We’ve reached the semifinals for the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and Big East tournaments. Friday’s schedule is loaded, particularly during a night slate highlight by round three of Duke vs. North Carolina.
Your Watch Grid guide to Friday’s college basketball conference tournaments, starring Duke vs. UNC
It’s round three for Duke vs. North Carolina, a game that anchors a loaded Friday night slate.
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
The day’s results will have a major impact on who eventually grabs the No. 1 seeds. Virginia, Villanova, Duke, Xavier and Kansas are all in action and each has a compelling case for the top-line. For more on today’s stakes, read our latest Bracketology post from Chris Dobbertean.
This is what you should watch today.
Early shift
- Cincinnati has made the NCAA tournament seven straight years, but it hasn’t reached the second weekend since 2012. This could be Mick Cronin’s best team yet thanks largely to an improved offense. Get your bracket research in by watching the Bearcats to start the day.
- Collin Sexton was built to be a March Madness hero. Sexton’s thrilling buzzer-beater on Thursday may have been enough to get ‘Bama off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament, but a win vs. Auburn would solidify the Tide’s case.
- Even a week into March, it’s hard to know what to make of this Kentucky team. John Calipari has been playing around with lineup combinations that had won the Wildcats’ four straight before a decisive loss to Florida in their last game. Georgia will be a good test.
- Conference-USA is wide open after Middle Tennessee’s stunning loss last night. Western Kentucky is now the favorite in its first year under Rick Stansbury.
Late shift
- Providence can solidify its NCAA tournament credentials with a win over Xavier. Xavier can solidify its case for a 1-seed with a win, likely setting up a showdown with Villanova in the Big East finals.
- Why is Kyle Guy playing 36 minutes just days after spraining his knee and WHY IS HE DUNKING AT THE END OF BLOW OUTS FOR NO REASON? This would drive me crazy were I a Virginia fan. Anyway. Clemson game should be fun.
- Kansas vs. Kansas State is always a good time. This is another look at the Jayhawks without injured center Udoka Azubuike and another chance to built its case for a No. 1 seed. Kansas State is projected as an 8-seed right now and is safely in the tournament.
- Butler-Villanova is typically excellent. The two teams have split the season series so far. ‘Nova should be a No. 1 seed regardless, but Butler can work its way up from a projected 8-seed with a win.
- DUKE VS. UNC. If you’re thinking of picking Duke to win it all, this is a game to watch. Can the Blue Devils’ zone handle UNC’s four-out offense? From Carolina’s perspective, can the interior defense hold up against a pair of big men as dominant as Marvin Bagley and Wendell Carter? Duke-Carolina is always great and the raised stakes in the ACC tournament should make it even better.
- There will be athletes everywhere in West Virginia vs. Texas Tech. Can the Mountaineers’ press turnover Keenan Evans and the Red Raider guards? Will Zhaire Smith dunk so hard he shatters a backboard? Storylines abound.
- Arizona is all-in on this season. It’s Final Four or bust for the Wildcats. UCLA should be a good test as an uptempo team that spreads the floor with shooters and lets star guard Aaron Holiday go to work. Deandre Ayton is must watch every team he takes the court.
- When Florida’s on, they look like a second weekend team for sure, and maybe even a Final Four squad. Arkansas also seems to have some sneaky second weekend potential with three great guards and a defense that can turn you over.
See More:
