2011 NCAA tournament preview capsules, 3/17/11

Published March 16, 2011 4:00am ET



A look at Thursday’s games by start time:

No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 12 Clemson

When » Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

Where » St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida

TV » CBS

Clemson routed UAB 70-52 in the first round Tuesday but has a quick turnaround playing the first second-round game.

No. 4 Louisville vs. No. 13 Morehead St.

When » Thursday, 1:40 p.m.

Where » Pepsi Center, Denver

TV » TBS

The schools are two hours apart but will play 1,200 miles away. How will the nation’s top rebounder, Morehead’s Kenneth Faried, fare against the Cardinals?

No. 7 Temple vs. No. 10 Penn State

When » Thursday, 2:10 p.m.

Where »

McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz.

TV » TNT

Can Talor Battle and Penn State extend the woes of Temple’s Fran Dunphy, who has the longest losing streak (11 games) of any coach in NCAA tournament history?

No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 13 Princeton

When » Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

Where » St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida

TV » CBS

Princeton has seven players 6-7 or taller, but can they measure up to the talent-laden Wildcats with Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones?

No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 Richmond

When » Thursday, 4:10 p.m.

Where » Pepsi Center, Denver

TV » TBS

A No. 5 seed seemed high for Vanderbilt (23-10). A No. 12 seed seemed low for Atlantic 10 champion Richmond (27-7). We’ll see whether there’s any difference.

No. 2 San Diego St. vs. No. 15 N. Colorado

When » Thursday, 4:40

Where » McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz.

TV » TNT

In its seventh NCAA appearance, can San Diego State get its first win? This is the first NCAA trip for Northern Colorado since its promotion from Division II in 2007.

No. 2 Florida vs. No. 15 UCSB

When » Thursday, 6:50 p.m.

Where » St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida

TV » TBS

What did the Gators do to deserve a No. 2 seed and a cushy opener in their home state against an 18-13 team that travels cross country?

No. 3 BYU vs. No. 14 Wofford

When » Thursday, 7:15 p.m.

Where » Pepsi Center, Denver

TV » CBS

In the Southern Conference final, Wofford (21-12) overcame hot-shot Andrew Goudelock (25 points). Now the Terriers get Jimmer Fredette (28.5 ppg).

No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 Belmont

When » Thursday, 7:27 p.m.

Where » McKale Center, Tuscon, Ariz.

TV » truTV

Belmont is a trendy bracket-buster pick. But most probably couldn’t tell you in what state the Bruins reside (Tennessee).

No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Michigan St.

When » Thursday, 9:20 p.m.

Where » St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida

TV » TBS

Can the Spartans flip the switch? If so, don’t bet against them. Coach Tom Izzo is 16-3 in the second game of the NCAA tournaments.

No. 6 St. John’s vs. No. 11 Gonzaga

When » Thursday, 9:45 p.m.

Where » Pepsi Center, Denver

TV » CBS

Do Gonzaga’s nine-game winning streak, the loss of St. John’s D.J. Kennedy (knee) and the rare air of the Mile High City spell a one-and-done for the Red Storm?

No. 5 Kansas State vs. No. 12 Utah State

When » Thursday, 9:57 p.m.

Where » McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz.

TV » truTV

Utah State’s seed almost matches its RPI (No. 15). Will waiting to play the final game of the day result in spontaneous combustion for volatile KSU coach Frank Martin?

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