2019 NCAA Tournament: All Three Pac-12 Teams Play This Afternoon

Well, there were just two upsets yesterday as the 2019 NCAA Tournament got underway. In the opening game, the 10 seed Minnesota Golden Gophers upended the 7 seed Louisville Cardinals, 86-76. Later on, the 12 seed Murray State Racers beat the 5 seed Marquette Golden Eagles, 83-64. Finally, the Nevada Wolf Pack lost to the Florida Gators, 70-61. Hopefully, that puts all the Musselman-to-Westwood rumors to rest.

Now, we’re on to the second and final day of the First Round. Today’s action begins with another 7 vs. 10 matchup. This one features the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Iowa Hawkeyes. This afternoon, we’ll see all three of the Pac-12 teams which were selected for this year’s tournament when the Arizona State Sun Devils take on the Buffalo Bisons, the Oregon Ducks face the Wisconsin Badgers and the Washington Huskies play the Utah State Aggies.

Later on today, former UCLA Bruins head coach Ben Howland leads the Mississippi State Bulldogs against the Liberty Flames. Yup! We have the guy UCLA replaced with Steve Alford taking on the team who did Alford in. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or what, but it’s just the latest in what I’ve felt has been the Selection Committee’s ongoing sense of humor when it comes to UCLA.

I almost forgot....For those looking for a Southern California team to root for, the UC Irvine Anteaters tip-off at 11 am PT against the Kansas State Wildcats. To UCI’s credit, these guys have had a great season, but I do have to say that I’ve been finding the UCI players to be a bit arrogant when they claim to be the best team in Southern California. Making a 68-team tournament doesn’t necessarily make you a better team than one that doesn’t make the field when you got in with a conference’s automatic bid. So, I’ll be rooting for K-State in that one.

Here’s today’s full slate of games:

Go Bruins.