Session 3 – Sunday, March 19th, 2017 | Doors Open: 2:30pm | Tip-off 4:10pm
3 Oregon (30-5) vs 11 Rhode Island (25-9)
The high-profile team from Eugene enters the second round of the tournament off a double-digit win over Iona. Led by a veteran squad, including Dillon Brooks, they are one step closer to reaching their goal of improving their performance from a year ago, when the Ducks reached the Elite Eight.
Rhode Island provided Golden 1 Center with an upset victory on Friday, when they beat the sixth-seeded Creighton Blue Jays, 84-72. Ranked in the preseason top 25, the team is beginning to come into its own. With the 32nd best scoring defense in the nation this year, they will provide a stern test to Oregon’s high-powered offense.
3 UCLA (30-4) vs 6-Cincinnati (30-4) – 30 minutes after
In the second game of today’s doubleheader, fans at Golden 1 Center will be treated to a matchup between two 30-win teams. The game will be an interesting clash of styles. UCLA has the best offense in the country, while Cincinnati boasts one of college basketball’s premier defenses.
The Bruins had the highest scoring team in the nation, as well as being the best in the country for assists per game and field-goal percentage. The team was also 13th in the NCAA in 3-pointers made.
On the other hand, Cincinnati has made it this far because of their defense. This season, they ranked top five in the nation in scoring D. On the offensive end they will try to hold their own, as they are 41st in the country in assists per contest.
Where to watch: TBS for both games.
