Awaking From the Basketball Coma (Sunday No-Funday Preview)

The last day of the coma is always such a bummer, because all I can think about is how close to being over it is, and the looming specter of fucking Monday. Also FUCK YESTERDAY.

7S Iowa vs. 2S Villanova (12:10, CBS)

The ultimate acid test in “just how cursed is Jay Wright?” Iowa did everything in its power to choke away its 1st round game, yet somehow beat Temple on an OT buzzer-beating tip-in. Still, they give the impression of being held together with duct tape and chicken wire at the moment.

14E Stephen F. Austin vs. 6E Notre Dame (2:40, CBS)

Not exactly the matchup the suits expected when this game was allotted an exclusive national slot, I’m guessing. The Irish are pretty consistent offensively, so I doubt the cards are there for SFA to beat the house again and crash the Sweet Sixteen party. They still have the tourney’s best beard, though…

10W VCU vs. 2W Oklahoma (5:10, CBS)

These aren’t the Rams of yesteryear, Boomer Sooner should roll in this one. Iowa State has already slain its early round demons, so perhaps Lon Kruger gets to do the same. Would love to see both squadrons in the Final Four.

15MW Middle Tennessee vs. 10MW Syracuse (6:10, TNT)

Jim Boeheim’s briliant “win one for Scotchy!” motivational campaign is paying off, even working reverse mojo on Sparty. I have no idea if the Blue Raiders will even get off the bus for this one, coming off the immense sugar high of Friday’s fun.

13S Hawaii vs. 5S Maryland (7:10, TBS)

I have been wrong in all of my similar pronouncements…but I think this will be a very fun game to watch for the neutral viewer. The Rainbow Warriors could give the Turtle significant trouble, but a veteran team won’t fold as easily as Cal did.

11W Northern Iowa vs. 3W Texas A&M (7:40, truTV)

For two more hours tonight, truTV gets to be a thing again! Hashtag, suckmyass.

7E Wisconsin vs. 2E Xavier (8:40, TNT)

Unleash your inner Catler, everybody. DOOOOOOONNNNNNN’T CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRE

8W St. Joe’s vs. 1W Oregon (9:40, TBS)

Will I DVR this, just in case Toddler Blood Martelli pulls it off? MAYBE.