This is the first game today in Round of 64 action, telecast on CBS at 12:15 PM ET/9:15 AM PT (click here for the full schedule). Here's our brief look at each team.
Ken Pomeroy says...21st best offense, best defense in the country. Middle tempo. Best field goal defense, good at locking teams from outside and inside. Great ball-handling team, great rebounding team, good at getting to the foul line and forcing other teams to take jumpers.
Texas's biggest weakness is they're a bad free throw shooting team, which could do them in a close game. They also don't force turnovers, although their halfcourt defense is so good, it rarely matters.
#13 Oakland, Mich. Golden Grizzlies
Ken Pomeroy says...15th best offense, 200th best defense in the country. Fast-paced tempo. Great shooting team, particularly inside. Good at blocking shots and not getting shots blocked.
Oakland's biggest weakness is they're a bad shooting defense. Their three point defense is among the worst in the country. They force barely any turnovers.
Prediction: Texas. Oakland probably will be able to go shot for shot and challenge the Longhorn defense as well as anyone, but getting stops (ANY stops) could be a challenge, and that should be the difference down the stretch. (Of course, this is Rick Barnes, so I wouldn't blame you if you hesitated, but this is probably a game even he can't mess up.)