Previewing Sunday's South Region final

No. 1 Memphis (36-1) vs. No. 2 Texas (31-6)

1:20 p.m., Houston

The 411: Texas is in a regional final for the third time in the last six seasons. The Longhorns reached the Final Four in 2003 by advancing out of a regional in the Lone Star state (San Antonio).

The strategy: Texas needs the kind of defensive and rebounding effort it got in Friday night’s victory over Stanford. When Memphis’ front court players -- Joey Dorsey and Robert Dozier -- get offensive rebounds and block shots, the Tigers are a difficult team to beat. If Dexter Pittman gives quality minutes as he did Friday night, that would be a plus for the Longhorns.

The key matchup: Texas’ guards vs. Memphis guards. Let’s assume that the front courts will battle to a draw. That means that the game should be won by the guards that perform best. The Longhorns figure to utilize their zone defense quite a bit. If the Longhorns’ D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams can match point totals with the Tigers’ Chris Douglas-Roberts and Derrick Rose, Texas should be able to win. Keep an eye on Texas guard Justin Mason as an “x” factor.

Memphis stat line: Memphis has won 102 games over the last three seasons. The only team in NCAA history with a better three-season win total is Kentucky (104 victories from 1996-98). Kentucky made the Final Four each of those seasons and won two national championships.

Texas stat line: In three NCAA Tournament victories, the Longhorns are allowing opponents an average of 62.7 points per game on 34.1 percent shooting. Memphis is averaging 85.3 points per game on 49.4 percent shooting.

Texas probable starters