NCAA Scores 2012: Third-Round Clashes Sure to Be Blowouts

A wacky and wild opening to the NCAA tournament often leaves some intriguing third-round matchups to look forward to. In other cases, it can set up teams for failure on the big stage.

An upset-filled Friday, which featured two No. 2 seeds falling and eight lower seeds advancing, has set the stage for some unprecedented matchups and potential blowouts. 

Two of the more dangerous No. 8/9 seeds in Memphis and defending champion Connecticut being ousted in the second round makes the road quite a bit less treacherous for the folks at Kentucky and Michigan State.

(2) Kansas over (10) Purdue - Sunday, 8:40 p.m. EST

Kansas players were more than aware of No. 2 seeds Duke and Missouri going down when they took to the court Friday night, as they took care of business and expect to make some noise. 

Purdue doesn't have the backcourt to hang with the Jayhawks, who pose one of college basketball's most dangerous forwards in Thomas Robinson. The Boilermakers were out-rebounded by 11 Friday against Saint Mary's. 

As shown by the likes of Lehigh and Norfolk State, teams have to be able to hang around for most of the game in order to take down a Goliath. Purdue sputtered in its second-round game at times and doesn't have the consistency to hang with the Jayhawks long enough to make this one interesting. 

(1) Kentucky over (8) Iowa State - Saturday, 7:45 p.m. EST

The nation's No. 1 overall seed looks to be on a collision course for a redemption game against No. 4 seed Indiana.

The freshmen-laden Wildcats may have had the biggest cakewalk in their second-round game, though more of it had to do with themselves than their in-state opponent, Western Kentucky. Kentucky has proven to be capable of winning big games despite not being completely focused due to its unprecedented talent and scoring ability. 

Their defense will suffocate the Cyclones, who benefited from a hapless Connecticut squad to advance Thursday. 

(7) Florida over (15) Norfolk State - Sunday, 6:10 p.m. EST

Norfolk State's historic win over Missouri was no fluke, but this Cinderella has met its match and will be bounced by the Florida Gators.

The Spartans' biggest advantage was center Kyle O'Quinn's ability to gash Missouri's frontcourt to the tune of 26 points and 14 rebounds. The Gators are a much more balanced team and have a bruising big in Patric Young that will stifle O'Quinn.

Don't expect one of Florida's trigger-happy guards to go cold either like Mizzou's Kim English did.