NCAA Basketball Scores 2012: Saturday Games You Don't Want to Miss

Now that the first round is over for these teams, the real fun begins. Every one of these games will be close and awfully fun to watch on Saturday.

East Region: No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 8 Kansas State

The loss of Fab Melo really hurts the Orange, who were frankly lucky to not be the first No. 1 seed to not survive the opening round. Kansas State, on the other hand, had an impressive victory over Southern Mississippi.

Before Melo's ineligibility, I had the Orange losing in the Sweet 16. I stand by that, but enough happened on Thursday to make this one a must-watch. 

If Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph don't elevate their games, the Orange will not get through this one. Look for them to be a little better, bringing in between 30 and 35 combined points. That will be enough, but do yourself a favor and keep an eye on this game. 

East Region: No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Vanderbilt

While we're on the subject of "keeping an eye on this one," don't miss this game. The winner of this one will be making a trip to the Final Four, as these are easily the two toughest teams in the region. 

Vanderbilt caught fire and won the SEC Tournament, last beating a loaded Kentucky team. They have a top three in John Jenkins, Jeffery Taylor and Festus Ezeli that will keep the Commodores in any game they play. That is a tremendous asset to have.

The Badgers, meanwhile, have won five of their last six. Included in that are wins over Ohio State and Indiana. 

Syracuse will survive against the Wildcats, but either one of these teams will end their tournament run in the Sweet 16. Watch this game to know who it's going to be. 

As far as who I am picking, I took Vanderbilt to come out of this region at the beginning, and nothing I saw against Harvard is making me back off that choice. They are an experienced team with a strong mix of inside and outside presence, and are loaded with veterans. That will take them a long way this year. 

West Region: No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 6 Murray State

The Racers looked incredibly impressive in their opener, largely because they were flawed. This team came out incredibly flat in the first half, but still found a way to win by 17 points. If that doesn't announce your presence with authority, nothing does. 

Marquette, on the other hand, downed a BYU team easily, ending their dreams. 

Okay, we know all of that. Why is this game worth watching? It's going to be an upset, that's why. The Racers are an incredibly hot basketball team. They were grossly under-seeded at No. 6 and are going to show that again on Saturday. 

This will be a good game between two teams that impressed, albeit in different ways. In the end, Marquette's inconsistencies will show against a tough Murray State squad. 

Check to see how your bracket is doing (via CBS Sports).

Follow @mdixon1985