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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 7:55 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2009

NCAA: Sweet 16 capsules

Associated Press

EAST REGIONAL

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, 30-4.

Nickname: Panthers.

Coach: Jamie Dixon.

Region: East.

Seed: No. 1.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 20-21, 21 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big East.

Top Scorers: Sam Young 18.9; DeJuan Blair 15.8; Levance Fields 10.6; Jermaine Dixon 8.7.

Top Rebounders: DeJuan Blair 12.3; Sam Young 6.3; Tyrell Biggs 4.4.

Top Assists: Levance Fields 7.6; Brad Wanamaker 2.2; Jermaine Dixon 2.1.

3-point threats: Sam Young 50; Levance Fields 43; Ashton Gibbs 36; Jermaine Dixon 32.

Last Ten: 8-2.

The Skinny: Pittsburgh has advanced to the round of 16 for the fifth time in eight years. Sam Young scored 32 points — one shy of his career high — and colossal center DeJuan Blair added another double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) against Oklahoma State to advance. Veteran guard Levance Fields, with 14 assists and five turnovers in the tournament, dropped to second in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Xavier

Cincinnati, 27-7.

Nickname: Musketeers.

Coach: Sean Miller.

Region: East.

Seed: No. 4.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 17-19, 20 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Atlantic 10.

Top Scorers: B.J. Raymond 14.1; Derrick Brown 13.7; C.J. Anderson 10.0.

Top Rebounders: Derrick Brown 6.0; Jason Love 5.9; C.J. Anderson 5.4; B.J. Raymond 4.2.

Top Assists: Dante Jackson 2.8; C.J. Anderson 2.5; Terrell Holloway 2.2.

3-point threats: B.J. Raymond 83; Brad Redford 52; Dante Jackson 41; Derrick Brown 37.

Last Ten: 7-3.

The Skinny: The Musketeers, an Elite Eight team a year ago, advances to play top-seeded Pittsburgh — Sean Miller's alma mater. Xavier advanced despite a poor shooting day against Wisconsin in the second round. The Musketeers were 18-for-46 from the floor and just 18-for-26 from the foul line. Quite a reversal from the opener against Portland State — 54 percent from the field and 8-for-19 from 3-point range.

Villanova

Philadelphia, 28-7.

Nickname: W ildcats.

Coach: Jay Wright.

Region: East.

Seed: No. 3.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 46-29, 30 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big East.

Top Scorers: Dante Cunningham 16.3; Scottie Reynolds 15.1; Corey Fisher 10.9; Corey Stokes 9.7.

Top Rebounders: Dante Cunningham 7.3; Dwayne Anderson 6.0; Reggie Redding 4.8; Antonio Pena 4.4.

Top Assists: Scottie Reynolds 3.5; Reggie Redding 3.1; Corey Fisher 2.9.

3-point threats: Corey Stokes 74; Scottie Reynolds 70; Corey Fischer 30.

Last Ten: 7-3.

The Skinny: Villanova has reach the round of 16 for the fourth time in five years. After a first-round scare against American U., Villanova dominated UCLA in every facet of the second-round game. The Wildcats had a 41-29 edge in rebounding and forced 20 turnovers.

Duke

Durham, N.C., 30-6.

Nickname: Blue Devils.

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski.

Region: East.

Seed: No. 2.

Bid: ACC champion.

Tournament Record: 88-29, 33 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Atlantic Coast.

Top Scorers: Gerald Henderson 16.8; Kyle Singler 16.5;Jon Scheyer 14.9.

Top Rebounders: Kyle Singler 7.7; Gerald Henderson 4.8.

Top Assists: Jon Scheyer 2.8; Gerald Henderson 2.5; Kyle Singler 2.4.

3-point threats: Jon Scheyer 77; Kyle Singler 68; Gerald Henderson 40; Greg Paulus 36.

Last Ten: 9-1.

The Skinny: The Blue Devils advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006 with a win over Texas. Duke, fresh off its eighth ACC tournament title in 11 years, opened the tournament with a 24-point win over Binghamton. It was Duke's most lopsided win in the NCAAs since a 28-point romp over Seton Hall five years ago during its run to its most recent Final Four.

WEST REGIONAL

Connecticut

Storrs, 29-4.

Nickname: Huskies.

Coach: Jim Calhoun.

Region: West.

Seed: No. 1.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 44-27, 29 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big East.

Top Scorers: A.J. Price 14.6; Jeff Adrien 13.9; Hasheem Thabeet 13.7; Jerome Dyson 13.2 (injured).

Top Rebounders: Hasheem Thabeet 10.7; Jeff Adrien 10.2; Stanley Robinson 5.4; Jerome Dyson 4.1 (injured).

Top Assists: A.J Price 4.8; Jerome Dyson x3.2 (injured); Kemba Walker 2.8; Craig Austie 2.3.

3-point threats: A.J Price 80; Craig Autrie 30.

Last Ten: 7-3.

The Skinny: In Jim Calhoun's absence, associate head coach George Blaney coached the Huskies to the third-largest victory in NCAA tournament history — 103-47 against Chattanooga. The Huskies followed with a 26-point win over Texas A&M to reach the round of 16 for the 12th time under their Hall of Fame coach.

Purdue

West Lafayette, Ind., 27-9.

Nickname: Boliermakers.

Coach: Matt Painter.

Region: West.

Seed: No. 5.

Bid: Big Ten champion.

Tournament Record: 31-22, 23 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big Ten.

Top Scorers: E'Twaun Moore 14.0; JaJuan Johnson 13.4; Robbie Hummel 12.4.

Top Rebounders: Robbie Hummel 7.0; JaJuan Johnson 5.6; E'Twaun Moore 4.7.

Top Assists: Lewis Jackson 3.3; E'Twaun Moore 3.1; Chris Kramer 2.5.

3-point threats: Keaton Grant 60; Robbie Hummel 56; E'Twaun Moore 55.

Last Ten: 7-3.

The Skinny: The Big Ten champions held off frantic charges in both games to advance to its first regional semifinals since 2000. Purdue beat Northern Iowa 61-56 and after nearly blowing a 14-point lead, edged Washington 76-74. The Boilermakers are 4-0 against Connecticut, with last win coming in 1992.

Missouri

Columbia, 30-6.

Nickname: Tigers.

Coach: Mike Anderson.

Region: West.

Seed: No. 3.

Bid: Big 12 champion.

Tournament Record: 20-21, 22 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big 12.

Top Scorers: DeMarre Carroll 16.8; Leo Lyons 14.2; Matt Lawrence 9.0.

Top Rebounders: DeMarre Carroll 7.3; Leo Lyons 6.0.

Top Assists: J.T. Tiller 3.6; Zaire Taylor 3.5; DeMarre Carroll 2.0; Leo Lyons 2.0.

3-point threats: Matt Lawrence 74; Kim English 35; Marcus Denmon 32.

Last Ten: 8-2.

The Skinny: Missouri, making it's first NCAA appearance in six years, came away from Boise, Idaho, with two wins this time. They last played in Boise in the 1995 NCAA tournament, losing in the second round to top-seeded UCLA 75-74 when Bruins point guard Ty Edney drove the length of the court for a buzzer-beating layup. In the win against Marquette, freshman Kim English had a 4½-minute shooting spree in the first half that turned a six-point deficit into a 16-point lead. He made three 3-pointers and scored 15 points during that stretch.

Memphis

Memphis, Tenn., 33-3.

Nickname: Tigers.

Coach: John Calipari.

Region: West.

Seed: No. 2.

Bid: Conference USA champion.

Tournament Record: 32-21, 22 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Conference USA.

Top Scorers: Tyreke Evans 16.6; Robert Dozier 12.7; Shawn Taggart 10.5; Antonio Anderson 10.0.

Top Rebounders: Shawn Taggart 7.6; Robert Dozier 7.2; Tyreke Evans 5.4; Antonio Anderson 4.8.

Top Assists: Antonio Anderson 4.5; Tyreke Evans 3.9.

3-point threats: Doneal Mack 63; Roburt Sallie 52; Tyreke Evans 34.

Last Ten: 10-0.

The Skinny: At 33-3 and with a nation-leading 27-game winning streak, the Tigers are again serious title contenders, even after losing three starters to the NBA from last year's team. The Tigers haven't lost since a 72-65 defeat to Syracuse on Dec. 20 and have finished with at least 30 wins each of the past four seasons. Roburt Sallie has 13 3-pointers, including an NCAA record 10-of-15 in the opener, in the first two games.

MIDWEST REGIONAL

Louisville

Louisville, Ky., 30-5.

Nickname: Cardinals.

Coach: Rick Pitino.

Region: Midwest.

Seed: No. 1.

Bid: Big East champion.

Tournament Record: 59-36, 35 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big East.

Top Scorers: Earl Clark 13.9; Terrence Williams 12.7; Samardo Samuels 12.1.

Top Rebounders: Earl Clark 8.8; Terrence Williams 8.7; Samardo Samuels 4.8.

Top Assists: Terrence Williams 5.0; Earl Clark 3.3; Edgar Sosa 2.3.

3-point threats: Terrence Williams 53; Jerry Smith 49; Andre McGee 49; Preston Knowles 46; Edgar Sosa 35.

Last Ten: 10-0.

The Skinny: The Big East regular-season and tournament champions advanced to the round of 16 for the second straight year. The Cardinals survived a second-round scare against Siena. The Saints overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half and led by four before Terrence Williams took over, hitting 3s, getting rebounds and starting fast breaks with one-handed passes. He finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Arizona

Tucson, 21-13.

Nickname: Wildcats.

Coach: Russ Pennell.

Region: Midwest.

Seed: No. 12.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 43-25, 27 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Pac-10.

Top Scorers: Jordan Hill 18.4; Chase Budinger 17.9; Nic Wise 15.7.

Top Rebounders: Jordan Hill 11.0; Chase Budinger 6.3; Jamelle Horne 5.1.

Top Assists: Nic Wise 4.6; Chase Budinger 3.4.

3-point threats: Chase Budinger 65; Nic Wise 64; Zane Johnson 35.

Last Ten: 5-5.

The Skinny: The Widlcats, appearing in their 25th straight NCAA tournament, are bound for the round of 16 for the 12th time since 1988. They are the lowest-seeded team still playing. Perhaps they have silenced those who criticized them as undeserving of a berth. It's been a roller-coaster season for Arizona following Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson's sudden retirement last fall. The Wildcats lost five of their final six regular-season games and the opening game in the Pac-10 tournament.

Kansas

Lawrence, 27-7.

Nickname: Jayhawks.

Coach: Bill Self.

Region: Midwest.

Seed: No. 3.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 84-36, 38 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big 12.

Top Scorers: Sherron Collins 18.9; Cole Aldrich 14.8; Tyshawn Taylor 9.8.

Top Rebounders: Cole Aldrich 11.0; Marcus Morris 4.8; Markieff Morris 4.4.

Top Assists: Sherron Collins 5.0; Tyshawn Taylor 3.0; Brady Morningstar 2.6.

3-point threats: Sherron Collins 75; Brady Morningstar 50.

Last Ten: 8-2.

The Skinny: Kansas is headed to the round of 16 on the heels Cole Aldrich's triple-double. Aldrich had 13 points, 20 rebounds and a career-high 10 blocked shots to lead the defending NCAA champions in a win over Dayton. Aldrich's feat was, officially, the sixth triple-double in the history of the tournament. Sherron Collins had 25 points for the Jayhawks. Not bad for a team that lost five players to the first round of the NBA draft from last year's team.

Michigan State

East Lansing, 28-6.

Nickname: Spartans.

Coach: Tom Izzo.

Region: Midwest.

Seed: No. 2.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 45-21, 23 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big Ten.

Top Scorers: Kalin Lucas 14.6; Raymar Morgan 10.7; Goran Suton 9.4; Chris Allen 9.0.

Top Rebounders: Goran Suton 8.0; Raymar Morgan 5.5; Delvon Roe 5.3.

Top Assists: Kalin Lucas 4.5; Travis Walton 3.2.

3-point threats: Chris Allen 51; Durrell Summers 38; Kalin Lucas 35.

Last Ten: 8-2.

The Skinny: Michigan State has advanced to the round of 16 for the eighth time in 12 years. Senior Travis Walton, the Big Ten's defensive player of the year, scored a career-high 18 points to lift the Spartans to a 74-69 win over USC. In the last 12 years, every Spartan who has stayed for four years has appeared in a Final Four. Walton, who entered the game averaging 4.9 points, is looking to keep that streak going.

SOUTH REGIONAL

North Carolina

Chapel Hill, 30-4.

Nickname: Tar Heels.

Coach: Roy Williams.

Region: South.

Seed: No. 1.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 98-39, 41 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Atlantic Coast.

Top Scorers: Tyler Hansbrough 21.2; Ty Lawson 16.1; Wayne Ellington 15.7; Danny Green 13.2; Deon Thompson 10.9.

Top Rebounders: Tyler Hansbrough 8.1; Ed Davis 6.7; Deon Thompson 6.0; Danny Green 4.9; Wayne Ellington 4.8;

Top Assists: Ty Lawson 6.5; Danny Green 2.7; Wayne Ellington 2.7; Larry Drew 2.1.

3-point threats: Wayne Ellington 74; Danny Green 66; Ty Lawson 44.

Last Ten: 8-2.

The Skinny: With the win against LSU, North Carolina tied Kentucky for most NCAA tournament victories (98) and improved to 27-1 in NCAA games played in its home state. North Carolina has been to the regional semifinals an NCAA record 23 times. The Tar Heels have also won at least 30 games for the third straight season, a first for the storied program. Ty Lawson scored 21 of his 23 points after halftime in his return from a toe injury.

Gonzaga

Spokane, Wash., 28-5.

Nickname: Bulldogs.

Coach: Mark Few.

Region: South.

Seed: No. 4.

Bid: WCC champion.

Tournament Record: 14-11, 12 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: West Coast.

Top Scorers: Josh Heytvelt 14.9; Matt Bouldin 13.8; Austin Daye 12.8; Jeremy Pargo 10.1.

Top Rebounders: Austin Daye 6.7; Josh Heytvelt 6.7; Micah Downs 4.6.

Top Assists: Jeremy Pargo 5.0; Matt Bouldin 3.5; Steven Gray 2.0.

3-point threats: Matt Bouldin 55; Steven Gray 50; Micah Downs 46; Austin Daye 34.

Last Ten: 10-0.

The Skinny: The Zags are back in the round of 16 after being been bounced from the NCAA tournament in the first round the past two seasons. It's the fifth time the Zags have made the round 16 over their 11 straight NCAA appearances. Gonzaga hasn't lost since New Year's Day to Conference USA champ Memphis.

Syracuse

Syracuse, N.Y., 28-9.

Nickname: Orange.

Coach: Jim Boeheim.

Region: South.

Seed: No. 3.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 50-31, 32 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big East.

Top Scorers: Jonny Flynn 17.3; Eric Devendorf 15.9; Paul Harris 12.2; Andy Rautins 10.4; Arinze Onuakau 10.4.

Top Rebounders: Paul Harris 8.1; Arinze Onuakau 7.3; Rick Jackson 5.8; Kristof Ongenaet 4.8.

Top Assists: Jonny Flynn 6.7; Eric Devendorf 3.0; Andy Rautins 3.1; Paul Harris 2.2.

3-point threats: Andy Rautins 99; Eric Devendorf 80; Jonny Flynn 44.

Last Ten: 9-1.

The Skinny: Syracuse advanced to the round of 16 after a two-year absence from the tournament. In the second-round game against Arizona State, the Orange held James Harden, the Pac-10 player of the year, to 10 points on 2-for-10 shooting. Jim Boeheim's first chance at career victory No. 800 — perhaps fittingly — comes with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line. It'll be the first Syracuse-Oklahoma matchup since the 2003 East Regional final, when Carmelo Anthony and the then-Orangemen prevailed 63-47 on the way to the national championship.

Oklahoma

Norman, 29-5.

Nickname: Sooners.

Coach: Jeff Capel.

Region: South.

Seed: No. 2.

Bid: At large.

Tournament Record: 34-25, 26 years.

Last NCAA Appearance: 2009.

Conference: Big 12.

Top Scorers: Blake Griffin 22.5; Willie Warren 14.7; Taylor Griffin 9.8; Tony Crocker 9.2.

Top Rebounders: Blake Griffin 14.4; Taylor Griffin 6.0.

Top Assists: Austin Johnson 3.9; Willie Warren 3.1; Blake Griffin 2.3.

3-point threats: Willie Warren 63; Tony Crocker 53; Austin Johnson 43; Cade Davis 40.

Last Ten: 6-4.

The Skinny: Blake Griffin continues to roll, finishing with 33 points and 17 rebounds, in a 73-63 victory over Michigan to send the Sooners to the NCAA's round of 16 for the first time in six years. Griffin's 28th double-double tied Michael Beasley's Big 12 record.