March Madness has been going on for a week and America is still hungry for more upsets, blowouts, and buzzer-beaters. After UAB came up big in crunch time to upset Iowa State and Georgia State with a very deep three with 2.7 seconds to knock third-seeded Baylor out, less than 20% of twelve million ESPN brackets were still perfect. After Arizona's win over Ohio State, no perfect brackets remain and it still seems like a rocky future for the final sixteen teams in the tourney. Here's a quick look at all four matchups coming tonight.
#1 Kentucky vs #5 West Virginia
Thursday, 9:45 PM
CBS
Undefeated Kentucky out of the SEC has its hopes up to win the tournament and grab the ever elusive perfect season, but they'll need to win against a very tough, defensive Mountaineer team. West Virginia had to beat Buffalo and the fourth-seeded Maryland squad to advance while Kentucky took down Hampton and Cincinnati off of a second-half closeout run. Juwan Staten and his defensive prowess will be on court as Kentucky will face a defense it hasn't seen all year. While Bob Huggins is 8-2 against Kentucky and the Wildcats will have press all in their face, Kentucky knows how to find a way to win. They will today at 9:45 PM.
Prediction
Kentucky 68, West Virginia 59
#3 Notre Dame vs #7 Wichita State
Thursday, 7:15 PM
CBS
Wichita State took down in-state rival Kansas in a big Round of 32 victory and will take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in what could turn in to an offensive shootout. Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet lead the Shockers with a defense that stifled Kansas late to seal a victory by keeping them out of the paint but Notre Dame is hot shooting over their last 5 games from deep at 43%. Vegas calls the Irish the underdog, and I agree.
Prediction
Wichita State 66, Notre Dame 60
#1 Wisconsin vs #4 North Carolina
Thursday, 7:47 PM
TBS
Wisconsin's lock for Player of the Year, Frank Kaminsky, was quiet during a close win over Oregon while UNC put away Arkansas in the second half. If Kaminsky can make a large contribution and Bronson Koenig steps up with a few clutch threes, Wisconsin could be well on their way to the Elite Eight. However, if Marcus Paige can get hot early and Kennedy Meeks gets his job done inside against Kaminsky, UNC can pull a huge upset to knock another #1 seed out of the tournament. Whoever wins the Kaminsky/Meeks battle will likely win the game.
Prediction
Wisconsin 72, North Carolina 68
#2 Arizona vs #6 Xavier
Thursday, 10:17 PM
TBS
The Musketeers have made a surprising run to the Sweet 16 but will have to take a tough test against a skilled Arizona squad that marched its way through the tournament last year. Xavier center Matt Stainbrook wasn't a big piece in last week's win over Georgia State and will need to be a huge player to pull the upset over Arizona. Rondo Hollis-Jefferson has stepped up over the 'Cats tournament games but may need support late in the second half where he's shown weakness.
Prediction
Arizona 76, Xavier 68