March 23, 2007

Hey baby, we have a pair of 1 vs. 2 match-ups in Saturday's regional finals. The winners go to Atlanta as the first two clubs in the Final Four, while the losers go home.

Let's look ahead to the games!

KANSAS VS. UCLA
This was the projected showdown when the brackets came out. What a battle of styles as Kansas will want to go up tempo, trying to run and score in transition.

UCLA is so tough defensively and Ben Howland's team will want to keep it in the 50s. Southern Illinois controlled the pace and gave Kansas a lot of trouble.

The Bruins need Arron Afflalo to shoot better. Yes, he was 10-for-10 from the foul line in the win over Pittsburgh, but he only made three-of-11 shots.

Playing in California is one plus for the Bruins, who could duplicate last year's run to the Final Four … remember it was San Diego and Oakland in 2006, Sacramento and San Jose this time around.

I expect a tight one, with Howland's team sneaking by.

OHIO STATE VS. MEMPHIS
The Buckeyes were down 49-29 late in the first half of the Sweet 16 game against Tennessee. Thad Matta's team fought back, hit some big shots and came through with an amazing one-point win over the Vols. Ohio State also rallied from a late nine-point deficit against Xavier to prevail in the second round.

Now Ohio State meets a Memphis squad that has won 25 straight games. The Tigers are a better team than I thought and John Calipari has done a remarkable job with this program. Remember, Memphis lost Rodney Carney, Shawne Williams and Darius Washington Jr. from last year's Elite Eight squad.

I give Memphis credit for playing as a team. Antonio Anderson hit two big free throws late in the win over Texas A&M.

Greg Oden was in foul trouble against Tennessee, but he came up with the big block of a Ramar Smith shot at the end. Oden needs to stay off the bench and out of foul trouble here.

I can hear Calipari screaming for me to pick against his team again. I will, as I see Ohio State going to Atlanta.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.