MIDWEST REGIONAL

* Will Utah’s Keith Van Horn play? The star forward, who sat out Thursday’s victory over Canisius because of a viral infection, will be a game-time decision. Van Horn, the Western Athletic Conference MVP and a second-team All-America selection, was feeling better Friday and watched his teammates practice. “I’m willing to give Keith a shot, to see what he does,” Ute Coach Rick Majerus said. If Van Horn can’t play, sophomore Ben Melmeth will start in his place. Iowa State is coming off an impressive victory against California and will present similar problems for Utah, which prefers a faster pace.

* Kentucky beat San Jose State by 38 points Thursday, but has to be concerned why it wasn’t more. The Wildcats were outrebounded in the first half before swarming the Spartans with fresh legs in the second. Virginia Tech provides a more formidable challenge, with the ability to slow the pace and score from the half-court set. The Hokies are an experienced group, starting four seniors and one junior, star forward Ace Custis. “In a one-game situation it wouldn’t be a shock for us to get beat,” Kentucky Coach Rich Pitino said.