While the other three regionals in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament present intriguing matchups, the Midwest Regional will likely be the highest scoring as Illinois is the lowest scoring team, averaging nearly 78 points per game while Kansas is the nation's best, scoring 93 ppg. Here is an in-depth preview of each semifinal game.
For the Oregon Ducks (25-8), playing in the Sweet Sixteen had its seed planted during the off-season last year. After a 14-14 record in which the Ducks started 10-2, there was a rededication to basketball.
That was, in the mind of Head Coach Ernie Kent, a critical time in the resurrection of pride in Oregon basketball.
\The turning point for our program was actually last spring and over the summer,"" Kent said. ""That's when the team made up its mind to be a better basketball team this year.""
While Oregon has used a solid blend of youth and experience to get to Madison, Texas had its basketball team mature in a hurry with nine freshman and sophomores in the lineup.
Despite the loss of senior forward Chris Owens to an injury 11 games into the season, the Longhorns' (22-11) young players have survived a grueling schedule in the Big 12 and tough nonconference opponents to make it to the Sweet Sixteen.
Key Matchup: Oregon sophomore point guard Luke Ridnour versus Texas freshman point guard T.J. Ford.
This game showcases two of the nation's elite point guards in Ridnour and Ford. Though both play the same position, they have drastically different styles.
While Ridnour averages 15.1 points and 5.1 assists per game for the high-flying Ducks, Ford is a great distributor of the ball, dishing out 8.5 assists to lead the nation'a first for a freshman'while still scoring in double digits. Both head coaches believe this is a crucial matchup for each other.
""T.J. is a speed guy that can get up and down the floor with the basketball and is probably a little bit faster than Ridnour,"" Kent said. ""[But] both are heady players in terms of knowing when to make the right pass at the right time.""
Texas Head Coach Rick Barnes agrees.
""Luke, he obviously likes to shoot the ball a little bit more than T.J.,"" Barnes said. ""But like T.J., he controls the game and sees the floor.""
Both teams are familiar with each other as they played against one another last year in the Sweet Sixteen, with the No. 1 seed Illini knocking off the No. 4 seed Jayhawks 80-64.
The Jayhawks (31-3) are the highest scoring team in the nation and like to play a full-court game. Illinois Head Coach Bill Self senses how much Kansas has improved since their previous matchup.
""I think they had a really good team last year, but this year, they're obviously better,"" Self said. ""They're just an offensive powerhouse.""
As for Illinois (26-8), their advantage may lie in the team's proximity to Madison, as many alumni are expected to make the relatively short trip three hours north. Self believes that the team can use the location to their benefit.
""I think it's a great advantage,"" Self said.
Illinois senior guard Cory Bradford agreed.
""It certainly won't hurt having your share of Illini followers,"" Bradford said.
Key Matchup: Illinois' depth versus Kansas' athleticism.
The Illini may be the deepest team in terms of bringing players off the bench that can make an impact, sometimes going as far down as six more players. This can create severe matchup problems for opposing teams. However, Kansas is the most athletic team Illinois has faced this season. The key will be for both teams to stay away from early foul trouble and not give the other team an advantage in what should be a full-court offensive game.
