First Round Sets Up Wild Weekend In East Region

Fairleigh Dickinson's upset win signals more chaos to come as East Region unfolds. The Tennessee Volunteers have an interesting potential road ahead.

While it is certainly surprising that Purdue lost to Fairleigh Dickinson, Purdue playing badly should've surprised no one. The Boilermakers ran out of gas down the stretch in the regular season and got a little lucky with their Big Ten Tournament draw. Now with a 16 seed into the second round, we could be set up for a wild weekend to determine who heads to New York.

Duke and Tennessee in Orlando will be the only East Region game played on Saturday. The Blue Devils, who were figuring out their identity and getting healthy early in the season, ride a 10-game win streak into the second round. With the way Tennessee has played down the stretch, it wouldn't surprise many people if Duke (the lower seed in this game) moved on to the Sweet 16.

Facing the winner of Duke-Tennessee in the top half of the bracket will be Florida Atlantic and Fairleigh Dickinson. The Knights shocked the world by being the second 16 seed ever to beat a 1. Now, Tobin Anderson's squad will have a chance to be the first 16 seed ever to get to the second weekend. Unfortunately, while the Knights might battle, FAU is a very good team that was under-seeded.

Saint Peter's and Oral Roberts last year were both 15 seeds that advanced to the second weekend, but unlike those two teams, FAU is much better than the Murray State and Florida teams that the 15 seeds got to play. FAU will likely get a chance to play at Madison Square Garden in what has been a dream season for them.

The bottom half of the region is where things could get wild. Let's start with the second game on the slate Sunday between Kansas State and Kentucky. Jerome Tang's team has had an incredible year in the Big 12. I've often referred to them as the Island of Misfit toys, as Tang took a handful of players that were wanted by few and turned them into a competitive Big 12 team.

However, Kentucky has a ton of talent, and there is a reason this line is so close. The Wildcats have put it together in spurts this season, especially in the second half of the season. Antonio Reeves has been fantastic on the perimeter, and the matchup of Cason Wallace vs. Markquis Nowell will be fascinating. I'll also be interested to see how Jacob Toppin can defend Keyontae Johnson. Don't be surprised to see a seed line upset here.

Cason Wallace, Kentucky G

Lastly, Mr. March, as many call him, will have another chance this year in the underdog role. Tom Izzo and Michigan State will take on the Big East Regular Season Champs in Marquette. The dangerous guards of the Spartans taking on Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones is must-see television.

Michigan State comes into this game as a one-possession underdog, and rightfully so. Despite the poor showing in the Big Ten Tournament, the Spartans are a dangerous team that can beat you in transition and the half-court. Shaka Smart will have his hands full this game planning for Tom Izzo's team, who always seems to be prepared.

Michigan State nearly upset Duke last year in the second round last season, but Paolo Banchero and his teammates overwhelmed Sparty with their talent. In a close game late, Michigan State has two guys in Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard that can make plays, and Marquette doesn't have quite the same amount of talent as last year's Duke squad.

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