Friday's March Madness features key matchups and predictions

The NCAA Tournament continues with exciting first-round games on Friday. After Thursday's results, many fans may feel their brackets are already in trouble. However, there is still time to salvage your chances with new games ahead. Duke and Florida, two number one seeds, will be in action. North Carolina, after a controversial entry into the tournament, hopes to make a strong performance. The matches will start in the afternoon and run late into the night, featuring several intriguing matchups. At 1:30 p.m., Iowa State faces Lipscomb. Iowa State struggled recently without star player Keshon Gilbert, but their defense is expected to be disruptive. With the potential return of Tamin Lipsey, they may cover the 14.5 point spread. North Carolina plays Ole Miss at 4:05 p.m. The Tar Heels are on a hot streak after a recent win. Ole Miss has good defensive stats, but is not particularly strong on rebounds. North Carolina’s perimeter shooting could give them the edge to win by 1.5 points. Marquette will play New Mexico at 7:25 p.m. Marquette has struggled lately, while New Mexico has strong defensive skills. The outcome may hinge on which team can best manage their star guard matchup. New Mexico is predicted to cover with a +3.5 spread. UConn meets Oklahoma at 9:25 p.m. UConn's defense has not been as strong this year, which might give Oklahoma chances to score. The Huskies are expected to adjust and possibly have a higher-scoring game, so betting on over 147.5 points seems reasonable. Finally, at 10:10 p.m., Oregon takes on Liberty. Oregon's experience in postseason play could give them an advantage, especially since they are playing closer to home. They are favored to win by 7.5 points. Fans are encouraged to get tips for their brackets and follow the action closely as the tournament unfolds.