NCAA Sweet 16 starts tonight

Published 5:00 am Thursday, March 22, 2012

Four teams will move into the men’s NCAA tournament Elite Eight tonight. Here’s a look at the four regional semifinals to be played.

EAST REGIONAL

No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 4 Wisconsin

Time: 4:15 p.m. PDT

TV: CBS

The buzz: Wisconsin games can be painful to watch, so imagine what it must be like to play against the Badgers. The slower the pace, the better for the Badgers in this one. Wisconsin’s three-point shooting is going to be important; the Badgers hit 36.3 percent from beyond the arc, but Syracuse’s zone limits opponents to 30.7 percent.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Cincinnati

Time: 6:45 p.m.

TV: CBS

The buzz: This is just the 10th meeting in history between these in-state schools, with the last coming in 2006. Cincy has won two national titles in basketball, and beat the Buckeyes in the final both times (1961 and ’62). The big-man matchup between Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger and Cincy’s Yancy Gates should be extremely entertaining.

WEST REGIONAL

No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Louisville

Time: 4:47 p.m.

TV: TBS

The buzz: No rest for the weary; Spartans coach Tom Izzo goes from matching wits with SLU coach Rick Majerus to matching wits with Louisville’s Rick Pitino. Louisville doesn’t appear to have anyone who will be able to handle Michigan State F Draymond Green, the best all-around player left in the tourney.

No. 3 Marquette vs. No. 7 Florida

Time: 7:17 p.m.

TV: TBS

The buzz: This is all about Florida’s three-point shooting; the Gators hit 38.3 percent of their shots from beyond the arc, but the Golden Eagles’ perimeter defense has been solid all season. Marquette isn’t big, but it is more physical than Florida.

— Rivals.com

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