Sunday Tourney Spectacular

Obviously the tourney staggers the start time of games so you can see the end of every game, but it is likely that you will spend the majority of each viewing window watching one game.  Here are the games you should be watching today: 

Early Afternoon Window: Virginia vs Michigan St

Other Games: Duke vs San Diego St (2:40 CBS)

Last year many considered this matchup to be one of the games of the tournament and there is no reason to think that history won't repeat itself. The committee did Virginia no favors by setting this rematch up and Michigan St has been playing well recently while Virginia has been struggling. The one thing Virginia has going for it is the return of Justin Anderson.  He looked significantly better on Friday than in the ACC tourney and if Virginia is going to pull this one out they will need 20-25 quality minutes from Anderson.  Look for a tight back and forth game here.  

Late Afternoon Window: Kansas vs Wichita St

Other Games: Oklahoma vs Dayton (6:10 TNT)

Again - a game the committee clearly had in mind when setting up the bracket.  Given the B12's Thursday struggles I don't think anyone is expecting Kansas to roll in this one. Today has the potential to be a banner day for the MVC and Mid-Majors everywhere if Wichita St and Northern Iowa can pull off victories. This should be a wildly entertaining game between two teams with high aspirations and recent tournament success.  I'm forecasting a Shocker's shocker and another Sweet Sixteen appearance for the boys from Wichita.

Early Evening Window: Gonzaga vs Iowa

Other Games: Wisconsin vs Oregon (7:45 truTV)

This is Gonzaga's chance to prove that they are actually a respectable basketball team.  I think they looked relatively flat on Friday night, and still don't believe they will make significant noise in the tournament.  On the other hand, I was shocked by how well Iowa played, and believe they will be able to push Gonzaga.  All season long, Gonzaga enjoyed significant height advantages across the board, but that won't be the case in this game as Iowa matches up fairly well. Look for White to have a huge game and hand Gonzaga yet another disappointingly early exit. (Wisconsin should win easily)

Night Cap: Louisville vs Northern Iowa

Other Games: Maryland vs West Virginia (8:40 TNT)

I expect both of these to be great games.  The reason I suggested L'ville/N Iowa as the one to watch is because I think both these teams will have a better shot at taking down 'Nova than either UMD or WVU have against Kentucky.  Northern Iowa has been great all season long and a lot of people are picking them over Louisville.  The one reason I'd caution against that is Northern Iowa's loss against VCU earlier in the season.  VCU and Louisville play a similar style of aggressive, in your face, athletic pressing defense and I'm worried that Northern Iowa may be overwhelmed by Louisville's athleticism.  In the other game I expect Maryland's superb guards (Trimble, Wells, et al) to handle "Press Virginia" and win pulling away.