Texas head coach Shaka Smart yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

SOUTH

Vanderbilt (11) vs. Wichita State (11): Featuring the underrated Shockers and overrated Commodores after failing to live up to preseason expectations, this might be the best First Four game ever.

California (4) vs. Hawaii (13): The Bears are dangerous, but they get an intriguing matchup from the start with the Rainbow Warriors' Stefan Jankovic (above) a game-changing presence under the hoop.

WEST

Baylor (5) vs. Yale (13): The Bears will brutalize their opponents on both ends in the paint. Expect Yale's stellar defense to try to slow the pace to get the advantage.

Texas (6) vs. Northern Iowa (11): Under new coach Shaka Smart (above), the quick-learning Longhorns are better than we thought they'd be. But who's as hot as Northern Iowa with 12 wins in its past 13 games?

MIDWEST

Iowa State (4) vs. Iona (13): If you like watching tons of action and tons of scoring — and who doesn't? — this matchup of top-35 scoring offenses is for you.

Texas Tech (8) vs. Butler (9): The path to advancement doesn't look all that scary for Tubby Smith (above), whose Red Raiders have overachieved this season. Meanwhile, Butler relies too heavily on streaky shooting.

EAST

Kentucky (4) vs. Stony Brook (13): Hey Jameel Warney (above), here's your stage, here's your moment. The Wildcats are just a shadow of vintage Kentucky, and there could be an upset brewing.

West Virginia (3) vs. Stephen F. Austin (14): This might be Stephen F. Austin coach Brad Underwood's best bunch. Who does the whole full-court press thing better? The Mountaineers will have tough competition.

AMELIA RAYNO

Texas Tech head coach Tubby Smith yells to a referee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Hawaii forward Stefan Jankovic (33) takes a shot over Colorado forward Josh Scott (40) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Diamond Head Classic on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, in Honolulu. Hawaii beat Colorado 69-66. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner) ORG XMIT: HIETOTK110 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Stony Brook's Jameel Warney celebrates while wearing the net and displaying his MVP trophy celebrate following their 80-74 win over Vermont in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the American East Conference men's tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Stony Brook, N.Y. (Daniel De Mato/Newsday via AP) NYC OUT, NO SALES (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

More from Gophers

Gophers