WEST REGION
No. 1 Connecticut (29-4) vs. No. 5 Purdue (27-9)
Tip-off: 4:07 p.m.
Where: Glendale
Overview: UConn has the size and speed to go all the way, but the Huskies will meet a determined defensive effort in the Boilermakers. Guard Chris Kramer of Purdue has the potential to lock down a perimeter player like A.J. Price. Purdue post man JaJuan Johnson will be dwarfed by 7-3 UConn center Hasheem Thabeet and is not a physical rebounder but does possess a nice midrange offense.
Stattitude: UConn is 25-1 when leading at halftime, 4-3 when trailing.
No. 2 Memphis (33-3) vs. No. 3 Missouri (30-6)
Tip-off: approx. 6:37 p.m.
Where: Glendale
Overview: Both teams rely on a fast pace and a deep bench, but Memphis, which reached the title game last year and the round of eight the year before that, has a lot more tournament experience. Memphis survived a first-round scare against Cal State Northridge, then drilled Maryland. Missouri coasted past Cornell, then won a close one against Marquette.
Stattitude: Memphis is undefeated in the 26 games it shot better than 40 percent from the field.
EAST REGION
No. 1 Pittsburgh (30-4) vs. No. 4 Xavier (27-7)
Where: Boston
Tip-off: 4:27 p.m.
Overview: Pittsburgh survived scares before eliminating East Tennessee State and Oklahoma State. Since the field expanded to 64 teams the Panthers have never advanced to the regional final in five attempts. Xavier has reached the Elite Eight two of its previous three trips, including last year. The Musketeers are facing Pitt for the first time since the 1998-99 season.
Stattitude: Pittsburgh ranks second nationally in rebounding margin (+9.9 a game) while Xavier is fifth (8.4).
No. 2 Duke (30-6) vs. No. 3 Villanova (28-7)
Tip-off: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Boston
Overview: Duke is 10-1, including the ACC tournament title, since shifting Jon Scheyer to point guard and inserting freshman Elliot Williams in the starting lineup. The Blue Devils have nine players averaging at least 11 minutes. Villanova has reached the round of 16 for the fourth time in five years. The Wildcats advanced after trailing by 14 points in the second half in its opening game against American.
Stattitude: No school has won more games as a lower seed in NCAA Tournament history than Villanova, which is 13-12 all time as an underdog.
USA TODAY