East Regional Round of 32 Game Breakdowns
#1 Villanova vs. #8 North Carolina State (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Villanova got off to a fantastic start with a 93-52 win over Lafayette. The Wildcats did what a number one seed is supposed to do against a number 16 and that was to slam the door early in all phases of the game. The offensive attack was balanced as all five starters scored in double figures and Villanova shot 63.2 percent from the floor. Guard Dylan Ennis led the way with 16 points and the defense of the Wildcats was excellent as well and shut down Lafayette from behind the three-point arc, shooting just 22.2 percent against Villanova. NC State was their usual Jekyll and Hyde selves in their matchup against LSU. But BeeJay Anya stepped up when it counted later in the second half as his jumper with 0.1 seconds left sent the Wolfpack through to this battle with the Wildcats. It is going to be vital for NC State to get out of the starting gates much more quickly against Villanova. If you let the Wildcats get out a double-digit lead they are not going to relinquish it like LSU did as they have too much poise, experience, and a killer instinct that puts opposing teams away.
#4 Louisville vs. #5 Northern Iowa (Seattle, Washington)
This has the potential to be one of the most dramatic games in the round of 32 as both Louisville and Northern Iowa can defend very well and can find a way to make a clutch shot offensively when needed. The Cardinals outlasted UC-Irvine 57-55 in the second round on Friday as Quentin Snider’s two free throws with 8.9 seconds left broke a 55 all tie to win it for Louisville. For the Panthers of Northern Iowa they rolled over Wyoming 71-54 on Friday in their second round matchup against the Cowboys. Seth Tuttle led a very balanced scoring attack and defensively slowed down Larry Nance Jr. nicely to take control of the game. If Louisville can minimize their cold stretches offensively than they will be in prime position to advance to the Sweet 16. If Northern Iowa can take care of the basketball and get Tuttle in rhythm offensively early, then they will have a great shot to move on.
#3 Oklahoma vs. #11 Dayton (Columbus, Ohio)
Oklahoma had to battle their way through their second round game against an Albany team that always has a knack for staying competitive against power five schools in the tournament openers. The Sooners defeated the Great Danes 69-60 to avoid the upset unlike a year ago when North Dakota State got them in the second round in Spokane. TaShawn Thomas had a game-high 18 points to go along with five rebounds and four blocked shots to lead Oklahoma. Forward Ryan Spangler was a difference maker on the boards as he collected 11 to lead the Sooners on Friday night. Buddy Hield chipped in 15 points and Oklahoma did a great of taking care of the basketball as they only had nine turnovers. The Dayton Flyers were the ultimate night owls on Friday night as thanks to an inexcusable 10:53 p.m. Eastern Time tip-off by the NCAA in Columbus, Ohio. The Flyers had to go well into Saturday morning to upset Providence 66-53 to continue another great NCAA Tournament run. Dyshawn Pierre scored 20 points as he was 6 of 10 shooting the basketball including 3 of 6 from three-point range. Defense once again was critical for Dayton as they limited the Friars to 33.9 percent shooting from the floor and just seven free throws total in the game as well. Oklahoma is a deeper team and is not quite as challenged offensively as the Flyers and should be able to wear them down in the second half and advance on to the Sweet 16.
#2 Virginia vs. #7 Michigan State (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Virginia was pushed to the limit by the number 15 seed Belmont in their second round matchup as the Bruins were in position late to have a shot to pull the upset over the Cavaliers. But, in the end Virginia was too much offensively for the Bruins as they pulled away for a 79-67 win. Malcolm Brogdon paced the Cavaliers attack with 22 points and Justin Anderson showed he was finally healthy as Anderson put together a 15 point performance to go along with Anthony Gill’s 16 point effort. Michigan State held off Georgia 70-63 in their second round battle. The Spartans were sound shooting the basketball as they made 45.6 percent of their shots and had three players score in double figures led by Denzel Valentine’s 16 points. However, there were stretches of time when Michigan State was a little careless against the Bulldogs and they can ill afford to do that against a Virginia team because their ability to limit possessions makes teams pay for mistakes. This game should down to the wire in similar fashion to the Sweet 16 game last season in Madison Square Garden when the Spartans beat the Cavaliers 61-59 but with Virginia pulling out a close victory.
Midwest Region Round of 32 Game Breakdowns
South Region Round of 32 Game Breakdowns
West Region Round of 32 Game Breakdowns
