WHAT TO LOOK FOR

How they got here: Maryland essentially played two home games in Washington and made it through its pod unscathed. A lot of bracket-heads had Valparaiso upsetting Kentucky in the opening round, but Tubby Smith’s Wildcats are the only Southeastern Conference school (of six that made it) left in the field. Kentucky followed a 15-point victory over Valparaiso by defeating Tulsa. Southern Illinois, seeded 11th, defeated Bob Knight-coached Texas Tech in the first round and Jim Harrick-coached Georgia in the second. Connecticut survived a tough first-round opponent in Hampton, and then held off North Carolina State, 77-74, in a controversial finish.

Difference makers: This regional is loaded with them. Maryland string-bean guard Juan Dixon scored 29 points in each of the Terrapins’ two wins; Kentucky would be watching the second weekend on television if not for senior Tayshaun Prince, who scored 41 points in the Wildcats’ victory over Tulsa. Southern Illinois is led by a flaky but emerging star in sophomore forward Jermaine Dearman, who outplayed Georgia’s more touted interior men in Sunday’s victory. Caron Butler has already made a difference for Connecticut, scoring 34 points in Sunday’s victory over North Carolina State. Butler also had nine rebounds and four assists and made five free throws in the last 11 seconds to secure the Huskies’ three-point victory.

Team tidbits: Prince’s 41 points against Tulsa were the most scored by a Kentucky player in the NCAA tournament since Jack Givens had 41 against Duke in the 1978 finals. Southern Illinois, at No. 11, is one of the lowest seeded teams to make the Sweet 16, although Missouri at No. 12 has the Salukis beat this year. Since 1979, the lowest-seeded teams to make the final 16 were No. 14 Cleveland State in 1986 and No. 14 Tennessee Chattanooga in 1997. For what it’s worth, oddsmakers Glantz and Culver rate Southern Illinois as 100-1 to win the tournament. Maryland is tied with Kansas for second at 3-1, Connecticut is 8-1 and Kentucky 30-1.

How it shakes out: Never underestimate a team on a mission, right? Last year, Maryland won the West Region and finally got Gary Williams to the Final Four, but a bitter semifinal loss to Duke appears to have the Terrapins laser-beam bent on making amends. Kentucky will need another huge game from Prince and a lot of help to beat Maryland. Look for the Terrapins to get the ball inside to their big guys, Lonny Baxter and Chris Wilcox, and pound Kentucky into submission. That will lead to open looks for guards Dixon and Steve Blake. In the other semifinal, don’t be shocked if Southern Illinois continues this ride and upsets No. 2 Connecticut. Southern Illinois is no Cinderella. The Salukis under Coach Bruce Weber play tenacious defense and have two inside players, Dearman and Rolan Roberts, who aren’t afraid to mix it up. Prepare yourselves for Maryland-Southern Illinois in a tough-as-nails regional final. In the end, Maryland’s inside strength and the guard play of Dixon and Blake will be too much for Southern Illinois to handle. Maryland returns to the Final Four, hoping perhaps to bump into Duke.