Pick 16: Friday's first round

Clemson can't help being Clemson. Of all people, the guy who covers the ACC should know this. The Tigers were one of three losses in Thursday's anticipated but not all the exciting first day of the NCAA Tournament.

Best reader e-mail of the day (from Barlow in Raleigh): 

Isn’t there some way the ACC can substitute another team whenever Clemson gets a bid?"

Western Kentucky, the 12 seed in the South, qualified as an upset over Illinois but the Illini was missing one of its best players. Hopefully, North Dakota State and Portland State can deliver some drama today.

The Perfect Bracket (patent pending) died an early death with BYU's annual first-round loss to Texas A&M. New rule — never pick BYU against Texas A&M.

On with the games:

Note: All games are on CBS (Time Warner Cable carries all the games on 1051, 1052, 1053 and 1054.)

MIAMI

Stephen F. Austin (14) vs. Syracuse (3)
Time: 12:15
Regional: South

The Lumberjacks make their NCAA debut after winning the Southland Conference. They defend the 3-pointer well but that's not going to be enough against Syracuse and super point guard Johnny Flynn. The Cuse got 86'd in '05 after a surprise Big East tournament run. History will not repeat itself. Pick: Cuse

Temple (11) vs. Arizona State (6)
Time: 2:45
Regional: South

Regardless of your opinion of former N.C. State coach Herb Sendek, the guy doesn't lose many in the first round of tournaments, NCAA or otherwise. Sendek went 5-1 with Miami (Ohio) and N.C. State in the first round (the only loss came in OT at the buzzer) of the NCAA Tournament.

Plus, there's a reason Sendek hired James Harden's high school coach at ASU. Harden's a lottery pick. Pick: Herb

Arizona (12) vs. Utah (5)
Time: 7:10
Regional: Midwest

In general, the "last team in" proves why it was chosen. Arizona should fit the bill with forward Jordan Hill and Chase Buddinger, a pair of future NBAers.

This is one for computer geeks to watch — Utah finished No. 9 in the RPI, compared to 62 for Zona. Of course, the smart humans (re: Vegas) opened Zona as a 1-point favorite. Pick: Arizona.

Cleveland State (13) vs. Wake Forest (4)
Time: 9:40
Regional: Midwest

You're only as good as your last game. Team's like Wake, who lose in their conference tournament opener, usually are eager to prove they are better than their last game. Then there's Jeff Teague, who's good enough to win a game by himself. Pick: Wake Forest

BOISE

Utah State (11) vs. Marquette (6)
Time: 12:30
Regional: West

Marquette was on pace for a No. 3 seed and a deep tournament run before Dominic James broke his left foot on Feb. 25. The Eagles are 1-4 since James' injury with only a win over St. John's.

The Aggies won 30 games, only Memphis won more during the season, and should be relatively eager to prove they're not a fluke. Pick: Utah State.

Cornell (14) vs. Missouri (3)
Time: 3
Regional: West

I like teams that make return trips to the NCAA Tournament (Cornell) and ones that can shoot the 3 (Cornell) but this is a classic mismatch in style and quickness.

The Big 12 champs should run the slower Big Red out of the building. Pick: Missouri.

Portland State (13) vs. Xavier (4)
Time: 7:25
Regional: East

My view of Xavier is completely skewed because I've only seen the X-men play once — a dreadful performance against Duke in New Jersey.

I know Xavier recovered from the Duke loss but I don't like the fact that it has three new starters from last year's Final Eight team. The Vikings don't have a dominant scorer but they have been tested this season — beating Gonzaga and losing by one point at Washington — and I like the location for an upset. Pick: Portland State

Wisconsin (12) vs. Florida State (5)
Time: 9:55
Regional: East

If you like defense, here you go. FSU has way too much talent to lose to a mediocre Big Ten team, even a well-coached one.  Pick: Florida State

MINNEAPOLIS

North Dakota State (13) vs. Kansas (4)
Time: 12:30
Regional: Midwest

Expecting fireworks from an old-school pod (all eight teams from the bottom half of the Midwest bracket) and a true neutral site (although Michigan State will have its share of fans).

Last year, Tampa was the only true neutral site and a couple of double-digit seeds (12. Western Kentucky and 12. Villanova)  advanced to the Sweet 16. History will repeat itself.

Kansas is a completely different team than the one that won the title, despite its success in the Big 12, and North Dakota State has a group of fifth-year seniors who redshirted for the specific purpose of playing in this tournament.  Pick: North Dakota State

Dayton (11) vs. West Virginia (6)
Time: 3
Regional: Midwest

I should follow my own rule and "Pick a team you hate" because I don't like Bob Huggins (no issues with WVU other than hiring Huggins) but the Neers are missing point guard Joe Mazzulla, who helped them (with '08 lottery pick Joe Alexander) to the Sweet 16 last year.

Dayton's Chris Wright is the best player you've never heard of. Pick: Dayton

USC (10) vs. Boston College (7)
Time: 7:20
Regional: Midwest

Al Skinner does a better job coaching offense than everyone in the ACC not named Mike Krzyzewski or Roy Williams. Because of that edge, BC wins more conference games than its talent indicates.

USC coach Tim Floyd, despite his NBA record, is one of the best tactician's in the game. He'll figure out a way to zone up what is essentially a one-man team.  Pick: USC.

Robert Morris (15) vs. Michigan State (2)
Time: 9:55
Regional: Midwest

Closer to Morgan State-Oklahoma than CS-Northridge-Memphis on the 15-2 scale.  Pick: Michigan State.

DAYTON

Tennessee (9) vs. Oklahoma State (8)
Time: 12:25
Regional: East

Classic 8-9 coin toss. The quarter landed on "heads" for Ok State. Pick: Oklahoma State.

East Tennessee State (16) vs. Pitt (1)
Time: 2:55
Regional: East

Just a guess, but the Bucs are the best 16 seed. They only lose by 22. Pick: Pitt.

Morehead State (16) vs. Louisville (1)
Time: 7:10
Regional: Midwest

Next. Pick: Louisville

Siena (9) vs. Ohio State (8)
Time: 9:40
Regional: Midwest

No idea what Ohio State did to earn a home game as an 8 seed but the Buckeyes and Evan Turner will take advantage of it. Pick: Ohio State.

Thursday's record: 13-3