The final games of Saturday night feature an old Big XII conference matchup in Colorado’s first season in the Pac-12, followed by a matchup between two stars of the 1987 NCAA Final Four, coach Rick Pitino and former Indiana guard and current New Mexico head coach Steve Alford.

#3 Baylor vs. #11 Colorado, 8:40 in Albuquerque (TNT). The old Big XII matchup features the Baylor Bears against the Colorado Buffaloes for a trip to the Sweet 16. Colorado would love to frustrate the Bears, get back, and not allow easy points. Baylor has athletic ability but can be unfocused. They do not play great defense considering their length in the zone, and Colorado, a team that normally does not crash the glass, may find they need to do that here.

The Line: Baylor by 8. The Pick: Colorado has played well through the Pac-12 tournament and jumped on UNLV, so I’m not willing to lay points on the Bears. Colorado -8.

#4 Louisville vs. #5 New Mexico in Portland (TBS). A terrific matchup between Drew Gordon and Gorgui Dieng. Expect defensive intensity, and whichever team can knock down outside shots against defensive pressure will win.

The Line: Louisville by 1. The Pick: It’s a tossup, but I like the Lobos’ outside shooters playing off Gordon. New Mexico +1.

[US Presswire]