THURSDAY'S MATCHUPS by REGION (seeds in parentheses)

EAST
Duke (1) - Monmouth (16): This is an M&Mer, a mismatch. Carlos Boozer is out, but Jason Williams will be back from the sprained ankle that he suffered in the ACC championship game.

Georgia (8) - Missouri (9): This is one of the best first-round games, as a No. 8 vs. No. 9 should be. Jim Harrick's team is out to prove it belongs despite 14 losses. Kareem Rush is back, and he scored 31 vs. Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. There is already talk of a Quin Snyder vs. Coach K matchup in the second round. We will see if that happens.

Ohio State (5) - Utah State (12): I expect this to be a very physical game. A lot of people don't know much about Utah State, but Stew Morrill's team can play. Ken Johnson has to dominate for the Buckeyes to move on.

UCLA (4) - Hofstra (13): The Bruins know about past early-round disappointments, so they will be prepared. Hofstra has the nation's longest win streak coming in, so the Pride won't be taken lightly. But Jason Kapono, Earl Watson and Dan Gadzuric are too much for Jay Wright's team.

USC (6) - Oklahoma State (11): This will be an emotional game. I look forward to the matchup between USC's Jeff Trepagnier, an excellent defender, and Maurice Baker.

Boston College (3) - Southern Utah (14): The Eagles are flying high after rolling in the Big East tournament. Troy Bell is one of the best guards in America, and Al Skinner was my Coach of the Year. Boston College will roll on.

Iowa (7) - Creighton (10): This is a tough game for the Hawkeyes since they expended so much energy in winning the Big Ten tournament. Creighton is a dangerous team with good shooters. Even though the Bluejays are seeded 10th, it would not be an upset if they won. This is another one of the best first-round games.

Kentucky (2) - Holy Cross (15): Ralph Willard has done a great job getting Holy Cross into the Big Dance, but Kentucky is too strong. Tubby Smith's team can defend, and Tayshaun Prince and Keith Bogans provide a 1-2 punch that will score a big knockout.

WEST
Stanford (1) - UNC-Greensboro (16): The Cardinal have a couple of injury problems hurting their depth (Curtis Borchardt and Justin Davis). But Casey Jacobsen is an All-American, and Stanford has too much for Fran McCaffrey's team (McCaffrey is a former assistant of Digger Phelps).

Georgia Tech (8) - St. Joseph's (9): Tech's Paul Hewitt and Phil Martelli of St. Joe's are among the coaches who did the best jobs this season compared to preseason expectations. I see St. Joe's guard tandem of Marvin O'Connor and Jameer Nelson versus Tony Akins as one key. And Tech needs a big game inside from Alvin Jones. The winner could give Stanford some trouble in the second round.

Cincinnati (5) - BYU (12): Steve Logan and Kenny Satterfield are a dynamic duo in the Bearcats' backcourt. Cincinnati has lost in the second round four straight years, and this first-round game isn't easy. The Cougars are a steady team that hits its free throws, so if this is close ...

Indiana (4) - Kent State (13): This is a dangerous game for Mike Davis' club. The MAC is one of the most underrated conferences in America. Indiana should give Davis the permanent coaching job; the kids love him and want him back.

Wisconsin (6) - Georgia State (11): Lefty Driesell's Georgia State team wants to show it's for real with transfers Shernard Long and Kevin Morris. But the Badgers have experience and super defense on their side. This should be a very good matchup.

Maryland (3) - George Mason (14): Gary Williams has to make sure his Terps aren't looking ahead to either a game against Lefty or a rematch against a Badger team that beat them earlier this season. George Mason gave Maryland a scare last year. Still, Juan Dixon and company have too much firepower. Look for Lonny Baxter to be strong inside. I see the Terps going to the Final Four.

Arkansas (7) - Georgetown (10): This is one of the more interesting first-round matchups. Joe Johnson and the Razorbacks played well down the stretch to make the Big Dance. Hoyas guard Kevin Braswell will be challenged by the pressure defense of Arkansas.

Iowa State (2) - Hampton (15): Larry Eustachy has been talking up Hampton. Jamaal Tinsley and Kantrail Horton form one of the best backcourts in America, though Horton has struggled with his shooting lately.