Where » Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland

TV » TNT

Can George Mason (26-6) duplicate its 2006 run to the Final Four? That’s unlikely with No. 1 Ohio State the probable foe in the second round for the winner. Villanova (21-11) enters on a five-game losing streak, the longest in history for a team coming into the tournament.

No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 16 Texas-SA

When » Friday, 4:40 p.m.

Where » Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland

TV » TNT

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, No. 1 seeds have gone 104-0 against No. 16s. Don’t look for history to happen here. Texas-San Antonio (20-13) has an energizer bunny in Devin Gibson (16.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 5.3 rpg) but little else. Its RPI of 193 is exceeded in the tournament only by the whopping 263 figure of Alabama State, the Roadrunners’ victim in Tuesday’s play-in game.

No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 15 Long Island

When » Friday, 7:15 p.m.

Where » Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.

TV » CBS

Northeast Conference champion LIU (27-5) has the nation’s longest winning streak (13 games) and fourth-most prolific offense (82.6 ppg). Since wrapping up the regular season with an uplifting win over Duke, UNC (26-7) hasn’t been the same team, struggling to ACC tournament wins over Miami and Clemson, then losing to Duke in the title game.

No. 6 Xavier vs. No. 11 Marquette

When » Friday, 7:27 p.m.

Where » Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland

TV » truTV

In the tournament for the sixth straight year and looking for its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2003, Marquette (20-14) depends on the shooting of Jimmy Butler (16 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and Darius Johnson-Odom (15.9 ppg). Xavier (24-7), which has won opening round games the last four years and reached the Sweet 16 the last three, counters with guard Tu Holloway (20.2 ppg, 5.5 apg).

No. 7 Washington vs. No. 10 Georgia

When » Friday, 9:45 p.m.

Where » Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.

TV » CBS

Some reckoned that Georgia’s second loss to Alabama in six days doomed its chances for an NCAA berth. But the Bulldogs (21-11) were called on Selection Sunday while the Crimson Tide were passed over. This game pits Georgia forward Trey Thompkins (16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg) against the inside-out duo of Washington (23-10) — forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning (15.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and guard Isaiah Thomas (16.8 ppg, 6.0 apg).

No. 3 Syracuse vs. No. 14 Indiana St.

When » Friday, 9:57 p.m.

Where » Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland

TV » truTV

Three wins by a total of 13 points in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament got Indiana State (20-13) a surprise berth in the NCAA tournament. Challenging Syracuse (26-7) will be difficult. The Orange enter in solid form. They had won six straight before falling to UConn in overtime in the Big East tournament.

SOUTHWEST REGION

No. 2 Notre Dame vs. No. 15 Akron

When » Friday, 1:40 p.m.

Where » United Center, Chicago

TV » TBS

Playing in nearby Chicago and against underwhelming Akron (23-12) is a nice way to ease into the tournament, but don’t expect any complacency from Notre Dame (26-6) after last year’s first-round exit against Old Dominion. The Irish are propelled by Ben Hansbrough (18.5 ppg, 4.3 apg) and Tim Abromaitis (15.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg). The Zips needed to go three overtime sessions to win three games in the MAC tournament.

No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Florida State

When » Friday, 4:10 p.m.

Where » United Center, Chicago

TV » TBS

After going one-and-done the last two years, Florida State looks to reverse the trend against Texas A&M, which has won its tournament opener the last five seasons but has reached the Sweet 16 round just once (2007). For FSU (21-10), much depends on the return of top scorer, rebounder and defender Chris Singleton (foot), who will be a game-time decision. Texas A&M (24-8) is led by Khris Middleton (14.3 ppg).

No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Boston U.

When » Friday, 6:50 p.m.

Where » BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.

TV » TBS

After a 10-13 start, Boston U. (21-13) won 11 straight on its way to the America East title. Conference player of the year John Holland (19.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is the man to stop for the Terriers. Kansas (32-2), a No. 1 seed for the fourth time in the last five years, has won eight straight behind the Morris twins, who average a combined 32.8 points and 15.4 rebounds.

No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 14 Saint Peter’s

When » Friday, 7:20 p.m.

Where » United Center, Chicago

TV » TNT

Will playing in nearby Chicago recharge slumping Purdue (25-7) after losses to Iowa and Michigan State? Saint Peters (20-13) got a surprise NCAA berth after beating the No. 1 (Fairfield) and No. 2 (Iona) seeds in the MAAC tournament. The senior-laden Peacocks are No. 2 in the nation in FG percentage defense (37.4) and full of ambition. “We want to shock the world,” guard Nick Leon said. “We’re the new Butler.”

No. 8 UNLV vs. No. 9 Illinois

When » Friday, 9:20 p.m.

Where » BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.

TV » TBS

Illinois (19-13), a winner of just six of its last 16, was one of four Big Ten teams that received at-large berths despite going 9-9 in league play. Is there any reason to believe that seniors Demetri McCamey (14.8 ppg, 6.1 apg) and Mike Davis (12 ppg, 7.1 rpg) can lead a reversal of fortune in their final act? UNLV (24-8) is happy to be done with the MWC, where it went 0-5 combined against San Diego State and BYU.

No. 6 Georgetown vs. No. 11 VCU

When » Friday, 9:50 p.m.

Where » United Center, Chicago

TV » TNT

VCU (24-11) was the catalyst for the brunt of the outrage directed at the NCAA selection committee. So sure enough, the Rams beat Southern Cal on Wednesday behind forward Jamie Skeen (16 points, nine rebounds), setting up a second-round game with Georgetown (21-10). The Hoyas enter with much uncertainty after losing five of their last six. Returning guard Chris Wright has missed three weeks with a broken left hand.

WEST REGION

No. 4 Texas vs. No. 13 Oakland

When » Friday, 12:15 p.m.

Where » BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.

TV » CBS

Keith Benson (18 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.6 bpg), the Summit League player and defensive player of the year, leads Oakland (25-9). This is a tough first-round matchup for Texas (27-7), which lost four of its last eight and dropped to a No. 4 seed. Possible NBA lottery pick Tristan Thompson (13.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg) will battle Benson inside.

No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 9 Tennessee

When » Friday, 12:40 p.m.

Where » Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.

TV » truTV

So Michigan despises Duke? This is news? Even though John Beilein’s Wolverines are a generation removed from the Fab Five, they can expect some rough treatment this weekend in the Tar Heel state after former Michigan players were critical of Duke’s image in an ESPN documentary. If Michigan (20-13) can get past schizophrenic Tennessee (19-14), it will set up a grudge match with the top-seeded Blue Devils.

No. 5 Arizona vs. No. 12 Memphis

When » Friday, 2:45 p.m.

Where » BOK Center, Tulsa, Okla.

TV » CBS

Memphis coach Josh Pastner helped Arizona win a national title as a walk-on in 1997. Later he served on Lute Olson’s staff and seemed the likely successor when Olson departed under odd circumstances in 2008. But Pastner was passed over for Sean Miller, who has returned the Wildcats to glory. Arizona (27-7) is led by Pac-10 player of the year Derrick Williams (19.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg).

No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Hampton

When » Friday, 3:10 p.m.

Where » Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.

TV » truTV

There’s rarely a reason to watch when it’s No. 1 vs. No. 16, but the possible return of dynamic Duke freshman Kyrie Irving changes things. If Irving (17.4 ppg, 5.1 apg) has recovered from the severe case of turf toe he sustained in December, it might be time to readjust some brackets. MEAC champion Hampton (23-8) has an RPI of 153.

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