Friday’s games
No. 6 San Diego State vs. No. 11 N.C. State
When » 12:40 p.m.
Where » Nationwide Arena,
Columbus, Ohio
TV » truTV
That the Aztecs (26-7) are back in the NCAAs after losing four starters from last year’s Sweet 16 team is a testament to coach Steve Fisher’s ability to build the program and the development of forward Jamaal Franklin (17.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg). But forward C.J. Leslie (14.6 ppg), first-year coach Mark Gottfried and the balanced Wolfpack (22-12) are riding high after taking North Carolina to the limit in the ACC tournament.
No. 3 Georgetown vs. No. 14 Belmont
When » 3:10 p.m.
Where » Nationwide Arena,
Columbus, Ohio
TV » truTV
Belmont coach Rick Byrd said the feeling within the Bruins (27-7) that they’re capable of getting their first NCAA win in five trips has nothing to do with the Hoyas (23-8), who haven’t won a game in the tournament since 2008. Belmont won’t be intimidated, but scoring in transition and knocking down perimeter shots against Georgetown’s nation-leading 3-point percentage defense (.270) may be their only chance for an upset.
No. 8 Memphis vs. No. 9 Saint Louis
When » 6:50 p.m.
Where » Nationwide Arena,
Columbus, Ohio
TV » TBS
Baltimore native Will Barton (18.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg) leads one of the trendy picks in the West Region, but the Tigers (26-8) are still in search of their first NCAA win under third-year coach Josh Pastner. Rick Majerus, meanwhile, has plenty to his name but none yet with the Billikens (25-7), whose deliberate style makes this a game of opposites.
No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 LIU Brooklyn
When » 9:20 p.m.
Where » Nationwide Arena,
Columbus, Ohio
TV » TBS
Remember when the Spartans (27-7) were unranked losers to North Carolina on the USS Carl Vinson in November? Tom Izzo and Draymond Green (16.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg) are both efficient and tough, which will be hard for the lightning-paced Blackbirds (25-8) to handle in their second NCAA appearance.
No. 6 Cincinnati vs. No. 11 Texas
When » 12:15 p.m.
Where » Bridgestone Arena,
Nashville, Tenn.
TV » CBS
In a rare opening matchup of big conference schools, the Bearcats (24-10) of the Big East take on the Longhorns (20-13) of the Big 12. The only other BCS vs. BCS matchups in the round of 64 are Iowa State-Connecticut and Florida-Virginia. This is the 14th straight NCAA appearance for Texas. Physical Cincinnati throttled Missouri of the Big 12 last year in this round 78-63.
No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 14 St. Bonaventure
When » 2:45 p.m.
Where » Bridgestone Arena,
Nashville, Tenn.
TV » CBS
Few teams in the tournament are as inconsistent as the ACC champion Seminoles (24-9). FSU lost at home to Princeton but beat North Carolina and Duke twice each. This season the highs have outnumbered the lows, suggesting coach Leonard Hamilton finally has figured it out. That said, few would be surprised if FSU flat-lined against Atlantic 10 champion St. Bonaventure (20-11).
No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 13 Ohio
When » 7:20 p.m.
Where » Bridgestone Arena,
Nashville, Tenn.
TV » TNT
The MAC champion Bearcats (27-7) rank 14th in the nation in defending 3-pointers, which will come in handy against perimeter-oriented Michigan (24-9). D.J. Cooper (14.6 pg, 5.7 apg) remains from the 2010 Ohio squad that upset Georgetown. Wolverines freshman guard Trey Burke will try to make amends for a horrid performance (1-for-11 shooting, eight turnovers) in a 77-55 loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten semifinals.
No. 5 Temple vs. No. 12 South Florida
When » 9:50 p.m.
Where » Bridgestone Arena,
Nashville, Tenn.
TV » TNT
USF (21-13) got its first NCAA tournament win Wednesday night, overwhelming California with its Big East-style defense in the first round. Temple (24-7) promises to be a more worthy opponent with its stellar trio of 6-foot-4 guards: Ramone Moore (17.7 ppg, 3.5 apg), Kahlif Wyatt (17.1 ppg, 3.4 apg) and Juan Fernandez (11.4 ppg, 3.9 apg). The Owls, bound for the Big East in 2013, can play the rugged style that the league demands.
No. 8 Creighton vs. No. 9 Alabama
When » 1:40 p.m.
Where »
Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum
TV » TBS
The Crimson Tide (21-11) have gone 8-8 over the last two months as four starters missed games for disciplinary reasons, including all-around standout Tony Mitchell, who remains sidelined. Missouri Valley champ Creighton (28-5) hopes for a Sunday reunion of its star, Doug McDermott (23.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg), and North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes. The sophomores were teammates at Ames (Iowa) High.
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Vermont
When » 4:10 p.m.
Where »
Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum
TV » TBS
After the departure of Mike Lonergan, rookie coach John Becker, formerly of Gallaudet and Catholic, has driven Vermont (24-11) to the America East title and a first-round defeat of Lamar. A win over North Carolina (29-5) is unlikely considering a No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1. However, the Catamounts did pull off an opening-round upset of fourth-seeded Syracuse in 2005.
No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Lehigh
When » 7:15 p.m.
Where »
Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum
TV » CBS
The Blue Devils (27-6) have won their NCAA opener 14 of the last 15 years. Playing close to home hasn’t hurt. On Friday, Duke contends with Patriot League champion Lehigh (26-7) and one of the nation’s best small conference players, C.J. McCollum (21.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg), who will attempt to duplicate the feat of VCU’s Eric Maynor in a memorable 2007 opening-round upset of the Blue Devils.
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Xavier
When » 9:45 p.m.
Where »
Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum
TV » CBS
Underachieving Xavier (21-12) won its first eight games and reached No. 9 in the nation, but an infamous brawl in the closing seconds of a win over Cincinnati changed the course of its season. Overachieving Notre Dame (22-11) went the other way after its best player, Tim Abromaitis, blew out his knee. In the last eight years, Xavier has been knocked out in the Sweet 16 twice and the Elite Eight twice.
No. 7 Florida vs. No. 10 Virginia
When » 2:10 p.m.
Where » CenturyLink Center,
Omaha, Neb.
TV » TNT
This is a contrast in styles as the uptempo, 3-point shooting Gators (23-10) face the defensive-minded, halfcourt style of the Cavaliers (22-9). Depth-challenged Virginia has little choice but to go slow as two rotation players transferred, Malcolm Brogdon was lost for the year with an injury and center Assane Sene was suspended. This is Virginia’s first NCAA appearance since 2007.
No. 2 Missouri vs. No. 15 Norfolk State
When » 4:40 p.m.
Where » CenturyLink Center,
Omaha, Neb.
TV » TNT
The presence of 6-foot-10, two-time MEAC player of the year Kyle O’Quinn (15.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.7 bpg) allows Norfolk State (25-9) to defend the perimeter zealously. The Spartans have limited foes to 30.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Three-pointers are a big weapon for height-challenged Missouri (30-4). But the Tigers play at such a fast pace that O’Quinn could be negated.
No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Purdue
When » 7:27 p.m.
Where » CenturyLink Center,
Omaha, Neb.
TV » TruTV
Purdue (21-12) has won 13 straight NCAA openers. In most of those, however, the Boilermakers were favored. This one is a toss-up. Saint Mary’s (27-5) boasts WCC player of the year Matt Dellavedova (15.6 ppg, 6.4 apg). Three-point marksman Robbie Hummel (16.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) is the top threat for Purdue, which commits the fewest turnovers in the nation (8.7 pg).
No. 2 Kansas vs. No. 15 Detroit
When » 9:57 p.m.
Where » CenturyLink Center,
Omaha, Neb.
TV » TruTV
Detroit (22-13), making its first NCAA appearance since 1999, forces 15 turnovers per game and has four players who score in double figures, including Horizon player of the year Ray McCallum (15.6). Kansas (27-6) answers with national player of the year candidate Thomas Robinson (17.9 ppg, 11.8 rpg) and plenty of tournament pedigree. It has advanced at least to the Elite Eight six times in the last 10 years.
