Previews for Thursday's games

East Region

No. 13 Winthrop (22-11) vs. No. 4 Washington State (24-8)

6:20 p.m., Denver, Colo.

The 411: The Cougars are a solid team but they went 0-5 against Pacific-10 Conference rivals UCLA and Stanford. Winthrop is accustomed to the NCAA stage; last year, the Eagles upset Notre Dame in the first round.

The strategy: Guard play should decide the outcome. Washington State’s Aron Baynes is the team’s best post player, but he’s foul prone. If he can play 25 to 30 minutes, the Cougars should win. Both teams rely on 3-point shooting -- sometimes too much so.

The key players: Washington State’s Kyle Weaver vs. Winthrop’s Will Jenkins. Weaver is one of the best lock-down defenders in the country. Jenkins is Winthrop’s top scorer.

No. 12 George Mason (23-10) vs. No. 5 Notre Dame (24-7)

*8:50 p.m., Denver, Colo.

The 411: Notre Dame was upset in the first round by a “mid-major” (Winthrop) last year. The Irish will be on upset alert. The last time George Mason was in the NCAA Tournament, it won four games and became an unlikely participant in the 2006 Final Four.

The strategy: George Mason is a solid defensive team but will be challenged to stop Notre Dame’s 3-point shooting and inside play. Notre Dame will want a flowing game that favors its offense. George Mason will try to slow the pace and keep the game in the 60s.

The key players: George Mason’s Will Thomas and Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody. These two post players each average a double-double. The one who dominates the boards and scores the most in the low post will play on the team that advances to the second round.

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