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NCAA Tournament 3rd Round | Top Games & Upset Alert of the Day – Open Thread

The Big Dance third round starts today! I’ve got my daily picks for top games and the upset alert of the day. Consider this your open gameday thread for all the tournament action.

Top Games

#5 Saint Louis Billikens (27-6, 13-3 Atlantic 10) vs #4 Louisville Cardinals (30-5, 15-3 AAC)

Game Time – 1:45 PM

Preview - Saint Louis had an incredible comeback down 16 points to beat NC State. Thanks to a little luck and missed free throws they took the game to overtime and won. Rob Loe had 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Billikens. What the hell is a Billiken? Louisville had a scare from against Manhattan. The Cardinals might have been on cruise control from the beginning and did not expect such a fight. Star guard Russ Smith ended up with 18 points (11 from the charity stripe), but wasn’t his usual spectacular self. I think the game might have woken Louisville up and they will get a victory against Saint Louis.


#7 Texas Longhorns (24-10, 11-7 Big 12) vs #2 Michigan Wolverines (26-8, 15-3 Big Ten)

Game Time – 4:15 PM

Preview - Texas won on luck with a buzzer beater from their big guy Cameron Ridly. He had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the game. Michigan had an easy time against Wofford. Glen Robinson had 14 points and 7 rebounds. I think Michigan is going to be nice and rested to beat up on the Longhorns today.


#7 Connecticut Huskies (27-8, 12-6 AAC) vs #2 Villanova Wildcats (29-4, 16-2 Big East)

Game Time – 8:40 PM

Preview - Villanova got by in the second round, but they had terrible outside shooting going 4-23. Villanova is going to have to play some stellar defense if they plan to be cold again. UConn somehow survived against St. Joe’s in overtime. The star of the AAC Shabazz Napier had 24 points to help out. I think Villanova is going to get hot after having such a bad shooting night in their first game. Nova should win this one.


Upset Alert

#12 Harvard Crimson (27-4, 13-1 Ivy) vs #4 Michigan State Spartans (27-8, 12-6 Big Ten)

Game Time – 7:40 PM

Preview - I called it the other day, and I’m going to try and look smart by doing it again. Harvard can win this game! They are a complete team with 5 players averaging double figures led by Wesley Saunders (14 ppg). Harvard also won the Ivy conference going 13-1. They beat Cincy in the second round with their superb defense. Michigan State is much better than Cincinnati, but I think Harvard is a better team than most people expect. I pick Harvard with another upset in this game.