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One of the days of the first weekend of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament happening on St. Patrick’s Day, with St. Patrick’s Day itself being a Friday, is about as good as it gets for someone who just wants to drink all day. If you’re reading this, that’s probably not you, but maybe it used to be you when you were younger. It’s OK, I won’t tell anyone.
For another day, there will be basketball for pretty much twelve straight hours, if that’s how you want to spend your day. Probably more people are wearing green today. Some number of them may even have an Irish ancestor.
This being a baseball blog, there’s also our primary function to consider. The Orioles will actually be on television at 1pm today, but only a Pittsburgh broadcast, so you’ll need to either be in that territory or watching through MLB.tv in order to see it. Whether you want to see this lineup is something you have to decide for yourself:
- Chris Dickerson - RF
- Johnny Giavotella - 2B
- Hyun Soo Kim - DH
- Trey Mancini - 1B
- Chance Sisco - C
- Chris Johnson - 3B
- Logan Schafer - CF
- Paul Janish - SS
- Aneury Tavarez - LF
Pitching for the Orioles is Gabriel Ynoa.
The real action today, if the word action can be applied to it, happened in a morning “B game” where the normal rules of baseball don’t apply. J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis were both designated hitters, giving them a chance to get a few at-bats since they missed time with injury. Pedro Alvarez got a little time in the outfield.
Later on, at 10pm, the USA team will take on Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. The winner of that game will likely be headed to the semifinals. We’ll find out if the US is up to snuff against a PR team that already upset the Dominican Republic in this round.
And then, there is basketball. So much basketball. Did day one already bust up your brackets. Still hanging in there? Who are your upset picks and hopes for today?
First set of games
No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 10 Oklahoma State: 12:15pm, CBS
No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 14 New Mexico State: 12:40pm, truTV
No. 8 Arkansas vs. No. 9 Seton Hall: 1:30pm, TNT
No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 14 Iona: 2pm, TBS
Second set of games
No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 15 Jacksonville State: 2:45pm, CBS
No. 6 SMU vs. No. 11 USC: 3:10 pm, truTV
No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 16 Texas Southern: 4 pm, TNT
No. 6 Creighton vs. No. 11 Rhode Island: 4:30pm, TBS
Eat dinner and then watch these games
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 UC Davis: 6:50pm, TNT
No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 10 Wichita State: 7:10pm, CBS
No. 2 Duke vs. No. 15 Troy: 7:20pm, TBS
No. 6 Cincinnati vs. No. 11 Kansas State: 7:27pm, truTV
After these, you’re done until tomorrow
No. 8 Miami vs. No. 9 Michigan State: 9:20 pm, TNT
No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 15 Northern Kentucky: 9:40pm, CBS
No. 7 South Carolina vs. No. 10 Marquette: 9:50pm, TBS
No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 14 Kent State: 9:57pm, truTV