Regional semifinal previews

Thursday’s East Regional Sweet 16 games

No. 4 Washington State (26-8) vs. No. 1 North Carolina (34-2)

6:27 p.m., Charlotte, N.C.

The 411: This will be the first meeting between the two schools. Washington State has never played in the Sweet 16 before. This is the Tar Heels’ NCAA-record 22nd trip to the Sweet 16.

The strategy:The Cougars want a half-court, grind-it-out game with the score in the 60s. The Tar Heels want to fast break and score, score, score. North Carolina averages nearly 90 points per game and scored 113 and 108 in its opening weekend victories.

The key matchup: North Carolina’s Ty Lawson vs. Washington State’s defense and style of play. Particularly early in both halves, Lawson needs to be patient. If the fast break isn’t there, he has to avoid forcing the action. That could result in turnovers that allow the Cougars to control the pace. And throwing the ball inside to Tyler Hansbrough is a always a viable option in the half-court offense.

Washington State stat line: Over the last 60 minutes (second half vs. Winthrop, game vs. Notre Dame), Washington State has allowed 52 points and just 0.56 points per possession.

North Carolina stat line: North Carolina is 23-1 in NCAA Tournament games played in the state of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are 7-0 in NCAA games played in Charlotte.

Washington State probable starters

No. Pos. Name Ht, Wt. Yr. Stats

10 G Taylor Rochestie, 6-1, 185, Jr. 10.8 4.6 ast., 48% FG

2 G Derrick Low 6-2, 196, Sr. 13.9 44% FG, 79% FT

25 G/F Kyle Weaver 6-5, 200, Sr. 11.6 4.9 reb., 4.4 ast.

11 C+Aron Baynes 6-10, 270, Jr. 10.6 5.9 reb., 59% FG

34 F Robbie Cowgill 6-10, 210 Sr. 7.2 5.1 reb., 54% FG

North Carolina probable starters

No. Pos. Name+Ht, Wt. Yr.+Stats

22+G+Wayne Ellington+6-4, 200, Soph.+ 16.4, 41%, 3FG, 86% FT

1+G/F+Marcus Ginyard+6-5, 220+Jr.+ . 7.4, 4.4 reb., 44% FG

5+G+Ty Lawson+5-11, 195, Soph.+ 12.9, 5.5 ast., 53% FG

21+F+Deon Thompson+, 6-8, 240, Soph.+ . 8.6 5.0 reb., 58% FT

50+F+Tyler Hansbrough+6-9, 250, Jr.+ 23.1, 10.5 reb., 54% FG

No. 2 Tennessee (31-4) vs. No. 3 Louisville (26-8)

8:57 p.m., Charlotte, N.C.

The 411: Louisville is in the Sweet 16 for the 16th time. Only four teams have made more trips to the regional semifinals (since 1975) _ North Carolina (22), Kentucky (20), Duke (19) and UCLA (17). Tennessee is in the Sweet 16 for the fifth time and has never played in a regional final.

The strategy: Will Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl return Ramar Smith to the starting lineup as the point guard? The Volunteers went with sophomore J.P. Prince at the point against Butler and nearly regretted it (20 turnovers in an overtime victory). The Cardinals will come at Tennessee with a variety of defensive looks. Both teams like to press so watch for easy baskets produced by turnovers.

The key matchup: Tennessee’s Tyler Smith vs. Louisville’s Terrance Williams and Earl Clark. Smith is a small forward playing the “four” spot and he has created match up problems all season. Williams and Clark, though, are outstanding players. Clark is part of a Louisville bench that has produced 33.5 points per game in two NCAA Tournament victories.

Louisville stat line: Senior center David Padgett is averaging 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 68.8 percent from the field (55-of-80) over the last 11 games.

Tennessee stat line: Over the last two seasons (70 games) Tennessee’s full-court press has forced 289 turnovers when its opponent was trying to inbound the ball.

Louisville probable starters

No. Pos. Name Ht, Wt. Yr. Stats

1 F Terrence Williams 6-6, 215, Jr. 11.0, 7.3

3 F Juan Palacios 6-8, 250, Sr. 6.4, 4.0

4 C David Padgett 6-11, 250, Sr. 11.4, 4.5

33 G Andre McGee 5-10, 180, Jr. 6.4, 1.6

34 G Jerry Smith 6-1, 200, Soph. 10.5, 3.6

Tennessee probable starters

No. Pos. Name Ht, Wt. Yr. Stats

1 Tyler Smith 6-7, 215, Soph. 13.7, 6.8, 3.5

4 F Wayne Chism 6-9, 242, Soph. 9.9, 5.8, 1.2

2 G JaJuan Smith 6-2, 195, Sr. 14.5, 3.7, 2.3

5 G Chris Lofton 6-2, 200, Sr. 15.5, 3.2, 1.8

30 G J.P. Prince 6-7, 205 Soph. 8.3, 3.3, 1.8