March Madness 2013: Most Intriguing Matchups on Thursday's Slate

The best four days in sports is the Thursday-through-Sunday stretch that trims the NCAA tournament field to 16 teams.

Games are seemingly everywhere and drama is high. It's a beautiful thing.

I haven't completely warmed up to the play-in games that precede the round of 64, and I probably won't until one of those teams advances fairly deep into the tournament.

Thursday is still the day that represents the start of the tournament in all its glory for me. As usual, there are 16 games scheduled with two No. 1 seeds in action (Louisville and Gonzaga). 

In those 16 games, there are three very intriguing matchups that could turn out to be the most prominent stories of the day in the NCAA tournament.

No. 8 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. No. 9 Wichita State Shockers

The eight-nine matchups are always tough to call and this one is no exception.

The Shockers pound the glass grabbing 38.4 rebounds per game, which is good for 27th in the nation. Their ability to rebound and defend are perhaps their best attributes.

On paper this gives them an advantage over Pitt. However, there is one player whose presence could drastically impact the game in these areas.

Panthers freshman center Steven Adams hasn't been inconsistent this season, but at seven feet, 250 pounds and with very good athleticism for his size, he could be a major factor.

He's only averaging seven points and just over six rebounds per game, but the talent is there to make an impact.

The Shockers have 7'1" Ehimen Orukpe who can physically match up with Adams, but the senior has only played just under 16 minutes per game this season. 

If Adams can assert himself on the offensive glass and get his team into transition opportunities with blocked shots and defensive rebounds, he could change the complexion of this matchup.

Check out a preview and prediction of the matchup from J.R. Jackson of Bleacher Report:

No. 4 Saint Louis Billikens vs. No. 13 New Mexico State Aggies

Both of these teams play intense defense so this should be a very low-scoring game. The team that wins will shoot the ball well from deep, limit their turnovers and make their free throws.

This is just one game, but you can't ignore what the teams have done in the regular season.

In those three aforementioned categories, the Billikens have been proven superior. They shoot a higher percentage from three (34.7 to 32), turn the ball over less (11.5 to 14.4) and make a higher percentage of their free throws (70.6 to 65.6).

The latter is especially discouraging for the Aggies. In close games—like this one figures to be—that can and will be a killer.

Senior guard Kwamain Mitchell turned in a great performance in the Atlantic 10 title game with 19 points against VCU, but he's just one of five players averaging at least nine points for the season.

The Billikens are playing inspired basketball after losing their head coach Rick Majerus in Dec. 2012. Expect the Billikens to advance in a hard-fought game, and to honor their fallen coach with a deep tournament run.

Check out a preview to this matchup. Jackson further examines this second-round clash.

No. 5 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. No. 12 Oregon Ducks

I really like both of these teams, but I've been impressed with the way Oregon has played of late, especially in winning the Pac-12 tournament.

On paper it would appear that Marcus Smart and the Cowboys should handle the Ducks, but I see the Ducks' pace and outside shooting leading to an upset.

The No. 12 seeds have been successful in the NCAA tournament. It seems like almost every year a team seeded 12th pulls at least one upset.

Last year, No. 12 seeds VCU and South Florida took out Wichita State and Temple respectively in the first round. I think the Ducks carry on the tradition this season.

Damyean Dotson is eight for his last 15 from three-point range, and E.J. Singler is averaging 14.7 points per game in his last four. That's three points higher than his season average.

The Cowboys have tremendous athletes in Smart and Le'Bryan Nash, but I have strong doubts about their outside shooting.

They make just 31.6 percent of their shots from three-point range as a team, and in the tournament when defenses are clamping down on the drives to the basket, they will need to keep teams honest from deep.

They won't get it done and the Ducks' will continue to ride their recent hot streak into the round of 32.

Here is a preview of this matchup, as Jackson takes the other side of the coin for his prediction:

Before the tournament begins, here's a printable PDF bracket.

After the tournament begins, follow the live bracket.

Make your picks for the 2013 NCAA Tournament here with the Bracket Challenge Game