2016 NCAA Tournament viewing guide for Thursday

NCAA tournament viewing guide: What to watch and skip on Thursday

THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

12:15 p.m. — No. 4 Duke vs. No. 13 UNC Wilmington (CBS) 
12: 30 p.m. — No. 8 Texas Tech vs. No. 9 Butler (Tru TV)
1:30 pm. — No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 9 Connecticut (TNT)
2 p.m. — No. 4 Iowa State vs. No. 13 Iona (TBS)

Must-see: If you like turnstile defense and transition offense, Iona-Iowa State is the opening-round game for you. The Gaels and Cyclones both boast high-scoring, fast-paced offenses replete with shooters eager to let it fly. Iowa State lost to 14th-seeded UAB in the opening round of the NCAA tournament last season, so the Cyclones could get a little tight if A.J. English and the Gaels can build a first-half lead.

Must-skip: There are no duds in this quartet, but Colorado-UConn has rock fight potential. Both teams boast top 20 defenses and the Huskies are one of the NCAA tournament's slowest-paced teams. Versatile UConn wing Daniel Hamilton and skilled Colorado back-to-the-basket scorer Josh Scott are worth checking out ... but maybe only for a few minutes if the score is close late in the second half.

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Potential upsets: Three times in the past decade, Duke has fallen in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. UNC Wilmington has the athleticism to challenge the Blue Devils' porous defense, but Seahawks may not defend well enough themselves to topple the defending champs. The Iona-Iowa State game is probably the slightly better bet. The more talented roster typically wins a clash of two teams who play a similar style, however, Iona is much deeper than Iowa State, which could be relevant in a fast-paced game played at altitude in Denver.

Player to watch: How about the guy trying to unseat Ben Simmons as the No. 1 pick in this June's NBA Draft? Mike Krzyzewski formally acknowledged that forward Brandon Ingram will turn pro this spring, so the NCAA tournament represents the final chance to see the precocious freshman in a Duke uniform. Ingram is averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds as a co-star to Grayson Allen.   

2:45 p.m. -- No. 5 Baylor vs. No. 12 Yale (CBS) 
3:10 p.m. -- No. 1 Virginia vs. No. 16 Hampton (Tru TV)
4 pm. -- No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Austin Peay (TNT)
4:30 p.m. -- No. 5 Purdue vs. No. 12 Arkansas Little Rock (TBS)

Must-see: Controversy has cast a shadow over Yale's first NCAA tournament appearance since 1962. Players and coaches have had to field frequent questions about dismissed former captain Jack Montague, who has disputed claims that he assaulted a woman on campus. The specter of that scandal won't help Yale's upset hopes, but the Bulldogs have some big advantages against Baylor. They rebound well enough to diminish the Bears' edge on the offensive glass, they're a good enough shooting team to pose problems for Baylor's zone and they're playing in Providence less than 90 minutes from campus. 

Must-skip: Hampton thrives attacking the rim and playing at a breakneck tempo. Virginia plays at a methodical pace, controls tempo better than any team in the country and is known for walling off the paint and forcing contested jumpers. Does that sound like a recipe for a 1-16 upset — or even a competitive game? Nope. Hampton might be fortunate if it breaks 45 points.

Potential upsets: If minimizing the number of possessions in a game is key for an underdog, then Arkansas Little Rock certainly has that in its favor against Purdue. The Trojans (29-4) were 345th in tempo this season. Arkansas Little Rock won at San Diego State and Tulsa this season, but the key to springing an even bigger upset will be forcing turnovers and neutralizing Purdue's massive size advantage. A compact man-to-man might make it difficult for the Boilermakers to feed the post unless their wings can hit jumpers and force the Trojans to defend beyond the 3-point arc.

Player to watch: Purdue center A.J. Hammons' evolution from immature and untrustworthy to one of the nation's top big men has been a catalyst for the Boilermakers' ascension this season. Hammons reentered Purdue's starting five three games into Big Ten play and has played to his full potential, averaging 14.9 points and 8.0 rebounds and earning BIg Ten defensive player of the year honors.

THURSDAY NIGHT SESSION

6:50 p.m. -- No. 3 Miami vs. No. 14 Buffalo (TNT)
7:10 p.m. -- No. 5 Indiana vs. No. 12 Chattanooga (CBS)
7:15 pm. -- No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Florida Gulf Coast (TBS)
7:27 p.m. -- No. 3 Utah vs. No. 14 Fresno State (Tru-TV)

Must-see: The best of a bleak lineup by far is Indiana-Chattanooga. The Hoosiers undoubtedly have one eye on a potential Round of 32 showdown with regional rival Kentucky, but they have to survive a dangerous mid-major first. The Mocs, coached by former Florida assistant Matt McCall, are 29-5 despite losing their league's preseason player of the year to an ankle injury a couple months ago.

Must-skip: The high-flying, swashbuckling, alley-ooping days of Andy Enfield's Dunk City teams are long gone at Florida Gulf Coast. Joe Dooley's Eagles are 244th in tempo and middle of the road nationally in offensive efficiency. They are the strongest of the No. 16 seeds yet there's no reason to believe they have another big upset in them as they've yet to beat a top 150 team this season.

Potential upsets: Hard to imagine either Fresno State or Buffalo toppling No. 3 seeds, so the challenge of planting a flag for the underdogs during this time slot and keeping us all entertained likely falls to Chattanooga. The Mocs only have two players who average double figures, but they can stay with Indiana if they're able to force turnovers and consistently get to the foul line.

Player to watch: It's a shame the Mountain West was so mediocre this season because Fresno State's Marvelle Harris probably deserved more attention nationally. The high-scoring guard is a tough shot maker — as evidenced by some of the deep threes at the shot clock buzzer he sank in Saturday's Mountain West title game against San Diego State. Fresno State will need a plethora more big shots like that to stay competitive against the Utes.

9:20 p.m. -- No. 6. Arizona vs. No. 11 Wichita State (TNT) 
9:40 p.m. -- No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Stony Brook (CBS)
9:50 pm. -- No. 8 USC vs. No. 9 Providence (TNT)
9:57 p.m. -- No. 6 Seton Hall vs. No. 11 Gonzaga (Tru-TV)

Must-see: Two teams with championship-level will if not championship-level talent will be on display Thursday in Providence when Arizona and Wichita State meet in a first-round game with round of 32 quality. Arizona might be able to beat up the smaller Shockers on the boards, but can the Wildcats' guards take care of the ball and initiate offense against the Shockers' formidable perimeter defense? That may be where this game is won and lost.

Must-skip: This is a time slot to have multiple screens available or a remote control handy at all times because these are some of the most compelling games of the opening round. Kentucky-Stony Brook has the most blowout potential, but the Seawolves are still a dangerous No. 13 seed with one of the best mid-major players in the country.

Potential upsets: The Seton Hall-Gonzaga game is an intriguing clash of styles. It will be the Pirates backcourt duo of Isaiah Whitehead and Khadeen Carrington against the Zags' frontcourt tandem of Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis. The key could be whether Gonzaga's guards can effectively feed Sabonis in the post and whether Whitehead and Carrington can score attacking the rim.

Player to watch: Maybe the most dominant player at a small-conference program this season, Stony Brook's Jameel Warney dragged the hard-luck Seawolves to their first NCAA bid after numerous previous near misses. The 6-foot-8 Warney averaged 19.8 points and 10.7 rebounds and scored 43 points on 22 shots in the America East title game. He's enjoyed success against high-major competition in the past, but it will be fascinating to see if it will translate against length and talent of Kentucky's caliber.

2016 NFL MOCK DRAFT

NFL MOCK DRAFT  MARCH 16, 2016
BY CHRIS BURKE

• 1

  

  LAREMY TUNSIL

  OT, Ole Miss

  The Titans may find ample reasons to pass on Tunsil here, but a slight uptick in performance by Taylor Lewan is not one of them. A team needs two stalwart tackles, now more than ever, and Tunsil could be a generational talent. Plus, here is what Mike Mularkey said at the combine about Lewan when asked if the 2014 first-rounder could go to right tackle: “I think Taylor can play in a lot of places. He’s a very good football player. I could see that, if that was ever a scenario that came up.” Sounds like Tennessee might already be planning a move.
• 2

  

  JALEN RAMSEY

  CB/S, Florida State

  The Browns landing Colin Kaepernick wouldn’t necessarily rule them out of drafting a QB, but it would scream rather loudly that they do not plan to do so at pick No. 2. Not having a quarterback can shift a team’s draft board out of desperation, but the strength at the top of this class is on defense. Ramsey can be a legitimate game-changer.

  • MMQB: The Rise and Fall of Johnny Football
• 3

  

  JOEY BOSA

  DE, Ohio State

  DeForest Buckner had been the choice here of late, but I never really loved the idea. Why? Because it was going mostly off fit, as opposed to taking the best player (at least as I have them ranked). When a franchise is sitting in the top five, the goal should be to maximize talent and then scheme around it. Forget about a 3-4 or 4-3 front here—just get Bosa on the field and let him chase the quarterback.
• 4

  

  MYLES JACK

  LB, UCLA

  With Bosa off the board, this pick boils down to three main options: Myles Jack, Ezekiel Elliott or trade down with a team that wants a quarterback. The Cowboys might be tempted by Elliott but letting DeMarco Murray walk and then getting 1,000 yards out of Darren McFadden helped back the theory that their O-line—not their starting RB—is the real star. Even with Rolando McClain returning, the Cowboys could find room to let Jack’s versatility shine.
• 5

  

  SHAQ LAWSON

  DE, Clemson

  With Tunsil, Ramsey, Bosa and Jack all off the board, this is a nightmare scenario for Jacksonville. The Jaguars are crossing their fingers a QB goes in the top four, so one of those top defenders is available here. (An interesting pitch from Twitter on this scenario: Jacksonville just takes a QB itself, then shops him later, sort of NBA draft style.) So, now what? Lawson? Buckner? Vernon Hargreaves? Pencil in the top outside pass rusher of the three.
• 6

  

  DEFOREST BUCKNER

  DE, Oregon

  Whereas the Jaguars would be mortified to see the top five fall like this, the Ravens would have to love finding Buckner at No. 6. They need an upgrade on their pass rush, but from the D-line as well as at OLB. Buckner produced 10.5 sacks last season at Oregon and is a natural fit as a 3-4 end.

  
  
• 7

  

  JARED GOFF

  QB, Cal

  Maybe all the recent drama ends with Colin Kaepernick deciding to give Chip Kelly’s offense a try. Put that on the “long shots” list for the moment, though. If Kelly can’t have Kaepernick, allowing him to handpick a new QB should be a priority. Goff’s game needs some refinement, but he is close to NFL-ready with the footwork to succeed in the 49ers’ new scheme.
• 8

  

  RONNIE STANLEY

  OT, Notre Dame

  It’s easy enough to drop Elliott at this spot—the Eagles likely had someone in mind when they moved up as part of their recent trade with Miami, and Elliott is a top-five talent in this class. But Stanley also won’t slip far behind this. Philadelphia has to make plans for Jason Peters’s eventual departure, whether it comes this year or in the near future.
• 9

  

  VERNON HARGREAVES

  CB, Florida

  Brent Grimes boosts an underwhelming cornerback core, but keep in mind that he’ll be 33 in July. Also don’t overlook how little else the Buccaneers have at the position, thanks to Alterraun Verner and Johnathan Banks’s collective struggles and the free agencies of Sterling Moore and Mike Jenkins. Hargreaves can become a No. 1 option outside; he's already a potential No. 2 with the footwork to slide down over the slot.
• 10

  

  LAQUON TREADWELL

  WR, Ole Miss

  The Giants haven’t taken a Round 1 linebacker in more than three decades and they do not really prioritize running back as a premium need. Of course they usually don’t spend $200-plus million on their D-line so ... who knows. This could be the Elliott landing spot; it could be where Reggie Ragland or a pass-rushing LB like Noah Spence/Leonard Floyd land. This mock, it’s Treadwell, whose physical game would translate to the NFL and whose knack for blocking would help the rushing attack.
• 11

  

  MACKENSIE ALEXANDER

  CB, Clemson

  Plug holes through free agency, draft the best available player. That’s a ticket for success in the NFL when executed properly, as Chicago GM Ryan Pace appears to be doing. The Bears still have needs but they’re not in do-or-die territory anywhere. With Alexander, Spence and Elliott all there for the taking, they nab the potential lock-down corner.

  • SI 50, Nos 47-45: Scouting reports on Calhoun, Ifedi, Hargrave
• 12

  

  NOAH SPENCE

  DE/OLB, Eastern Kentucky

  Hau’oli Kikaha flashed noticeable upside last season and Cam Jordan was a 10-sack performer, but the Saints still need another pass rusher. Spence would leapfrog the likes of Obum Gwachum and Davis Tull on the depth chart, at once upgrading the New Orleans’ attack and giving it more chances to come in waves.
• 13

  

  EZEKIEL ELLIOTT

  RB, Ohio State

  Part of this is that, for as much as the Dolphins like Jay Ajayi, the offense could use an impact back to replace Lamar Miller. Part of it is that Elliott would be an utter theft at 13. Adam Gase loves to involve his running backs in the passing game, and Elliott is a brilliant three-down talent.
• 14

  

  REGGIE RAGLAND

  LB, Alabama

  While Oakland has made great strides upgrading its front seven, it remains shy of a MIKE thumper—Curtis Lofton didn’t cut it there. Ragland has produced up and down workouts from the Senior Bowl through Alabama’s pro day, but his game-day skill working inside is undeniable.
• 15

  

  CARSON WENTZ

  QB, North Dakota State

  At some point during our flurry of mocks, we’ll pitch a few trade proposals, one of which no doubt will include Los Angeles moving into the top 10 for Wentz. With that in mind, Wentz continues to be the call at 15. He has impressed repeatedly in press conference and interviews, and his game is ready made for an NFL staff to develop it.
• 16

  

  TAYLOR DECKER

  OT, Ohio State

  The Lions re-signed Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker, added Stefan Charles and tried to scoop up Akiem Hicks, too. They should still be in the market for a draftable DT, but have made far less progress solving their O-line dilemmas. Decker may not move Riley Reiff from left tackle. He would offer a permanent solution on the right side.
• 17

  

  DARRON LEE

  LB, Ohio State

  Fallout from the early free-agency window has shifted some focus on the Giants’ No. 10 selection to Lee, a rangy playmaker who could thrive behind New York’s remade line. The Falcons have even more need for him. They are painfully shy of athleticism in the second level.

  • Bedard: Grades for every major free agent signing
• 18

  

  A’SHAWN ROBINSON

  DT, Alabama

  The Colts ranked 25th against the run last season, with blame to go around. David Parry and Henry Anderson, both 2015 draft picks, did provide some hope up front. Add in Robinson, a run-stuffer capable of lining up anywhere from nose to five-tech, and the Colts might be in business.
• 19

  

  SHELDON RANKINS​

  DT, Louisville

  Rex Ryan covets interchangeable parts up front, players he can move around so as to vary the looks he’s giving an offense. Hence Rankins’s consistent presence in the 19 hole. The “undersized” 299-pound tackle butchered college linemen, from centers to guards to tackles.
• 20

  

  LEONARD FLOYD

  OLB, Georgia

  Because he runs so light (244 pounds), the 6-foot-6 Floyd could slide if teams decide he is not capable of providing help outside of on third downs. Those with a little better vision will see a unique talent at an important position. Bank on the Jets, with creative defensive mind Todd Bowles patrolling the sidelines, to fall in the latter category.

2016 NCAA Tournament Bracket

NCAA Tournament Bracket - 2016

Fill Out Your Bracket

Printable brackets: GIF | PDF

• 1st ROUNDMarch 17-18
• 2nd ROUNDMarch 19-20
• SWEET 16March 24-25
• ELITE EIGHTMarch 26-27
• FINAL FOURApril 2
• CHAMPIONApril 4
• FINAL FOURApril 2
• ELITE EIGHTMarch 26-27
• SWEET 16March 24-25
• 2nd ROUNDMarch 19-20
• 1st ROUNDMarch 17-18

First Four March 15

11 VAN
11 WICH

3/15
9:10

First Four March 16

16 HC
16 SOU

3/16
6:40

First Four March 15

16 FGCU
16 FDU

3/15
6:40

First Four March 16

11 MICH
11 TLSA

3/16
9:10

Des Moines, IA

1 KU
16 PEAY

3/17
4:00

8 COLO
9 CONN

3/17
1:30

Spokane, WA

5 MD
12 SDST

3/18
4:30

4 CAL
13 HAW

3/18
2:00

Providence, RI

6 ARIZ
11 VAN / WICH

3/17
9:20

3 MIA
14 BUFF

3/17
6:50

Brooklyn, NY

7 IOWA
10 TEM

3/18
3:10

2 NOVA
15 UNCA

3/18
12:40

SOUTH

Louisville, KY

Spokane, WA

1 ORE
16 HC / SOU

3/18
7:27

8 JOES
9 CIN

3/18
9:57

Providence, RI

5 BAY
12 YALE

3/17
2:45

4 DUKE
13 UNCW

3/17
12:15

Oklahoma City, OK

6 TEX
11 UNI

3/18
9:50

3 TAMU
14 GB

3/18
7:20

Oklahoma City, OK

7 ORST
10 VCU

3/18
1:30

2 OKLA
15 CSB

3/18
4:00

WEST

Anaheim, CA

Raleigh, NC

1 UNC
16 FGCU / FDU

3/17
7:20

8 USC
9 PROV

3/17
9:50

Des Moines, IA

5 IND
12 CHAT

3/17
7:10

4 UK
13 STON

3/17
9:40

Brooklyn, NY

6 ND
11 MICH / TLSA

3/18
9:40

3 WVU
14 SFA

3/18
7:10

St. Louis, MO

7 WIS
10 PITT

3/18
6:50

2 XAV
15 WEB

3/18
9:20

EAST

Philadelphia, PA

Raleigh, NC

1 UVA
16 HAMP

3/17
3:10

8 TTU
9 BUT

3/17
12:40

Denver, CO

5 PUR
12 UALR

3/17
4:30

4 ISU
13 IONA

3/17
2:00

Denver, CO

6 HALL
11 GONZ

3/17
9:57

3 UTAH
14 FRES

3/17
7:27

St. Louis, MO

7 DAY
10 SYR

3/18
12:15

2 MSU
15 MTSU

3/18
2:45

MIDWEST

Chicago, IL

Houston, TX

Houston, TX

Hover over team abbreviations to see the full team names. All game times are in ET.