12:15 p.m. — Gator bait: Will Florida be the first No. 1 seed to go down? Oddsmakers certainly think it’s possible, with the Gators just 5 1/2-point favorites against Pittsburgh (CBS). The Panthers, led by big man Talib Zanna and senior Lamar Patterson, had their way with Colorado on Thursday, nearly setting an NCAA Tournament record in an 8 vs. 9 game with a 29-point margin of victory.
5:15 p.m. — Texas two-step? The No. 7 Longhorns are looking to keep their March magic going, after beating Arizona State on a buzzer-beater put-back. They’ll need to get past No. 2 Michigan (CBS), who faced little resistance from Wofford in a low-scoring, 57-40 victory Thursday.
6:10 p.m. — Double-digit dancing: North Dakota State will have a shot to be this year’s first double-digit seed in the Sweet 16, as the 12th-seeded Bison face No. 4 San Diego State (TNT). Both teams needed overtime to advance in the Midwest Regional, as North Dakota State topped Oklahoma and the Aztecs survived New Mexico State.
7:45 p.m. — A close game, anyone? No. 2 Wisconsin and No. 7 Oregon won their openers by a combined 59 points, but when the two meet Saturday (CBS), expect a competitive game between these two power-conference schools. The Ducks like to get up-and-down the court, with four different players averaging double-digit points, while the Badgers bludgeon opponents with their efficient offense and slow pace.
8:40 p.m. — The second test: Twelfth-seeded Harvard toppled Cincinnati on Thursday, but they’ll face a stiffer test in the Round of 32 — No. 4 Michigan State (TNT). The Crimson will be trying to follow up Ivy League member Cornell, which reached the Sweet 16 in 2010. The Spartans were led by Adreian Payne’s 41 points in their victory against Delaware, and Tom Izzo’s crew is a favorite to reach the Final Four.
9:40 p.m. — Big East reunion: The two schools may play in different conferences now, but when seventh-seeded Connecticut and second-seeded Villanova meet Saturday (TBS), it’ll be a renewal of a Big East rivalry. Shabazz Napier led UConn past St. Joseph’s in overtime to reach the third round, while Villanova easily dispatched Milwaukee.