And they’re off! NCAA tourney begins with first Round of 64 games
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No. 14 Western Michigan vs. No. 3 Syracuse, about 2:45 p.m. (CBS)The Broncos are making their first NCAA appearance since 2004, and they’ve won 14 of 16. They have a possible NBA Draft pick in 6-foot-11 center Shayne Whittington, who hails from Paw Paw, Mich. Syracuse started 25-0 and was ranked No. 1 before losing five of seven because of erratic shooting.
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Pick:Syracuse 63-57
At Orlando, Fla.•
No. 9 Pittsburgh vs. No. 8 Colorado, 1:40 p.m. (TBS)The Buffaloes rebounded nicely from the loss of scoring leader Spencer Dinwiddie before the start of Pac-12 play. Forward Josh Scott stepped up and averages 14.5 points. Pitt was blown out by Wichita State in an 8-9 game last year. Maybe Lamar Patterson, who does a little bit of everything for the Panthers, can get them through.
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Pick:Colorado 73-71
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No. 16 Albany vs. No. 1 Florida, about 4:10 p.m. (TBS)The Great Danes got their first NCAA Tournament victory, beating Mount St. Mary’s on Tuesday, and the program has been competitive against giants in past NCAA games. But don’t look for this to be the first No. 16 to defeat a No. 1. Top-ranked Florida has won 26 straight.
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Pick:Florida 77-59
East Region•
No. 13 Delaware vs. No. 4 Michigan State, about 1:40 p.m. (TNT)The Spartans are healthy and motivated. No four-year player in coach Tom Izzo’s 19 seasons has failed to reach at least one Final Four. That would happen to Keith Appling and Adreian Payne if Michigan State falls short.
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Pick:Michigan State 80-65
At Buffalo, N.Y.•
No. 10 Saint Joseph’s vs. No. 7 Connecticut, 3:55 p.m. (CBS)Is Shabazz Napier capable of a Kemba Walker-type roll? Walker carried the Huskies to the 2011 national title, and Napier shows the signs. Saint Joseph’s and coach Phil Martelli are back in the NCAA for the first time since 2008 and have their highest victory total (24) since 2005.
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Pick:Connecticut 68-63
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No. 15 Wis.-Milwaukee vs. No. 2 Villanova, about 6:25 p.m. (CBS)The Panthers are a feel-good story. They finished 8-24 last season and were picked to finish last in the Horizon this year. This is a balanced-scoring team that could push Villanova, but the Wildcats should be poised for a third-round battle with a rival: UConn (Big East) or St. Joe’s (Philly).
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Pick:Villanova 75-67
West Region•
No. 10 Brigham Young vs. No. 7 Oregon, about 2:10 p.m. (truTV)The Cougars suffered a major blow with the injury to all-conference guard Kyle Collinsworth, who tore an ACL in the West Coast title game. He averages 14 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists. These teams played a dandy on Dec. 21, with the Ducks holding on for a 100-96 overtime victory.
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Pick:Oregon 90-80
At Spokane, Wash.•
No. 12 North Dakota State vs. No. 5 Oklahoma, 6:27 p.m. (truTV)President Obama likes the Bison, selecting them as an upset winner on his bracket, and it could happen if Taylor Braun (18.0 ppg) has a big day. But the Sooners get scoring from all five positions.
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Pick:Oklahoma 85-78
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No. 13 New Mexico State vs. No. 4 San Diego State, about 8:57 p.m. (truTV)The Aztecs might be a bit underseeded as a No. 4. They’re among the nation’s top defensive teams, led by Mountain West player of the year Xavier Thames. The Aggies are in the field for the third straight year, but they’ve lost six straight NCAA games.
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Pick:San Diego State 68-49
Midwest RegionAt Orlando, Fla.•
No. 12 North Carolina State vs. No. 5 Saint Louis, 6:20 p.m. (TNT)A solid opening-round victory over Xavier kept the Wolfpack hot. ACC player of the year T.J. Warren scored 16 of his 25 in the second half. Atlantic-10 champion Saint Louis has to be concerned. The Billikens had been cruising, with just two losses in their 27 games. But they’ve lost four of five and seem ripe for the upset.
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Pick:North Carolina State 68-64
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No. 13 Manhattan vs. No. 4 Louisville, about 8:50 p.m. (TNT)Manhattan coach Steve Masiello groaned when he saw the bracket, and not just because Louisville is woefully underseeded. Masiello played for Rick Pitino at Kentucky and served with him on the Cards’ staff. Russ Smith and company know how to win in the tournament, and they’ll take Manhattan.
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Pick:Louisville 84-62
At Milwaukee•
No. 15 Wofford vs. No. 2 Michigan, 6:10 p.m. (truTV)Even without Mitch McGary, the breakout star of last year’s NCAA Tournament run, the Wolverines rolled to the Big Ten championship and shouldn’t have much trouble with a Terriers team that won the Southern Conference Tournament. Wofford, led by guard Karl Cochran (15.5 ppg), will try to control the tempo.
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Pick:Michigan 74-60
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No. 10 Arizona State vs. No. 7 Texas, about 8:40 p.m. (truTV)The Longhorns are back after missing the dance last year. Texas wins by dominating the boards, but the Sun Devils counter with 7-2 Jordan Bachynski, who leads the nation in blocks at 4.2. Both teams arrive cold. The Longhorns have dropped five of eight, Arizona State five of seven.
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Pick:This story was originally published March 19, 2014 at 7:40 PM with the headline "And they’re off! NCAA tourney begins with first Round of 64 games."