Matchup capsule previews for Thursday's NCAA Tournament regional semifinal games. All times EDT, with seedings indicated.
WEST
No. 3 CONNECTICUT (28-9) vs. No. 2 SAN DIEGO STATE (34-2), 7:15 p.m., CBS.
Coaches: Jim Calhoun (603-230 in 25th season at UConn) and Steve Fisher (227-151 in 12th year at San Diego State).
How they got here: UConn beat No. 14 Bucknell, 81-52, and No. 6 Cincinnati, 69-58. San Diego State beat No. 15 Northern Colorado, 68-50, and No. 7 Temple, 71-64, in double overtime.
Connecticut starters: G Kemba Walker (23.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.5 apg), G Jeremy Lamb (10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), F Roscoe Smith (6.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg), F Tyler Olander, C Alex Oriakhi (9.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.6 blocks).
San Diego starters: F Kawhi Leonard (15.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg), F Billy White (10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), F Malcolm Thomas (11.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg), G Chase Tapley (8.7 ppg), G D.J. Gay (11 ppg, 3.2 apg).
Series history: First meeting.
Stat that matters: Since 1998, Huskies are 6-1 in Sweet 16 games while Aztecs have never played in a regional semifinal.
Outlook: This comes down to whether Aztecs can slow down one-man gang Walker (25.8 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg in Huskies' seven-game winning streak), arguably the best player left in the tournament. If SDSU can, its superior front line will likely wear down Huskies.
No. 1 DUKE (32-4) vs. No. 5 ARIZONA (29-7), 9:45 p.m., CBS.
Coaches: Mike Krzyzewski (900-283 in 31st year at Duke) and Sean Miller (45-22 in second year at Arizona).
How they got here: Duke beat No. 16 Hampton, 87-45, and No. 8 Michigan, 73-71. Arizona beat No. 12 Memphis, 77-75, and No. 4 Texas, 70-69.
Duke starters: F Kyle Singler (16.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg), F Mason Plumlee (7.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg), G Nolan Smith (21 ppg, 5.2 apg, 4.5 rpg), G Seth Curry (9.2 ppg, 43.8 percent on 3-pointers), F Mason Plumlee (4.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg).
Arizona starters: F Derrick Williams (19.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg), F Solomon Hill (8 ppg, 4.6 rpg), F Jesse Perry (6.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G Lamont Jones (9.5 ppg, 2.1 apg), G Kyle Fogg (8.1 ppg).
Series history: Duke leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Duke won, 82-72, in the 2001 NCAA Championship Game.
Stat that matters: Since Feb. 11, 2009, Blue Devils have won 35 straight games when scoring 80 points while Wildcats are 3-3 when giving up 80 points or more this season.
Outlook: Blue Devils barely survived Michigan, nearly blowing 12-point lead in final six minutes. But return of talented G Kyrie Irving after missing most of season with toe injury helps high-paced attack. The 6-8, 241-pound Williams will be a load inside for Devils, who can't afford foul trouble to Singler.
SOUTHEAST
No. 3 BYU (32-4) vs. No. 2 FLORIDA (28-7), 7:15 p.m., TBS.
Coaches: Dave Rose (159-44 in sixth year at BYU) and Billy Donovan (359-146 in 15th year at Florida)
How they got here: BYU beat No. 14 Wofford, 74-66, and No. 11 Gonzaga, 89-67. Florida beat No. 15 Cal-Santa Barbara, 79-51, and No. 7 UCLA, 73-65.
BYU starters: G Jimmer Fredette (leads nation at 28.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 40.6 percent on 3-pointers), F Noah Hartsock (8.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), F Charles Abouo (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G-F Jackson Emery (12.6 ppg), G Kyle Collinsworth (5.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
Florida starters: F Chandler Parsons (11.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg), F Alex Tyus (8.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), C Vernon Macklin (11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 58.1 FG percent), G Erving Walker (14.7 ppg, 3.2 apg, 75 3-pointers made), G Kenny Boynton (14 ppg, 2.6 apg).
Series history: BYU leads, 3-0.
Last meeting: BYU won, 99-92, in double overtime, in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament.
Stat that matters: Under Donovan, Gators are 24-8 in NCAA play while Cougars are 3-4 in NCAAs under Rose, having made Sweet 16 for first time.
Outlook: Fredette rung up 37 on Gators in last year's NCAA win. If he does that again, Cougars likely advance. Gators must also hope Boynton can play despite sore ankle.
No. 8 BUTLER (25-9) vs. No. 4 WISCONSIN (25-8), 9:45 p.m., TBS.
Coaches: Brad Stevens (114-24 in fourth year at Butler) and Bo Ryan (242-90 in 10th year at Wisconsin).
How they got here: Butler beat No. 9 Old Dominion, 60-58, and No. 1 Pitt, 71-70. Wisconsin beat No. 13 Belmont, 72-58, and No. 5 Kansas State, 70-65.
Butler starters: F Matt Howard (16.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg), C Andrew Smith (8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Shelvin Mack (15.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 203 career 3-pointers), Shawn Vanzant (8.1 ppg), G Chase Stigall.
Wisconsin starters: F Jon Leuer (18.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg), F Keaton Nankivil (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), F Jordan Taylor (18 ppg, 4.1 apg), G Josh Gasser (5.9 ppg), G-F Tim Jarmusz.
Series history: First meeting.
Stat that matters: Since start of last season, Bulldogs are 7-2 in NCAA play while Badgers are 16-12 in NCAAs while making tournament the 13th straight year (sixth-longest streak in nation).
Outlook: With neither team having cracked 80 points since early February, this one doesn't figure to be pretty. Somehow, Bulldogs have made all the plays in final seconds, so close game figures to favor Butler.
Comments