Things get under way just past noon on the East Coast on Thursday when West Virginia and Clemson tangle in Tampa, Fla., and the final game doesn’t tip until approximately 9:57 p.m. ET out in Tuscon, Ariz.
Check out a preview of each game on Thursday’s slate along with one thing to keep an eye on and remember for each contest below.
East Region
No. 5 West Virginia (-2) vs. No. 12 Clemson
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, 12:15 p.m.
One thing to watch: The committee didn’t do Clemson any favors. After knocking out UAB in the First Four on Tuesday night in Ohio, the Tigers get the honor of kicking off Thursday’s slate of games in Tampa.
No. 4 Kentucky (-13.5) vs. No. 13 Princeton
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, 2:45 p.m.
One thing to watch: Both teams are playing their best basketball of the season, and the No. 4 seed for Kentucky may be a bit deceiving. They’re coming off winning the SEC tournament over the weekend, with a fairly convincing win over Florida.
West Region
No. 7 Temple (-2.5) vs. No. 10 Penn State
McKale Center, Tuscon, 2:10 p.m.
One thing to watch: This will be the 92nd meeting between two in-state rivals that pride themselves on defense. Don’t expect this one to be a shootout.
No. 2 San Diego State (-15.5) vs. No. 15 Northern Colorado
McKale Center, Tuscon, Arizona, 4:40 p.m.
One thing to watch: San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher hasn’t entered a tournament with this many wins (32) since, well, ever. The bigger thing to watch will be how a team like the Aztecs, not a traditional basketball powerhouse, will handle the expectations that come with being a No. 2 seed.
No. 3 Connecticut (-10) vs. No. 14 Bucknell
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., 7:20 p.m.
One thing to watch: Can UConn keep it up? After winning five games in five nights to win the Big East tournament, the last thing they probably wanted was almost a week off. Keep an eye on whether or not the Huskies can avoid or ward off a slow start. If they can, they should roll into the second round.
No. 6 Cincinnati (-1) vs. No. 11 Missouri
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., 9:50 p.m.
One thing to watch: Be on the lookout for “40 minutes of hell” references when Mizzou is being talked about. They like to press, they like to run, they like to play face. Cincy, on the other hand, has allowed fewer than 53 points per game this season. The style of play in this one will dictate the winner. Simple.
Southwest Region
No. 4 Louisville (-10) vs. No. 13 Morehead State
Pepsi Center, Denver, 1:40 p.m.
One thing to watch: Can Morehead State put together a full 40-minute effort? Earlier this season in back-to-back games with then-No. 10 Florida and No. 3 Ohio State, the Eagles held their own. In fact, they outscored Florida 38-27 in the second half, and they trailed the Buckeyes by only six at recess.
No. 5 Vanderbilt (-3) vs. No. 12 Richmond
Pepsi Center, Denver, 4:10 p.m.
One thing to watch: Richmond has won seven in a row, while Vanderbilt has lost three of its last five.
Southeast Region
No. 8 Old Dominion (-2.5) vs. No. 9 Butler
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., 12:40 p.m.
One thing to watch: Old Dominion is another solid team that’s playing its best basketball at the right time of the season. Only eight teams in the country have better rebounding numbers than the Monarchs, but will they have an answer for the experience the defending national championship runner-up will bring to the court?
No. 1 Pittsburgh (-18) vs. No. 16 UNC-Asheville
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., 3:10 p.m.
One thing to watch: The Panthers should roll, especially considering UNC-Asheville had to win on Tuesday just to get to here, but if the Panthers are a little sluggish, it will be because they haven’t played since being ousted in the Big East tournament a week ago by UConn.
No. 2 Florida (-13) vs. No. 15 UC Santa Barbara
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, 6:50 p.m.
One thing to watch: UC Santa Barbara’s Orlando Johnson has scored at least 27 points on eight separate occasions this season for the Gauchos. He’ll need at least that if UCSB has any chance of winning this game.
No. 3 BYU (-8.5) vs No. 14 Wofford
Pepsi Center, Denver, 7:15 p.m.
One thing to watch: The Jimmer Fredette show hits the big time on Thursday night, but BYU will have to continue to pound the glass in the absence of suspended leading rebounder Brandon Davies. Luckily for the Cougars, Wofford ranked 289th in the country in rebounds per game.
No. 4 Wisconsin (-5) vs. No. 13 Belmont
McKale Center, Tuscon, 7:27 p.m.
One thing to watch: Many people love this game as an upset, and why not? Belmont averaged the 11th-most points per game in the country this season, despite not having one player average over 12.4 points per game. Translation: Watch out for how deep they are.
No. 7 UCLA (+2) vs. No. 10 Michigan State
St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, 9:20 p.m.
One thing to watch: The bad news for Michigan State: They haven’t had a three-game winning streak since starting the season 3-0. The good news: They’re coming off of a loss.
No. 6 St. John’s (-1.5) vs. No. 11 Gonzaga
Pepsi Center, Denver, 9:45 p.m.
One thing to watch: The absence of D.J. Kennedy could spell the end of the season for Steve Lavin‘s Red Storm reclamation, especially as they take on a Zags team that’s won nine in a row.
No. 5 Kansas State (-2.5) vs. No. 12 Utah State
McKale Center, Tuscon, 9:57 p.m.
One thing to watch: Kansas State started the season as the No. 3 team in the country. Now, it’s a No. 5 seed in arguably the softest region in the tournament.
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