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(1) Wisconsin vs. (16) Coastal Carolina
A 16 seed facing one of the most methodical teams in the tournament...Coastal Carolina has been in this position before. Last season they competed with Virginia and raised questions as to how close the tournament has come to the first 16 seed victory. Its ability to rebound and possess the ball will keep the question alive.
(2) Kansas vs. (15) New Mexico State
The Jayhawks have faced some lineup adversity in the past month. They will once again be without Cliff Alexander and will have a banged up Perry Ellis. The diminished frontcourt will face one of the nation's hottest and strongest rebounding teams in New Mexico State. Kansas faced a 15-seed scare last season and another may be in store versus the under-seeded Aggies.
(3) Baylor vs. (14) Georgia State
Baylor has the size, shooting ability and closing ability to make a deep tournament run, but their Achilles heal has been limiting its turnovers. Georgia State, on the other hand, is led by a veteran backcourt that has the fourth most steals per possession in the nation. This could come down to the wire if the Panthers can get Baylor out of its comfort zone.
(4) Georgetown vs. (13) Eastern Washington
This seems to be a popular upset pick, and rightfully so. The Hoyas have a documented history of tournament disappointment under John Thompson III, with just one win in their last four tournaments. Eastern Washington has the nation's leading scorer, one of the top three point shooting teams and has proven it can compete versus tournament teams with wins over Indiana and Texas Southern, and a competitive loss to SMU. The Eagles will not be intimidated by a traditional basketball power in Georgetown.
(5) West Virginia vs. (12) Buffalo
The Mountaineers have struggled down the stretch this season without their top scorer Juwan Staten, winning just one of their last four games. Staten is expected to return, but who knows if he will be full strength. West Virginia needs to force turnovers to create offense, but Buffalo is excellent at preventing turnovers. Led by one of the nation's most underrated guards in Shannon Evans, the Bulls led both Kentucky and Wisconsin this year at the half.
(6) Butler vs. (11) Texas
Another popular upset pick, the Longhorns, whose tournament started a week ago as they fought for their first tournament birth in three years. Butler has struggled to end the season, losing four of its last five games versus tournament teams. The Longhorns are putting things together at the right time and have the size that could make an NBA team quiver. This game should be a back-and-forth, grind-it-out type game where timely shooting will be key.
(7) Wichita State vs. (10) Indiana
Sure, Indiana has lost four of its last five games and has struggled to beat tournament talent since January, but there's no denying how lethal its three point shooting can be. The Hoosiers shoot 40 percent from three as a team, which can keep them alive in any game. The Shocker's tournament-tested veterans Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and Tekele Cotton will keep composure, but this game could come down to the final possession in a back-and-forth affair.
(8) Oregon vs. (9) Oklahoma State
You like jump shooting? Look no further. Oregon vs. Oklahoma State promises to be a high-octane offensive display with Joseph Young and Phil Forte trading jump shot for jump shot. The Ducks are hot while the Cowboys are sliding. Oklahoma State's defense has kept them in games all season and, as weak as Oregon's defense has been, could ultimately allow a struggling squad to stay competitive for their tournament lives.
Honorable mentions:
(5) Utah vs. (12) Stephen F. Austin
(6) Xavier vs. (11) Ole Miss
(7) VCU vs. (10) Ohio State