Previews for Friday’s games

MIDWEST REGION

No. 10 Davidson (26-6) vs. No. 7 Gonzaga (25-7)

11:25 a.m., Raleigh, N.C.

The 411: The Wildcats have won 22 in a row. The Zags have been inconsistent. Both teams played challenging non-conference schedules. Davidson will be trying to win an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 1969.

The strategy: Davidson will need to control Gonzaga point guard Jeremy Pargo. He’s strong and quick. When he can run the break or penetrate the lane in the half-court, the Zags’ offense can be difficult to stop.

The key players: Davidson’s Stephen Curry vs. Gonzaga’s Matt Bouldin. The two sophomore guards are their team’s leading scorers. The Zags have a more balanced attack while the Wildcats rely on Curry, who averages 25.1 points per game and makes 43.8 percent of his 3-point attempts.

No. 15 Maryland-Baltimore County (24-8) vs. No. 2 Georgetown (27-5)

*1:55 p.m., Raleigh, N.C.

The 411: UMBC is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance. The 24 victories are a school single-season record. The Hoyas were in the Final Four last year.

The strategy: The Retrievers will have a difficult time keeping the Hoyas’ offense under control. Georgetown has 7-2 senior Roy Hibbert inside plus a number of solid perimeter players. UMBC leads the nation in fewest turnovers (9.5 per game).

The key players: Georgetown’s Roy Hibbert vs. UMBC’s Cavell Johnson. Johnson is 6-8 while Hibbert is 7-2. If the Hoyas’ center is assertive instead of unselfish, he should be able to dominate down low.

No. 13 Siena (22-10) vs. No. 4 Vanderbilt (26-7)

6:20 p.m., Tampa, Fla.

The 411: Siena defeated Stanford in November so the Saints should believe than can beat a major conference foe. Siena counters a lack of height with stellar guard play. Vanderbilt has reached the Sweet 16 each of the last two seasons. Vandy won its first 16 games and has played inconsistently since then.

The strategy: Siena is in the top 10 in steals. The Saints will try to force turnovers that they can turn into easy baskets. Vandy needs to make sure 6-11 freshman center A.J. Ogilvy stays involved in the offense. He could give the Commodores a big edge down low.

The key players: Vanderbilt’s Shan Foster vs. Siena’s Kenny Hasbrouck. Both are outstanding scorers. Foster is an outstanding 3-point shooter while Hasbrouck tends to get his points using a mid-range game.

No. 12 Villanova (20-12) vs. No. 5 Clemson (24-9)

*8:50 p.m., Tampa, Fla.

The 411: The Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference were the third-place team in the top-rated (according to the Ratings Percentage Index) conference. Villanova is from the rugged Big East Conference. Clemson’s last NCAA Tournament victory came in 1997 when Rick Barnes was the coach.

The strategy: Villanova will need to handle Clemson’s full-court press. The Tigers try to use their size and quickness to force turnovers and easy baskets. However, Clemson’s press can be broken; if so, Villanova could get some easy baskets. The Wildcats’ front court will need to play well to counter the Tigers’ bigs.

The key players: Clemson’s Cliff Hammonds vs. Villanova’s Scottie Reynolds. Hammonds is a solid all-around player and his defense against Reynolds could decide the outcome. Reynolds is at his best when he drives. When he doesn’t assert himself, the Wildcats’ offense suffers.

All times CDT; * — approximate time (30 minutes following first game)