The opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament is always bonkers and the 2018 edition has followed that model. In fact, upsets dictate that the games on Saturday and Sunday will not feature the previously-anticipated matchups and, as always, Cinderella stories are ready to be written by a few intriguing mid-major programs.
With that in mind, Saturday’s slate is, once again, jam-packed with fun and supremely interesting basketball. Our task is to comb through the schedule with something of a viewing guide for those who simply can’t afford to set up shop for approximately 12 hours of sporting goodness. Priorities are key and, well, we are here to help.
As always, let’s enjoy the basketball action together. All times listed are EST.
Game of the Day: No. 4 Gonzaga vs. No. 5 Ohio State (7:45 p.m., CBS)
With the potential dream battle between Arizona and Kentucky out the window (we’ll get there), this face-off takes top billing. Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann took joy when the media predicted his team would encounter a tough battle against South Dakota State and he let the world know about it after the Buckeyes prevailed. On the other side, Gonzaga took everything it could handle from UNC-Greensboro in the opener and concerns about the Bulldogs emerged once again.
Still, this is a game that features two legitimate top-25 teams and it helps, at least from a casual fan’s perspective, to have recognizable programs in the mix. Aesthetically, it may not be an exercise in pure basketball brilliance but Las Vegas experts predict a close-fought game (Gonzaga is favored by approximately three points). Sometimes, close games are more fun than well-played ones.
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No. 1 Villanova vs. No. 9 Alabama (12:10 p.m., CBS): Villanova is the biggest betting favorite (and the only team favored by double figures on Saturday) but that does not mean that the Wildcats have a cakewalk to the Sweet 16. Collin Sexton is capable of big things on the Alabama side and, even if the Crimson Tide aren’t necessarily likely to win, a strong 20-minute period from the underdog will be all it takes to provide drama. Having a top-10 NBA Draft pick face off with a No. 1 seed is also cause for attention, regardless of circumstance. And while past outcomes don’t dictate future results, the Wildcats have made it out of the first weekend of the Tournament once this decade. That year was 2016, when they won a national title.
No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Buffalo (5:15 p.m. ET, CBS): As noted above, Buffalo’s upset over Arizona sent brackets into turmoil, but that does not mean that Kentucky will simply cruise. Of course, it has to be noted that John Calipari’s team is more talented at each and every position and, with that, Kentucky should be able to win here. Still, Buffalo isn’t getting a ton of credit on the heels of a meltdown by Arizona and that is a mistake. This is a live underdog.
No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 6 Houston (9:40 p.m. ET, TBS): This was in consideration for “game of the day” honors, even if the brand recognition isn’t there. Michigan looked horrible in the opening minutes on Thursday night and that is the price to be paid for the Big Ten taking more than a week off between conference tourney play and the Big Dance. The Wolverines are still quite good, though, and Houston is the quietest member of KenPom’s top-20. The Cougars are better than your typical 6-seed — plus they have the fantastic Rob Gray — and this will be a good stylistic battle.
Upset alert
No. 3 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Loyola-Chicago (6:10 p.m., TNT): Loyola-Chicago toppling Miami on Thursday was technically an “upset” but really in name only. The Ramblers were essentially “pick’em” against the Hurricanes and smart college basketball viewers have known about Loyola-Chicago for a long time. That isn’t to say that they have an easy time here, as Tennessee is legitimately dangerous and stellar on the defensive end, but the Vols are favored by only 5.5 points for a reason. They could be in some trouble.
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 8 Seton Hall (7:10 p.m. ET, TBS): When Seton Hall is good, it is really good. When Kansas isn’t playing at its top level, the Jayhawks can be beaten. It wouldn’t be seen as the type of upset that it could be if the Pirates weren’t in a major conference but there will be a lot of extra eyeballs on this particular contest if things are close in the second half. That is the nature of operating as a “blue blood” program and Kansas knows it.
Could get interesting
No. 2 Duke vs. No. 7 Rhode Island (2:40 p.m., CBS): Duke probably isn’t going to lose to Rhode Island. The Rams lost three of their last five in conference play and, even with the positive momentum of an overtime win in the NCAA Tournament opener, caveats should exist for the fact that it took the 45 minutes to beat an underwhelming Oklahoma team. It would be easy to argue that the Blue Devils have the highest ceiling in the entire field and, if they play well (not a given, mind you), Coach K and company should cruise to the second weekend.
No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Florida (8:40 p.m. ET, TNT): A battle of top-20 teams nationally isn’t going to get any casual fans going but perhaps the presence of two Power 5 teams on the same floor will do. Frankly, the Gators have been (very) weird this season, looking fantastic in beating Gonzaga, Cincinnati and Kentucky while appearing overwhelmed against programs like Ole Miss, Georgia (twice) and Florida State. Make no mistake, this should be a competitive, close-fought game but the aesthetics shouldn’t be terribly pleasing.
