MATCHUP, EAST REGIONAL
California (22-8)
Pacific-10
Oklahoma (25-6)
Big 12
Line: Oklahoma -7 1/2
The Sooners still don’t know how much they can expect from their emotional fulcrum, senior guard Hollis Price, still limited by a groin pull. Cal’s Big Three of Joe Shipp, Brian Wethers and Amit Tamir will have to find a way to solve Oklahoma’s defense, which is steady even when the offense is faltering.
MATCHUP, SOUTH REGIONAL
Connecticut (22-9)
Big East
Stanford (24-8)
Pacific-10
Line: UConn -2 1/2
The Huskies limited BYU to 53 points and 31.3 percent shooting. But UConn scored only 58 points and got virtually nothing from the outside. Stanford escaped San Diego but had to close with a 14-3 run. Josh Childress accounted for 25 of the Cardinal’s 47 points in the second half through baskets and assists.
MATCHUPS, MIDWEST REGIONAL
Marquette (24-5)
Conference USA
Missouri (22-10)
Big 12
Line: Marquette -4
Marquette has 6-10, 260-pound Robert Jackson and 6-10, 245-pound Scott Merritt. The Tigers counter with 6-9, 265-pound Arthur Johnson and 6-9, 236-pound Travon Bryant. Marquette’s stars are their guards, Dwyane Wade and Travis Diener. Mizzou’s stars are guards Ricky Clemons and Rickey Paulding.
Wisconsin (23-7)
Big Ten
Tulsa (23-9)
Western Athletic
Line: Wisconsin -3
Jason Parker, Kevin Johnson and Dante Swanson combined for 64 points and were a big reason Tulsa shot 57 percent from the field in upsetting Dayton. Tulsa has won eight in a row. Wisconsin scored its most points since Feb. 1 in an 81-74 victory over Weber State.
MATCHUPS, WEST REGIONAL
Illinois (25-6)
Big Ten
Notre Dame (23-9)
Big East
Line: Illinois -5 1/2
There’s a lot we could say about this matchup, but most of it is contingent on one left ankle. If Notre Dame’s Matt Carroll can get his to cooperate, and play anywhere close to form, this could be a tightly contested game. Otherwise, the Illini are going to Disneyland.
Gonzaga (24-8)
West Coast
Arizona (26-3)
Pacific-10
Line: Arizona -9 1/2
Arizona’s big concern is the prolonged shooting slump of senior guard Jason Gardner, who has made only four of his last 29 shots. The Zags hope their perennial tag as small-school underdog will make them a crowd favorite when, in fact, the basketball program has grown to near powerhouse status.
C. Michigan (25-6)
Mid-American
Duke (25-6)
Atlantic Coast
Line: Duke -10
Duke will have to stop 7-foot Central Michigan center Chris Kaman, looking to rebound after scoring only 12 points in the Creighton win, half his season average. For what it’s worth, Duke center Casey Sanders fouled out Thursday night against Colorado State center Matt Nelson, also a 7-footer.
Ariz. St. (20-11)
Pacific-10
Kansas (26-7)
Big 12
Line: Kansas -7 1/2
Big 12 vs. Pac-10 means bump-and-bruise vs. sprint-and-shoot. Kansas had a shaky first-round outing, while ASU is riding momentum from upset of Memphis. KU All-Americans Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich will run up against the quiet confidence of the four seniors who surround freshman sensation Ike Diogu.
Lines by Keith Glantz and Russell Culver.
