What To Look For

* Auburn (29-3) vs. Ohio State (25-8): Let’s get the introductions out of the way. Auburn, meet Ohio State. Ohio State, Auburn. This is the first meeting between the schools and a story of two basketball success stories. Auburn came from nowhere to win the Southeastern Conference regular-season title; Ohio State was the nation’s biggest comeback story after winning only eight games last season. What Auburn needs: a breakout performance from superstar forward Chris Porter, who sputtered in victories against Winthrop and Oklahoma State. NCAA jitters? Auburn players disagree, saying opponents have ganged up on Porter, leaving open shots for guard Scott “Opie” Pohlman, who made five of eight three-point shots and 60% of his shots at Indianapolis. What Ohio State needs: better shooting from guard Scoonie Penn, who made only seven of 27 shots at Indianapolis. Neither school has suffered from NCAA-itis, despite the fact this is Auburn’s first appearance since 1988 and Ohio State’s first since 1992. Something to chew on: Auburn is only the ninth school to be seeded No. 1 a season after not making the tournament.

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St. John’s (27-8) vs. Maryland (28-5): The best matchup of the regional semifinals, and the only pairing of top 10 teams. Look for Maryland to set a fast pace in an attempt to run St. John’s ragged with its quickness and speed, led by guards Steve Francis and Terrell Stokes. With center Obinna Ekezie sidelined because of injury, the Terrapins go small with 6-foot-8 Lonny Baxter and 6-9 forward Terence Morris, one of the nation’s rising stars. After a poor Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Morris had 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the second round against Creighton. What Maryland needs: better shooting from small forward Laron Profit, who was one for 11 in round two. St John’s has had a terrific season and made an impressive two-game tournament statement, but the Red Storm’s record in close games against top-notch opponents is suspect, having lost to Duke, Stanford, Purdue, Miami and Connecticut. To beat Maryland, St. John’s needs to replay its performance in last weekend’s 86-61 victory over Indiana. The Red Storm ran when it had to against the Hoosiers but was more impressive in the half-court game when it clogged Indiana’s motion offense with a paralyzing zone defense.