This Saturday’s NCAA Tournament second-round lineup features eight games that will provide insight into which teams advance to the next weekend. Among the most captivating matchups is the clash between No. 2 seed St. John’s and No. 10 seed Arkansas, set to take place at 2:40 p.m. ET on CBS. This game marks the fifth NCAA Tournament encounter between head coaches John Calipari of Arkansas and Rick Pitino of St. John’s, their first postseason meeting since 2014.
The excitement continues with No. 12 seed McNeese and No. 11 seed Drake, both of whom pulled off significant upsets in the first round by defeating No. 5 seed Clemson and No. 6 seed Missouri, respectively. McNeese will play against No. 4 seed Purdue in the day’s opening game at 12:10 p.m. ET on CBS, while Drake will face No. 3 seed Texas Tech at 6:10 ET on TNT.
Additionally, top seeds No. 1 Auburn and No. 1 Houston will also be in action, both facing significant challenges to progress beyond this weekend. Auburn will take on No. 9 seed Creighton at 7:10 ET on TBS, while Houston will meet No. 8 seed Gonzaga at 8:40 ET on TNT.
Historic Coaching Matchups: Pitino vs. Calipari
The second round of the NCAA Tournament features remarkable coaching matchups, notably the game between Pitino and Calipari. These legendary figures will pitting their strategies against one another for the fifth time in the NCAA Tournament, as they fight for their teams’ advancement. The last showdown was in 2014 when Kentucky triumphed over Louisville in the Sweet 16.
With Arkansas aiming for its fourth Sweet 16 appearance in five years and St. John’s in search of its first berth since 1999, the stakes are incredibly high. Pitino’s Red Storm recently claimed their first Big East Tournament title since 2000 and achieved 30 wins for the first time since 1986, making this encounter even more compelling.
Dark Horses Drake and McNeese: The Next Cinderella Stories?
Although the first round did not present an overwhelming number of upsets, No. 11 seed Drake and No. 12 seed McNeese could be considered potential Cinderella teams. Following their stunning victories—Drake claimed its first NCAA Tournament win since 1971 by defeating Missouri, while McNeese achieved a massive upset over Clemson—both teams hope to advance further.
However, they face tough opponents with considerable NCAA Tournament experience. Drake will contend with No. 3 seed Texas Tech, bolstered by All-American player JT Toppin. Meanwhile, McNeese faces No. 4 seed Purdue, which reached the national championship game less than a year ago. Both coaches are quickly becoming sought-after names for future coaching positions, reflecting their success in leading their teams this season.
Testing Times for No. 1 Seeds Auburn and Houston
Auburn and Houston both enjoyed convincing first-round victories, but this weekend will present a major challenge. Auburn is scheduled to face No. 9 seed Creighton, while Houston will combat No. 8 seed Gonzaga, who looked formidable in their first-round matches.
With Houston boasting a perfect record in the second round under coach Sampson, and Gonzaga making nine consecutive Sweet 16 appearances with Few at the helm, the competition is fierce. Auburn, however, hasn’t advanced past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2019, searching for a breakthrough to match their historic run to the Final Four that year.
This Saturday promises thrilling matchups and intriguing storylines as teams vie for a place in the Sweet 16. Be sure to check out the complete TV and streaming schedule for the second-round games.
