TONIGHT’S GAMES

* Syracuse may be the overlooked team in the Sweet 16. The Orangemen have lost to only one non-Big East Conference opponent, No. 1 Massachusetts in the championship game of the Rainbow Classic in December. Coach Jim Boeheim has a 24-16 record in NCAA tournament play and his team came within a Keith Smart basket of winning the title in 1987. Senior forward John Wallace stayed in school instead of going to the NBA after last season and leads the Orangemen in scoring (22.1) and rebounding (8.6). Georgia Coach Tubby Smith is no stranger to the Sweet 16 after leading Tulsa to this point the last two seasons. The Bulldogs may be virtually unknown nationally, but their up-tempo style and team balance led them to impressive tournament victories over Clemson and Purdue.

* Before the start of the tournament, Arizona Coach Lute Olson said that Kansas point guard Jacque Vaughn can’t shoot and the Jayhawks lacked the depth to advance to the Final Four. Olson has since softened his stance. “The game should be interesting since we play a lot alike,” Olson said. “They are a much better rebounding team, but we have a stronger perimeter game.” Senior Ben Davis, who transferred from Kansas after his freshman season, averaged 14.3 points and 9.7 rebounds this season. Kansas has won its two games by a combined 53 points. Coach Roy Williams has five starters averaging double figures in scoring, but the key will be Vaughn’s matchup with Reggie Geary.