NCAA Tournament: 32 Games, 32 Reasons to Watch the First Round

It's tourney time—the best time of year—and I'm sure by now we've all had our eye on several first round matchups that stand out above the rest.

Whether they involve our alma mater, our hated rival, our pick for National Champ, or are simply games that we glance at and say "Hey, that's an upset!", we all have our sights set on can't-miss contests.

Well, there's a legitimate reason to clone yourself three times and tune in to four different CBS regions around the country on Thursday and Friday to watch every single game. That's right, all 32 games. The whole enchilada. The drama and the intrigue lies on every single stinkin' matchup.

To wit...

South Region

1 Memphis vs 16 UT-Arlington

This should be the longest running game in tournament history, as the only shot the Mavericks have is sending the near-NCAA worst Tigers (59% FT) to the line every time down. Expect UTA to start fouling from the get-go.


8 Mississippi State vs 9 Oregon

The Bulldogs got smoked by a team on 6 hours rest during the SEC tournament. Imagine the chaos when they play a team that hasn't played in 7 days!


5 Michigan State vs 12 Temple

What a compelling crusade of a matchup we have at point guard- Neitzel vs Christmas. I wonder who the back-up PG's are, Santa and Hanukkah?


4 Pittsburgh vs 13 Oral Roberts

Bob Knight picked the Panthers to win at all, and he's an advocate of expanding the tourney to 128 teams. ORU has a chance to prevent at least one of those things from happening.


6 Marquette vs 11 Kentucky

The game of Great Expectations. The Golden Eagles hope Dominic James can live up to Dwyane Wade's Final Four journey five years ago, while pressure mounts on Billy Gillispie to live up to past success in Lexington. I wish I could reach out to both and tell them it's okay to be yourself.


3 Stanford vs 14 Cornell

This game will be a doozy, but expect a one or two hour delay. Both teams have homework to do beforehand.


7 Miami (FL) vs 10 Saint Mary's (CA)

The winner of this game will no longer have to keep reminding everyone what state they're from.


2 Texas vs 15 Austin Peay

Don't even watch, just turn up the volume. Try your best not to laugh after 40 minutes of hearing them chant "Let's Go Peay!"

West Region

1 UCLA vs 16 Mississippi Valley State

Could this be the first tourney game to end in a forfeit? I'm sure the Delta Devils would rather be at Disneyland, which is only 5 miles away.


8 BYU vs 9 Texas A&M

*insert generic Mormon joke*


5 Drake vs 12 Western Kentucky

Drake guard and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Adam Emmenecker averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, and made zero (0) three point field goals all year. This guy better be doing cartwheels while dribbling up the court. Eyes closed. Engulfed in flames.


4 Connecticut vs 13 San Diego

Jim Calhoun and company take the court against the Toreros, who, by the way, play their home games at Jenny Craig Pavillion. Also, as per their request, this will be the only game in which the CBS Scoreboard keeps track of how many calories the players burn.


6 Purdue vs 11 Baylor

Baylor and the Big Ten. Five overtimes? Or a game scored in the 40's and 50's? Give me both.


3 Xavier vs 14 Arizona State

I know surprise SEC champion Georgia's supposed to be slated to play Xavier. Too bad they'll be stripped, bound, and gagged in the locker room while the angry Sun Devils take the court in UGA uniforms.


7 West Virginia vs 10 Arizona

Toronto Raptor reject and Wildcat interim Kevin O'Neill compares the NCAA Tournament to an NBA Playoff game. If this game as exciting as he says it is, this may be the one game you'd want to miss.


2 Duke vs 15 Belmont

Watch Duke take on the only team in their region nicknamed the "Bruins" they have a shot at beating.

East Region

1 North Carolina vs 16 Mount St. Mary's/Coppin State

Okay, we all know the Tar Heels are good, but two teams at the same time? This I have to see.


8 Indiana vs 9 Arkansas

There should be a separate pool consisting of bets on how many times the name "Kelvin Sampson" is mentioned in this game.


5 Notre Dame vs 12 George Mason

Okay, seriously now. How could you NOT watch a game with George Mason playing?


4 Washington State vs 13 Winthrop

Multi-talented Wazzou point guard and L.A. Dodgers ace pitcher Derek Lowe leads the Cougars in a bout with tourney veterans from Winthrop. Wait, they're not the same guy? Really? Nevermind then...


6 Oklahoma vs 11 Saint Joseph's

See next matchup...


3 Louisville vs 14 Boise State

Okay, who doesn't want to see a basketballized rematch of last year's Fiesta Bowl in the second round? Imagine how many trick plays and marriage proposals we'd see this time if the Broncos pull it out.


7 Butler vs 10 USA

Just to fulfull our patriotic obligations.


2 Tennessee vs 15 American

I didn't notice this at first, but are you kidding? A potential second round matchup between USA and American? That's like patriotism and treason at the same time!

Midwest Region

1 Kansas vs 16 Bportland State

Bill Self and the heavily favored Jayhawks have a history of trouble against lowly opponents that start with the letter "B".


8 UNLV vs 9 Kent State

With a name like Golden Flashes, what could their mascot possibly be? Does the student section take flash photos during opposing free throws? What is this?


5 Clemson vs 12 Villanova

I'm more interested in seeing how many big shots Terrence Oglesby has to make until his teammates finally realize he exists, or snap him a high five or two.


4 Vanderbilt vs 13 Siena

Alright, let's see how good Vandy is when the benches and coaches are actually placed in the correct part of the arena.


6 U$C vs 11 Kan$a$ $tate

O.J. Mayo v$ Michael Bea$ley. Both will phone it in and try to get eliminated as soon as possible. The NBA awaits.


3 Wisconsin vs 14 Cal State Fullerton

Expect the CSF team to show no emotion after they lose, as if it was no big deal. I don't think anyone told them that it's not double-elimination in basketball.


7 Gonzaga vs 10 Davidson

The original Cinderella against the new. Catfight anyone?


2 Georgetown vs 15 UMBC

Yeah, I got nothin...