The second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to begin with Penn State taking on Texas and Pitt facing Xavier. Penn State is aiming to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001, while Texas is seeking to continue its impressive form. Xavier is coached by former Pitt standout point guard Sean Miller. Pitt last made the Sweet 16 in 2009 when it beat Xavier. The Mirror has predicted the outcomes of both games, with Penn State predicted to win against Texas and Pitt predicted to win against Xavier. The most important keywords from the content include Penn State, Texas, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Sweet 16, and Xavier.
Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament: Second Round Preview
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s second round is set to begin with the matchups of Penn State vs. Texas and Pitt vs. Xavier. Here’s what you need to know about these games.
Penn State vs. Texas
-
When: Saturday, March 18, at 7:45 p.m. ET
-
Where: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa
-
TV: CBS
-
Radio: The Penn State Sports Radio Network
-
Records: Penn State (23-13); Texas (27-8)
Penn State enters this game looking to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001. Meanwhile, Texas, the No. 2 seed in the Midwest, is seeking to continue its impressive form, having won the Big 12 tourney over Kansas and being 5-0 in their last five games.
Marcus Carr leads the Longhorns with 15.9 points-per game and 4.1 assists-per game, while Sir’Jabari Rice follows with 12.9 ppg and Timmy Allen at 10.3 ppg. Tyler Hunter averages 10.2 ppg. Penn State, led by Andrew Funk, has 377 3-pointers, the most ever by a Big Ten team in a single season.
Pitt vs. Xavier
-
When: Sunday, March 19, at TBA
-
Where: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
-
TV: TBA (Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel and Evan Washburn)
-
Records: Pitt (24-11, 14-6 ACC); Xavier (26-9, 15-5 Big East)
Pitt and Xavier will face each other with the winner earning the chance to play either Penn State or Texas in the Sweet 16 next Friday in Kansas City, Mo. Xavier is coached by former Pitt standout point guard Sean Miller (1987-92), a Beaver Falls native.
Guard Souley Boum leads Xavier in scoring (16.5 ppg.), and 7-footer Jack Nunge averages 14.0 points and 7.9 rebounds. Pitt last made the Sweet 16 in 2009 when it beat Xavier, 60-55. Pitt lost to Xavier in the 2010 second round, 71-68.
Mirror Predictions
The Mirror, a local newspaper, has predicted the outcomes of both games, with Penn State predicted to win against Texas 71-69 and Pitt predicted to win against Xavier 73-70.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
