Despite a scarcity of first-round upsets in the Men’s NCAA Tournament, the result is a compelling second round featuring highly anticipated matchups between elite squads. All top-seeded teams, specifically No. 1 and No. 2 seeds competing on Sunday, remain in contention, vying for a coveted spot in the Sweet 16.
Here’s a preview of the upcoming second-round games:
Second Round Matchup: No. 8 Connecticut vs. No. 1 Florida
Sunday, 12:10 p.m. ET
The Florida Gators, favored by 9.5 points according to BetMGM’s spread, are heavily favored against the Connecticut Huskies. Both teams are recognized for their defensive prowess, notably Florida, which limited opponents to a mere 40% shooting accuracy throughout the regular season. Connecticut’s offense will need to devise a strategy to counter Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr., a Naismith Trophy semifinalist renowned for his scoring ability.
Second Round Matchup: No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 1 Duke
Sunday, 2:40 p.m. ET
This contest is anticipated to be captivating for NBA Draft enthusiasts. Several players participating are projected as potential top-10 selections in June’s draft, including Duke standouts Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, alongside Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe. The anticipated face-off between Flagg, the consensus top college player, and Edgecombe, widely regarded as a premier professional prospect (fourth-best), is particularly intriguing. A key question is whether Baylor possesses sufficient offensive firepower, beyond Edgecombe, to challenge the formidable Duke Blue Devils.
Second Round Matchup: No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 3 Kentucky
Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ET
The Illinois Fighting Illini enter this matchup as slight favorites, despite holding a lower seed than Kentucky. A closely contested game is expected, as both teams exhibit comparable strengths, especially on the offensive end of the court. The Kentucky Wildcats concluded the regular season ranking 12th in adjusted offensive efficiency, closely followed by Illinois at 13th. Both teams are entering this second-round game on the heels of decisive double-digit victories in their respective tournament openers.
Second Round Matchup: No. 7 St. Mary’s vs. No. 2 Alabama
Sunday, 6:10 p.m. ET
Is an upset looming for the Alabama Crimson Tide? Or have they gleaned lessons from their narrow escape in the first round? Alabama faced a potential upset by No. 15 Robert Morris, trailing late into the second half before ultimately securing a win. St. Mary’s also encountered challenges in their tournament opener, narrowly defeating Vanderbilt by three points. A significant hurdle for St. Mary’s will be containing Alabama senior guard Mark Sears, a seasoned scorer unfazed by high-pressure situations.
Second Round Matchup: No. 12 Colorado State vs. No. 4 Maryland
Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET
After upsetting the Memphis Tigers to commence the tournament, the Colorado State Rams now face a Maryland Terrapins team boasting an 11-1 record in non-conference games during the regular season. The critical aspect of this game will be whether Colorado State can dictate a slower, more physical style of play against Maryland. The Terrapins demonstrated improved offensive capabilities this season, averaging 81.6 points per game, considerably higher than the Rams’ 67.2 average.
Second Round Matchup: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Iowa State
Sunday, 7:45 p.m. ET
The Iowa State Cyclones enter this second-round game following a truly dominant showing in the Round of 64, overwhelming Lipscomb 82-55. Conversely, Ole Miss had to withstand a late surge from North Carolina to secure their first-round victory. Iowa State suffered only a single defeat against a non-conference opponent this season, and their offensive execution appears more refined compared to Ole Miss. Leading up to the tournament, the Cyclones demonstrated superior scoring, assist numbers, and offensive efficiency compared to the Rebels.
Second Round Matchup: No. 10 New Mexico vs. No. 2 Michigan State
Sunday, 8:40 p.m. ET
This second-round contest presents a stylistic contrast. The New Mexico Lobos favor a fast-paced game, aiming to engage opponents in high-scoring shootouts. In opposition, the Michigan State Spartans employ a more deliberate, defensively focused approach, reminiscent of Big Ten football, emphasizing defense and rebounding. Michigan State possesses greater overall talent and is expected to be the significant favorite; however, New Mexico could gain an advantage if they successfully increase the tempo of the game.
Second Round Matchup: No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Arizona
Sunday, 9:40 p.m. ET
These former Pac-12 rivals will clash on Sunday as non-conference opponents, with Oregon now affiliated with the Big Ten and Arizona representing the Big 12. Both teams are entering this game after impressive victories in the tournament’s opening round. Arizona is viewed as the slight favorite, largely attributed to the potent combination of Caleb Love and Jaden Bradley in their backcourt. To achieve an upset, Oregon will likely require a diverse and balanced offensive strategy.