It's time.
Brackets filled? Check. Backup blank brackets? Check. Reading expert analysis? Check. Watching ESPN for up-to-minute updates? Check. Time requested off from work? Double-check. It's March Madness once again, the favorite time of the year for college basketball enthusiasts. Over the next three weeks, the quest for this year's national champion will take place with every game just as much up in the air as the Democratic presidential nomination.
Surely, the avid bracket guru is contemplating what possible first-round upset may take place. It's only right at least one double-digit seed will make it to the Sweet 16, right? One thing is for sure as you prepare to ditch work, ignore spouses, and check that bottom line scoreboard as if it contains life-or-death news. What happens on Thursday and Friday has a lot more to do with who advances to the Sweet 16 than Saturday or Sunday. In order to get out of the weekend, you must first get to the weekend.
Here's a look at five first-round games worth paying attention to.
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 12 George Mason (East Region)
If you're George Mason, it's good to be back. Two years after setting the college basketball world on fire by reaching the Final Four and becoming "America's Team," the Patriots are back in the Big Dance. After capturing the CAA tourney, the Patriots head into their first round matchup on a hot streak. Will Thomas (15 ppg, 10.8 rebs) and Folarin Campbell (15.9 ppg) are the two remaining starters left from the '06 Final Four squad, although junior guard Jon Vaughn (12.6 ppg) can get hot. The Patriots play tough team defense. They'll need to be tough against Luke Harangody (21 ppg, 10 rpg), who was the Big East Player of the Year. Kyle McAlarney (15.2 ppg, 45% 3PT) and Rob Kurz (12.8 ppg, 40% 3PT) can light it up from the outside if Harangody forces Mason to double-team him. Last year, the vaunted No. 5/12 upset didn't happen. Maybe the Patriots pick up where they left off last year.
No. 6 USC vs. No. 11 Kansas State (Midwest Region)
This game could possibly the most intriguing matchup of the first round, featuring arguably the two best freshmen in the nation in USC's O.J. Mayo (20.8 ppg) and K-State's Michael Beasley (26.5 ppg, 12.4 rpg). USC started out the season with three straight losses in the Pac-10 to couple their embarrassing early season loss to Mercer, but have rebounded nicely and came within three of going into overtime with UCLA. Mayo will definitely benefit from a healthy Davon Jefferson (12.0 ppg), who struggled with injuries early in the season. Jefferson and T.J. Gibson draw the enviable task of trying to contain the monster inside game of Beasley and fellow freshman Bill Walker (16.5 ppg, 6 rpg). The Wildcats, who may have been the hot team to pick in February, floundered in March, losing four of their last six.
No. 7 Miami vs. No. 10 St. Mary's (South Region)
Give the Hurricanes credit. Being able to win 20 games and finish .500 in the tough ACC is no small accomplishment. Especially given the fact that they hadn't won 20 games in a decade. Led by sharp-shooting Jack McClinton (17 ppg, led ACC in 3PT% and made) and propelled by a huge win over Duke on Feb. 20, the 'Canes are back in the tourney for the first time since 2002 and for the first time since joining the ACC.
Despite losing in the WCC tourney, St. Mary's impressive 25-6 record and impressive wins in the early going was too much not to include them. The 'Canes will have their hands full with the Gaels' offense, which can score well over 80-100 points on a given night. The Gaels will be lead by their outstanding trio of Patrick Mills (14.6 ppg), Diamon Simpson (13.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg), and Omar Samhan (10.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg). Miami should be up to the task, finishing second in the ACC in points per contest at 68.6 a game.
No. 3 Xavier vs. No. 14 Georgia (West Region)
This game looks like a mismatch on paper. Xavier, the regular-season champ in the A-10, finished with the best season in school history (27-6). A loss in the conference semis to Saint Joe's won't cause too much of a negative effect. The Musketeers like to share the wealth with six players averaging 10 or more points per game, led by Drew Lavender (10.7 ppg, 4.3 apg) and Josh Duncan (11.7 ppg), the leading scorer off the bench. Never underestimate the momentum of a hot team.
Georgia went all in at the poker table and walked away with the jackpot, winning the SEC tournament despite all the mayhem, having to play three games in two days. The 'Dawgs will have to rely on point guard and leading scorer Sundiata Gaines (14.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.2 apg), Billy Humphrey (12.2 ppg), and Terrence Woodbury, whose 16-point performance in the championship against Arkansas propelled Georgia into this game.
No. 8 Indiana vs. No. 9 Arkansas (East Region)
There may have not been a team that went through more turmoil this season than Indiana. Out went Kelvin Sampson, in came Dan Dakich as coach. Despite it all, the Hoosiers fought to a 25-7 and 14-4 mark, but suffered bad loses late with a 29-point blowout to Michigan State and the low mark with a loss at Penn State on March 9. Nonetheless, the Hoosiers have two great players in Big Ten Player of Year D.J. White (17.3 ppg, 10.4 ppg) and sensational freshman and leading scorer Eric Gordon (21.3 ppg). They have struggled defensively since Dakich took over for Sampson.
Arkansas seemed like a sexy pick before losing to Georgia. The Razorbacks lost early games to Providence and Appalachian State, but rebounded nicely to compete in the SEC and win 20 games. Led by Sonny Weems (14.3 ppg) and the sometimes-hot handed Patrick Beverly (12.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Arkansas needs to be able to score points to beat the Hoosiers. Another effort such as 2-of-17 from three-point range and only 15 trips to the free throw line against Georgia, and it's one and done.
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