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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 1:12 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2009

NCAA regional capsules: Friday's games at Dayton

USA Today

NCAA regional games at Dayton. All Hawaii times.

EAST REGION

No. 8 Oklahoma State (22-11) vs. No. 9 Tennessee (21-12)

Tip-off: 6:25 a.m.

Coaches: Travis Ford (OSU), Bruce Pearl (Tennessee).

Overview: Oklahoma State was just a shade behind Oklahoma and Kansas in this year's Big 12 and sees the tournament as a chance to further its fortunes. Tennessee has even greater incentive: The Vols finished out of the top 25 and lost in the SEC tournament final. They could erase those "underachieving" labels with an NCAA run. The Cowboys can shoot but are undersized. UT should benefit from the nation's toughest non-conference schedule.

Difference-makers: OSU — G Byron Eaton (14.1 ppg, 5.5 apg), G Terrel Harris (13.8 ppg), G James Anderson (18.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg). Tennessee — F Tyler Smith (17.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg); C Wayne Chism (13.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg), G J.P. Prince (10.1 ppg).

Statitude: Oklahoma State ranked sixth in scoring (81.1 a game) and fifth in three-point productivity (9.3 made a game) and shot 74.3% from the foul line.

No. 1 Pittsburgh (28-4) vs. No. 16 East Tennessee State (23-10)

Tip-off: approx. 8:45 a.m.

Coaches: Jamie Dixon (Pitt), Murry Bartow (ETSU).

Overview: After reaching the Sweet 16 four of the last seven seasons but going no further, anything less than the Final Four will be a disappointment for Pitt. The Panthers come in rested, having last played a week ago in the Big East tournament. East Tennessee State averaged a little less than 90 points in its five-game winning streak.

Difference-makers: Pitt — G Levance Fields (10.7 ppg, 7.6 apg), F Sam Young (18.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg), C DeJuan Blair (15.6 ppg, 12.2 rpg). ETSU — G Mike Smith (15.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg), G Courtney Pigram (17.5 ppg, 4.2 apg); F Kevin Tiggs (21.5 ppg).

Statitude: Pitt ranks second nationally in rebounding margin (+9.9 a game) and assist-to-turnover ratio. ETSU's Tiggs is one of only six players to average at least 20 points this season while shooting at least 50%.

MIDWEST REGION

No.1 Louisville (28-5) vs. No.16 Morehead State (20-15)

Tip-off: 1:10.

Coaches: Rick Pitino (Louisville), Donnie Tyndall (Morehead).

Overview: As the overall top seed Louisville is expected to have little trouble with a team it beat by 38 points in November. The Cardinals carry a 10-game winning streak after claiming the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. The Eagles' last NCAA appearance, in 1984, ended in a loss to Louisville.

Difference-makers: Louisville — F Terrence Williams (12.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.1 apg), F Earl Clark (14 ppg, 8.8 rpg), C Samardo Samuels (11.9 ppg). Morehead State — F Leon Buchanan (15.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg), C Kenneth Faried (13.9 ppg, 13.1 rpg), F Maze Stallworth (12.0 ppg).

Statitude: Louisville ranks 288th in Division I with a 64.3% free throw effort. Four starters hit 68% or worse.

No.8 Ohio State (22-10) vs. No.9 Siena (26-7)

Tip-off: approx. 3:30.

Coaches: Thad Matta (OSU), Fran McCaffery (Siena).

Overview: Ohio State is back after missing last year's tournament and benefits from being close to home. Siena returns all of its starters from a team that upset Vanderbilt as a 13th seed last year. The Saints won't be in awe of OSU after playing Pitt and Kansas in the regular season.

Difference-makers: Ohio State — F Evan Turner (16.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg), G Jon Diebler (11.2 ppg), G William Buford (11.1 ppg). Siena — G Kenny Hasbrouck (14.8 ppg), F Alex Franklin (13.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg), F Edwin Ubiles (14.6 ppg).

Statitude: Ohio State ranks sixth nationally in fewest fouls committed (15 a game), but Siena is third (14.8).