Here are the men's NCAA Tournament second-round matchups we want to see this March Madness
There are 32 first-round games of the men's NCAA Tournament that have yet to tip off between Friday and Saturday. Listing desires for second-round matchups may appear like the fun is being sapped out of it all.
Counterpoint: That is the fun. And we all do it. See: Filling out a bracket.
With that in mind, here are seven second-round matchups we would like to see on Sunday or Monday — some based on chalk in the first round, others predicated upon some notable upsets in Round 1.
No. 1 Illinois vs. No. 8 Loyola-Chicago
Call it the Prairie State showdown with Windy City spice. The Fighting Illini have their eyes on a deep tournament run, while Loyola-Chicago would love to play spoiler to the state's flagship university and start its own Cinderella run for the second time since 2018. The Ramblers, led by Porter Moser, might be even better this time around. What better way to head to the Sweet 16 than by knocking out the 1-seed from your home state?
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BRACKET TIPS? AT YOUR SERVICE:
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- Every first-round upset: Easy list of our experts' first-round upsets
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No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 7 UConn
Speaking of fun coaching matchups: Bobby Hurley met Nate Oats while recruiting for Rhode Island on behalf of his brother, Dan Hurley. When Bobby took the Buffalo job, he elevated Oats to his staff from the high school ranks, and Oats replaced him at Buffalo before heading to Alabama. The Huskies coach now? Dan Hurley.
No. 3 Arkansas vs. No. 6 Texas Tech
Two of the most intense coaches in college hoops, the Razorbacks' Eric Musselman and the Raiders' Chris Beard, would prep for a quick turnaround in this matchup. Texas Tech is looking to avenge its 2019 title-game loss to Virginia. Meanwhile, a Sweet 16 trip for the Razorbacks for the first time since 1996 would be in play (it's also their best seed since 1995).
No.1 Michigan vs. No. 9 St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure won the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament championships and has a roster of upperclassmen. The Bonnies will be a tough out for a Michigan team that expects to remain in Indianapolis for a while and could win it all.
No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 10 VCU
The Hawkeyes have their best seed in more than three decades. A strong Iowa frontcourt led by Luka Garza would have a tough matchup with a stout Rams defense that can hold its own on the interior; sophomore Hason Ward averages 2.35 blocks per game and has a wingspan of 7-foot-4.
No. 12 Santa Barbara vs. No. 13 Ohio
A double-digit seed guaranteed to make the Sweet 16? Yes please. First-round upsets of Virginia (Ohio's opponent) and Creighton (Santa Barbara) would need to happen, but there is nothing better than a 12 vs. 13 Round of 32 game, and this could be one in 2021. Gonzaga, the one-seed in this region, likely wouldn't mind these outcomes.
No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 14 Morehead State
Many felt Syracuse, a bubble team, warranted one of the spots in the play-in games as a "last four in" squad. An upset of San Diego State in Round 1 would lead to a date with Morehead State, who would have to knock off No. 3 West Virginia; Johni Broome could become a household name by the end of the weekend.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.