The pattern will continue, with the second-seeded team playing the seventh, the third playing the sixth and the fourth playing the fifth.

The second-seeded Soviet team is considered certain to gain the medal round.

But Grady, the second-seeded team, cut the lead to 41-32 at halftime.

The form sheet also held up for the four second-seeded teams.

Now, North Carolina will try to avoid being just the fourth second-seeded team to lose a first-round game.

But that is not to say that advancing was an easy task for the first- and second-seeded teams.

The Pirates have already left their mark in this tournament by eliminating Virginia, the second-seeded team.

Iowa, the the second-seeded team in the West, goes nine deep, and with talented players.

The second-seeded team gets a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Villanova, the second-seeded team in the tournament, struggled against a big, physical and inspired Pittsburgh team.