What we learned from Day 2 of the NCAA Tournament and what to watch for on Day 3

The Big East was #bad

Remember how good the Big East was on Thursday? Well, Friday didn’t go so well for the conference. Its three representatives -- Seton Hall, Creighton and Marquette -- each lost their games, producing an 0-3 record and a 3-4 record overall for the conference to this point. Granted, the circumstances were all different and some more controversial than others, but now the conference must put stock in Villanova, Butler and Xavier to make it to the second weekend and nobody else. So it goes.

Michigan still looks mighty dangerous

Shifting away from the conference, the Michigan Wolverines grabbed another win, taking down the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Indianapolis. It’s Michigan’s sixth straight win, their eighth in their last nine and 11th in their last 13 games. The Wolverines’ streaky and inspired play has been one of the best stories of March, and they’ll look to keep it going against Louisville on Sunday now.

Wichita State handled their business

Locked in a battle with fellow ‘mid-major’ Dayton, the Shockers were able to prevail in Indy. Gregg Marshall’s bunch are now 31-4 and have won SIXTEEN games in a row dating back to January 17. They now get to get their hands on Kentucky Sunday, and Shocker fans probbbbbably haven’t forgotten what happened the last time these two teams squared off in the Round of 32.

The First Four streak continued on

Since its arrival, the First Four has produced a heck of a streak as one team from the event has gone on to win at least one tournament game. That continued on Friday as the USC Trojans took down the SMU Mustangs. USC, of course, defeated Providence on Wednesday and went on to Tulsa and brought their winning ways with them. Whether they’ll replicate lengthy winning streaks of the past (hello, VCU) is left to be seen but the Trojans look mighty dangerous now.

What to Watch For

• The Big East can send three teams to the second weekend. Can they do it?
• Will Gonzaga march on, or will Northwestern grab win #2?
• Bob Huggins vs. Mike Brey... Press Virginia vs. Notre Dame. Should be a good way to tip things off this afternoon
• Mike White looks to get to the Sweet 16 for the first time, but first the Gators must get through stingy Virginia
• A dandy out west between Arizona and St. Mary’s
• A pair of stars in Purdue-Iowa State. Between Caleb Swanigan and Monte Morris, things are fixing to be fun in Milwaukee