Tennessee vs. Ohio State
NCAA South Regional semifinal
When: Tonight, 10 (approximate)
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio
TV/Radio: CBS3/WPEN (950-AM)
Records: Tennessee 24-10, Ohio State 32-2.
History: This is the fourth meeting, second this season. Ohio State has won the previous three, including 68-66 on Jan. 13 in Columbus. Before this year, the teams last met in 1979.
How they got here: Tennessee, the fifth seed, beat Long Beach State, 121-86, and Virginia, 77-74. Top-seeded Ohio State beat Central Connecticut State, 78-57, and Xavier, 78-71 in overtime.
Coaches: Tennessee's Bruce Pearl is 46-18 in 2 years at the school, 363-102 in 15 seasons overall; Thad Matta is 78-21 in 3 years at OSU, 180-52 in seven seasons overall.
Three things Tennessee must do:
1. It wouldmake sense for the Vols to do what they did in the first game; the Buckeyes needed a late three-pointer to pull it out. Greg Oden was huge, with 24 points and 15 rebounds; the Vols' backcourt of Chris Lofton and Ramar Smith combined for 37 of their team's 66 points.
2. Give the crowd every opportunity to get behind the underdog. Everyone not wearing scarlet and/or gray will be looking for an upset, particularly if Texas A&M survives in the opener.
3. Lofton was the SEC Player of the Year; he's going to have to be the man. He can't do it alone, but he's probably going to have to do the most damage for the Vols.
Three things Ohio State must do:
1. Play like the top-ranked team in the country. The Buckeyes have their flaws, like every team this side of Florida. Or is that Kansas? Either way, they also have as many weapons as North Carolina. Put them to the best use.
2. Greg Oden will be the first pick in the NBA draft, so play to his strengths. Don't shoot threes when he's a two waiting to happen down low. If he doesn't touch the ball enough, there's only so much he can do. This isn't a one-dimensional team, but sometimes you've got to ride the biggest pony in the herd for all he's worth.
3. Another first-year guy, Mike Conley Jr., has been known to control games from the point. If he doesn't have at least a decent night, his team might not, either.
What to expect: I'm tempted to go with the upset, because the Buckeyes sure looked vulnerable against Xavier. But maybe that's the reason why it won't happen. Can't see them playing twice like that. And they should remember what almost happened 2 months ago against the Vols.
- Mike Kern
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Texas A & M vs. Memphis
NCAA South Regional semifinal
