Seed Saint Louis Billikens Face Seed Michigan Wolverines in NCAA Tournament Second Round

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — A clash of titans is set for Saturday at KeyBank Center as the seed Michigan Wolverines (32-3) take on the seed Saint Louis Billikens (29-5) in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

Michigan, the tournament’s top overall seed, enters as a heavy favorite, installed by oddsmakers as 12.5-point favorites with an over/under of 161.5. The Wolverines boast one of the nation’s most formidable resumes, their only losses coming to then-Duke, then-Purdue and Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

The Wolverines are powered by forward Morez Johnson, who is averaging 17.2 points and 7.1 rebounds over his last seven games. He scored 21 points in just 25 minutes during Thursday’s 101-80 first-round rout of Howard. Center Aday Mara added 19 points, six assists and three blocks in that win, showcasing the team’s interior dominance.

Saint Louis, the Atlantic 10 champion, advanced with an emphatic 102-77 victory over Georgia. The Billikens’ high-powered offense, which has scored 88 or more points in four of their last six wins, will face its toughest test against Michigan’s stout defense.

Guard Dion Brown has been a catalyst for Saint Louis, scoring in double figures in six of his last seven outings, including an 18-point, four-assist performance against Georgia. Forward Robbie Avila provides a versatile inside-out threat, posting 12 points, five assists and two blocks in the first round.

Recent history shows vulnerability for both. Saint Louis suffered a stunning 86-57 loss at George Mason on March 7, while Michigan was handled 80-72 by Purdue just last Sunday. The Billikens will need to replicate their efficient, high-scoring form to challenge a Wolverines squad that has not lost consecutive games all season.

The winner will advance to the Sweet 16 next week in Los Angeles. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 7:45 p.m. EDT, with television coverage on CBS.