ESPN INSIDER
After a wild first day of NCAA tournament action, we're ready for another. Which games, players and potential upsets should you be keeping an eye on during Friday's action?
Indianapolis
Dayton Flyers vs. (10) Wichita State Shockers. It's the all-why-won't-you-play-us contest of the NCAA tournament. Both teams suffer as schools outside the Power 5 with a history of walloping schools within the conference consortium. But the winner likely gets an opportunity to face Kentucky on Sunday. Wichita State drew a 10-seed, which the analytics experts will tell you is tied to its inability to land high-major nonconference opponents and the selection committee's disregard for its sheer dominance of the Missouri Valley Conference. And Dayton coach Archie Miller might be auditioning for his next gig -- perhaps just a few miles from Bankers Life Fieldhouse at Indiana.
Player to watch
Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk. Yes, Kentucky is facing Northern Kentucky. But you should never miss the chance to see Monk (20.4 points per game, 40 percent from the 3-point line). He's one of the top five players in America, and he's a guaranteed top-10 pick in this summer's NBA draft. He's been a "One Shining Moment" montage since the moment he stepped onto Kentucky's campus. But you should also watch him to see how his team responds if he struggles. Want to scare Wildcats fans? Pose this question: What happens if Monk goes 4-for-15 in the second round against Wichita State/Dayton? They won't look you in the eye as they respond. That's their greatest fear. Their great hope? Monk carries the program to another national title. That's more than feasible.
Best chance at an upset
Well, Northern Kentucky won't beat Kentucky and Jacksonville State won't top Louisville. Those are the only real upset opportunities in Indianapolis. But pay attention to Oklahoma State (10-seed) against a hot Michigan squad, seeded seventh. Everyone is focusing on the Wolverines and their offensive explosion on their way to a Big Ten tournament title. They deserve the praise, with or without the plane accident that preceded the rally. But Oklahoma State will enter the NCAA tournament ranked first in adjusted offensive efficiency. Translation: The Cowboys get buckets. They could advance on Friday. -- Myron Medcalf
Tulsa
Miami Hurricanes vs. (9) Michigan State Spartans. Coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans are accustomed to being the favorites. This time around, they are underdogs in their first-round matchup against Miami. The high-flying Hurricanes have an outstanding senior in Davon Reed and a terrific freshman in Bruce Brown, who averages more than 11 points a game. But after an erratic season, Michigan State's young team could be finding its way at the right time. And with Izzo on the bench, the Spartans should be able to find a way to take this one to the wire.
Player to watch
Though Kansas wing Josh Jackson is primed to be a high NBA lottery pick, point guard Frank Mason III is the heartbeat of this Kansas team. Heady and experienced, Mason has also developed into a phenomenal 3-point shooter (49 percent) and a lethal playmaker in transition. Budding stars like Monk and UCLA's Lonzo Ball might have generated more ink this season, but there might not be a better overall college player in this tournament than Mason.
Best chance at an upset
Down 17 to Providence in the second half, it looked as if USC's season would end Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio. Instead, the 11th-seeded Trojans rallied for the improbable 75-71 win, setting up a rematch with No. 6 seed SMU. The Mustangs enter the tourney red-hot after winning the American Athletic Conference tournament. But they also lost to USC in November. Now SMU has to face those same Trojans, who will be rolling into Tulsa with plenty of confidence. -- Jake Trotter
Greenville
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (9) Seton Hall Pirates. This matchup features two of the most unheralded players in the nation. Seton Hall's 6-foot-10 forward Angel Delgado leads the nation in rebounding at 13.1 per game and is tied with Purdue's Caleb Swanigan with a nation-leading 26 double-doubles. The Razorbacks feature 6-foot-10 Moses Kingsley, who leads the SEC with 2.6 blocks per game. It will be a battle of big men, a rarity with small-ball being the trend lately.
Player to watch
North Carolina's Justin Jackson. The ACC Player of the Year has been mired in a four-game shooting slump. It started when he tied a season low with seven points in a 53-43 loss at Virginia. Jackson is shooting 7-of-31 from 3-point range over that span and just 33 percent from the floor. He's been the most consistent scorer for the Tar Heels this season. If he can't snap out of it (and fast), there's little chance Carolina can carve a path back to the Final Four.
Best chance at an upset
South Carolina struggled down the stretch, dropping six of its past nine games. In those losses, the Gamecocks have averaged just 68 points per game. Marquette ranks eighth nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com, and is the best 3-point-shooting team in the nation, averaging 43 percent from behind the arc. Although the the Gamecocks play defense -- ranked third in adjusted efficiency -- they have such a tough time scoring; they might not be able to keep up with the Golden Eagles. -- C.L. Brown
Sacramento
Creighton Bluejays vs. (11) Rhode Island Rams. It's intriguing just for the battle of big men: the Bluejays' 7-foot freshman Justin Patton and the Rams' two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, Hassan Martin, will do battle. Rhode Island is also a trendy dark horse pick after winning its final eight games, including the A-10 tournament, to get off the bubble. Creighton was a top-10 team earlier this season and will try to push the pace against a stifling Rams defense. Don't be surprised if this one comes down to the last possession.
Player to watch
Lonzo Ball's dad, LaVar, has made Dick Vitale look like a wallflower by comparison lately. There will be tons of TV shots of him in the crowd during opening weekend and maybe some more outlandish statements to come. Don't let LaVar's visibility overshadow what will be Lonzo's first and only NCAA tournament run. The UCLA point guard and soon-to-be top-5 NBA pick is talented enough -- assuming his thumb injury is healed -- to take the Bruins all the way to Arizona.
Best chance at an upset
Beware the 11 seeds in Sacramento. Every year since the First Four started, an 11-seed has emerged from Dayton to win at least another game. Kansas State, which beat West Virginia and Baylor (twice) this season, could continue that streak against Cincinnati if the Wildcats play with the same energy they showed against Wake Forest on Tuesday. Rhode Island's suffocating defense could also make the difference against a Creighton team that hasn't been the same without injured point guard Maurice Watson Jr. in the lineup. -- Brian Bennett
After a wild first day of NCAA tournament action, we're ready for another. Which games, players and potential upsets should you be keeping an eye on during Friday's action?
Indianapolis
Dayton Flyers vs. (10) Wichita State Shockers. It's the all-why-won't-you-play-us contest of the NCAA tournament. Both teams suffer as schools outside the Power 5 with a history of walloping schools within the conference consortium. But the winner likely gets an opportunity to face Kentucky on Sunday. Wichita State drew a 10-seed, which the analytics experts will tell you is tied to its inability to land high-major nonconference opponents and the selection committee's disregard for its sheer dominance of the Missouri Valley Conference. And Dayton coach Archie Miller might be auditioning for his next gig -- perhaps just a few miles from Bankers Life Fieldhouse at Indiana.
Player to watch
Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk. Yes, Kentucky is facing Northern Kentucky. But you should never miss the chance to see Monk (20.4 points per game, 40 percent from the 3-point line). He's one of the top five players in America, and he's a guaranteed top-10 pick in this summer's NBA draft. He's been a "One Shining Moment" montage since the moment he stepped onto Kentucky's campus. But you should also watch him to see how his team responds if he struggles. Want to scare Wildcats fans? Pose this question: What happens if Monk goes 4-for-15 in the second round against Wichita State/Dayton? They won't look you in the eye as they respond. That's their greatest fear. Their great hope? Monk carries the program to another national title. That's more than feasible.
Best chance at an upset
Well, Northern Kentucky won't beat Kentucky and Jacksonville State won't top Louisville. Those are the only real upset opportunities in Indianapolis. But pay attention to Oklahoma State (10-seed) against a hot Michigan squad, seeded seventh. Everyone is focusing on the Wolverines and their offensive explosion on their way to a Big Ten tournament title. They deserve the praise, with or without the plane accident that preceded the rally. But Oklahoma State will enter the NCAA tournament ranked first in adjusted offensive efficiency. Translation: The Cowboys get buckets. They could advance on Friday. -- Myron Medcalf
Tulsa
Miami Hurricanes vs. (9) Michigan State Spartans. Coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans are accustomed to being the favorites. This time around, they are underdogs in their first-round matchup against Miami. The high-flying Hurricanes have an outstanding senior in Davon Reed and a terrific freshman in Bruce Brown, who averages more than 11 points a game. But after an erratic season, Michigan State's young team could be finding its way at the right time. And with Izzo on the bench, the Spartans should be able to find a way to take this one to the wire.
Player to watch
Though Kansas wing Josh Jackson is primed to be a high NBA lottery pick, point guard Frank Mason III is the heartbeat of this Kansas team. Heady and experienced, Mason has also developed into a phenomenal 3-point shooter (49 percent) and a lethal playmaker in transition. Budding stars like Monk and UCLA's Lonzo Ball might have generated more ink this season, but there might not be a better overall college player in this tournament than Mason.
Best chance at an upset
Down 17 to Providence in the second half, it looked as if USC's season would end Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio. Instead, the 11th-seeded Trojans rallied for the improbable 75-71 win, setting up a rematch with No. 6 seed SMU. The Mustangs enter the tourney red-hot after winning the American Athletic Conference tournament. But they also lost to USC in November. Now SMU has to face those same Trojans, who will be rolling into Tulsa with plenty of confidence. -- Jake Trotter
Greenville
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. (9) Seton Hall Pirates. This matchup features two of the most unheralded players in the nation. Seton Hall's 6-foot-10 forward Angel Delgado leads the nation in rebounding at 13.1 per game and is tied with Purdue's Caleb Swanigan with a nation-leading 26 double-doubles. The Razorbacks feature 6-foot-10 Moses Kingsley, who leads the SEC with 2.6 blocks per game. It will be a battle of big men, a rarity with small-ball being the trend lately.
Player to watch
North Carolina's Justin Jackson. The ACC Player of the Year has been mired in a four-game shooting slump. It started when he tied a season low with seven points in a 53-43 loss at Virginia. Jackson is shooting 7-of-31 from 3-point range over that span and just 33 percent from the floor. He's been the most consistent scorer for the Tar Heels this season. If he can't snap out of it (and fast), there's little chance Carolina can carve a path back to the Final Four.
Best chance at an upset
South Carolina struggled down the stretch, dropping six of its past nine games. In those losses, the Gamecocks have averaged just 68 points per game. Marquette ranks eighth nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com, and is the best 3-point-shooting team in the nation, averaging 43 percent from behind the arc. Although the the Gamecocks play defense -- ranked third in adjusted efficiency -- they have such a tough time scoring; they might not be able to keep up with the Golden Eagles. -- C.L. Brown
Sacramento
Creighton Bluejays vs. (11) Rhode Island Rams. It's intriguing just for the battle of big men: the Bluejays' 7-foot freshman Justin Patton and the Rams' two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, Hassan Martin, will do battle. Rhode Island is also a trendy dark horse pick after winning its final eight games, including the A-10 tournament, to get off the bubble. Creighton was a top-10 team earlier this season and will try to push the pace against a stifling Rams defense. Don't be surprised if this one comes down to the last possession.
Player to watch
Lonzo Ball's dad, LaVar, has made Dick Vitale look like a wallflower by comparison lately. There will be tons of TV shots of him in the crowd during opening weekend and maybe some more outlandish statements to come. Don't let LaVar's visibility overshadow what will be Lonzo's first and only NCAA tournament run. The UCLA point guard and soon-to-be top-5 NBA pick is talented enough -- assuming his thumb injury is healed -- to take the Bruins all the way to Arizona.
Best chance at an upset
Beware the 11 seeds in Sacramento. Every year since the First Four started, an 11-seed has emerged from Dayton to win at least another game. Kansas State, which beat West Virginia and Baylor (twice) this season, could continue that streak against Cincinnati if the Wildcats play with the same energy they showed against Wake Forest on Tuesday. Rhode Island's suffocating defense could also make the difference against a Creighton team that hasn't been the same without injured point guard Maurice Watson Jr. in the lineup. -- Brian Bennett
