NCAA/NIT Viewing Guide, Week 1A
So that happened. At least the women are still playing. (As I type this, which probably means that when you read this, they'll be done.) For a refresher on NIT/WNCAA games today, check out part 1 of our Viewing Guide.
Games Happening Probably Right Now
5:15 PM Saturday: NCAA Second Round, 5 Indiana vs 4 Kentucky, CBS
Indiana apparently forgot what conference it was in and destroyed overseeded Chattanooga on Thursday, 99-74. They'll face a Kentucky team who found a defense at the airport and shut down America East champion Stony Brook 85-57. I don't recommend watching this game because apparently someone has to win, but if you're a fan of high-scoring games, find someone to watch it for you and narrate it like it's Golden State-San Antonio or something.
2:00 PM Saturday: WNIT Second Round, Michigan vs Bucknell
The Wolverines thumped Wright State in the first round and should do the same to Bucknell in Crisler; San Diego is their likely third-round opponent, so it would be a disappointment if Kim Barnes Arico's team doesn't get at least to the quarterfinals.
Games Scheduled to Happen After That
Noon Sunday: NIT Second Round, 3 Ohio State vs 2 Florida, ESPN
Not sure why this got moved to tomorrow, but at least now we have a date and time for it. Also not sure how this is going to happen when the women are playing at the same time in the same place. I suspect this game time isn't correct.
12:10 PM Sunday: NCAA Second Round, 7 Iowa vs 2 Villanova, CBS
Adam Woodbury pushed the Hawkeyes into the second round past Temple; I'd work in a poke-in-the-eye comment if I could find a way to do it. They'll meet a Villanova team that beat UNC-Asheville by 30, which sounds like something you'd expect except Middle Tennessee, you know. The Wildcats ought to put Iowa away easily.
7:10 PM Sunday: NCAA Second Round, 5 Maryland vs 13 Hawai'i, TBS
The Terrapins squeezed past South Dakota State, 79-74, only to discover they wouldn't be facing Cuonzo Martin's California team. The Rainbow Warriors should pose a challenge for Maryland as well; don't be surprised if this game goes down to the final minute.
8:40 PM Sunday: NCAA Second Round, 7 Wisconsin vs 2 Xavier, TNT
The Wisconsin-Pitt game on Friday was an unsightly 47-43 affair that is precisely why I don't like watching that kind of basketball. (Jamie Dixon hasn't taken the Panthers to the Sweet 16 since 2009.) Thankfully for basketball fans everywhere, Xavier will do everything they can to force the Badgers to play at a normal tempo. The Musketeers should win this one.
Noon Sunday: WNCAA Second Round, 3 Ohio State vs 6 West Virginia, WatchESPN
The Buckeyes didn't blow Buffalo off the court like some might have expected; the Mountaineers will pose a much stronger challenge. With exactly one semi-questionable loss this season (at 99 Gonzaga in November), West Virginia has the resume of a team that can walk into Columbus and come away with a win. If Ohio State hadn't stumbled against Michigan State in Indianapolis, I'd be more comfortable picking the Buckeyes ... as it is, I think West Virginia comes away with the upset.
2:00 PM Sunday: WNIT Second Round, Minnesota vs South Dakota
Rachel Banham and the Gophers will be challenged by a South Dakota team that had a reasonable argument for an at-large bid, finishing 27-5 and losing in the Summit final to in-state rival South Dakota State. The tournament scoring record is 147 points, set by Kansas' Danielle McCray in 2009 in 5 games. Banham has an outside shot at breaking that in 4 or even 3, but she's going to have to get plenty of help Sunday to make that possible.
2:00 PM Sunday: WNIT Second Round, Rutgers vs Virginia
This matchup features two teams that managed two-point wins in the first round: Rutgers edged Georgetown, and Virginia squeaked past VCU on the road. The Scarlet Knights should be looking to face Villanova in the third round - the Cavaliers shouldn't stop them, but then the Hoyas shouldn't have been that much of a challenge either.
2:30 PM Sunday: WNCAA Second Round, 4 Michigan State at 5 Mississippi State, WatchESPN
A very even matchup - difference of 1 in seed, difference of 1 in Massey rank - will likely come down to home court, which belongs to the Bulldogs. It's all academic, though, because Connecticut will be waiting in the Sweet 16.