March Madness 2012: Previewing This Weekend's Round of 32 Games

With upsets dominating the second day of the Round of 64, the 2012 NCAA tournament is shaping up to be much like last year’s—full of upsets and unpredictability that leaves your bracket vulnerable.

We’ve learned again this year that no team is safe and the underdog can overpower the favored team on any given day. Expect nothing but excitement.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s Round of 32 games. Will the underdogs prevail once again?

1 Syracuse vs. 8 Kansas State

When: Saturday, March 17; 12:15 p.m. ET 

Station: CBS

After barely escaping with a win in its first tournament game against UNC Asheville, Syracuse has proved its vulnerability without the disqualified Fab Melo.

Kansas State doesn’t have the same luster that it did last year with Jacob Pullen but can still manage to take it down to the wire with Syracuse.

It’s too close to call an upset but either way, this game is going to be close. 

2 Ohio State vs. 7 Gonzaga

When: Saturday, March 17; 2:45 p.m. ET

Station: CBS

Both teams are coming off strong wins and will have momentum going into this Round of 32 matchup.

Gonzaga did an excellent job of spreading its scoring around the floor in its first tournament game against West Virginia and will have to do the same against Ohio State in order to head to the Sweet 16.

To the delighted surprise of Buckeyes fans, someone other than Jared Sullinger—Deshaun Thomas—showed up for Ohio State and scored a game-high 31 points. Having numerous offensive threats outside of Sullinger may make Ohio State unstoppable. 

3 Marquette vs. 6 Murray State

When: Saturday, March 17; 5:15 p.m. ET

Station: CBS

This game is probably going to come down to three-point shooting, and based upon each team’s previous game, it looks as though Marquette has an edge coming into the game, shooting 45 percent from beyond the arc over Murray State’s 29 percent.

Throw out all the stats, though, because this game is practically all in the hands of Murray State’s best player and shooter, Isaiah Canaan. If he’s on in this game, the Racers are going to the Sweet 16.

4 Wisconsin vs. 5 Vanderbilt

When: Saturday, March 17; 6:10 p.m. ET

Station: TNT

Wisconsin’s overpowering of Montana proved that the Badgers mean business in this year’s tournament. On the other hand, Vanderbilt raised some questions when it wasn’t able to close out on Harvard after beating No. 1 Kentucky to win the SEC Tournament.

With that established, no team has a real edge and the two are evenly matched. Defense should decide the game.

4 Indiana vs. 12 VCU

When: Saturday, March 17; 7:10 p.m. ET

Station: TBS

Indiana played to its strength of perimeter shooting to run away from New Mexico State with the help of Jordan Hulls’ four three-pointers.

The Hoosiers shot 59 percent from the field and 54 percent from three-point land in the game, and if they can repeat that performance, they’ll move on to the Sweet 16.

VCU is a dangerous team, as it proved last year and in its first game of the tournament this year. The Rams are well coached and will win the game if they can contain the perimeter on defense.

1 Kentucky vs. 8 Iowa State

When: Saturday, March 17; 7:45 p.m. ET

Station: CBS

Kentucky has one of the most talented groups of players in all of college basketball but with little tournament experience, as most are underclassmen.

Iowa State, led by upperclassmen guards Melvin Ejim, Chris Allen and Scott Christopherson, as well as sophomore forward Royce White, has the potential to win this upset game. 

3 Baylor vs. 11 Colorado

When: Saturday, March 17; 8:40 p.m. ET

Station: TNT

After struggling to win key games against the top Big 12 teams, Baylor exhibited weakness once again in an unsettling win against South Dakota State in its first tournament game.

Following an upset win over a tough UNLV team, Colorado has momentum on its side going into this Round of 32 game.

Baylor is going to have to crash the boards hard in order to pull away with a win in this one.

4 Louisville vs. 5 New Mexico

When: Saturday, March 17; 9:40 p.m. ET

Station: TBS

After winning the Big East Tournament, Louisville once again exposed its weaknesses in an indecisive win against Davidson.

The odds are leaning in New Mexico’s favor with a hot Drew Gordon stabilizing the Lobos’ offense.

3 Georgetown vs. 11 NC State

When: Sunday, March 18; 12:15 p.m. ET 

Station: CBS

Both teams won their first games with sizable leads, but what stands out the most is NC State’s dominance of No. 6 seed San Diego State, a team that was nationally ranked at times during the season.

However, Georgetown has a strong team that will prove to be a very good match for the Wolfpack. The Hoyas’ strong frontcourt may be too much for NC State. 

1 Michigan State vs. 8 Saint Louis

When: Sunday, March 18; 2:45 p.m. ET

Station: CBS

Saint Louis impressed by pulling away from Memphis late in its first tournament game, but Tom Izzo’s squad will probably be too strong for the Billikens.

Draymond Green achieved a triple-double (24 PTS, 12 REB, 10 AST) in Michigan State’s first game and if he can reach anywhere near that impressive feat again, then Saint Louis won’t stand a chance.

1 North Carolina vs. 8 Creighton

When: Sunday, March 18; 5:15 p.m. ET

Station: CBS

Creighton’s ease of schedule, despite a 28-5 record and a national ranking for most of the season, had the critics (including me) doubting the Bluejays’ true potential.

By squeezing past Alabama, Creighton hasn’t proved much but still shouldn’t be underestimated. The Bluejays can still shoot well from deep and could overcome North Carolina with a well-drawn game plan.

It’s set to be a high-scoring game and if North Carolina’s frontcourt can capitalize upon its advantages, then the Tar Heels will be headed to the Sweet 16.

7 Florida vs. 15 Norfolk State

When: Sunday, March 18; 6:10 p.m. ET

Station: TNT

After upsetting No. 2 seed Missouri, Norfolk State will have to descend from cloud nine and bear down for a tough Florida team that dominated Virginia.

Norfolk State may find itself in another high-scoring battle if it doesn’t close down on Florida’s offense.

If the Gators bring the same game that they played against Virginia, then they’ll overpower Norfolk State in the same fashion.

12 South Florida vs. 13 Ohio

When: Sunday, March 18; 7:10 p.m. ET

Station: TBS

Both teams look strong coming off upset wins against No. 4 and 5 seeds. Ohio had an impressive win against Michigan in which they fended off the Wolverines' final attempts at victory, and South Florida surged in the second half to overcome Temple.

South Florida’s gritty style of play should shake up Ohio, and the Bulls should head to the Sweet 16 after a well-played win.

10 Xavier vs. 15 Lehigh

When: Sunday, March 18; 7:45 p.m. ET

Station: truTV

Upsetting No. 2 seed Duke and winning its first NCAA tournament game will have Lehigh pumped up, but Xavier’s strong and resilient performance against Notre Dame proves that the Musketeers are true contenders in the Southern section.

If the Mountain Hawks’ C.J. McCollum can put up another stellar performance (30 PTS, six AST vs. Duke), then Xavier will have its hands full. 

2 Kansas vs. 10 Purdue

When: Sunday, March 18; 8:40 p.m. ET

Station: TNT

Purdue kicked off the tournament with a surprising win over a Saint Mary’s team that was on the national radar for most of the season this year. However, the Boilermakers' inability to close out a sizable lead is cause for concern.

Kansas will go frequently to the hot Thomas Robinson, who posted a double-double in the Jayhawks’ win over Detroit, which may prove too much for Purdue.

The Boilermakers will have to rely heavily upon outside shooting and good defense in order to win this one.

3 Florida State vs. 6 Cincinnati

When: Sunday, March 18; 9:45 p.m. ET 

Station: TBS

With neither team stepping up against its lesser Round of 64 opponent, this game looks to be a close one, and perhaps a sloppy one as well.

Florida State didn’t come out as strong as predicted after winning the ACC Tournament and Cincinnati let Texas back into the game after leading by 14 at the half.

This game is going to be settled in the paint. Transition baskets will also play a big role in this one.

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