SB Nation’s Chris Dobbertean, editor of Blogging The Bracket, has your rundown of Saturday’s Second Round NCAA Tournament action, including announcer pairings and picks.
2010 NCAA Tournament: Saturday Schedule, Previews And Predictions
The 16 teams who won games on the most exciting First Round day ever on Thursday now play for eight spots in next week’s regional semifinals.
All games are on CBS, check your local listings to see your affiliate’s choices. You can watch all 63 games of the event through NCAA® March Madness on Demand®.
The Saturday National Game
As is traditional, the Second Round begins with a single game that tips not long after 1 p.m. ET
1:05 p.m. ET (South: Providence) No. 10 St. Mary's (27-5) vs. No. 2 Villanova (25-7) (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery): These two teams boast guard units that are among the nation's best, but will the Wildcats be able to answer the presence of Omar Samhan and Ben Allen inside for the Gaels. My pick: St. Mary's
Mid-Afternoon
This window sees the second game in Providence and the first of the San Jose doubleheader.
3:20 p.m. ET (West: San Jose) No. 13 Murray State (31-4) vs. No. 5 Butler (29-4) (Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel): These two won in contrasting styles Thursday, as Racers needed a buzzer beater to top Vanderbilt, while the Bulldogs used a big second half run to blow out UTEP. With a win, Murray State would be the first 13 to advance to the Sweet 16 since Bradley in 2006. My pick: Butler
3:35 p.m. ET approx. (Midwest: Providence) No. 14 Ohio (22-14) vs. No. 6 Tennessee (26-8) (Lundquist/Raftery): The Bobcats are also looking to make some history today, as no 14 seed has made the second weekend since Chattanooga in 1997. However, if the Vols guard the perimeter, that won't happen, they'll be moving on to St. Louis. My pick: Tennessee
Early Evening
The San Jose doubleheader wraps up and play begins in New Orleans and Oklahoma City.
5:40 p.m. ET (Midwest: Oklahoma City) No. 9 Northern Iowa (29-4) vs. No. 1 Kansas (33-2) (Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner): The Panthers will attempt to slow down the Jayhawks and shock the world, but Kansas just has too much talent. My pick: Kansas
5:45 p.m. ET (South: New Orleans) No. 11 Old Dominion (27-8) vs. No. 3 Baylor (26-7) (Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas): This one features an interesting interior battle between the Monarchs' Gerald Lee and the Bears' Ekpe Udoh, but LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter give Baylor an edge in the backcourt. My pick: Baylor
5:50 p.m. ET approx. (East: San Jose) No. 11 Washington (25-9) vs. No. 3 New Mexico (30-4) (Dedes/Wenzel): The Lobos' Darington Hobson will have to deal with a sore left wrist in tonight's game, which could limit his effectiveness. Making matters worse, New Mexico has struggled of late, while the Huskies are peaking at the right time. Upset alert time. My pick: Washington
Late Evening
After these two contest, half of the Regional Semifinal field will be set.
8:10 p.m. ET approx. (West: Oklahoma City) No. 7 BYU (30-5) vs. No. 2 Kansas State (27-7) (Harlan/Bonner): With a win, the Cougars will advance to a regional in Salt Lake City, their backyard. This will be an entertaining one, as Jimmer Fredette and Jacob Pullen will put on a show. My pick: BYU
8:15 p.m. ET approx. (East: New Orleans) No. 9 Wake Forest (20-10) vs. No. 1 Kentucky (33-2) (Enberg/Bilas): Wake validated their tourney bid, but don't have much of a chance against a Wildcat team that put on a show Thursday against East Tennessee State. My pick: Kentucky
Follow Chris on Twitter, @BracketDobber, for his thoughts and reactions throughout the day and evening.
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