How to enjoy the Sweet 16 without ruining your life
The March Madness field has been winnowed by 75 percent. The Sweet 16 is here.
Arguably the NCAA Tournament's greatest round -- thanks to its equilibrium of quantity and quality -- the Sweet 16 features eight games spread across Thursday and Friday. The winners advance to play Saturday and Sunday. By Monday morning, we'll know the field for the 2016 Final Four.
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But you might be in a tough spot. Maybe you played your Watch-Hoops-All-Day card with your significant other last weekend. Maybe your boss is suspicious about lagging output this month. Maybe each March, friends question why they even bother making the effort with your flaky ass.
Fear not; that's where we come in. Below, find mini-previews of all eight Sweet 16 games, along with game time and broadcast info.
But we're not done there -- to help you map your viewing masterplan, all eight Sweet 16 games are also ranked from worst to best. And we've even provided a "What's it worth?" section, for balancing the irresistible appeal of March Madness with -- um, "life," or whatever all that other stuff is called.
8. Gonzaga vs. Syracuse
The drama: Two of America's more prestigious basketball programs in recent years meet as underdogs here. Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis make Gonzaga tough to handle in the paint, but gone is last year's stellar guard play. Many thought Syracuse didn't deserve to be in the tournament this season, yet here they are in the Sweet 16. The big question for the 'Cuse: Who can handle Sabonis?
What's it worth? Meh. If you can watch, then by all means do. But this one's not worth spending any relationship or workplace capital on -- simply following along online should be fine.
7. Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin
The details: Notre Dame is the 6-seed in the East Region. Wisconsin is the 7-seed. They play Friday at 7:27 p.m. EST on TBS.
The drama: Bronson Koenig hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to put the Badgers in the Sweet 16. Now they meet Notre Dame, which barely survived against Stephen F. Austin in the round-of-32. Koenig and Irish point guard Demetrius Jackson make their respective squads go. But each team lost much firepower to the NBA following last season, and which leader gets more support should determine the outcome of this game.
What's it worth? If you have social plans with civilians who don't organize their lives around March Madness, attempt to subtly steer the group to a place with a TV. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
6. Iowa State vs. Virginia
The details: Iowa State is the 4-seed in the Midwest Region. Virginia is the 1-seed. They play Friday at 7:10 p.m. EST on CBS.
The drama: It feels like forward Georges Niang has been playing for Iowa State since forever. The senior star is sure to give Virginia all it can handle in what could be his final tourney game. But the Cavaliers, led by guard Malcolm Brogdon, are a veteran team that's not afraid to bang and bruise its way to a win. Virginia point guard London Perrantes is also a pleasure to watch.
What's it worth? Good background noise while you finish up at work (West Coasters) or get dinner going (East Coasters). This one is a good chance to prove to others that YES, YOU ARE IN CONTROL and can have a game on in the background while going about your daily life. It's not worth your reputation, though -- unlike the games at the end of this list, which we'll get to soon.
5. Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma
The details: Texas A&M is the 3-seed in the West Region. Oklahoma is the 2-seed. They play Thursday at 7:37 p.m. on TBS.
The drama: Sooners guard Buddy Hield is a scoring machine and the nation's most exciting player. He carries the Sooners, who spent some time this year ranked number-one in the country. Texas A&M doesn't feature a star of Hield's caliber -- but a miracle comeback against Northern Iowa last weekend proves you can't bet against the Aggies.
What's it worth? Not the best Sweet 16 matchup, but Hield can turn in a classic performance at any time. Go about your business as usual, but check your phone often and keep a big-screen TV within sprinting distance.
4. Miami vs. Villanova
The details: Miami is the 3-seed in the South Region. Villanova is the 2-seed. They play Thursday at 7:10 p.m. EST on CBS.
The drama: Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan give Miami an explosive backcourt. Villanova counters with guards Josh Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono. Watching the two backcourts go at it should be a highlight, as Miami looks to push the tempo and Villanova seeks to dictate a more controlled pace of play.
What's it worth? Put up a small fight about wanting to watch this game with your significant other. Feign momentary bitterness upon defeat. But inside, you're smiling. Why? You've just gathered yourself primo debate capital to spend on these next three doozies.
3. Maryland vs. Kansas
The details: Maryland is the 5-seed in the South Region. Kansas is the 1-seed. They play Thursday at 9:40 p.m. EST on CBS.
The drama: Maryland was pegged by many as the nation's top team before the season. Kansas has since assumed that mantle, but Maryland still has the talent to make good on its considerable pre-season hype. Melo Trimble and Diamond Stone star for the Terps, while Perry Ellis and Wayne Seldon Jr. lead the Jayhawks.
What's it worth? Your real friends will understand your need to watch this game. As for the objectors, why do you even call them friends?
2. Duke vs. Oregon
The details: Duke is the 4-seed in the West Region. Oregon is the 1-seed. They play Thursday at 9:55 p.m. EST on TBS.
The drama: Duke finds itself in an unfamiliar underdog position against an Oregon team looking to reach its first Final Four since 1939. Grayson Allen and Brandon Ingram are future first-round picks who carry the Blue Devils. Pac-12 champ Oregon features a more balanced attack, with Dillon Brooks and Elgin Cook honored as all-conference performers this season. (Meanwhile, before you ask, here are answers to your burning Duke questions.)
What's it worth? Your marriage and relationships with first-degree relatives are probably too high a price to watch this matchup. Probably. All else is fair game.
1. Indiana vs. North Carolina
The details: Indiana is the 4-seed in the East Region. North Carolina is the 1-seed. They play Friday at 9:57 p.m. EST on TBS.
The drama: Two programs that are college basketball royalty -- but someone's going home early. Two elite college point guards, in Indiana's Yogi Ferrell and Carolina's Marcus Paige. Two fearsome big men, in Indiana's Thomas Bryant and Carolina's Brice Johnson. We could go on, but we'll stop there. What's not to love?
What's it worth? Appointment viewing, this. Fake an illness if you must. If you get dumped, so be it. If you get banished from the circle of trust, so be it. This is March.
Sam Laird is Mashable's Senior Sports Reporter. He covers the wide, weird world of sports from all angles -- as well as occasional other topics -- from Mashable's San Francisco bureau. Before joining Mashable in November 2011, his freelance work appeared in publications including the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Slam, and East Bay Express. Sam is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz, and basketball and burritos take up most of his spare time. Follow him on Twitter @samcmlaird.
