Maybe we should have seen this one coming. Chris Beard's stock has been rising as fast as any other coach in America, and he had the Red Raiders in the Elite Eight last year. Jarrett Culver is the star everyone in Lubbock, Texas, hoped he'd be. They play defense like madmen. Maybe this shouldn't be such a surprise after all. Now if they beat Michigan State and cut down our U.S. Bank Stadium nets … that would be a surprise ending.

Who to watch

Jarrett Culver has some star power to him. Jim Souhan covered him and the Red Raiders last weekend, and a profile in Saturday's Star Tribune will tell you more about this future NBA lottery pick.