The second round of the 2021 NCAA tournament is about to begin, and some Cinderella teams hope to maintain their initial magic on Sunday. Most notably, seed No. 15 Oral Roberts faces seed No. 7 Florida, and seed No. 13 North Texas faces seed No. 5 Villanova.
Both Eagles and Mean Green are facing opponents who looked vulnerable recently, so it is not entirely out of the question that another turn – or two – could be needed. Don’t forget about the state of Oregon too. Championship number 12 Beavers seized the moment of their race for the Pac-12 Tournament to win in the first round and is back in action against Oklahoma State’s fourth-placed team.
In total, Sunday’s slate features eight games. Two number 1 seed heads will also be in action, with Illinois facing number 8 opponent in the state, Loyola Chicago, and Baylor, facing seed No. 9, Wisconsin, who looked strong in a first round victory over 8th place in North Carolina.
At the end of the night, eight teams will be on their way to Sweet 16. Our team of experts analyzed the games and made direct choices and compared with the spread for each of them below. Odds via William Hill Sportsbook
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(8) Loyola Chicago vs. (1) Illinois
Time: 12:10 pm Eastern Time | Localization: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
It seems that the Loyola Chicago 2018 team’s nostalgia is having an impact on this point distribution (-7 for Illini via William Hill SportsBook), because Illinois is fully capable of reaching a large number here. In addition to Friday’s shorthanded victory over the Georgia Tech squad, the Ramblers’ only other game against a power conference opponent this season was a 14-point loss to a Wisconsin squad. If the Badgers can beat Loyola Chicago by double digits, Illinois can easily do that. Prediction: Illinois 80, Loyola Chicago 62 – David Cobb
(9) Wisconsin vs. (1) Baylor
Time: 2:40 pm Eastern Time | Localization: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Baylor has not yet returned to the mid-season form that made him a Tier 1 contender with Gonzaga, but he did a quick job with Hartford’s number 16 and still has the most cruel and relentless 3-point attack on college basketball. Against a Badgers defense that is susceptible to teams that manage to shoot well in the background, I put the points with the Bears. Prediction: Baylor 74, Wisconsin 64 – Kyle Boone
(11) Syracuse vs. (3) West Virginia
Time: 17:15 eastern time | Localization: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Syracuse and its defense zone smothered the state of San Diego in the first round, but Bob Huggins and West Virginia – equipped with one of the most powerful attacks since their time with the Mountaineers – have what it takes to cut and slice that D. The guard plays from Deuce McBride, Sean McNeil and Taz Sherman give me confidence to choose WVU, but I am earning points with Cuse after he undoubtedly played his most complete game against SDSU on Friday. Prediction: West Virginia 69, Syracuse 67 – Boone
(6) Texas Tech vs. (3) Arkansas
Time: 6:10 pm Eastern Time | Localization: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Texas Tech is the program with a more ingrained defensive identity due to its 2019 run for the national title game. But Arkansas is actually a little better this season in defensive efficiency, by KenPom, and that should help Razorbacks gain a slight edge in what is basically a game of choice. Prediction: Arkansas 69, Texas Tech 66 – Cobb
(10) Rutgers vs. (2) Houston
Time: 7:10 pm Eastern Time | Localization: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: TBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Houston is nailed to both ends of the ground, while Rutgers’ attack fails to keep up with his top-level defense. While the Scarlet Knights eliminated a Clemson team that at some point in the season had the nation’s No. 1 defense, they scored just 60 points in a rock fight. If that is the style of this game – and both teams play very slowly, then it is likely – then the advantage goes to the cougars in a tight game. Prediction: Houston 70, Rutgers 65 – Boone
(15) Oral Roberts vs. (7) Florida
Time: 7:45 pm eastern time | Localization: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
TV: truTV | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Did you see what Oral Roberts did to the state of Ohio? The Eagles have not been intimidated by the Buckeyes, so they certainly are not going to cringe against Florida. The Gators have been inconsistent throughout the season and their defense will be tested against Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor. Look for Oral Roberts to accumulate several points again and keep your Cinderella run. Prediction: Oral Roberts 79, Florida 76 – Cobb
(13) North Texas vs. (5) Villanova
Time: 8:45 pm Eastern Time | Localization: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Perhaps Villanova deserves more credit for the way he handled Winthrop on Friday without Collin Gillespie, but there are still doubts about how the Wildcats will fare against a team that can match his athletic build. Northern Texas is a tougher clash in that regard, and with Mean Green in a rip right now, expect Villanova to have a hard time ending this one. Prediction: North Texas 66, Villanova 62 – Cobb
(12) State of Oregon vs. (4) State of Oklahoma
Time: 21:40 ET | Localization: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: TBS | Live broadcast: March Madness Live
Of course, the state of Oregon is on the rise, with a Pac-12 tournament title on its resume and an impressive victory over Tennessee’s fifth team in the first round. But Oklahoma State is the most complete team. And with Avery Anderson and Cade Cunningham, I’m not in a position to bet against the Cowboys right now. Good luck if you want. Prediction: Oklahoma State 74, Oregon State 65 – Boone