Joshua Doering:
Virginia vs. Auburn: Bruce Pearl’s team is playing terrific basketball right now, which means the Tigers are finding ways to score other than the 3-point line. North Carolina and Kentucky allowed them to play at their preferred pace — fast and fearless. That’s not happening against Virginia. The Cavaliers have been the most consistent team in the country all season long and are much better offensively than previous Virginia teams. They control tempo and get a comfortable 10-point win.
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech: This is the first Michigan State team in years that truly embodies what Tom Izzo wants his program to look like: rebounding, mental toughness and a strong interior presence.