NCAA Tournament 2013 Predictions: Friday's Games That Will Turn into Shootouts

Points haven't been the theme of the early NCAA tournament games, but Friday's installment will provide heaps of buckets.

Instead of scoring, Thursday's initial games showcased hard-nosed, physical defensive play, minimal possessions and cold shooting. 

Some people (weirdos) like that sort of thing, but if watching the peach actually go in the basket is more your kind of thing, have no fear. The style of play is set to undergo a drastic makeover on Friday, and the "overs" are about to be hit. 

Note: A printable bracket and live, updated bracket can both be found at the bottom of this page. 

Also note: All stats come courtesy of bbstate.com, unless noted otherwise. 

No. 8 North Carolina vs. No. 9 Villanova

The Tar Heels don't know the meaning of the word "slow." Roy Williams' squad averages 73.1 possessions per 40 minutes (seventh fastest in America) and will get into transition at every possible chance. 

It's a style that hasn't led to efficiency (73rd in points per possession), but since moving to a four-guard lineup, the Heels have been far more explosive on the offensive end. 

While Villanova is slower-paced—albeit still fairly fast for the Big East—and tends to win games on the defensive end, the Wildcats also often put four guards on the court. If Carolina pushes the tempo—and it will—the Wildcats have the personnel to abide. 

No. 8 North Carolina State vs. No. 9 Temple

There must be something in the water in the Tar Heel State. Much like their rivals, the Wolfpack love to get in transition. They aren't nearly as fast, but they are certainly efficient, which leads to a thrilling 77.5 points per game.

Led by fast-paced stalwarts Lorenzo Brown, Rodney Purvis and C.J. Leslie, North Carolina State is essentially impossible to stop in the open court.

Of course, defense isn't always a priority—Mark Gottfried's squad is 172nd in points allowed per possession.

While Temple doesn't get as much publicity as an elite offensive team, it plays a tempo just as fast, has arguably the best one-on-one scorer in America in Khalif Wyatt and has hit the 80-point mark nine times this season, including scoring 83 against Syracuse.

Oh, and the Owls are about as inept on the defensive end as the Wolfpack. 

First one to 100 wins?

No. 4 Kansas State vs. No. 13 La Salle

At first glance, a team like Kansas State that is big, physical and slow (274th slowest pace in America) means this matchup has little chance of turning into a shootout. 

But La Salle will do everything in its power to make it one.

The Explorers have four guards who can score. They absolutely light it up from the outside (as Boise State now knows) and must speed this game up if they want to achieve the upset.

Bruce Weber's squad won't exactly go out of its way to increase the pace, but Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez are explosive. The Wildcats play four guards just like the Explorers, so they won't be afraid to run. 

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