NCAA Tournament's Unpredictable Early Rounds and Second-Round Predictions
In a stunning turn of events that has left fans and analysts alike reeling, the NCAA Tournament's early rounds have been characterized by unexpected outcomes, notably involving Grand Canyon and James Madison. These surprising developments have led to a widespread shattering of brackets, throwing predictions and analyses into disarray. As the tournament unfolds, the focus now shifts to the eight second-round games set to commence at 12:45 p.m. ET today, promising a slate of compelling matchups and the potential for further upsets.
### SEC's Rocky Start
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has had a rocky beginning to this year's NCAA Tournament, posting a 3-5 record in the first round. This disappointing start was highlighted by a notable upset as Yale clinched a surprising victory against Auburn, sending shockwaves through the tournament and leaving the SEC in an unanticipated position of vulnerability. This narrative of unpredictability has been a defining theme of the tournament so far and raises questions about the remaining SEC team’s fate as the second round gets underway.
### High-Profile Matchup
One of the most anticipated games of the second round features Tennessee taking on Texas. This game draws particular interest due to the historical connection between the two head coaches. Rick Barnes, currently at the helm for Tennessee, will face his former team, now led by Rodney Terry. This matchup not only promises an exciting clash on the court but also adds a layer of personal competition as Barnes seeks to triumph over the team he once coached.
### Expert Predictions
In an analysis of the second-round games, sports journalists Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg have offered their predictions for the outcomes. Their forecasts, presented game by game, give fans a glimpse into what might unfold in the next stage of the tournament.
#### East Region
- **No. 11 Duquesne vs. No. 3 Illinois:** Set to take place at 8:40 p.m. on TNT, this matchup has both Wolken and Myerberg leaning towards Illinois to claim victory.
- **No. 7 Washington State vs. No. 2 Iowa State:** Scheduled for 6:10 p.m. on TNT, Wolken and Myerberg are in agreement again, predicting Iowa State will emerge victorious.
#### West Region
- **No. 9 Michigan State vs. No. 1 North Carolina:** This game, airing at 5:30 p.m. on CBS, has both analysts picking North Carolina to win.
- **No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 7 Dayton:** Kicking off the day's proceedings at 12:45 p.m. on CBS, Arizona is the choice of Wolken and Myerberg against Dayton.
#### Midwest Region
- **No. 5 Gonzaga vs. No. 4 Kansas:** A tighter contest is anticipated in this game at 3:15 p.m. on CBS. Wolken is backing Gonzaga, whereas Myerberg favours Kansas.
- **No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 11 Oregon:** This game, set for 9:40 p.m. on TBS, sees Wolken picking Creighton, while Myerberg opts for an Oregon upset.
- **No. 7 Texas vs. No. 2 Tennessee:** At 8 p.m. on CBS, both analysts predict Tennessee to advance over Texas.
#### South Region
- **No. 14 Oakland vs. No. 11 North Carolina State:** Slated for 7:10 p.m. on TBS, NC State is the unanimous pick from both Wolken and Myerberg.
As the NCAA Tournament progresses, the second-round games promise a continuation of the thrills, shocks, and unparalleled excitement that have marked the event thus far. With expert predictions now laid out and the stage set for another round of compelling contests, fans are eagerly waiting to see which teams will advance and who will become the next Cinderella story of this year's tournament.
