New Mexico has improved their defense throughout the season, limiting second chance opportunities. The Spartans have struggled beyond the arc all season long but currently lead the nation in defending it. New Mexico has the ability to create turnovers leading to transition buckets which may be difficult against this season but they have the offensive players to keep this one within the number.

Iowa State will still be without Keshon Gilbert, which might be more of a factor in this game as compared to their first game against the Bison. Ole Miss has six players averaging in double figures which will be needed against the 8th ranked defense in terms of efficiency. The Rebels have played the more difficult schedule and had a little lull towards the end of the season but have been playing better when it matters and have an experienced team to stay within the number.

Colorado State has had difficulty against good offensive teams and the Terrapins have had their most efficient offense in recent memory. Maryland has an edge on the offensive boards, grabbing nine more boards per game which will give them more second chance opportunities. They protect the ball better, have the 8th best defense in the country and the Rams offense revolves around Nique Clifford which if Maryland can slow him down their defense will handle the rest.

This is clash of styles, as Saint Mary’s wants a slower game, and the Crimson Tide want to push the pace. Alabama has been shaky all season and have difficulty on defense. They also rely on second chance opportunities which may be tough against the Gaels who are 9th in the nation in defensive rebounding and 2nd in offensive rebounding. Saint Mary’s will want to slow this game down and take the Crimson Tide out of their element.

Illinois is healthier teams even though the Wildcats got Lamont Butler back last game. Kentucky will want to push the pace but the Fighting Illini back the ability to run with them. Illinois will have to control the glass as the Wildcats aren’t the strongest rebounding team, especially offensively. They’ve also been the more consistent team defensively and the better free throw shooting team.

This is a high total for a first round game where unders are typically the play. However, Akron is a team that plays at high pace and the Wildcats can play at any tempo. Arizona’s offense can be dangerous when they’re clicking, but they don’t defend the perimeter well. The Zips shoot a ton of three’s and have been efficient behind the arc all season. Akron’s have allowed some big numbers to their opponents this season as they don’t guard the perimeter well either. The Wildcats have more size to control the boards on both ends, allowing second chance opportunities.

This is going to be a battle of defense over offense. New Mexico has a top 20 defense in terms of efficiency, but their offense isn’t as strong as year’s past. The Lobos rely heavily on attacking the rim and getting the foul line. Even though they get to line a lot, they’re still shooting less than 69% from the stripe. Marquette has really struggled from beyond the arc this season, but their three-point defense has improved and they’re able to create turnovers. Both teams rely on their defense first to win games, as they both are holding their opponents to less than 71 points on the season.

This might be one of the trappiest games of the first round, but North Carolina will be out to prove something. The Tar Heels have momentum coming into this one and have covered nine of their last 10, while Ole Miss has failed to cover eight of its last 10. The Rebels will have the rest advantage which could affect how they start the game. Ole Miss ended the season with a -7 point differential in their last three games as their offense has been up-and-down down the stretch. The Tar Heels just dominated the 15th best defense in the country and will look to do the same against the 23rd ranked defense behind RJ Davis.

Saint Mary’s has one of the most efficient defenses in the country. They rely on their defense to dominate games and play at one of the slowest tempos in the country. The Gaels don’t give up easy buckets in the paint and one of the top rebounding teams, on the ends of the court, in the nation. Both teams struggles shooting the three and Vanderbilt’s perimeter defense is towards the bottom of the country. The Commodores aren’t strong from the free throw line and should have a difficult time getting second chance opportunities against this defense.

Duke’s Cooper Flagg is expected but will most likely be on a minute’s restriction. The Mountaineers shot 57.5% from the floor in their winning over American, but that may be difficult to replicate against the 4th most efficient defense in the country. Mount St. Mary’s struggle protecting the ball, averaging over 14 turnovers per game, near the bottom of the country and don’t have much height. The Mountaineers were to pick up the pace in their last game but Duke should be able to stop them from getting out in transition and coast to a victory, preserving the health of Flagg.

For the first four, it seems like teams want to turn it up offensively, despite totals dropping to align with slower tempo teams. Drake is one of the slowest teams in the country which is not the case for the Tigers. Drake typically controls the tempo, making teams play their game, but that may be difficult to do against the Tigers. Missouri likes to play fast and get to the free throw line. The Tigers have only had two games this season with totals in the 130’s and both games went over.

Yale will be a popular pick due to them taking out the Tigers last season. Texas A&M’s offense is a team of high variance and have struggled scoring consistently throughout the season. The Bulldogs can score quickly and want to attack the rim mostly. However, Texas A&M is excellent at defending the rim, with elite shot blockers, and are currently the number one team in the country in offensive rebounding. The Bulldogs are 22nd in defensive rebounding and match up well, which should be fun. Texas A&M’s defense will have to take over this game to avoid the upset.

Purdue is 350th in the nation in defending inside the perimeter while the Panthers are 15th in efficiency in that area. These are two teams that can put up points and struggle on the defensive end. High Point has more depth and big men in the front court to take advantage of the Boilermakers weak interior defense, averaging over 81 points per game this season. Purdue shouldn’t have any issue scoring themselves, scoring 76 points, or more, in three of their last five games while the Panthers defense have struggled against more potent offenses.

North Texas plays at one of the slowest tempo in the country. They typically control the pace of play, forcing their opponent to play their game. The Paladins defending the floor rather well but struggle with controlling the boards, especially offensively. Both teams are able to create fouls, getting to the free throw line as North Texas shoots 77.6% from the stripe on the season. The Paladins came on strong in their conference tournament, shooting 74.3% from the free throw line and over 46% from three.

Bradley has two players that may not be playing in this game tonight. The Braves have a ton of experience but that takes a hit without two of their top players. North Alabama leads the country in turnover percentage and one of the better offensive rebounding teams as well. This seems like a lack of motivation for the Braves and even though North Alabama fell short in the conference final, this team plays hard with a lot of guards and five players averaging in double figures.