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Thursday had it all, and Friday promises more of the same. The Big 12 is already down three teams as Kansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State look to defend the conference's honor. Here's all you need to know about the afternoon session including the best games to watch. Be on the look out for the evening preview later today.
How To Watch
Games throughout the tournament will air on CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. If you're one of the many people who never watch truTV, they've made a website to help you find it. Games will also be live streamed on the NCAA March Madness Live website or you can head on over to their mobile page and download their app for your smart phone or tablet.
Friday's Afternoon Game Schedule
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Games Of The Day
Here's a quick look at the best game in each window on Friday afternoon.
Early Afternoon - #12 Wyoming vs. #5 Northern Iowa
I fully expect that the majority of this site's readers will be watching the Jayhawks take on New Mexico State during this time slot, but I thought I'd offer a game that you can catch after Kansas plays. Northern Iowa is one of the most disciplined teams in the tournament. They rank in the top 20 of adjusted defensive efficiency because they defend shots well, prevent offensive rebounds, and don't foul. Forward Seth Tuttle is one of the best players in college basketball. He's got the ability to initiate offense and step out beyond the 3-point line--think of a mid-major Georges Niang.
After losing three of their last four in the Mountain West regular season, Wyoming bounced back to win the conference tournament. The return of Larry Nance Jr., who averages 16.1 points per game, keyed the Cowboys' win. Nance missed a good bit of action after battling mononucleosis. This one will be a grind it out affair with two teams that don't get out in transition much, but they play good defense and have talented big men.
Late Afternoon - #13 Valparaiso vs. #4 Maryland
There's nothing sexy about Bryce Drew's Valparaiso team. If they pull off the upset, it's going to be because they defend Maryland well. Valpo ranks in the top 30 in adjusted defensive efficiency and they do a great job keeping opponents off the offensive glass. 6-foot-11 Vashil Fernandez is the Horizon League's defensive player of the year and his rim protection should help defend against Maryland's fantastic guard play. Fernandez is turning away 13.2 percent of opponents' shot attempts this season.
The Terps are favored by just two points according to KenPom. They will need guards Melo Trimble and Dez Wells to play well in order to advance. Trimble is a serious outside threat, connecting on 40 percent of his 140 3-point attempts this year. Wells, meanwhile, likes to play downhill, preferring to drive the ball to the basket. Maryland is also coached by former Kansas player Mark Turgeon.