SOUTHEAST REGIONAL

Get ready for a rumble: Cincinnati’s 260-pound mass of muscle, Danny Fortson, vs. Mississippi State’s leaner, taller, 265-pound Erick Dampier is a heavyweight dream matchup on the low post, and whoever wins it probably will lead his team to the Final Four. Neither big man has been scoring much in the tournament, but both set the tone for their teams with their aggressiveness and rebounding. “I have to keep him off the glass,” Fortson said of Dampier. “If I do that, we probably have a good chance of winning.” While tournament foes have concentrated on stopping Fortson inside, Bearcat guard Damon Flint has stepped up, averaging 19.3 points (six above his season average) and 5.3 assists in three victories. While the Bearcats have reveled in--and completely agreed with--their favorites’ role throughout the Southeast Regional, Mississippi State, despite its victory over Kentucky in the SEC title game and over top-seeded Connecticut on Friday, will be the underdog for the second consecutive game tonight. This is the Bulldogs’ first trip to a regional final. “We love coming into games as the underdog,” forward Dontae’ Jones said. “When people don’t give you a chance, it makes it sweeter.” The Bulldogs play stifling defense--they held opponents to 39% shooting in the season, and held Connecticut to only 32.4%--and run hard screens to free up streak shooters Jones, who ripped Kentucky for 28 points, and Darryl Wilson, who torched Connecticut for 27, on the perimeter.