SportsPulse: There were some surprising results during the first day of the men's NCAA basketball tournament. USA TODAY Sports
March Madness continues with the second full day of nonstop NCAA tournament action, and we’re back to help you prioritize your viewing schedule.
Here are the matchups we think will provide the most entertainment in order of appearance.
No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Providence
West Region, 12:15 p.m. ET, CBS
A team from the Ocean State is again featured in the early slot. The Friars hope to do as well as URI — and, given their recent history, it wouldn’t be surprising if they, too, have to work overtime. The Aggies, however, will pose a formidable challenge for Providence with their superior size.
TOURNAMENT ANALYSIS: 10 takeways from the first-round games on Thursday
SECOND CHANCE: New Mexico State coach Chris Jans making most of opportunity
LOCKED IN: Tony Bennett has No. 1 Virginia seeking first Final Four trip since 1984
No. 4 Wichita State vs. No. 13 Marshall
East Region, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT
No, we’re not choosing this game just because it’s Shockers’ coach Gregg Marshall taking on the school called Marshall. It actually could actually be quite good, if not in fact — wait for it — shocking. The Thundering Herd’s high-octane style might take some getting used to. If their three-pointers are falling, they could give Wichita State a battle.
No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 12 Murray State
East Region, 4 p.m. ET, TNT
The second game of this San Diego grouping could also be noteworthy. The Mountaineers will enjoy a significant advantage in athletic ability over the Racers, and their relentless defense will be hard to solve. But WVU can also be given to lengthy scoring droughts, and too many of those might help Murray State stick around.
No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 Bucknell
Midwest Region, 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
The No. 3 seed line is a tricky place in the bracket. It can take a team all the way to the Final Four, but it can also lead to a premature exit with the wrong draw. The Spartans have championship talent, though they’ve struggle to put opponents away at times. The Bison have a tough assignment taking on MSU in their home state, but they have the talent and experience to pull off the stunner.
No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 New Mexico State
Midwest Region, 9:50 p.m. ET, truTV
The nightcap in San Diego could make it worth staying awake. NMSU is an NCAA regular, but this could be the Aggies’ best opportunity in a long time to get past the round of 64. They play solid defense, and short-handed Clemson can struggle to score. The Tigers defend pretty well in their own right, however, so don’t expect an up-and-down affair.
IMAGES FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
![Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) passes]()
1 of 57![Florida Gators guard Jalen Hudson (3) dunks in the]()
2 of 57![Michigan Wolverines center Jon Teske (15) blocks a]()
3 of 57![Michigan Wolverines guard Jordan Poole (2) battles]()
4 of 57![Florida Gators forward Keith Stone (25) passes against]()
5 of 57![Florida Gators guard Mike Okauru (0) shoots against]()
6 of 57![Buffalo Bulls center Brock Bertram (41) and forward]()
7 of 57![Buffalo Bulls guard Dontay Caruthers (22) celebrates]()
8 of 57![Buffalo Bulls guard Jeremy Harris (2) reacts in the]()
9 of 57![Buffalo Bulls guard CJ Massinburg (5) and forward Nick]()
10 of 57![Alabama Crimson Tide guard Dazon Ingram (12), guard]()
11 of 57![Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams reacts]()
12 of 57![Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams reacts]()
13 of 57![Alabama Crimson Tide guard Collin Sexton (2) drives]()
14 of 57![Virginia Tech Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) in action]()
15 of 57![Houston Cougars guard Armoni Brooks (3) and center]()
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17 of 57![Houston Cougars guard Rob Gray (32) celebrates after]()
18 of 57![Houston Cougars guard Rob Gray (32) scores the winning]()
19 of 57![Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Chris Beard celebrates]()
20 of 57![Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Zhaire Smith (2) dunks]()
21 of 57![Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Keenan Evans (12) drives]()
22 of 57![Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks guard Kevon Harris (1)]()
23 of 57![San Diego State Aztecs forward Jalen McDaniels (5)]()
24 of 57![Kentucky Wildcats forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (1) dunks]()
25 of 57![Kentucky Wildcats forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (1) reacts]()
26 of 57![Kentucky Wildcats guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22)]()
27 of 57![Davidson Wildcats guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson (3) loses]()
28 of 57![Kentucky Wildcats forward Kevin Knox (5) works through]()
29 of 57![Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) in action]()
30 of 57![Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) goes to]()
31 of 57![Radford Highlanders guard Carlik Jones (1) attempts]()
32 of 57![Radford Highlanders guard Donald Hicks (5) fights for]()
33 of 57![Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Donte Ingram (0) hits the]()
34 of 57![Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Donte Ingram (0) reacts]()
35 of 57![Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Donte Ingram (0) celebrates]()
36 of 57![Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Donte Ingram (0) celebrates]()
37 of 57![Loyola (Ill.) guard Marques Townes (5) celebrates with]()
38 of 57![Duke Blue Devils forward Justin Robinson (50) dunks]()
39 of 57![The Duke Blue Devils bench reacts after a play against]()
40 of 57![Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jae'Sean Tate (1) lays]()
41 of 57![Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young (11) in action against]()
42 of 57![Wright State Raiders center Loudon Love (11) and guard]()
43 of 57![Rhode Island Rams guard E.C. Matthews (0) goes for]()
44 of 57![Kansas Jayhawks guard Malik Newman (14) is fouled by]()
45 of 57![Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) reacts in]()
46 of 57![Oklahoma guard Trae Young drives to the basket against]()
47 of 57![Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) and forward]()
48 of 57![Pennsylvania guard Ryan Betley shoots as Kansas forward]()
49 of 57![Iona forward TK Edogi shoots over Duke forward Wendell]()
50 of 57![UNC-Greensboro guard Francis Alonso shoots as Gonzaga]()
51 of 57![Kansas guard Lagerald Vick battles for the ball with]()
52 of 57![Rhode Island guard Jeff Dowtin takes a shot against]()
53 of 57![Tennessee forward Admiral Schofield looks to control]()
54 of 57![Providence coach Ed Cooley high fives his players during]()
55 of 57![Members of the Wright State band plays before the school's]()
56 of 57![Tennessee players huddle before their 2018 NCAA tournament]()
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