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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 1:38 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2009

NCAA regional capsules: Friday's games at Miami

Jack Carey
USA TODAY

NCAA regional capsules for games at Miami. All Hawaii times.

SOUTH REGION

No. 3 Syracuse (26-9) vs. No. 14 Stephen F. Austin (24-7)

Tipoff: 6:15 a.m. ET

Coaches: Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Danny Kaspar (Stephen F. Austin)

Overview: This is the first NCAA appearance for Stephen F. Austin, which won the Southland Conference title. Boeheim has been to the event 25 previous times, but players on his team have limited tournament experience. Since Syracuse hasn't won an NCAA game since 2004, not a single player here has won one, and the team was in the NIT the past two years. Kaspar has never coached vs. Boeheim but in 1978, while at North Texas, he played against Boeheim's second Syracuse team, losing 94-84.

Difference makers: Syracuse -- G Jonny Flynn (17.5 ppg, 6.7 apg, MVP of Big East tournament). Stephen F. Austin -- C Matt Kingsley (16.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, Southland player of the year).

Stattitude: Syracuse led the Big East in scoring (81.1 points a game), but the Lumberjacks give up only 56 a game, second-best nationally.

No. 6 Arizona State (24-9) vs. No. 11 Temple (22-11)

Tipoff: 8:35 a.m. (approximately)

Coaches: Herb Sendek (Arizona State); Fran Dunphy (Temple)

Overview: The Sun Devils are in the field for the first time under Sendek after a runner-up finish in the Pac-10 tournament. It's the first time in 14 years they've won 24 games. They have back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1980 and '81. Temple won the Atlantic 10 title for the automatic spot. Dunphy, who formerly coached at Pennsylvania, is 1-9 in 10 NCAA appearances.

Difference-makers: Arizona State -- G James Harden (20.8 ppg, 50.2 fg%, Pac-10 player of the year). Temple -- G Dionte Christmas (19.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, A-10 tourney MVP).

Stattitude: Under Sendek, Arizona State is 29-2 when it shoots 50% or better but lost to Southern California in the Pac-10 tournament despite shooting 53.1%.

MIDWEST REGION

No. 5 Utah (24-9) vs. No. 12 Arizona (19-13)

Tipoff: 1:10 p.m.

Coach: Jim Boylen (Utah); Russ Pennell (Arizona)

Overview: Both coaches make their first tournament appearance as head coaches. The Utes have won 12 of their last 14 games, including the Mountain West tournament title. The Wildcats have dropped five of six. But they are in the field for the 25th year in a row. The programs met 48 times since 1953. Utah leads series 28-20.

Difference-makers: Utah -- C Luke Nevill (16.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 60.7 fg%, Mountain West player of year); Arizona -- F Jordan Hill (18.5 ppg, 11 rpg, Pac-10 all-defense team).

Stattitude: Arizona has won nine of its last 10 games against Mountain West Conference opponents.

No. 4 Wake Forest (24-6) vs. No. 13 Cleveland State (25-10)

Tipoff: 3:30 p.m. (approximate)

Coaches: Dino Gaudio (Wake Forest); Gary Waters (Cleveland State)

Overview: The Vikings start only one player taller than 6-5, while the Demon Deacons start three who are 6-9 or bigger. Cleveland State has won 25 games for only the third time in program history. The Vikings give up only 59 points a game. Wake Forest went 6-1 this season against top-50 RPI teams and 12-4 against the top 100.

Difference-makers: Wake Forest -- G Jeff Teague (19.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, second-team All-American). Cleveland State -- F J'Nathan Bullock (15.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, two-time All-Horizon league choice).

Stattitude: On average, Wake Forest has outscored opponents in the paint by 44-27.