NCAA First Round Viewing Guide: Friday

The first day of March Madness has already been one to remember. So what's in store for Day 2? Here's your viewing guide, with games on WDBJ in Roanoke so noted.

#2 West Virginia vs. #15 Morgan State (12:15 p.m., WDBJ)
Many people think the Mountaineers have a great shot of getting to the Final Four. I'm not on the West Virginia bandwagon, but they certainly should have enough to get by the Bears.
#6 Xavier vs. #11 Minnesota (12:25 p.m.)
Xavier is another team that many are high on, and I think they have a good shot of getting to the Sweet 16. They have an interesting challenge in a Minnesota team that played well in the Big Ten tournament and has nothing to lose.
#5 Temple vs. #12 Cornell (12:30 p.m.)
This is the game I want to see the most out of the first round. Cornell has had a great year, breezing through the Ivy League and almost knocking off Kansas in Lawrence. They have a real shot against a Temple team that is also very strong.

#4 Purdue vs. #13 Siena (2:30 p.m.)
A lot of people are souding the upset alert here. It's sad what has happened to Purdue in the last couple weeks: Purdue went from a Final Four contender to losing its best player and pretty much losing its offense completely. Siena is a tournament tested team and will give them their best effort.
#7 Clemson vs. #10 Missouri (2:35 p.m., WDBJ)
Clemson has been an enigma this year, very hot and cold. And memories of last year's flameout in the tournament have me uneasy about their chances. Missouri made a great run last year and I think they are a slight favorite here.
#3 Pittsburgh vs. #14 Oakland (2:45 p.m.)
Jamie Dixon has done a great job at Pitt this year, taking a team that lost all of its best players and still getting a 3 seed. They might not have the weapons to make it far in the tournament, but should beat Oakland.
#4 Wisconsin vs. #13 Wofford (2:50 p.m.)
You can never count Wisconsin out when it comes to tournament time. Bo Ryan does a great job year in and year out. They do have a good challenge here from a Wofford team that did well in the Southern Conference this year.

#5 Texas A&M vs. #12 Utah State (4:45 p.m.)
The battle of the Aggies is Friday's standalone game. I think Texas A&M is a very good team that can really make a run in this tournament. They need to first get by a Utah State squad that cannot be counted out.

#8 Gonzaga vs. #9 Florida State (7:10 p.m.)
This is an interesting 8/9 matchup between a mid-major team with a good NCAA Tournament pedigree and an ACC team without one. Gonzaga likes to get up and down, and Florida State likes to play defense, so whichever can force their style will win.
#7 Oklahoma State vs. #10 Georgia Tech (7:15 p.m.)
For some reason the committee lumped a bunch of ACC teams at the same time. I think this will be the best of the three games. Georgia Tech has the talent to compete with anyone if they cut down on the turnovers. And Oklahoma State has a great guard in James Anderson.
#5 Michigan State vs. #12 New Mexico State (7:20 p.m.)
Michigan State doesn't quite have the talent they did last year when they made the run to the final game. But they can be very dangerous. They should be able to beat New Mexico State.
#1 Duke vs. #16 Arkansas Pine-Bluff (7:25 p.m., WDBJ)
This is the type of game that Duke really excels in. Expect this one to be a blowout by halftime.

#1 Syracuse vs. #16 Vermont (9:30 p.m.)
I think this is the least mis-matched 1/16 game I've seen in the tournament. That doesn't mean Vermont will win. But they might stick around long enough to give Syracuse a scare.
#2 Ohio State vs. #15 UC Santa Barbara (9:35 p.m.)
Ohio State is one of the best teams in this tournament, and shouldn't have problems with UCSB in this game.
#4 Maryland vs. #13 Houston (9:40 p.m., WDBJ)
Maryland is one of the ACC's hopes to make a run in the tournament. They take on a Houston squad that is only in the big dance because they made a run and won the CUSA Tournament. It will be interesting to see if they can keep that run going.
#8 California vs. #9 Louisville (9:45 p.m.)
It seems like the vast majority of the population is picking the 9 seed Louisville. And for good reason. The Pac-1o has been very suspect, and I think most people don't think California deserved an 8 seed.