TODAY’S GAMES

AT WASHINGTON

Maryland vs. Siena: Siena--winner of the play-in game against Alcorn State--is only the 16th team to make the NCAA tournament with a losing record. The Saints are best known for upsetting Stanford in the first round in 1989, but this team is not at that level. No 16th-seeded team has beaten a No. 1. Maryland Coach Gary Williams probably will use the game to work on the Terrapin defense.

Wisconsin vs. St. John’s: For a No. 8-vs.-No. 9 game, this one is not particularly attractive. St. John’s is coming off a 20-point loss to Notre Dame in the Big East tournament and Wisconsin lost to Iowa on a late shot by Luke Recker in the Big Ten. Wisconsin, led by guard Kirk Penney, a New Zealander, won its last five regular-season games, including upsets of Ohio State and Indiana. St. John’s, led by guard Marcus Hatten, has lost three of its last five games.

North Carolina State vs. Michigan State: North Carolina State upset Maryland in the semifinals of the ACC tournament before losing to Duke in the final. Michigan State’s streak of three consecutive Final Fours figures to end this year, but the young Spartans played well down the stretch, beating Indiana and Ohio State late in the season before losing to Indiana in the Big Ten tournament.

Connecticut vs. Hampton: Hampton pulled the big upset as a No. 15-seeded team last year, beating Iowa State, and once again is a No. 15 playing a No. 2. Hampton also upset North Carolina early this season. But Connecticut, which beat North Carolina by 32 in January, is playing its best basketball of the season. The Huskies are coming off a double-overtime upset of Pittsburgh in the Big East tournament final.

Robyn Norwood

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AT CHICAGO

Texas Tech vs. Southern Illinois: For all the talk about how Red Raider Coach Bob Knight is dangerous when given time to prepare, he was 2-6 in his last six NCAA appearances at Indiana. Texas Tech is a little too dependent on three players--Kasib Powell, Andy Ellis and Andre Emmett--to provide the bulk of its scoring, and is coming off a 40-point loss to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament. Southern Illinois is an athletic team and has a puncher’s chance, led by guard Kent Williams.

Georgia vs. Murray State: Jim Harrick (remember him?) turned in another dandy, post-UCLA coaching job in leading the Bulldogs to their second consecutive NCAA bid. This is the 16th team Harrick has led into the tournament, although Georgia lacks momentum after going out in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament. Murray State has won 10 of 11 games.

Chris Dufresne