Articles

Countless times over the past few weeks Kentucky head coach John Calipari has noted that his upperclassmen deserve some of the credit for the Wildcats' improved play as many rush to credit the highly-touted freshman class. Friday night was just the latest example of what the veterans mean to the team but when the game is on the line the basketball will end up in the hands of a freshman. Just as he did in the second round against Princeton Brandon Knight struggled offensively, shooting 2-for-9 over the first 39 minutes of the game.

There's usually one region that defies logic in the NCAA Tournament and this year that distinction goes to the Southwest Region, which features top-seed Kansas as the lone team to reach San Antonio that was expected to be there. They'll take on Atlantic 10 tournament champion Richmond in the first game of the night at the Alamodome and it won't be easy as Chris Mooney's Spiders boast a pair of pro prospects in guard Kevin Anderson and forward Justin Harper.

East Region
Cleveland, OH
2:10 PM (8) George Mason vs. (9) Villanova (TNT)

The true fun that is the NCAA Tournament tips off on Thursday, beginning with Clemson taking on West Virginia in Tampa (no disrespect to the "First Four"). Sixteen games across the nation will captivate the country with thrilling finishes and routine blowouts being the order of the day. Below is the schedule breakdown by region by tip time, with one game from each quadrant being featured.

By the time Thursday's schedule is finished millions of brackets will be ruined, which should come as no surprise given the regular season.

6:40 PM Texas-San Antonio vs. Alabama State (TruTV)

(6) Georgetown vs. (11) USC/VCU

Southwest Region - Chicago

March 18 - 9:50 TNT
 

(8) Butler vs. (9) Old Dominion

Southeast Region - Washington, D.C.

March 17 - 12:40 truTV

 

(8) George Mason vs. (9) Villanova

East Region - Cleveland

March 18 - 2:10 TNT

 

Earlier today CHN writer Jon Teitel caught up with George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga as part of his "Big Dance" interview series. Coach Larranaga's Patriots won the CAA regular season title by two games but were bounced in the CAA semis by eventual runner-up VCU. George Mason is the eight-seed in the East and will take on Villanova Friday in Cleveland.

Jon Teitel: You became a household name during your magical run to the Final Four in 2006. What did you learn from that experience about what it takes to succeed in March?