniors, but one (Ben Vander Plas) is out for the season after breaking his hand in practice last week. Old friend Armaan Franklin and old enemy Kihei Clark both start for the Cavaliers.</p>
<p id="bldVFQ">Furman will want to play faster than Virginia and while they aren’t the best three point shooting team in the country (34.4%) they have excellent ball movement and an understanding that an average three point look is better than a good two point attempt. The Paladins have the highest 2 point attempt percentage in the nation by only taking great two point looks and shoot threes on over 46% of their field goal attempts. This bodes well for upset potential but they will need to make their shots. Seniors Jalen Slawson and Mike Bothwell are the stars and seven of the nine guys in the rotation returned from last year’s team that lost to Chattanooga in the Southern championship game.</p>
<p id="j6CPA3"><strong>MNW: </strong>A good three-point shooting team against the pack-line defense will be an interesting matchup—can Furman space the floor and free up those shooters with a couple pindown screens? </p>
<p id="ekYCMl">Probably not, but purple Paladins is an elite color/nickname combo. Great picture find, BU.</p>
<p id="ATMOQA"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: Y’know, I’m something of a furman myself.</p>
<p id="nK8Zdc"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Being upset as 4-seed is not as fun as being upset as a 1-seed. Go Furman!</p>
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<h3 id="zlTJ91">#7 <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com">Missouri Tigers</a> (24-9) v. #10 Utah State Aggies (26-8)</h3>
<h4 id="r2GYEJ">12:40 pm, TNT, Sacramento | USU -1 | O/U 155</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Utah State v San Diego State" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sGQu1gpc-n0BWrfH337hVUhf_wY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24500483/1472883056.jpg">
<cite>Photo by David Becker/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Me leaving work early today</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="1u1o3T">Missouri makes their triumphant return to the tournament under first year head coach Dennis Gates while Utah State returns after a one year gap that occurred during Ryan Odom’s first season on the job.</p>
<p id="3pqm7b">The Tigers have a really good offense and play a fast pace designed to get up and down the floor. They shoot a ton of threes and have three seniors shooting over 39% from behind the arc in Kobe Brown, D’Moi Hodge and Nick Honor. Missouri is a bit of an island of misfit toys, as just two players played for Missouri prior to this season. Despite that they have tons of upperclassmen including 8 seniors although only 6 of those are healthy. The Tigers biggest weaknesses are that they are an abysmal rebounding team, and they give up a ton of open looks from three or in the paint as they take gambles to get steals. While they do get a lot of turnovers, they also get into foul trouble often.</p>
<p id="KLl271">Utah State is a terrible matchup for Missouri. They do a good job of taking care of the basketball, are used to playing up tempo, and have a tremendously efficient offense that can set the nets ablaze (38.5% from three, 54.1% from two on the season). The Aggies have just one underclassman and 5 seniors in the rotation. Starting PG Steven Ashworth rarely turns the ball over, is shooting 43.9% from behind the arc, and is complemented by three other players shooting above 36% from three. The Aggies also have a bunch of length on their roster that should prevent them from being overwhelmed by Missouri’s pressure and help them steal offensive rebounds. Outside of Ashworth, nobody is under 6’4”. Ryan Odom makes his 2nd tournament appearance as a head coach and first since 2018. He has never lost a first round game (Odom’s former team was UMBC).</p>
<p id="vY2QRY"><strong>MNW: </strong>This is a really fun game featuring a nice story in Mizzou and a maddeningly efficient team in Utah State. The Aggies bring some of the most rage-inducing, moon-burning Utahns you can imagine (I’m just assuming Steven Ashworth is one of 10 children, all of whose names start with S or go in alphabetical order or something), and I’m already irritated thinking about it.</p>
<p id="P1a2L4">Also, a word about that picture: as I age, one of the most irritating parts of college basketball has been the three-point celebrations that involve holding up three fingers and doing something stupid. Goddamnit I want to yell at a cloud every time you hold a three to your veins or shoot a bow and arrow or something else. And turn down your damn music.</p>
<p id="iWKZcy">Aggies by 5.</p>
<p id="RgkceJ"><strong>Thumpasaurus: </strong>The only nice story involving Mizzou is the Kim Anderson era.</p>
<p id="mNnFiO"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>The Mountain West is officially on 0-fer watch, so we’ll know pretty early if Nevada making it over Oklahoma State (or Rutgers, to be frank) was the right choice. Because, of course, all conference teams are representative of each other yes?</p>
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<h3 id="LvE9WD">#1 <a href="https://www.rockchalktalk.com">Kansas Jayhawks</a> (27-7) v. #16 Howard Bison (22-12)</h3>
<h4 id="oaBAVm">1 pm, TBS, Des Moines | KU -22 | O/U 145.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 09 Big 12 Tournament West Virginia at Kansas" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GLT6M7n7WdzPso-Mb9TcuYLzNm4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24500516/1247954021.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>I was going to use a Howard basketball image but apparently there wasn’t one in our databases</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="637KDe">Kansas has never missed the tournament under Bill Self and are the defending champions. They draw Howard which seems incredibly unfair to the guy having to play 1 on 5. This is Howard’s third NCAA tournament appearance and first since 1992 when they also <em>lost to 1 seeded Kansas 67-100. </em>Hey committee, you didn’t need to do that.</p>
<p id="rxLXgV">Kansas looked fairly dominant in November, December, and February. The Jayhawks had a brief losing streak in mid-January, and have been blown out by Texas twice in the past two weeks. They have a significant lack of height compared to a typical 1 seed - which shouldn’t be a problem here - and don’t shoot the ball all that well. Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick are stars and deservingly so, but the Jayhawks success has been built upon their defense this season. Health issues for head coach Bill Self caused him to miss the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-12-basketball-tournament">Big 12 tournament</a> and senior starter Kevin McCullar is dealing with back spasms. Both are expected to be back, but we will see.</p>
<p id="k4MGWe">Howard makes the tournament two seasons after everyone thought they would with top NBA prospect Makur Maker who they somehow convinced to come to campus. Of course the Bison only ended up playing 5 games that year and then Maker went pro. This season however, Howard swept the MEAC regular season and tournament after getting beat up pretty good in non-conference play. The Bison are awful at turnovers, committing them at a bottom 10 rate in the country. All is not lost for Howard though, they shoot threes at a 37.2% clip and any 16 seed that is going to have a prayer will need to have a fantastic shooting night. Elijah Hawkins (45.2%), Jordan Wood (37.3%), and Marcus Dockery (44.5) are all excellent shooters from three.</p>
<p id="mEWcue"><strong>MNW: </strong>I was curious about Howard’s coach, Kenny Blakeney—is there a law stating that anyone who coaches within a 30-mile radius of DC <em>must</em> have a connection to DeMatha Prep? On top of that, dude counts in the coaching trees of Lefty Driesell, Mike Brey, and Tommy Amaker, took 7 years off to work for UnderArmour...I find this Beltway world fascinating and now suddenly think it is all a very large quagmire of some kind that ought to be sapped of its liquid.</p>
<p id="hYeaEs">I honestly thought Makur Makur was still at Howard. Jayhawks can name their score.</p>
<p id="730VVJ"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Good luck my guy!</p>
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<h3 id="C5SXZI">#1 <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> (29-5) v. #16 <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>-Corpus Christi Islanders (24-10)</h3>
<h4 id="znAnJt">1:45 pm, CBS, Birmingham | Bama -24 | O/U 154</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Southeast Missouri State v Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Hf5gWjeQrLsMaCYAhQnWbsqAHQI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24508919/1473595553.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="leSs4K">Alabama may have one of the worst PR teams in college sports (somehow still top half of the SEC?), but are a pretty good basketball team. They get their first 1 seed ever and are the top overall seed in the tournament. The Islanders face them fresh off a win in Dayton over SEMO.</p>
<p id="VEIxkw">Alabama has a very good defense, utilizing their athleticism and length to force teams into difficult shots. All-American Brandon Miller is a controversial player, but the best player on the Crimson Tide and can take over any game he plays in. Alabama’s weakness? They can fall in love with shooting the three and outside of Miller are not a good three point shooting team. This marks the Crimson Tide’s third straight tournament appearance and the sixth overall for head coach Nate Oats. Oats is yet to make an Elite 8.</p>
<p id="qfhakc">The Islanders are down their best player but outlasted the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks in their First Four matchup. Jalen Jackson scored 22 points, but the team shot just 22.2% from three in that game. They will have to do better to pull the upset here. Tuesday’s win was the Islanders first NCAA tournament victory.</p>
<p id="m4ICEq"><strong>MNW: </strong>Yeah, there was nothing in that First Four game that gave me any confidence that the Islanders can pull it off. And those jerseys were <em>ugly</em>, man. </p>
<p id="DJR80N"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: I have money on Alabama winning it all, because that would make everyone that watches college basketball before March absolutely sick to their stomachs. Those kind of events often happen in sports.</p>
<p id="XRoFgY"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>You know what would be cool right about now? Another 16-seed upset.</p>
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<h3 id="vbNQDy">#5 San Diego State Aztecs (27-6) v. #12 Charleston Cougars (31-3)</h3>
<h4 id="Xc0gRQ">2:10 pm, TruTV, Orlando | SDSU -5 | O/U 141.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="North Carolina-Wilmington v Charleston" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s3mgm2JdnELuQhMCSTfbt9gZtJI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24500536/1472979816.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="tt2tMH">San Diego State makes their third consecutive tournament with head coach Brian Dutcher (why didn’t Minnesota hire him?) and received their highest seed under him while Charleston makes their first tournament since 2018 and first under second year head coach Pat Kelsey.</p>
<p id="PlcyoM">San Diego State is going to play at a deliberate place. They focus on their smothering defense running teams off the three point line and on avoiding second chance opportunities for their opponents. On offense they take care of the basketball but they aren’t the type of team that wants to get in a shootout. This is a team loaded with experience. Eight seniors and one junior make up the rotation. Senior Jaedon LeDee is a former <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> Buckeye and comes off the bench for the Aztecs.</p>
<p id="8WgCta">Cincinnati native Pat Kelsey’s teams play fast, crash the offensive glass, shoot a lot of threes, and are just fun to watch. The Cougars lost only three games all season. While they managed only a single win over a tournament team (their 74-72 victory over Kent State), this is a team that has experienced a lot of winning and they won’t be afraid of the moment. Pat Kelsey previously made the tournament twice in his nine seasons at Winthrop (and had won the 2020 Big South tournament) but has yet to win a tournament game. The Cougars have three senior starters, one of which (Ryan Larson) played on the 2019 Wofford team that won a tournament game. Charleston currently sports a 10 game win streak.</p>
<p id="BJuxhK"><strong>MNW: </strong>I’ve been reading that this is a popular upset pick, and while I’ve fallen victim to it in at least one bracket...man, there’s no substitute for the real deal when you’re playing San Diego State—they are <em>long</em> and just bully teams on defense and on the glass. Interestingly, though, Charleston boasts the third-best offensive rebounding rate in the country, and Croat F Ante Brzovic has some game inside.</p>
<p id="FA84zO">Speaking of “how’d the Gophers let him get away?”, Charleston senior G Ryan Larson is a graduate of Cretin-Durham Hall in St. Paul. </p>
<p id="7WNLvD"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Oh man, I’d forgotten that these two teams were paired together. Should be a fun game, but sucks that mid-majors have to play each other.</p>
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<h3 id="Q5nU5v">#2 <a href="https://www.azdesertswarm.com">Arizona Wildcats</a> (28-6) v. #15 Princeton Tigers (21-8)</h3>
<h4 id="jrq8pD">3:10 pm, TNT, Sacramento | Arizona -13.5 | O/U 153.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 Conference Tournament Championship Arizona vs UCLA" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JBpOZf4xVTt7rI3VfJxaHBoRh90=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24503195/usa_today_20211572.jpg">
<cite>Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>My search for Ivy championship returned a bunch of polo pictures. I moved on to Arizona basketball searches</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="mmu0uu">Tommy Lloyd leads the Wildcats back to the tournament for a second straight year while Mitch Henderson takes Princeton to his second tournament in 11 seasons and first since 2017.</p>
<p id="6pFZZP">Arizona is one of the favorites in the tournament after winning the Pac 12 tournament championship over <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA</a>. They play fast, share the ball, and knock down their shots. The only thing preventing them from being the top offense in college basketball this year is their turnovers as they can get careless with the basketball. Azuolas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo are a formidable frontcourt duo while all the guards can light it up from outside. The Wildcats are a capable defense but don’t shutdown opponents and have a tendency to play down to their level of competition. If Princeton comes out hot, Arizona could find themselves in a hole but they are plenty capable of making a big run to erase any deficit quickly.</p>
<p id="Q3Nmzp">Like most mid-major teams in the field, Princeton is headlined by upperclassmen, as three of their starters are seniors and a fourth is a junior named Matt Allocco who is the star of the team. The Tigers schedule did not include any high major competition so they aren’t going to be used to the level of athleticism that Arizona brings to the table. Close losses to Hofstra (hey, <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> and Princeton are the same!) and Iona represent their top two non-Yale opponents. Princeton went 1-2 against Yale, winning the only one that mattered. Defensively, the biggest reason to not expect an upset is that Princeton does not generate turnovers. They rank bottom 20 in the country at creating turnovers making them unlikely to be able to exploit Arizona’s biggest weakness.</p>
<p id="HSpgm4"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: There are three schools mentioned in “Oskee-Wow-Wow,” the more uptempo of the Illinois fight songs. Two of them are in the tournament. Wisconsin, however, is not.</p>
<p id="nfK4Vu"><strong>MNW: </strong>Arizona bullies the Tigers inside and smothers the Princeton Offense on the perimeter. I still love you, Bill Carmody :(</p>
<p id="lxfpFg"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>No way Princeton wins this, right?</p>
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<h3 id="ZdFgFX">#8 <a href="https://www.arkansasfight.com">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> (20-13) v. #9 <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com">Illinois Fighting Illini</a> (20-12) </h3>
<h4 id="nPl90s">3:30 pm, TBS, Des Moines | Arkansas -2 | O/U 142</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FEB 04 Illinois at Iowa" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g3WvvOq-QyGLDiQPFCrW_c4esWk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24503679/1246852990.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>You guys shot another three?</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="r6Bbg2">Eric Musselman leads Arkansas to a third straight NCAA appearance after Elite 8 runs the last two years and meets a Brad Underwood team also making their third consecutive NCAA appearance. <s>Fran’s apprentice </s>Underwood is yet to make a Sweet 16 during his previous 6 tournaments.</p>
<p id="2Npnsv">Arkansas has been plagued with injuries all season with just 5 players being able to play more than 30 games. This has left them with little post depth as C Trevon Brazile is out for the season and PF Jalen Graham has been limited of late. The Razorbacks have had to rely on their defense this season as the offensive shooting hasn’t been there (31.7% from three). They want to play fast, but may not have the bodies to rotate guys in and keep everyone fresh doing so.</p>
<p id="GDkFcn">Back in December, I thought the Illini were the class of the Big Ten. Instead they muddled their way to being just part of the pack with inconsistency being their apparent goal for the season. Since January 13, Illinois won just 1 game against tournament competition, a home game against rival Northwestern. The Illini like to jack up three pointers (41.9% of all field goal attempts) but like Arkansas can’t make them (30.9%). They have a number of pieces that are capable of getting hot for a game (Shannon and Mayer are the two most likely candidates), but Illinois is just as capable of losing this one by 15 as they are of winning it.</p>
<p id="KwswYo"><strong>MNW; </strong>That picture...man, Underwood is a whole <em>vibe</em>.</p>
<p id="c5fUtO"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: These are two fundamentally very similar teams that both excel at getting to the hoop with athleticism and struggle to shoot threes. The biggest difference between them is that Arkansas actually knows that they’re bad at shooting threes, while Illinois continues to, as the kids might say, post through it.</p>
<p id="D6008D">I really have no idea what to make of this game. If Illinois just plays Arkansas’ game, they should win because they’re better at it. However, the interior defense for Illinois leaves much to be desired, and the temptation to jack up contested threes is just too much for them most games.</p>
<p id="95GF90">It’ll come down to the performance of Coleman Hawkins, who has really done solid work over the past month or so. The problems with this are three-fold:</p>
<ol>
<li id="nxomH1">Hawkins is poised to succeed Javale McGee as the poster child for how ADHD affects an athlete’s performance</li>
<li id="oLMVOf">He leads the team in assists largely because point guard has been such a problem this year</li>
<li id="61AQww">He’s really had to step up in the paint on both ends of the court as Dain Dainja has all but disappeared.</li>
</ol>
<p id="qtt7Iz">I’m connected to a lot of “insiders” whose info is sometimes dubious, but it sounds like the vibes are more cursed now than at any time since before Clark left the team. This could be a 20 point Arkansas win.</p>
<p id="3fOt64"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>If Illinois is going to make it out of the first weekend, this is as good a chance as they’ll get.</p>
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<h2 id="y1Gghv">Evening Sessions</h2>
<h3 id="9L4WvD">#8 <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> (19-13) v. #9 <a href="https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com">Auburn Tigers </a> (20-12)</h3>
<h4 id="fPxkYI">5:50 pm, TNT, Birmingham | Auburn -1 | O/U 152</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Ohio State v Iowa" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FSQLG4RdVd-uU_jkEoXBpwJa0ig=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24505046/1472372450.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Can this man lead Fran to his first Sweet 16?</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="EZMD6U">Everyone’s favorite angry coach makes his fifth consecutive tournament field and will attempt to make the first Sweet 16 of his 27 season career against everyone’s least favorite coach. That’s right it’s Iowa vs Illini fan’s most hated coach Bruce Pearl. The 8 seeded Iowa gets to play just down the road from Auburn’s campus which seems completely fair.</p>
<p id="jQPiXQ">Fran McCaffery’s Iowa team has his usual really good offense (top 5 in the country) and his usual horrible, no good, very bad defense (outside of the top 150). Someone at Iowa should get Fran and Kirk to debate the merits of offense vs defense and stream the resulting brawl. Iowa has star power in Kris Murray, but no real dominant three point shooters. Their offense is so efficient because they do not turn the ball over. I’m not going to talk about the Hawkeyes defense other than to say it is bad. 16 seeded Northern Kentucky’s is better.</p>
<p id="pGmVep">Auburn is the polar opposite of Iowa. The Tigers have a defensive focus and can’t shoot to save their lives (31.4% from three). They are susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds to their opponents so Iowa should be able to get some second chance points against them. Auburn has lost 8 of their last 12 games. I’m not going to talk about Bruce Pearl’s career accomplishments, because Bruce Pearl is a terrible person.</p>
<p id="xx3rIJ"><strong>MNW: </strong>Last I saw Auburn, they were beating Northwestern in Cancun, 43-42.</p>
<p id="WrbVEs">They are going to try to bully Iowa, and Iowa fans are going to bitch and bitch and bitch the entire time. You cannot pay me to watch this.</p>
<p id="ZgmFPn"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: On one hand, one of these teams will win their first round game. On the other hand, one of these teams will lose their first round game. In that regard, this setup is a wash, but ultimately it eliminates the risk of both teams making a deep run, so I’d have to say it’s a big net positive for me. </p>
<p id="S7mmP9"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Ok so the total is at 152. Do they expect Iowa to drop 100 or something? Because Auburn isn’t exactly burning the nets this season. </p>
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<h3 id="KCIrnW">#5 <a href="https://www.dukebasketballreport.com">Duke Blue Devils</a> (26-8) v. #12 Oral Bob’s House of Learning (30-4)</h3>
<h4 id="ehiXBX">6:10 pm, CBS, Orlando | Duke -6 | O/U 146</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Summit Conference Tournament Championship-North Dakota State v Oral Roberts" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g0mUgICpjYHx21qbAqG5Oo6hlzQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24505142/usa_today_20170527.jpg">
<cite>Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>We all want more Oral ... in this tournament</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="OjeRc8">Duke makes their 2nd consecutive tournament and the first of head coach Jon Scheyer’s career. They face Oral Roberts, returning to the tournament for the first time since their 2021 run to the Sweet 16. Paul Mills - who coached them then - is still the coach and Oral Roberts has returned four starters from that 2021 team (although only three of them are starters this season).</p>
<p id="6rc5N6">In the immortal words of Pete Gillen: “Duke is Duke. They’re on TV more than Leave it to Beaver reruns.” We all hate them for it. The Blue Devils are a young team, with just three players in their rotation having tournament experience: Jeremy Roach and Jaylen Bates returned from last year’s Final Four run while Jacob Grandison played a few tournament games with Illinois. Duke rebounds well, led by 7 foot freshman Kyle Filipowski, but otherwise they are mostly a middle of the pack tournament team. Although they enter the NCAA tournament on a nine game winning streak against a weak ACC, we should note that Duke has not won a NCAA tournament game as a 5 seed or higher since 1987.</p>
<p id="QkDDBc">Oral Roberts won 30 games this season and that’s no mistake. Sure the conference schedule wasn’t the most difficult in the world and they lost their four games against tournament quality teams in the non-con, but they weren’t embarrassed in any of those outside of Houston. Oral Roberts has a really good offense. They don’t ever turn it over and have an absurd effective FG% that ranks among the nation’s best. 7’5” Connor Vanover gives them size to match up with Duke and five players are shooting better than 38% from three. Defensively, Vanover serves as a rim protector and the name of the game for Oral Roberts is to get opposing teams to shoot jump shots.</p>
<p id="JO1qpn"><strong>MNW: </strong>Incredible Ryan Young erasure here, BU. The game of Ry-M-C-A stifles Vanover inside. And then I just assume Duke does Duke things the rest of the time. Oral Bob’s beating the Blue Devils would be absolutely hilarious, though. Max Abmas (reminder, it is somehow pronounced “ACE-mas”) is damn fun to watch.</p>
<p id="dUbvDH">As a reminder: the namesake of this school, in 1987, told a television audience that if he did not raise $8 million by March, God would “call him home.” This is a very real and serious institution, and you should take it very seriously.</p>
<p id="A2RsoA"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: A couple years ago Mouth Bob delivered in spectacular fashion. Max Abmas and his confusingly-pronounced name return for one last rodeo. I had ESPN on in the background long enough to hear a panel absolutely salivating over the concept of Scheyer winning a national championship in his first year at Duke and how that would both be an extra national title for Mick Krizilonski AND the Ultimate Cinderella Story. If you thought his retirement would mean Duke stopped being insufferable, shame on you.</p>
<p id="hL8uOE">Let’s go Mouth Bob.</p>
<p id="co6QTq"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>You know, it would be a real help to Purdue if Duke could just lose this game...</p>
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<h3 id="P5o93t">#2 <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> (26-8) v. #15 Colgate Raiders (26-8)</h3>
<h4 id="iZcJ9l">6:25 pm, TBS, Des Moines | Texas -13.5 | O/U 148</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Syndication: Utica Observer Dispatch" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UxmLB19rGkslvgyJqtMh0kqXBvE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24505155/usa_today_20180874.jpg">
<cite>Daniel DeLoach/Utica Observer-Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
<figcaption>Remember to brush your teeth</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="uUJNLz">Texas, fresh off stuffing Kansas in the trash can twice, makes their third consecutive NCAA tournament under their third head coach in that time-frame. They face Matt Langel’s Colgate program that has made the last four tournament fields.</p>
<p id="jvI4mP">After Chris Beard showed his true nature to the world (side note: wtf Mississippi? Are you trying to <em>further </em>prove the SEC has no morals?), Texas was left for dead by many commentators, myself included. But they’ve bounced back and finished the season as the best team in the best conference. Texas plays an aggressive, physical defense and has an up tempo offense. 50 year old former Gopher Marcus Carr is still around as the Longhorns starting PG and has been playing at a very high level. Texas has six seniors in the rotation, but Timmy Allen (a starting forward), is currently dealing with a day to day lower leg injury and missed the Big 12 tournament. Allen is expected to be available for Texas’s game against Colgate.</p>
<p id="hCFswF">When we look for potential tournament upsets, teams with above average three point shooting are usually where we find them as that skill translates against athletic power conference favorites. That’s good news for Colgate as their three point percentage leads the nation at 40.9%. That percentage is boosted by national leader Oliver Lynch-Daniels’ 77 makes on 153 attempts (that’s over 50% for the Indiana graduates) and Texas better guard him if they know what’s good for them. Where the Raiders struggle is on defense. They do a good job preventing second chance points and avoid fouling, but don’t force difficult shots.</p>
<p id="2hOsbj"><strong>MNW: </strong>Matt Langel just keeps doing the damn thing up in Hamilton, man. If you <em>are</em> curious on how he created such an efficient offense, this is a really fun (and short) watch: </p>
<div id="ITkJGs"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hODEt7qz7gc?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="QTfKeI">I’ll add that the Raiders are, despite being the best three-point shooting teams in the country, one of the worst free-throw shooting teams, at 65.7%. The Fightin’ Toothpaste has a win at Syracuse but struggled at Auburn. They’ll need those threes to be falling and Texas to be cold from the field.</p>
<p id="PrW5cb"><strong>Thumpasarus</strong>: Toothpaste has blown some shots at victory in recent years, but at first glance you think they won’t have one.</p>
<p id="Zhzq2c">If they hang around long enough, however...Texas lost at Madison Square Garden to Illinois in a way that had me more confused than excited. It’s not impossible that Texas chokes.</p>
<p id="ikASV1"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>One can only dream, but there’s no way Texas loses this.</p>
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<h3 id="4M2ekM">#7 <a href="https://www.insidenu.com">Northwestern Wildcats</a> (21-11) v. #10 <a href="https://www.obnug.com">Boise State Broncos</a> (24-9)</h3>
<h4 id="RJ6LaE">6:35 pm, TruTV, Sacramento | NU -1.5 | O/U 128</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Northwestern v Gonzaga" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kVeaEFbrcO-KYbNMH3FqjUY4UYk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24508960/654961780.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>It’s been awhile Wildcats</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="njunte">IT IS THE YEAR. I’m going to turn things over to MNW to talk about Northwestern since he rarely has this opportunity.</p>
<p id="oiDj4R"><strong>MNW: </strong>For an extended look, I wrote you a nice, long preview on how unexpected this whole thing has been:</p>
<aside id="7durT7"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"NCAA Tournament Profile and Preview: Northwestern","url":"https://www.offtackleempire.com/2023/3/14/23639771/ncaa-tournament-preview-northwestern-wildcats-lineup-stats-roster-boise-state-time-tv-odds-line"}]}'></div></aside><p id="dGVhqk">For the great story and momentum that’s been behind the ‘Cats all season, Northwestern struggled down the stretch as Boo Buie and Chase Audige’s worst volume-chucker tendencies reared their ugly heads. The ‘Cats shoot a <em>lot</em> of threes and don’t shoot them particularly well, but if one of Buie and Audige along with guards Brooks Barnhizer or Ty Berry are hitting that night...watch out, I guess?</p>
<p id="64KCYw">What I don’t like is the size matchup with Boise. The Broncos roll five-deep, all 6’7” or shorter, with Tyson Degenhart presenting a matchup challenge for the Wildcats’ big men; if the ‘Cats can’t set up their trapping defense and have to rely on their man-defense and ball rotations, this could get ugly, because Boise can shoot the three.</p>
<p id="lBCttm"><strong>BoilerUp89: </strong>Like Northwestern, Boise State also has a strong defense and a mediocre offense. This is head coach Leon Rice’s 2nd consecutive appearance after Boise lost in the first round last season. Max Rice and Chibuzo Agbo are 40% three point shooters. Four of their five starters returned from last season’s team.</p>
<p id="hXhzgR"><strong>MNW: </strong>And that’s where the problems come in—Northwestern’s losses to Pitt and Penn State, in particular, should be instructive: if Boise rolls five-out and is hitting threes early, this could be a long day. But first to 60 could do it for the ‘Cats, and maybe a couple of them are due to get hot.</p>
<p id="T4AR57"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: Yeah, but you’re talking about Penn State, a team that hits contested threes off the dribble and blind circus layups in their sleep. I don’t think Boise State is on that level. Side note, is any Northwestern lead safe against this particular color combination?</p>
<p id="KoJKtO"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Like West Virginia and Maryland, 128 seems like a lot of points here. Both teams would have to reach 60 for that to happen, or one team would have to put on a blowout of epic proportions on the other. I see neither of those coming to fruition.</p>
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<h3 id="fjR5On">#1 Houston Cougars (31-3) v. #16 Northern Kentucky Norse (22-12)</h3>
<h4 id="A3yxJ7">8:20 pm, TNT, Birmingham | UH -19.5 | O/U 122.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 07 Womens Horizon League Tournament - Cleveland State Vikings v Northern Kentucky Norse" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TcdokQ9Vw66fi4OSQbjWEFWgODI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24508998/1247884641.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>I’ve got a golden ticket!</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="2QNWqP">Beloved head coach Kelvin Sampson has the Houston machine up and running at full steam. The Cougars face a Northern Kentucky team that is fast becoming a regular feature in the tournament field.</p>
<p id="mtG15y">Houston lost just three games all year. While the AAC wasn’t the strongest its ever been and their non-conference victories over tournament teams only include Virginia and fellow non-P6 teams Saint Mary’s, Kent State, and Oral Roberts, Houston is a very dangerous team capable of making a deep run. The Cougars have a suffocating defense and couple that with an efficient offense that plays to their strengths. The one negative for Houston going into the tournament? All-American Marcus Sasser sustained a groin injury in the American Athletic Conference Tournament and his status for the NCAA tournament is unknown.</p>
<p id="70X0Qm">Northern Kentucky has only been eligible for the NCAA tournament six years, but this marks their third bid. They received a 16 seed after eking out a Horizon league tournament championship. The Norse are slow which combined with Houston’s lack of tempo will make this a painful game for all involved. They get lots of steals but still manage to not give up easy buckets. NKU has some shooting ability and the guy to keep an eye on is Marques Warrick. Warrick averages nearly 6 three point attempts a game and makes more than two of them. If he can up the number against Houston, the upset isn’t impossible. The Norse beat Cincinnati at Cincinnati by the same margin that Houston did.</p>
<p id="4Xurhn"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: Houston is an under machine, but NKU is an under-the-radar under machine. This is the easiest under of my life.</p>
<p id="idfeFQ"><strong>MNW: </strong>This will be unwatchable. I’ll take the Coogs, 62-45. FIRE UP THE WOMP CHEER.</p>
<p id="1CaDKJ"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Houston vs Iowa will be a doozy.</p>
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<h3 id="yaaEhV">#4 <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a> (23-10) v. #13 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (26-7)</h3>
<h4 id="URECc1">8:40 pm, CBS, Orlando | Tennessee -11.5 | O/U 136.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Syndication: News-Journal" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rwnlAqDAh2B24OM9kyvQ5rWRqRk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24509017/usa_today_20162977.jpg">
<cite>Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
</figure>
<p id="53erQX">Everyone’s favorite fanbase faces the descendants of the Acadians. Tennessee stumbled down the stretch while Louisiana pulled off the upset in the Sun Belt tournament.</p>
<p id="Jzs8jd">Tennessee has lost four of their last seven with the only win over a tournament team in that period coming against Arkansas. Starting point guard Zakai Zeigler tore his ACL in that Arkansas game and the Volunteers have not looked the same since. Tennessee has a great defense and has held opponents to an incredible 26.2% from three. Unfortunately for the Volunteers, their own three point shooting isn’t much better at 32.9% and they take a lot of threes to shoot themselves right out of games. Head coach Rick Barnes has made the last five tournaments, but hasn’t made an Elite 8 since 2008 when he was at Texas.</p>
<p id="yRy46x">Long time head coach of Louisiana Bob Marlin makes just his second tournament appearance and his first since 2014. The Ragin’ Cajuns have a couple of deadeye shooters in their backcourt with Greg Williams and Kentrell Garnett while post players Terence Lewis and Jordan Brown can fill it up in the low post. Louisiana will need to avoid turnovers and probably change up their defensive strategy. They’ve spent all season running teams off the three point line, but Tennessee’s shooting is so weak that you want them taking those shots.</p>
<p id="bRUhy2"><strong>MNW: </strong>We’re due for another Rick Barnesing, aren’t we? I’m ready to watch a hilarious Tennessee collapse in Round 1, and the Cajuns are the team to do it.</p>
<p id="Pup79o"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: I’ve seen a lot of analysis saying that while Purdue should have a fairly easy path to the final four, watch out for Tennessee in the Sweet 16!</p>
<p id="NTuGO0">There is no way that both Purdue and Tennessee play each other in this tournament. This is perhaps the single thing I am most sure of in this tourney. Matt Painter AND Rick Barnes taking care of business in March?</p>
<p id="0eOIAW"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>I think Tennessee is one of the popular upset picks in the early rounds, so of course they’ll make a run.</p>
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<h3 id="WElcnK">#7 <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M Aggies</a> (25-9) v. #10 <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com">Penn State Nittany Lions</a> (22-13)</h3>
<h4 id="VUTRoU">8:55 pm, TBS, Des Moines | TAMU -3.5 | O/U 134.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Penn State v Purdue" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z1aQpw1iVDkLFPaZ3HlzXu6lJig=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24509036/1473038612.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="JyGwKs">After playing themselves into the tournament last week, Penn State gets a matchup with fellow land grant school Texas A&M.</p>
<p id="4bZK3p">Buzz Williams takes Texas A&M to the tournament for the first time in his four years there and the first time since 2018. The Aggies rely on offensive rebounding and getting to the free throw line to make up for poor shooting and careless turnovers. Despite being an elite offensive rebounding team, the Aggies forget how to secure rebounds on the defensive end of the court and hack on defense. Starting PG Wade Taylor is their go to guy, dishing out plenty of assists, and taking 29% of the teams shots.</p>
<p id="hNkFhV">Penn State returns to the tournament for the first time since 2011 ending the Big Ten’s longest active drought. Although rumors about head coach Micah Shrewsberry departing for greener pastures are swirling, he’s still the coach for now and the Nittany Lions are filled with seniors that aren’t ready to see their college careers end. Penn State is a guard heavy team resulting in an extremely lopsided offense. They are 7th in the country in turnover rate and 12th in effective field percentage, but 3rd worst in free throw rate and 2nd worst at securing offensive rebounds. PG Jalen Pickett is an exciting watch and the exact type of player that people are talking about when they say guard play wins in March.</p>
<p id="flRPmm"><strong>MNW: </strong>SWEATY POTATO TIME!</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament Semifinals - Texas A&amp;M vs Vanderbilt" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uuZRf_7gZRj18LI4bEpqzqYFbKY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24509589/usa_today_20204262.jpg">
<cite>Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
<p id="q0ysZA">If Texas A&M changes its name to Illinois or Northwestern, the Nitty Kitties will be unstoppable. If not, though, the Aggies should be able to bully Penn State inside. Rooting for Jalen Pickett to go off, though.</p>
<p id="yjs5wz"><strong>Thumpasaurus</strong>: You’ve never seen a Final Four run as fun to watch as this one by Penn State is about to be. The shit they’re capable of on offense is absolutely unbelievable. They have three guys that can go for 20+ in any given game, and contesting their threes only makes them more accurate.</p>
<p id="8lcYUj">(I can only judge Penn State off of the games that I’ve watched</p>
<p id="Y2cmbl"><strong>misdreauvs79: </strong>Penn State fans have not forgotten what you did to D.J. Newbill, Buzz. Other than that, just about everyone believes A&M to be a severely underseeded team, and a few others believe Penn State to be underseeded too. </p>
<p id="kzwSpE">If the Lions can replicate some of the defensive effort they gave in the Big Ten Tournament, and if they can shoot the way they have during the good times, they should be able to compete. If Penn State can’t find the bottom of the net from three, well, you saw the Rutgers games.</p>
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<h3 id="yWa1Cw">#2 <a href="https://www.bruinsnation.com">UCLA Bruins</a> (29-5) v. #15 UNC Asheville Bulldogs (27-7)</h3>
<h4 id="Vbh41q">9:05 pm, TruTV, Sacramento | UCLA -17.5 | O/U 134.5</h4>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Arizona v UCLA" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Edx-V48rhsgmQhAIPqMKNL5GpGY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24509046/1473003937.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="ocxLue">Our night wraps up with UCLA versus UNC Asheville. Do not cry that the night is ending. We get to do this again tomorrow!</p>
<p id="yQ8jvZ">UCLA has been playing really good basketball lately and took Arizona to the wire in the PAC 12 championship game even after losing Jaylen Clark to an Achilles injury. Starting center Adem Bona’s injury status is also unknown, but he is progressing from an injury suffered in their game against Oregon. Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell lead the way for the Bruins, much like they did during UCLA’s Final Four run two years ago. David Singleton adds a lethal perimeter shooter and as usual Mick Cronin’s team has an elite defense. Cronin has not missed a tournament since 2010 and has not lost a first round game since 2019 (his final year at Cincinnati).</p>
<p id="IWHhrs">Asheville shot threes at a 38.8% this season and that’s the secret to their success. In 2023, they’ve lost just one game. Against high major competition in the non-conference though, the Bulldogs were blown out by Dayton and Arkansas. Asheville has six seniors in their rotation, but just two have NCAA tournament experience.</p>
<p id="DXiPg6"><strong>MNW: </strong>You stop and appreciate Drew Pember right goddamn now:</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QOr2ffpkF2bTqjyMdlLoEW3RuRM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24509597/Pember_scstate.png">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://uncabulldogs.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/drew-pember/3578" target="_blank">UNCA Athletics</a></cite>
</figure>
<p id="NBxF62">The 6’10” Tennessee transfer averages near a double-double, shoots it well from the line and the three-point arc, and will actually pose a test for the Bruins’ elite defense. While UCLA will win, assuming Pember stays out of foul trouble, it’ll be fun to watch him and G Tajion Jones trade haymakers with UCLA’s best.</p>
<p id="VITD6v"><strong>misdreavus79: </strong>Even with injuries, UCLA should cruise through this one.</p>
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