NCAA Tournament Day 5 Schedule Includes Syracuse, Louisville, and Wisconsin in Round of 32

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Mar 17, 2012

A stellar Day 4 of the NCAA Tournament led to upset after upset with Duke, Missouri and Michigan all taking a hit from lower seeds.

Now, it is time for the Round of 32 where anything can happen.

Here are the games to look out for on Saturday, March 17. Be sure to check out in-depth Associated Press previews.

12:15 p.m. — Kansas State vs. Syracuse (-4.5)

PITTSBURGH (AP) In an era when college basketball is dominated by freshmen and sophomores, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim knows he needs his two seniors to step up to keep winning in the NCAA tournament.

Kansas State, the team the Orange will face Saturday in the third round of the East Regional, will need another big contribution from a freshman point guard to advance. Read the Complete Preview Here.

2:45 p.m. — Gonzaga vs. Ohio State (-7.5)

PITTSBURGH (AP) Before VCU. Before Butler. Before George Mason, there was Gonzaga.

The Bulldogs have spent the last 14 seasons busting brackets. Their mix of steady guard play and just enough muscle have made the Jesuit school nestled in eastern Washington a perennial threat to play deep into March. Read the complete preview here

5:15 p.m. — Murray State vs. Marquette (-5.5)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) One thing kept Murray State from making a Butler-like run through the NCAA tournament two years ago.

Butler. Read the complete preview here.

6:10 p.m. — Wisconsin vs. Vanderbilt (-1)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Wisconsin senior Rob Wilson wasn't on anybody's radar a month ago, save for the kids at the Madison Boys & Girls Club where he's serving an internship this semester.

Now, Vanderbilt star Jeffery Taylor calls him the "X-factor" in the Commodores' third-round game Saturday against the Badgers in the NCAA tournament's East Regional. Read the complete preview here.

7:10 p.m. — VCU vs. Indiana (-6)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) VCU is all for legacy and tradition. Coach Shaka Smart is trying to turn the Rams into perennial winners in March.

They just don't pay a lot of attention to history when it comes to their opponents. Just ask Southern California, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and Wichita State – the higher seeded teams that have lost to resilient VCU in the last two NCAA tournaments. Read the complete preview here.

7:45 p.m. — Iowa State vs. Kentucky (-11)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Royce White's fear of flying turned out to be a good thing for Iowa State – otherwise the Cyclones' star would be a Kentucky Wildcat.

Kentucky coach John Calipari wanted him, but there was no way White could get on that plane two years ago bound for Lexington – not with his anxiety and a child on the way. Read the complete preview here.

8:40 p.m. — Colorado vs. Baylor (-8)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Colorado was one of the first dominos to fall in the massive conference realignment that overhauled college sports.

Baylor was one of the programs that had the most to lose when the Big 12 looked as if it might disintegrate during all that upheaval. Read the complete preview here

9:40 p.m. — New Mexico vs. Louisville (-1)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Rick Pitino says there really wasn't a defining moment that propelled Louisville through the Big East tournament and into the third round of the NCAAs.

The Cardinals (27-9) have won five straight going into Saturday's game against New Mexico with a chance to advance to the regional semifinal for the first time since 2009. Read the complete preview here.

NESN.com’s college basketball coverage is presented by Bovada.net.

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