‘Can’t-miss’ men’s NCAA Tournament games on Thursday and Friday: truTV FTW?

The NCAA Tournament’s 32-game feast across Thursday and Friday is one of the most highly anticipated TV stretches of the sports year. With so many games to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to prioritize. Here are the “can’t-miss” matchups to watch, according to predictions from The Athletic’s Brendan Marks, C.J. Moore, and Lindsay Schnell.

THURSDAY

The Best Game
(6) Missouri at (11) Drake
7:35 p.m. ET, truTV

The best game of the first round features Missouri taking on Drake, a matchup that promises to be a fascinating clash of styles. Missouri thrives on a fast-paced game, while Drake prefers to slow things down. With Drake being labeled as the "Team Nobody Wants To Play," this game is a must-watch for any basketball fan.

CJ Moore believes that Drake will be a trendy upset pick, citing their success against high-major teams and the coaching prowess of Ben McCollum. Missouri will have their hands full with Drake’s control of tempo and standout guard Bennett Stirtz.

Blow Off Work For…
(4) Purdue vs. (13) High Point
12:40 p.m. ET, truTV

High Point may not be a household name, but they have the potential to pull off an upset against Purdue. With Purdue struggling defensively in recent games, High Point’s high-octane offense could cause problems for the Boilermakers.

Brendan Marks sees High Point as the easiest upset pick in the region, thanks to their offensive firepower and ability to match up well with Purdue.

Amazing Back-to-Back-to-Back
(5) Clemson vs. (12) McNeese
3:15 p.m. ET, truTV

(6) BYU vs. (11) VCU
4:05 p.m. ET, TNT

(8) Gonzaga vs. (9) Georgia
4:35 p.m. ET, TBS

The late-afternoon window on Thursday offers a trio of exciting matchups. Clemson faces a tough challenge against McNeese, BYU takes on VCU in a clash of styles, and Gonzaga aims to prove they deserved a higher seed against Georgia.

Worth Staying Up Late
(5) Michigan vs. (12) UC San Diego
10 p.m. ET, TBS

Michigan takes on UC San Diego in a matchup that could see an underdog come out on top. With UC San Diego boasting a strong defensive turnover rate and Michigan’s size advantage, this game has all the makings of a classic "12-5" matchup.

CJ Moore highlights the intriguing matchup between Michigan’s turnover issues and UC San Diego’s defensive prowess.

FRIDAY

The Best Game
(4) Maryland vs. (13) Grand Canyon
4:35 p.m. ET, TBS

Lindsay Schnell picks Grand Canyon as the team to watch in this matchup against Maryland. With a history of upsets and consistent success, Grand Canyon could make waves in this year’s tournament.

Blow Off Work For…
(5) Memphis vs. (12) Colorado State
2 p.m. ET, TBS

Colorado State, winners of 10 in a row, face off against Memphis in a matchup that could go either way. With strong performances from key players on both teams, this game promises to be a thrilling contest.

Then Stick Around For…
(7) Saint Mary’s vs. (10) Vanderbilt
3:15 p.m. ET, truTV

Lindsay Schnell predicts Saint Mary’s to upset Vanderbilt in the first round, showcasing their toughness and veteran leadership. Look out for crafty point guard Augustas Marciulionis leading the way for Saint Mary’s.

Worth Staying Up Late
(5) Oregon vs. (12) Liberty
10:10 p.m. ET, truTV

CJ Moore tips Liberty to potentially upset Oregon in this late-night matchup. With Liberty’s ability to control the pace and shoot the three-ball well, they could pose a challenge to Oregon’s fast-paced style.

Don’t miss out on the action-packed NCAA Tournament games on Thursday and Friday, with plenty of exciting matchups to keep you entertained. Make sure to tune in and enjoy the madness of March!