JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: Javonte Smart #1 of the LSU Tigers dribbles the ball against Miye Oni #25 of the Yale Bulldogs during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at VyStar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The second round of the NCAA Tournament begins today with another eight games of March Madness action, but these five are the ones you can’t miss.
The first round is finally done, and hopefully your bracket hasn’t completely busted yet. Even if it has, you can still enjoy a ton of great basketball over the next two days in the Round of 32.
The teams that emerged victorious on Thursday are back in action today, and that means eight more games to check out over the course of about 12 hours. Gonzaga, Michigan State, and Michigan all have intriguing matchups but those contests don’t rate as true must watches in our book.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the list, starting right at noon with Maryland and LSU.
East Region: No. 6 Maryland vs. No. 3 LSU at 12:10 p.m. ET on CBS
The first game of the day is a good one featuring two power conference schools that survived upset bids on Thursday. LSU, which is still playing without the leadership of suspended coach Will Wade, fought off a pesky Yale squad 79-74 to survive and advance.
The Bulldogs gave the Tigers everything they could handle despite a horrendous game from their best player, Miye Oni, who scored just five points on 2-16 shooting. Despite a late charge from Yale, LSU held on to earn their spot in this matchup.
Maryland also didn’t look spectacular against First Four winner Belmont, which led for most of the first half before the Terrapins came alive in the second. Even with four different players scoring in double figures for Maryland, Belmont had a chance to win in the final seconds before a pass inside was broken up.
Those two teams were popular upset picks leading into the game, so many forgot how good both teams were. This game should be an electrifying start to the day.
Prediction: LSU
Midwest Region: No. 7 Wofford vs. No. 2 Kentucky at 2:40 p.m. ET on CBS
This game has the potential to be one of the most dynamic matchups of the weekend. We have a true David vs. Goliath showdown between Wofford and Kentucky with a trip to the Sweet 16 in Kansas City on the line.
The Terriers showed the nation that they were no fluke with a convincing 84-68 victory over Seton Hall on Thursday night. Fletcher Magee led the way for Wofford with 24 points, including seven three pointers, which moved him past Travis Bader to set the NCAA’s all time record for triples.
Kentucky enters this game after they absolutely toyed with Abilene Christian, cruising to a 79-44 win, but they do have legitimate concerns about the availability of star forward P.J. Washington. Washington sat out of the win with a foot injury that required a hard cast and a scooter for mobility, so the odds that he plays in this one aren’t great.
If Washington can’t take the floor against the Terriers, Kentucky could be in for a world of hurt. Wofford can bury anyone from the perimeter (just ask the Pirates) and if Washington isn’t able to put up easy buckets inside for Kentucky they could be going home early.
Pick: Wofford
Next: Can Ja Morant and Murray State move on?
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