2012 NCAA Tournament: Games you can’t miss on Day 2
One of the more annoying aspects of March Madness is when your officemates and friends brag after the first day of the tournament that they got 13 of the first 16 games right.
“Yeah, seriously, I’m 13-3 so far!!!!”
Big deal. My dog can get the bulk of the opening day picks right once I explain to him the seeding system. That means everyone is still alive in their bracket once Friday rolls around, and that means everyone has a sincere interest in the second full day of action.
Midwest: No. 11 NC State vs. No. 6 SDSU
Breakdown: Every year a team that nobody felt deserved to be in the dance makes everyone shut their pie hole by going on a nice little run. N.C. State may be that team this year. All five Wolfpack starters average in double figures and they pound the glass, a difficult formula for an overachieving Aztecs squad.
On TV: 12:40 p.m., truTV
Midwest: No. 15 Detroit vs. No. 2 Kansas
Breakdown: So what if 15 seeds are 4-100 in first-round games in the tournament? They have to win from time to time and, frankly, all we’re looking for is a scare. Detroit has the capability to provide one. Ray McCallum Jr., the coach’s son, averaged 23.0 points during the team’s run to the Horizon League championship. The Horizon has produced at least one win in the tournament for seven straight years.
On TV: 9:57 p.m., truTV
East: No. 14 St. Bonaventure vs. No. 3 FSU
Breakdown: This matchup features a pair of teams that finished third in their respective leagues during the regular season before rolling to a conference tournament crown, with the Bonnies knocking off Xavier and the Seminoles taking care of Duke and North Carolina. St. Bonaventure is making its first tournament appearance since 2000, returning to the big stage after years of turmoil and scandal. Leonard Hamilton took a 10-seeded FSU team to the Sweet 16 last season. There’s a chance for both teams to do accomplish something historic.
On TV: 2:45 p.m., CBS
South: No. 10 Xavier vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
Breakdown: The Musketeers have their usual collection of undaunted gamers, led by Tu Holloway, and the Irish have their usual collection of long-range gunners, including Arlington’s own Pat Connaughton, and another quality big man in Jack Cooley. Connaughton, a freshman small forward for the Irish, starred at St. John’s Prep (Danvers) in high school. Xavier reached the Elite Eight in 2008 and the Sweet 16 in both 2009 and 2010.
On TV: 9:45 p.m., CBS
