The second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament is about to begin, and a few Cinderella teams will be hoping to continue their early magic on Sunday. Most notably, No. 15 seed Oral Roberts is No. 7 seed against Florida and No. 13 seed North Texas No. 5 seed is against Villanova.
The Eagles and Mean Green are both facing opponents who have only recently appeared sensitive, so it doesn’t compare to the question of whether another could be upset – or two – in order. Don’t forget about Reg Reagan State either. The No. 12 Seed Beavers beat their run-rate through the Pack-12 tournament to win the first round and the No. 4 seed is back in action against Oklahoma State.
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Sunday begins with a pair of eight-game Slate No. 1 seeds trying to make it into Sweet 16. No. 1 Illinois faces intra-state enemy No. 8 Loyola Chicago, and No. 1 Wisconsin with Baylor battles. Illini’s win will put him in Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005, while Bear’s win marks his first appearance in the third round since 2017.
By the end of the night, eight teams are heading to Sweet 16. Our team of experts has analyzed the game and made its selection directly against the spread in each of the following. Odds by William Hill Sportsbook
Who will win and cover every game, and which teams should be on the upset alert? Visit Sportsline now to see which team has to take a back in each matchup, from the 6,600 model for Match 100 players.
(8) Loyola Chicago Vs. (1) Illinois
Time: 12:10 pm ET | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
It seems that nostalgia for the 2018 Loyola Chicago team is having an effect on the spread of this point (-7 for Illinois by William Hill Sportsbook), as Illinois is fully capable of running in large numbers here. Aside from Friday’s win over the short-lived Georgia Tech team, the Ramblers had a 14-point defeat to the Hu-Hum Wisconsin team in their second match of the season against a Power Conference opponent. If the Badgers beat Loyola Chicago by double-digits, Illinois could easily do so. Forecast: Illinois 80, Loyola Chicago 62 – David Cobb
(9) Wisconsin v. (1) Baler
Time: 2:40 pm ET | Location: Hinkel Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Baylor has yet to return to the midfield form that made him a Tier 1 contender with Gonzaga, but he did a quick job at No. 16 Hartford and still has the worst and most relentless 3-point attack in college basketball. Against badgers defense that are sensitive to teams that can shoot it well from the cold, I’ll put issues with the Bears. Forecast: Baylor 74, Wisconsin 64 – Kyle Boone
(11) Syracuse v. (3) West Virginia
Time: 5:15 p.m. and | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: CBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Syracuse and his zone defense suffocated the state of San Diego in Round 1, but Bob Higgins and West Virginia – equipped with the strongest offenses since his time with mountaineers – have the goods to cut and dice. D. McBride, Sean Mankill and Taz Sherman give me the confidence to choose WVU but after arguably playing its most perfect game against SDSU on Friday I am taking issues with Queues.. Forecast: West Virginia 69, Syracuse 67 – Boone
()) Texas Tech Vs. ()) Arkansas
Time: 6:10 pm ET | Location: Hinkel Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live stream: March Madness Live
Texas Tech is a program with a more penetrating defensive identity due to its 2019 run in the national title game. But per canopy, Arkansas is really better this season in defensive efficiency and that helps the Razorbacks get a little edge in the basically picked ‘M’ game. Forecast: Arkansas 69, Texas Tech 66 – Cob
(10) Rutgers v. (2) Houston
Time: 7:10 pm ET | Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: TBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
There are nails on both ends of the Houston floor, while Rutgers’ offense can’t quite hold its top-25 level defense. When the Scarlett Knights knocked out the Clemson team that was the No. 1 defense in the country at one point in the season, they scored just 60 points in the rock fight. If the style of play is the same – and both teams play plenty of slow motion, so it is possible – then the advantage goes to nearby Coorg. Forecast: Houston 70, Rutgers 65 – Boone
(15) Oral Roberts v. (7) Florida
Time: 7:45 pm ET | Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum
TV: truTV | Live stream: March Madness Live
Did you see what Oral Roberts did with Ohio State? The Eagles weren’t intimidated by the Buccaneers, so they wouldn’t stand firm against Florida. The Gators have been inconsistent throughout the season, and their defenses will be tested against Max Abms and Kevin Obenor. Look for Oral Roberts to advance the set of points again and continue his Cinderella. Forecast: Oral Roberts 79, Florida 76 – Cob
(13) North Texas Vs. (5) Villanova
Time: 8:45 pm ET | Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
TV: TNT | Live stream: March Madness Live
Perhaps Villanova deserves more credit for the way he manages Winthrop without Colin Gillespie on Friday, but there are still questions about whether Wildcats will hire him against a team that can match his lethality. North Texas is a tough match in that regard, and with Mean Green on a tear right now, Villanova expects this to be a difficult time to close. Forecast: North Texas 66, Villanova 62 – Cob
(12) Oregon State v. (4) Oklahoma State
Time: 9:40 pm ET | Location: Hinkel Fieldhouse
TV: TBS | Live stream: March Madness Live
Sure, reg Reagan State is red-hot, has the Pack-12 Tourney title under its belt and an impressive win over the fifth-ranked Tennessee team in Round 1. But Oklahoma State has a more complete team. And with Avery Anderson and Cade Cunningham, I’m not in a position to bet against the Cowboys right now. Godspeed if ye do. Forecast: Oklahoma State 74, Oregon State 65 – Boone
