EAST REGIONAL
No. 6 Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Southern Illinois
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Tipoff: 6:50 p.m. Friday, United Center.
Quick look: Coach Bob Knight turned around the Red Raiders–9-19 last season–faster than most people thought he would. Knight will be the focus of attention, which may take some of the pressure off his players. The Red Raiders are coming off a 40-point rout at the hands of Kansas in the Big 12 tournament semifinals. Southern spent a week fretting whether it would be invited after falling in the Missouri Valley Conference championship game. Senior guard Kent Williams provides the outside shot while undersized center Rolan Roberts gives the Salukis an inside presence.
Tech turning point: Hiring Knight as coach. After being blown out by Kansas in February, Tech won seven of its last eight to advance to the Big 12 semifinals.
SIU turning point: In a one-week span the Salukis almost upset then-No. 2 Illinois, beat Illinois-Chicago by eight and beat Indiana by 12. All three teams are in the tournament, and coach Bruce Weber said the Indiana victory may have secured the bid.
Did you know? The last time Texas Tech was in the tournament–1996–the Red Raiders advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Georgetown in the East Regional semifinal. . . . The at-large bid was the first the Salukis have received. Southern’s other tournament appearances were secured with automatic bids as conference champion.
Bob Foltman.
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 14 Murray State
Tipoff: 9:10 p.m. Friday, United Center.
Quick look: Led by four sophomores Georgia got off to a fast start in the Southeastern Conference but has lost some steam down the stretch, going 5-6 in its last 11 games. Jarvis Hayes, a sophomore transfer from Western Carolina, led the Bulldogs in scoring at 17.8 points a game and junior Ezra Williams added 16.9 a game. Coach Jim Harrick has taken four teams to the NCAA tournament and won it all with UCLA in 1995. Murray State got hot late in the season and beat top-seeded Tennessee Tech in the Ohio Valley Conference title game.
Georgia turning point: The Bulldogs won 16 of their first 19, but are just 5-6 in their last 11.
Murray State turning point: The Racers won 10 of their last 11, including the Ohio Valley title game.
Did you know? Harrick is just one of six coaches in the field who has won a national championship. . . . The Racers have lost 10 of their 11 NCAA games. The only victory came over N.C. State in the first round in 1988.
Bob Foltman.