The Huskies are probably playing their best ball of the season, having won four games in a row. That includes Friday’s 68-65 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Georgia. Star guard Isaiah Thomas scored 19 points and helped break up a long pass in the final seconds that could have led to a tying 3-pointer. It was UW’s fifth straight win in an NCAA Tournament opener. The Huskies' bench outscored the Bulldogs' bench 28-0. Thomas reached double figures for the 91st time in 104 career games for Washington, which entered with the nation's third-highest scoring offense but was held 15 points below its average of 83.5. The Huskies forced 15 turnovers and only committed five. They scored 17 points from Georgia's turnovers and had 15 fast break points. No team has had to travel further for the opening round than Washington.

North Carolina had little trouble in its first game. Tyler Zeller scored 32 points, John Henson added 28 points and six blocks and Harrison Barnes had 24 points and 16 rebounds as North Carolina used its huge size advantage to beat Long Island 102-87. The trio combined to hit 22 of 29 free throws. Henson, who was hitting 47 percent of his foul shots, went 8-for-10. But UNC also shot just 3-for-17 from the 3-point line and committed 18 turnovers, two things it likely can’t do and still beat Washington.

Madness would not be betting on the NCAA Tournament at Bodog!