The second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament is about to begin, and some Cinderella groups will be hoping to keep their early magic going on Sunday. Most importantly, Oral Roberts, no. 15, is Florida number 7, and North Texas, number 13, Villanova.
Both the Eagles and Mean Green face opponents who have appeared defenseless recently, so it can not be entirely out of the question that another upset – or two – may be in order. Also, do not forget the state of Oregon. The 12-seeded Beavers provided the momentum of their run through the Pac-12 tournament to be a victory in the first round and are back in action against Oklahoma State, No. 4.
VCU is sent home and history was made in the first round. The latest installment of Eye on College Basketball covers it all. Listen now and sign in.
The lead for eight games on Sunday begins with some number 1 seeds to get to the Sweet 16. This is the first number in Illinois to compete with the country’s enemy no. 8 Loyola Chicago, and Baylor’s No. 1 with 9 Wisconsin. An Illini win would put them in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005, while a win for the Bears would be their first appearance in the third round since 2017.
By the end of the night, eight teams will be on their way to the Sweet 16. Our team of experts analyzed the games and selected straight against the spread for each below. Odds via William Hill Sportsbook
Who will win and cover each game, and which teams should be on their guard? Visit SportsLine now to see which team should play in each game, all from the model that raised $ 2,600 for $ 100 players.
(8) Loyola Chicago teen (1) Illinois
Time: 12:10 PM ET | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
It feels like nostalgia for the 2018 team from Loyola Chicago has an impact on this points spread (-7 for the Illini via William Hill SportsBook), as Illinois is able to line up a large number here. Aside from Friday’s victory over a short-haired Georgia Tech group, the Ramblers’ only other game against a power conference opponent this season was a 14-point loss to a high-hum Wisconsin group. If the Badgers can beat Loyola Chicago by double digits, Illinois can do it easily. Forecast: Illinois 80, Loyola Chicago 62 – David Cobb
(9) Wisconsin teen (1) Baylor
Time: 14:40 ET | Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Baylor has yet to return to the mid-season form that made it a Tier 1 contender with Gonzaga, but he quickly made the number 16 seed Hartford and still has the most brutal and relentless three-point lead. attack in university basketball. Against a Badgers defense that is susceptible to teams that can shoot it well from deep, I lay the points at the Bears. Forecast: Baylor 74, Wisconsin 64 – Kyle Boone
(11) Syracuse v (3) West Virginia
Time: 17:15 ET | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Syracuse and the zone’s defense suffocated San Diego State in the first round, but Bob Huggins and West Virginia – equipped with one of the most powerful offenses since his time with the mountaineers – had the good fortune to cut D. and to gamble. The wait plays from Deuce off McBride, Sean McNeil and Taz Sherman give me confidence to pick WVU, but I take the points with Cuse after it probably played the most complete game against SDSU on Friday.. Forecast: West Virginia 69, Syracuse 67 – Boone
(6) Texas Tech teen (3) Arkansas
Time: 18:10 ET | Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live stream: March Madness Live
Texas Tech is the program with a more entrenched defensive identity based on its 2019 run to the national title game. But Arkansas, according to KenPom, is actually better than this season in defensive efficiency, and that will help the Razorbacks gain a slight lead in what is basically a choice. Forecast: Arkansas 69, Texas Tech 66 – Cobb
(10) Rutgers vs. (2) Houston
Time: 19:10 ET | Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: TBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Houston nails on both sides of the floor, while Rutgers’ offense can’t quite keep up with his top-25 level defense. While the Scarlet Knights did pull out a Clemson team that had the No. 1 defense in the country at one point in the season, they scored only 60 points in a rock fight. If that’s the style that this game follows – and both teams play very slowly, so it probably is – then the Cougars are in a close one. Forecast: Houston 70, Rutgers 65 – Boone
(15) Oral Roberts teen (7) Florida
Time: 19:45 ET | Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
TV: truTV | Live stream: March Madness Live
Did you see what Oral Roberts did to the state of Ohio? The Eagles have not been intimidated by the Buckeyes, and they certainly will not measure up against Florida forces. The Gators have been in conflict all season and their defense will be tested against Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor. Look for Oral Roberts to gather a bunch of points again and keep his Cinderella going. Forecast: Oral Roberts 79, Florida 76 – Cobb
(13) North Texas vs. (5) Villanova
Time: 20:45 ET | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live stream: March Madness Live
Perhaps Villanova deserves more credit for the way Winthrop was handled without Collin Gillespie on Friday, but there are still questions about how the Wildcats will fare against a team that can match its athletics game. North Texas is a tougher game in this regard, and with the Mean Green on a tear, Villanova expects to close it hard. Forecast: North Texas 66, Villanova 62 – Cobb
(12) Oregon State vs. (4) Oklahoma State
Time: 21:40 ET | Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse
TV: TBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Sure, Oregon State’s red-hot, with a title in the Pac-12 tournament under control and an impressive victory over a fifth-seeded Tennessee team in Round 1. But the state of Oklahoma is the more complete team. And with Avery Anderson and Cade Cunningham, I’m never able to bet against the Cowboys. God speed if you do. Forecast: Oklahoma State 74, Oregon State 65 – Boone