College basketball fans got quite the teaser with the First Four games of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Eight teams got to open up the tournament with play-in games to get to the true dance floor. On Tuesday night, UAlbany got it together late to defeat Mount St. Mary's, 71-64, to play top seeded Florida. North Carolina State routed Xavier, 74-59 to gain their admittance. Wednesday night saw the team with the worst record in the tournament, Cal Poly, defeat Texas Southern, 81-69. Hey, if they win the tournament, they'll finish with a winning record. To cap it all off, Iowa and Tennessee battled into overtime where the Volunteers got their dancing shoes strapped back on with a 78-65 victory.
Only the best dancers survive on this floor.
It all starts on a dance floor in Buffalo, and concludes on another in Spokane on Thursday. Still need help filling out your bracket? Here's a nice rundown of the games Thursday.
(6) Ohio State Buckeyes (25-9) vs. (11) Dayton Flyers (23-10), 12:15 p.m.
The Big Ten was arguably the toughest conference this season every team they sent is a reason why. Ohio State is no different. As for Dayton, the Atlantic 10 sent six teams, but still lacks respect from the other major conference. I'm not saying it's on the same level, but the A-10 is a tough conference. Dayton can play with the bigger programs, but their only game against a ranked opponent from a major conference was a 67-66 loss to Baylor early in the season. Ohio State hasn't been the same team Thad Matta used to coach in the past. However, his team has more experience in the tournament, and even if he has struggled lately, Aaron Craft is still one of the most clutch players in the nation. Ohio State moves on, 74-70.
(2) Wisconsin Badgers (26-7) vs. (15) American Eagles (20-12), 12:40 p.m.
The Badgers have been a consistent player in the tournament lately. Bo Ryan runs a solid program up there in cheese country. It's the tournament that seems to be Wisconsin's nemesis. As high as they're seeded, they never seem to live up to expectations. Coach Ryan's boys will look to break the spell. They won't slip up against an American team that won the Patriot League title. Wisconsin, 82-65.
(8) Colorado Buffaloes (23-11) vs. (9) Pittsburgh Panthers (25-9), 1:40 p.m.
Coach Jamie Dixon and the Panthers played well in their first season in the ACC. Coming from the Big East, Pittsburgh still proved they're a force in college hoops. As Stats Guy Cody Marshall would say, the Pac-12 is a weak league for major conferences. I like the style of play Pittsburgh has, and the momentum coming off the run they made in the ACC Tournament. In one of the best games of the opening roung, Pittsburgh, 69-66.
(5) Cincinnati Bearcats (27-6) vs. (12) Harvard Crimson (26-4), 2:10 p.m.
Harvard has a nice run in the tournament last year, and they became a team to watch. These boys aren't just brainiacs, they can play some basketball. However, Cincinnati is one of the most physical team in college basketball. Mick Cronin has kept his Bearcats in the picture the last few year in the Big East and American Athletic Conference. In fact, Cincinnati finished 15-3 in their new conference. The physicality on the boards and in the games overall will be too much for Harvard. Give me Cincinnati, 72-54.
(3) Syracuse Orange (27-5) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (23-9), 2:40 p.m.
Remember when we thought the Orange was a lock for a 1 seed at 25-0? Then came a 2-5 finish to the season, and stunning exit in the ACC Tournament. Their entire tournament will depend on which team comes to play. The team that can play lockdown 2-3 zone defense and score at will, or the non-chalant Orange that always seem to make an appearance late in the season. I like Syracuse as a tournament team, and they've got to prove themselves all over again. Syracuse, 69-60.
(7) Oregon Ducks (23-9) vs. (10) BYU Cougars (23-11), 3:10 p.m.
BYU isn't the home of Jimmer Fredette anymore, he's in Chicago. Oregon had a solid in last year's tournament, and is looking to go further this year. BYU's inside presence needs to be physical and get their share of rebounds or Oregon is going to blow this game open. These two teams met this season to a tune of a 100-96 overtime win for the Ducks. It's hard to beat a team twice in the same season... especially in the tournament. Fredette about it Ducks! BYU, 84-83.
(1) Florida Gators (32-2) vs. (16) Albany Great Danes (19-14), 4:10 p.m.
The Gators are the hottest team in the nation entering the chaos of March. Their first task is an Albany team that has proven it can compete in the tournament. See 2006 vs. Connecticut and last year vs. Duke. Florida is one of the most athletic teams in the nation, and Albany has an average at best inside presence with John Puk. For a 6'9" he won't be able to compete underneath with the skill of the Gators. You need to beat the Gators inside or via the 3-ball. Albany isn't highly touted at either. Florida, 87-70.
(4) Michigan State Spartans (26-8) vs. Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (25-9), 4:40 p.m.
ESPN analysts have already pegged the Spartans as their favorite to win the national championship. Delaware is first on that trek. Health is the only thing really standing in the way of the Spartans on their run. Health won't play much of a factor here. Sparty moves on, 83-72.
(7) Connecticut Huskies (26-8) vs. (10) Saint Joseph's Hawks (24-9), 6:55 p.m.
Connecticut enjoyed a lot of success under Jim Calhoun, and now those reigns have been turned over to Kevin Ollie. Ollie gets his first chance in the tournament, but it's not an easy path. Shabazz Napier continues to be a strong player offensively for the Huskies. The Hawks are looking to prove further that the A-10 deserves some respect. In fact, the Hawks won that tournament. Ollie's first tournament experience won't last long. In the best game of the day, St. Joe's, 81-79.
(2) Michigan Wolverines (25-8) vs. (15) Wofford Terriers (20-12), 7:10 p.m.
Runners-up last year, the Wolverines... enough said. Michigan, 90-63.
(5) Saint Louis Billikens (26-6) vs. (12) North Carolina State Wolfpack (22-13), 7:20 p.m.
The Billikens looked like they could match Wichita State step-for-step in mid-major teams making runs towards an undefeated season. However, Saint Louis took the Syracuse like approach, and stumbled hard along the way. North Carolina State comes into the game with solid momentum after knocking off Syracuse and Xavier. The 'Pack can play on big stages. Saint Louis needs to find their early season rhythm, or it'll be a final stumble early in the tournament. NC State, 75-66.
(5) Oklahoma Sooners (23-9) vs. (12) North Dakota State Bison (25-6), 7:27 p.m.
Oklahoma seems to have gone under the radar this year. The Sooners finished second in the Big XII this season, and they haven't lost a game to a team like the Bison. With solid wins over tournament teams like Baylor, Iowa State, and Texas, the Sooners could go under the radar in the tournament. Boomer Sooner, 75-69.
(2) Villanova Wildcats (28-4) vs. (15) Milwaukee Panthers (21-13), 9:25 p.m.
The Wildcats are coming off of the biggest disappointment of the Big East tournament. A loss to Seton Hall didn't help them with the seeding committee, and I'm sure that's translated over to a lot of fans' brackets. The Panthers have a history of upsets in the tournament, but Nova survives this round. However, I don't think they last much longer. Villanova, 81-70.
(7) Texas Longhorns (23-10) vs. (10) Arizona State Sun Devils (21-11), 9:40 p.m.
The Longhorns defeated Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor, and Kansas consecutively at one point during the season. I like the Longhorns to do damage in this tournament. Another team that can go under the radar like Oklahoma. Arizona State is another under the radar team, but in another way. The Sun Devils' best win was an overtime victory over Arizona, but they're a weaker team from the Pac-12. Hook 'em Horns, 86-73.
(4) Louisville Cardinals (29-5) vs. (13) Manhattan Jaspers (25-7), 9:50 p.m.
Manhattan! You're playing the defending champions who got spurned by the committee. You're playing a defending champion with something to prove. Add that to Rick Pitino and "Rusdiculous" Russ Smith... Louisville, 95-65.
(4) San Diego State Aztecs (29-4) vs. (13) New Mexico State Aggies (26-9), 9:57 p.m.
If you want the best defensive basketball in college hoops, Coach Fisher and the Aztecs got it. If you want to see their defense face a unique challenge then Aggies center Sim Bhullar at 7'5" will give the Aztecs just that. Neutralize Bhullar, and the Aggies will be one dimensional. Fisher will figure things out. Aztecs move on, 79-75.
Get the markers ready to adjust your brackets, folks! Meanwhile, I'll hope St. Joseph's, North Carolina State, BYU, and Pittsburgh move on in my upset picks of the day. Welcome to the dance, partners!
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