Arizona (1) vs. Jackson State (16)
Nickname Wildcats TigersRecord 26-6 17-15
Conference Pacific 10 SWAC
Conf. record 15-3 10-8
Last 10 8-2 8-2
RPI 3 220
AP rank 9 --
SCOUTING REPORT: The Wildcats, who shared the Pac-10 crown with Stanford, are led by sophomore forward Michael Wright (15.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg) as well as freshman guards Gilbert Arenas (15.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Jason Gardner (12.9 ppg, 4.9 apg) . . . Center Loren Woods (15.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg) will likely miss the tournament because of a back injury . . . Arizona won the 1997 national championship and has been to three Final Fours (1988, 1994, 1997) under head coach Lute Olson. He is one of three active coaches to take two different schools (Arizona, Iowa) to the Final Four . . . The Tigers surprised Southern in the SWAC championship game to earn their second NCAA berth in four years -- both trips followed disappointing regular seasons . . . Lanky center Vincent Jones (12.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg) was named the SWAC's best defender. He averages three blocks per game.
Wisconsin (8) vs. Fresno State (9)
Nickname Badgers Bulldogs
Record 18-13 24-9
Conference Big 10 WAC
Conf. record 8-8 11-3
Last 10 7-3 8-2
RPI 32 25
AP rank -- --
SCOUTING REPORT: The Badgers don't have a true scoring leader. No one on the squad averages 12 points per game. Center Mark Vershaw (11.9 ppg) tops the balanced attack . . . Wisconsin is 9-1 this season when it shoots 45 percent or better from the field . . . Defense is the Badgers' strength. It led them to victories over Temple, Texas, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue . . . Fresno State is making its first NCAA tourney appearance since 1984 . . . Senior guard Courtney Alexander is the nation's leading scorer with 25.6 points per game . . . Head coach Jerry Tarkanian has led the Bulldogs to five consecutive seasons with 20 wins or better . . . Fresno State defeated highly touted Tulsa three times this season, including a 75-72 decision in the WAC tournament championship game . . . Contrasting styles -- Fresno's uptempo offense and Wisconsin's slow approach.
Texas vs. Indiana State(9)
Nickname Longhorns Sycamores
Recpord 23-8 22-9
Conference Big 12 MVC
Conf. record 13-3 14-4
Last 10 8-2 6-4
RPI 8 47
AP rank 13 --
SCOUTING REPORT: Texas returns to the Huntsman Center for the second time this season. The Longhorns dropped a 79-73 decision to Utah on Dec. 22 . . . Texas center Chris Mihm (17.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) is one the top players in the nation. The junior is a shot-blocking force on defense . . . Texas coach Rick Barnes, who is in his first season with the Longhorns after stints at Providence and Clemson, is just 2-7 in NCAA tourney games . . . Indiana State is also in for a homecoming. The Sycamores are returning to the scene of their last NCAA tourney game -- the 1979 championship showdown with Michigan State . . . Ironically, senior guard Nate Green (14.1 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.3 apg) is the first Indiana State player since Larry Bird to earn Missouri Valley Conference player of the year honors . . . The Sycamores are 7-0 this season in games decided by five points or less.
LSU vs SE Missouri
Nickname Tigers Indians
Record 26-5 24-6
Conference SEC OVC
Conf. record 12-4 14-4
Last 10 9-1 8-2
RPI 12 61
AP rank 10 --
SCOUTING REPORT: The Tigers are making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1993 . . . Sophomore forward Stromile Swift (16.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg) is a projected lottery pick if he opts to turn pro. Swift is shooting 61.8 percent from the field and has blocked 83 shots this season . . . All five of LSU's starters are double-figure scorers . . . LSU has more turnovers than assists. Thus, taking care of the ball is critical as the Tigers progress into the tournament . . . The Indians, who won the Ohio Valley Conference title, are making their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance . . . Junior point guard Michael Stokes is quick off the dribble and a good passer . . . Southeast Missouri State prides itself on defense. The Indians blocked a school-record 156 shots this season . . . Three seniors and a pair of juniors give SEMO a veteran starting line-up.