Chicago Regional

NO. 1 ILLINOIS VS. NO. 3 ARIZONA

* How they got here: Illinois defeated Fairleigh Dickinson, 67-55; Nevada, 71-59; Wisconsin Milwaukee, 77-63. Arizona defeated Utah State, 66-53; Alabama Birmingham, 85-63; Oklahoma State, 79-78.

STARTERS

*--* Illinois Ht Wt Stat Pos Arizona Ht Wt Stat Roger Powell 6-6 235 11.7 ppg F Ivan Radenovic 6-10 221 5.5 rpg James 6-10 230 7.7 rpg F/C Channing Frye 6-11 248 15.6 ppg Augustine Luther Head 6-3 185 15.6 ppg G/F Hassan Adams 6-4 212 12.4 ppg Deron 6-3 210 6.6 apg G Mustafa Shakur 6-3 183 4.5 apg Williams Dee Brown 6-0 185 13.4 ppg G Salim 6-1 179 18.7 ppg Stoudamire

*--*

RESERVES

*--* Illinois Ht Wt Stat Pos Arizona Ht Wt Stat Rich 6-3 215 2.7 ppg G Jawann 6-4 214 5.6 ppg McBridge McClellan Jack 6-10 245 4.1 ppg F/G Chris Rodgers 6-4 210 5.7 ppg Ingram Nick Smith 7-2 250 2.2 rpg C Kirk Walters 6-10 233 1.5 rpg

*--*

* How they match up: Most teams have difficulty matching up with the Illinois three-guard attack. Not Arizona. Mustafa Shakur, Salim Stoudamire and swingman Hassan Adams are probably the equal of Illinois guards Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head in skill and athleticism, though Williams’ decision-making at the point is exceptional. Inside, Arizona’s Channing Frye has a height, weight and skill advantage over James Augustine.

* Keys to the game: The matchup between Stoudamire and Brown should be scintillating, as two of the best quick-release three-point shooters in the nation go head to head. Stoudamire has made as many as nine three-pointers in a game this season, and Brown -- also the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year -- has made as many as eight.

-- Robyn Norwood