TODAY’S GAMES* No. 2 Duke (24-8) vs....

TODAY’S GAMES

* No. 2 Duke (24-8) vs. No. 10 Providence (22-11)--If senior forward Austin Croshere shoots like he did Friday in an 81-59 blowout of Marquette, the Friars--with solid point play from God Shammgod--can pull off an upset. Duke has no player to match the forward skills of the 6-foot-9 Croshere, but the Friar defense was one of the Big East Conference’s worst and will have a difficult time stopping the Blue Devils’ three-point shooters, including a rejuvenated Jeff Capel. He made five of eight three-point shots in Duke’s 71-68 victory over Murray State on Friday. Croshere scored 39 points and made four of seven three-point shots against Marquette and is the senior leader a team needs to be successful in the tournament. Shammgod’s effectiveness against Duke’s Steve Wojciechowski will be a key. Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said the Blue Devils’ sluggish play in a 71-68 victory over 15th-seeded Murray State had more to do with the game’s late start time (10 p.m. EST) than any problems with his team.

*

* No. 6 Illinois (22-9) vs No. 14 Tennessee Chattanooga (23-10)--Guard Willie Young and forward Johnny Taylor give the Moccasins two players who can score. Young, with 24 points, in particular was the reason Tennessee Chattanooga upset third-seeded Georgia on Friday, 73-70. The Moccasins caught the Bulldogs off guard by scoring the game’s first 15 points. Illinois and Coach Lon Kruger probably won’t let that happen. In guard Kiwane Garris and forward Chris Gandy, the Fighting Illini have the equal of Chattanooga’s scoring duo. Kevin Turner gave the Illini a third option with 18 points in the 90-77 victory over USC, and the team that finds its third option first probably will control the game. A good sign for Illinois and its small front line is that Chattanooga was outrebounded by a small Georgia team, 35-26, and is not very tall up front.