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The madness continues as the NCAA Football Tournament heads into the Round of 32, with two intriguing matchups on Saturday featuring #2 Tennessee vs. #7 UCLA and #12 McNeese vs. #4 Purdue.
Both games promise intense battles, with defensive grit and physical play likely determining who advances to the Sweet 16. Let’s break down what to expect in each showdown.
No. 7 seed UCLA and No. 2 seed Tennessee square off in a Midwest Region clash at 9:40 PM ET on truTV. The game is in Lexington, Kentucky and has all the makings of a defensive war.
UCLA enters this matchup after a dominant Round of 64 victory over Utah State, where the Bruins dismantled the Aggies’ zone defense with a balanced offensive effort. Six different players scored between 8 and 14 points, and the team collectively shot 10-for-24 from three-point range. The Bruins also benefited from Utah State’s poor shooting performance, as the Aggies managed just 4-of-31 from beyond the arc.
Tennessee, on the other hand, had a tougher-than-expected battle against No. 15 seed Wofford. Wofford was clicking from beyond the arc, but the Vols’ interior defense held strong, and sharpshooter Chaz Lanier rose to the occasion with 6 three-pointers. Aside from Lanier, however, Tennessee lacked scoring balance, with Zakai Zeigler being the only other Volunteer in double figures.
Defensively, this game features two elite units. Both teams rank in the top 15 in KenPom defensive efficiency, and both allow a high volume of three-point attempts, while Tennessee does an excellent job contesting them. Tennessee ranks fourth in the nation in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 28.2% from deep. UCLA, meanwhile, employs an aggressive turnover-oriented approach that can be exploited by teams that take care of and move the ball well.
Expect a physical, grind-it-out affair with sporadic scoring runs if either team gets hot from beyond the arc. Given UCLA’s propensity to give a bit from the three-point line, Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier should have opportunities to keep his shooting momentum going.
One of the tournament’s biggest surprises, No. 12 seed McNeese, takes on No. 4 seed Purdue in a Midwest Region matchup at 12:10 PM ET on CBS. The game is at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
McNeese enters this contest fresh off a thrilling 69-67 upset over No. 5 seed Clemson. The Cowboys imposed their will early, holding Clemson to just 13 points in the first half and leading by as much as 22 in the second half before surviving a late rally. Their physicality, rebounding dominance and defensive energy were key to their victory, as they secured 18 offensive boards and won the points-in-the-paint battle 44-24.
Purdue, meanwhile, defeated High Point in its opening-round game but failed to impress. The Boilermakers struggled to separate from their opponent, and their guard play raised some concerns. Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn carried the offensive load, but Smith was inefficient (6-for-19 shooting), and Fletcher Loyer was virtually invisible, scoring just one field goal in 34 minutes.
McNeese’s athleticism and aggressive defense pose a real challenge for Purdue. The Cowboys excel at forcing teams into tough perimeter shots and rank among the nation’s best in pushing opponents outside of the paint. Purdue’s biggest vulnerability is its interior defense, as the Boilermakers rank 348th nationally in two-point percentage defense. If McNeese can control the offensive glass and continue its inside dominance, it has a real shot at making this game competitive.
Purdue’s offense also relies heavily on Kaufman-Renn’s presence inside. If McNeese’s physical defense can frustrate him and force him into foul trouble, Purdue could struggle to find consistent scoring.
This game has all the makings of a defensive battle with a slower pace, as McNeese’s full-court pressure could force Purdue into lengthy possessions. Given the Cowboys’ ability to disrupt opposing offenses and control the rebounding battle, they should be able to keep this game close.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.