Kevin Willard and the Maryland Terrapins play top-seeded Alabama Saturday at 9:40 p.m. ET in Birmingham, Alabama. The Crimson Tide, perhaps the best team in the country, look to avoid an upset from the No. 8 seed in the South region.

About 2 hours prior to Alabama’s battle against Maryland, Auburn tips off against Houston in the same arena. Auburn fans essentially have a home game against the beat up Cougars. Because they won’t be doing anything else, Willard is urging Auburn fans to “stick around” and cheer against the Crimson Tide when his Terps take the court.

The enemies of Willard’s enemy are his friends?

“Yeah, stick around. Should be a good game. And it’s 9:40 at night. What else is there to do in Birmingham?  It’s like come watch a great game and chill out,” Willard said. “I think the NCAA sells beer now. I’m not sure. Do they? Yeah, it’s a great place to be. It’s going to be a good game. They’ve got a great game. Why not?”

Is Houston on upset alert?

20% of all brackets submitted to ESPN’s bracket challenge had the Houston Cougars cutting down the nets in April. However, injury problems are starting to mount for Kelvin Sampson’s squad. The Cougars downed Northern Kentucky last night, but may be without Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead at 100% against the Tigers on Saturday.

And Willard better be hoping for an upset prior to Maryland’s battle against the Tide. Tigers fans are unlikely to stick around in a losing effort, but they may be willing to double down and hope for a loss to a rival.