Mar 15

Mar 15 It's Back! NCAA Viewing Guide, Round 1

2017-2018, Basketball

Busy, busy week, otherwise I'd have had this up already. But let's face it: if you're watching all 63 (um, 67) games, you already are in front of your TVs. This is for the people who are looking for Big Tenteen teams and where they're playing. Readers, I have you covered. Yeah, it's an abbreviated version, but let's be honest: when the Big Tenteen doesn't have bubble teams, it's pretty easy to cover the first round.

4:00 PM, TNT: 5 Ohio State vs 12 South Dakota State

The Jackrabbits commit the fewest turnovers in the country (13.8%), and shoot .392 from three (27th) ... but they give up too many good shots to have a solid shot at the upset. Still, the Buckeyes aren't the best from long range (.353, 150th), and if SDSU can somehow build a decent lead, it might be tough for Ohio State to catch up. More likely is that Keita Bates-Diop has a great game and OSU advances to meet Gonzaga.

9:50 PM, TBS: 3 Michigan vs 14 Montana

Montana is, by far, the best of the 14s. They still aren't going to keep it close. Montana barely takes threes (27.2 of every 100, 342nd) and shoots them poorly (.341, 217th), and Michigan's the type of team that requires you to hit threes if you want to run with them. Additionally, the Wolverine defense is so strong that the Grizzlies will likely struggle to hit twos as well. Michigan should cruise to a second-round matchup with Houston.

Friday, 12:40 PM, TruTV: 2 Purdue vs 15 CSU Fullerton

Does Fullerton have a chance? No. Purdue vs. Butler on Sunday.

Friday, 3:10 PM, TruTV: 10 Butler vs 7 Arkansas

This actually isn't a great matchup for the Bulldogs: Butler is exactly average at allowing threes, and Arkansas shoots .401 from outside the arc (11th). Fortunately, the Razorbacks' defense fits pretty well with Butler's offense: pressure on a team that doesn't turn the ball over much (15.7%, 28th), and plenty of fouls (41.4/100 FG, 320th) against a team that shoots free throws well (.771, 23rd). First team to 80 wins?