NCAA Tournament Viewing Guide: The First Four

All games are streaming for free (with registration) at NCAA March Madness Live.

Tuesday

Both games on TruTV

No. 16 Albany Great Danes (18-14) vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (16-16), 6:40 p.m. ET
KenPom Predicted Score: Great Danes 73-72

Winner advances to Orlando to play South No. 1 Florida on Thursday at approx. 4:10 p.m. ET (TBS)

While the Great Danes' offense can struggle at times, ranking 225th in KenPom, the Mountaineers' lousy defense (287th) may be just what the doctor ordered. Yet each team has a pair of dangerous shooters -- Julian Norfleet and Rashad Whack for the Mount and Peter Hooley and DJ Evans for the Scoobies -- that will make this one an entertaining watch.

No. 12 North Carolina State Wolfpack (21-13) vs. No. 12 Xavier Musketeers (21-12), approx. 9:10 p.m. ET
KenPom Predicted Score: Musketeers 74-70

Winner advances to Orlando to play Midwest No. 5 Saint Louis on Thursday at approx. 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

The Wolfpack, led by ACC Player of the Year T.J. Warren, were a shock inclusion in the field on Sunday night. Their reward is a trip to Southwestern Ohio to take on a competitive Musketeer team, which will be virtually at home. Well, at home as you can possibly be playing on your ancient rival's (Stepford) floor. It will be interesting to see what the crowd is like for this one, as the Dayton community does a great job of attending the First Four. As for the game itself, Xavier may want to really pay attention to the boards on the offensive end, as the Wolfpack allow plenty of second chances. Given that the Musketeers should have an advantage from three and the foul line (slightly), that might make the difference, unless Warren takes over, which is completely possible.

Wednesday

Both games on TruTV

No. 16 Cal Poly Mustangs (13-19) vs. No. 16 Texas Southern Tigers (19-14), 6:40 p.m. ET
KenPom Predicted Score: Mustangs 68-65

Winner advances to St. Louis to play Midwest No. 1 Wichita State on Friday at approx. 7:10 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Mustangs are supremely confident right now, having followed a 3-9 closing regular-season stretch with three straight wins to claim the Big West auto bid. They should be able to score plenty of points on a Tiger defense that's ranked 316th in adjusted efficiency in KenPom. However, Cal Poly may not have an answer for Texas Southern's Aaric Murray, who will be the best player on the court in Wednesday's first game.

No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes (20-12) vs. No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers (21-12), approx. 9:10 p.m. ET
KenPom Predicted Score: Volunteers 75-73

Winner advances to Raleigh to play Midwest No. 6 Massachusetts on Friday at approx. 2:45 p.m. ET (CBS)

While the Volunteers enter the NCAAs on a bit of an upswing, having won six of their last eight, the Hawkeyes have won just once in their last seven. That swoon dropped them from a possible protected seed to a place in Dayton. While Roy Devyn Marble and Aaron White will trouble Tennessee tonight, I suspect that Jarnell Stokes and Jeronne Maymon will dominate inside and Jordan McRae will hit enough shots to see the Vols through.

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