At least there are fewer games today.  I have lost my Christmas Spirit.

#5W Notre Dame v. #4W West Virginia (12;10, CBS)

Each side got a bit of a scareon Thursday, but the name of the game is “Survive and Advance” for a reason.  Hopefully, it will be fun and competitive, only game in town.

#8E Wisconsin v. #1E Villanova (2:40, CBS)

Jay Wright and co. will never admit it, but you know they were rooting for VPI Thursday night.  Bucky Badger has caused trouble from the 8 seed previously, and they know how to mud you up.

#8W Northwestern v. #1W Gonzaga (5:15, CBS)

Is Northwestern favored?  I bet they are, or at least close to it.  Let’s see if they can make Lainie do her happy dance once again.

#11W Xavier v. #3W Florida State (6:10, TNT)

Finally, we gets some mult-game action.  And it’s one of the 2nd-round matchups I had hoped to see, too.  Xavier’s quickness v. FSU’s insane size.

#12S Middle Tennessee State v. #4S Butler (7:10, TBS)

The Blue Raiders were, like, the lone legitimate (by seed) big upset on Thursday, but it was one almost everyone predicted.  They could easily keep it going today, before being flattened by the Holes.

#7W St. Mary’s v. #2W Arizona (7:45, CBS)

I really didn’t expect the Gaels to be here…yet here they stand.  They looked really good, too.  Perhaps they give AZ a game?  Probably not.  Doubling down on my pre-conceived notions.

#5E Virginia v. #4E Florida (8:40, TNT)

So much orange is a clear and present fashion risk.

#5MW Iowa State v. #4MW Purdue (9:40, TBS)

Thursday’s games cemented my belief that the Cyclones are about 10x better than the Boilermakers.  But that’s why they play the games.