North Carolina vs. Washington State
5:27 p.m. today; East Regional
No. 1 Tar Heels: 34-2, 14-2 in ACC
No. 4 Cougars: 26-8, 11-7 in Pac-10
Key matchup.
Washington State’s Aron Baynes vs. North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough. It’s 6-foot-10, 270 pounds of Australian might against the probable consensus national player of the year.
Up high.
No Cougar can stop Ty Lawson one on one, and Wayne Ellington is hitting 42 percent from 3-point range. Washington State must get back on defense but the Tar Heels must be wary of Derrick Low’s and Taylor Rochestie’s 3-point shooting.
Down low.
Kyle Weaver is the one Cougar front-line player who could play for UNC. At 6-foot-11, Robbie Cowgill gives the Cougars decent twin towers, but they’re not nearly as athletic as Deon Thompson, Marcus Ginyard and Hansbrough.
Quote.
“He throws his body around a lot down there, kind of like a thrashing croc in the paint.”
Aron Baynes, on UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough
The Post’s pick: Tar Heels
John Henderson, The Denver Post
Xavier vs. West Virginia
5:10 p.m. today; West Regional
No. 3 Musketeers: 29-6, 14-2 in Atlantic 10 No. 12 Mountaineers: 26-10, 11-7 in Big East
Key matchup.
WVa’s Joe Alexander vs. Xavier’s Josh Duncan. More often than not, these are the two players that have the biggest impact on their team’s success through scoring.
Up high.
Drew Lavender keeps the Xavier offense running smoothly. He’s a proven winner, but so is West Virginia point Darris Nichols, an underrated player. The Mountaineers’ Alex Ruoff is an opportunistic scorer no one talks about.
Down low.
Bob Huggins’ five-man motion offense allows almost anyone to be in the post or on the perimeter at any given time. At Xavier, Derrick Brown does much of the dirty work, averaging 6.7 rebounds this season.
Quote.
“We all recognize that getting here is one thing, but being able to stay here enters our team in a completely different category.”
Sean Miller, Xavier coach
The Post’s pick: Mountaineers
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
Tennessee vs. Louisville
7:57 p.m. today; East Regional
No. 2 Volunteers: 31-4, 14-2 in SEC
No. 3 Cardinals: 26-8, 14-4 in Big East
Key matchup.
Tennessee’s Wayne Chism vs. Louisville’s David Padgett. Padgett, 6-feet-11, has overcome knee problems to be a force. Chism has 12 blocks in his last five games.
Up high.
Louisville’s Andre McGee is an underrated point guard, and Tennessee switched to J.P. Prince at midseason. Vols leading scorer Chris Lofton is recovered from a sprained ankle.
Down low.
Louisville’s front line includes its top three scorers with Terrence Williams and Earl Clark also combining for 15.3 rebounds a game. Tennessee goes with a three-guard lineup, but 6-7 Tyler Smith and 6-9 Chism combine for 29.6 ppg.
Quote.
“You can drive some cars without a key, but that’s the key to everything on our team. I knew it was going to work.”
Louisville’s Terrence Williams, on David Padgett
The Post’s pick: Cardinals
John Henderson, The Denver Post
UCLA vs. Western Kentucky
7:40 p.m. today; West Regional
No. 1 Bruins: 33-3, 16-2 in Pac-10 No. 12 Hilltoppers: 29-6, 16-2 in Sun Belt
Key matchup.
UCLA’s Josh Shipp vs. Western Kentucky’s Courtney Lee. Shipp will have his hands full, but is capable of slowing down the explosive and versatile Lee, who’s averaging 20.5 points per game.
Up high.
UCLA’s backcourt duo of Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook is not only solid offensively, but may be the best defensive backcourt still playing. WKU’s Tyrone Brazelton is a heady, swift guard who has averaged 24.0 points in the tourney.
Down low.
Kevin Love is the focal point here. The UCLA freshman is one of the nation’s best on the block with 47 on the season. Jeremy Evans has the assignment of slowing him down, as Love is averaging a double-double (10.6 rebounds, 17.3 points.)
Quote.
“We’re hoping he gets sick. That’s the main thing we’re looking for.”
Darrin Horn, Western Kentucky coach, joking about UCLA star Kevin Love
The Post’s pick: Bruins
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
