Game Predictions

Saturday's later Final Four game matches the champions of the South Regional, #1 North Carolina (32-4, 13-3) against the East champions, #3 Villanova (30-7, 13-5).

Season Rewind: North Carolina came in to the season as the undisputed #1 team. While the Heels dropped from that perch after a tough week in early January, they've gone 18-2 over its last 20 games. The Tar Heels have been especially strong in the tournament, winning every game they've played by double digits, including a 21-point beat-down of Gonzaga and a comfortable 12-point win over Oklahoma.

The Final Four gets started Saturday evening with the home-state favorite #5 (overall) Michigan St (30-6, 15-3) facing the champions of the West Regional, #2 Connecticut (31-4, 15-3).

Season Rewind: The Big Ten regular season champions, Michigan St had a relatively poor start to the season, taking big losses to both Maryland and UNC, and while it was clearly the conference's top team, fell by double-digits to Ohio St. in the Big Ten tourney semifinals.

#1 UCONN

#2 Michigan St

#1 North Carolina

#3 Villanova

So many games, so little time. CollegeHoops.net helps you out by cutting to the core of each Tournament game. Click on team names for stats, results, and more. "Matchup" links include helpful injury news, betting tips and information.

 

So many games, so little time. CollegeHoops.net helps you out by cutting to the core of each Tournament game. Click on team names for stats, results, and more. "Matchup" links include helpful injury news, betting tips and information.

 

So many games, so little time. CollegeHoops.net helps you out by cutting to the core of each Tournament game. Click on team names for stats, results, and more. "Matchup" links include helpful injury news, betting tips and information.

 

So many games, so little time. CollegeHoops.net helps you out by cutting to the core of each Tournament game. Click on team names for stats, results, and more. "Matchup" links include helpful injury news, betting tips and information.

 

While Thursday's afternoon slate offered much in the way of chalk, with nine-seed Texas A&M and ten-seed Maryland providing the only wins for lower-seeded teams, Friday may offer the surprises that fans crave. Games in Boise, Dayton, Miami and Minneapolis are on the schedule, with each locale offering at least one game in which the lower-seeded team can move on to the second round. Here's a quick preview of the eight games, listed in order by start time.

12: 15 EST (Miami): #3 Syracuse vs. #14 Stephen F. Austin (South Region)

So many games, so little time. CollegeHoops.net helps you out by cutting to the core of each Tournament game.