NCAA PREVIEW

NCAA PREVIEW
Today's games
NO. 1 VILLANOVA (27-4)vs. NO. 4 BOSTON COLLEGE (28-7)
Time: 7:10 p.m.
Villanova starters: G Mike Nardi (11.4 ppg.), G Randy Foye (20.1 ppg., 5.6 reb., 3.2 asst.), G Allan Ray (18.8 ppg., 3.9 reb.), G Kyle Lowry (11.6 ppg., 4.6 reb., 3.9 asst.), F Will Sheridan (5.3 ppg., 6.5 reb.)
Boston College starters: G Sean Marshall (11.5 ppg., 4 reb.), G Louis Hinnant (7.3 ppg., 4.6 asst.), C John Oates (3.5 ppg.), F Craig Smith (17.3 ppg., 9 reb., 2.9 asst.), F Jared Dudley (16.5 ppg., 6.8 reb., 3.2 asst.).
Notebook: A nice contrast at work here. Villanova is all about its guards; BC is all about its big men. Can either team stifle the others' big guns? 'Nova's stars are Randy Foye and Allan Ray and they're going to get open looks on Friday night. And even if they don't get open looks, they'll keep shooting (Villanova shoots a surprisingly low 42.6 percent from the field). And while the Wildcats' big men aren't productive offensively, there's a lot of athleticism there. Senior C Jason Fraser, who has had injury after injury and never come close to living up to his prep hype, could be important against BC because of his defensive skills. The Eagles will look to go inside all game, to Jared Dudley and Craig Smith (five consecutive double-doubles). Reserve C Sean Williams is a big-time defensive presence. This may come down to how well BC's guards play. Sean Marshall and Louis Hinnant (a better than 2-1 assist-turnover ratio) have had their moments, and freshman Tyrese Rice may be the wild card because of his 3-point shooting.
NO. 7 WICHITA STATE (26-8) vs. NO. 11 GEORGE MASON (25-7)
Time: 7:27 p.m.
Wichita State starters: C Paul Miller (13 ppg., 6.6 reb.), G Sean Ogirri (12.2 ppg., 2.7 reb., 2.8 asst.), F Kyle Wilson (11.3 ppg., 5.8 reb.), G P.J. Couisnard (10.4 ppg., 6.2 reb.), G Matt Braeuer (5.5 pts., 2.4 reb., 2.8 asst.).
George Mason starters: F Jai Lewis (13.8 ppg., 7.9 reb.), G Lamar Butler (11.7 ppg., 2.3 reb., 2.3 asst.), F Will Thomas (11.7 ppg., 7.1 reb.), G Folarin Campbell (10.7 ppg., 4.4 reb., 3.6 asst.), F Gabe Norwood (3.6 ppg., 2 reb., 2 asst.).
Notebook: These teams met in February in Wichita as part of ESPN's "Bracket Busters," with George Mason winning 70-67. George Mason has a balanced offensive attack, with all five starters averaging in double figures; in addition, the Patriots have had six different leading scorers in the past seven games. Chunky but agile big man Jai Lewis (6-7/275) is the leading scorer and rebounder; it's vital he avoid fouls and stay on the floor because the depth-shy Pats are a lot smaller without him. Gs Lamar Butler and Tony Skinn are able 3-point shooters. Wichita State has four players in double figures, with the key guy being 6-10 C Paul Miller. He and F Kyle Wilson (Illinois transfer) give the Shockers a nice low-post duo. As with George Mason, the Shockers have some good athletes on the perimeter, most notably swingman P.J. Couisnard and G Sean Ogirri (45.3 percent from 3-point range, 84.7 percent from the line). George Mason shot 52 percent from the field when it beat the Shockers last month.
NO. 3 FLORIDA (29-6) vs. NO. 7 GEORGETOWN (23-9)
Time: 9:40 p.m.
Georgetown starters: G Ashanti Cook (9.8 ppg.), G Jonathan Wallace (8.4 ppg., 3.2 asst.), F Brandon Bowman (11.5 ppg., 5.1 reb.), F Jeff Green (11.9 ppg., 6.5 reb., 3.2 asst.), C Roy Hibbert (11.2 ppg., 6.2 reb., 59.1 FG pct., 51 blocks).
Florida starters: G Taurean Green (13.8 ppg., 4.9 asst.), G Walter Hodge (4.4 ppg.), C Al Horford (11.2 ppg., 7.1 reb.), F Corey Brewer (12.8 ppg., 4.5 reb., 3.9 asst.), F Joakim Noah (13.8 ppg., 6.7 reb.).
Notebook: Florida overpowered its first two NCAA foes in the paint, but the Hoyas have an enormous frontcourt of their own. Thus, this also may come down to guard play. Fs Al Horford and Jaokim Noah have been magnificent for the Gators -- scoring, rebounding, defending, passing. F Corey Brewer and G Lee Humphrey have been solid, but PG Taurean Green has struggled with his offense and that needs to change. Sophomore C Roy Hibbert (7-2/283) gets most of the ink of the Georgetown big men, but 6-9 F Jeff Green is the most important player. He is an excellent passer, and the Hoyas' offense is at its best when he's able to direct traffic from the high post. F Brandon Bowman, also 6-9, completes the frontcourt trio. The guards are nothing special, though Ashanti Cook is a 3-point threat. UF has better depth.
NO. 1 CONNECTICUT (29-3)vs. NO. 5 WASHINGTON (26-6)
Time: 9:57 p.m.
Connecticut starters: F Rudy Gay (15.2 ppg., 6.5 reb.), G Marcus Williams (11.7 ppg., 3.9 reb., 8.5 asst.), F Denham Brown (10.7 ppg., 4.5 reb.), F Josh Boone (10.3 ppg., 7 reb.), C Hilton Armstrong (9.6 ppg., 6.6 reb.).
Washington starters: G Brandon Roy (20.2 ppg., 5.7 reb., 4.1 asst.), F Bobby Jones (10.4 ppg., 4.9 reb.), F Jon Brockman (8.3 ppg., 6.6 reb.), G Justin Dentmon (8.3 ppg., 3.5 reb., 3.8 asst.), F Mike Jensen (5.4 ppg., 3.2 reb.).
Notebook: UConn struggled in each of its two games, with the players looking as if they believed they could simply flip the "on" switch when they wanted. As usual, UConn enjoys the advantage in the frontcourt; it would be interesting to see the kind of damage big men Hilton Armstrong, Josh Boone and Rudy Gay could do if they all decided to play well in the same game. UConn PG Marcus "Laptop" Williams has been brilliant in the tourney thus far. Washington's hopes for an upset ride with swingman Brandon Roy (20.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 51.3 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range, 81.4 percent from the free-throw line), who is one of the five best players in the nation. Washington also has enough athleticism in the frontcourt to hang with UConn, as long as Fs Jamaal Williams and Jon Brockman avoid foul trouble.
Wire reports