Your guide to Friday’s best games in Day 2 of the NCAA Tournament:
(7) Michigan vs. (10) Oklahoma St.
12:15 p.m., CBS
Friday’s session kicks off with arguably its best game. Michigan’s week-long journey from a nearly fatal plane crash to winning the Big Ten Tournament was inspiring, and the Wolverines have one of the nation’s hottest players in Derrick Walton Jr. These two teams are among the best offenses in the country, and Oklahoma State loves to run up and down the court with PG Jawun Evans. First one to 90 wins.
(3) Baylor vs. (14) New Mexico St.
12:40 p.m., truTV
There’s nothing particularly exciting about New Mexico State, but all eyes will be on Baylor to see if the Bears can avoid a first-round choke for the third consecutive season. Last year, they went down to Yale, and in 2015 they were knocked off by Georgia State. Are the Aggies next to send Scott Drew’s team packing early?
(7) Dayton vs. (10) Wichita St.
7:10 p.m., CBS
Finally, we’ll settle the analytics debate once and for all. OK, maybe not. Wichita State has become an annual darling of the college basketball advanced metrics, ranking eighth overall in Ken Pomeroy’s system this season, and critics argued the 30-4 Shockers merited a higher seed. Dayton, meanwhile, is a senior-laden group led by Bronx native Scoochie Smith and plays in a tougher league (Atlantic 10) than the Missouri Valley Conference. Something’s got to give.
(6) Cincinnati vs. (11) Kansas St.
7:27 p.m., truTV
This one may resemble a wrestling match more than a basketball game, but it should be entertaining nonetheless. Cincinnati is among the best defenses in the nation, allowing the fifth-fewest points per game (60.8), while Kansas State is coming off a First Four victory over Wake Forest in which the typically low-scoring Wildcats shot a sensational 66 percent from the field. Expect the Bearcats to be much less generous.
(8) Miami vs. (9) Michigan St.
9:20 p.m., TNT
March Madness typically means it’s Tom Izzo’s time to shine, but that wasn’t the case last year when his No. 2-seeded Spartans were stunned in the first round. This year’s team isn’t a vintage Michigan State squad, but freshmen Miles Bridges and Nick Ward are a handful down low. Bronx native Jim Larranaga has his Hurricanes back in the tournament, hoping to follow up last year’s Sweet 16 run with another solid effort.
(3) UCLA vs. (14) Kent St.
9:57 p.m., truTV
The nation gets its first look at the most exciting offense in college basketball, led by freshman point guard Lonzo Ball, who Knicks fans are somehow hoping their team is in position to land at this year’s NBA draft. Keep an eye on fellow freshman T.J. Leaf, a talented power forward who’s more likely to be available later in the first round.