No. 13 San Diego vs. No. 12 Western Kentucky
1:50 p.m., Tampa
The 411: San Diego is playing in the second round for the first time in its history. Western Kentucky last made it this far in 1995 thanks to an overtime defeat of Michigan.
The strategy: San Diego’s Gyno (pronounced GEE-no) Pomare had a surprisingly productive first-round game against Connecticut. The Hilltoppers’ D.J. Magley (6-9 freshman) and Jeremy Evans (6-9 sophomore) will need to keep the 6-8, 240-pound Pomare from dominating the lane. Western Kentucky also needs to do a good job defensively when the Toreos’ attack off the dribble.
The key players: Western Kentucky’s Tyrone Brazleton vs. San Diego’s Brandon Johnson. These point guards each had outstanding games in their teams’ first-round upsets. Brazleton is the man pushing the ball in the Hilltoppers’ fast-paced attack. Johnson, from Houston, can score and create in the Toreos’ half-court sets.
