TODAY’S GAMES / ATLANTA REGIONAL

NO. 8 GEORGE WASHINGTON VS. NO. 9 UNC WILMINGTON

* Site: Greensboro, N.C. * Time: 4:10 p.m. PST

* The Buzz: Despite only two losses and having run through an undefeated Atlantic 10 Conference regular season, George Washington was awarded only a No. 8 seed and must play in an arena only about 100 miles from its opponent’s campus. It will be a game-time decision by Colonial Coach Karl Hobbs whether senior forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who averages 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds, will be in the lineup. Mensah-Bonsu hasn’t played since suffering a torn knee ligament Feb. 22, although he did return to practice this week.

NO. 1 DUKE VS. NO. 16 SOUTHERN

* Site: Greensboro, N.C. * Time: approx. 6:40 p.m. PST

* The Buzz: Last time the Jaguars from the Southwestern Athletic Conference were in the tournament -- 16 years ago -- they upset Georgia Tech. Becoming the first No. 16 seed to win a game seems unlikely though. Duke found its shooting rhythm while winning the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, especially J.J. Redick, who made seven of 11 three-point attempts in the final. Southern has lost by an average of 27.2 points to the five NCAA tournament teams it has faced this season, but senior guard Chris Alexander (15.6 ppg.) is fast and loves the flashy pass, so watch for him to make a spectacular play or two.

NO. 4 LOUISIANA STATE VS. NO. 13 IONA

* Site: Jacksonville, Fla. * Time: 4:10 p.m. PST

* The Buzz: LSU has Glen Davis, the Southeastern Conference player of the year, a 6-9, 310-pound sophomore forward who draws comparisons to Charles Barkley, a similarly rotund former SEC star. The Tigers are ignited, though, by senior guard Darrel Mitchell, who is only 5-11 and 178 pounds. The most recognizable face for Iona is Coach Jeff Ruland, a former NBA stalwart. The Gaels have prospered lately because guard Steve Burtt has made 34 three-pointers in the last seven games. Burtt averaged 25.2 points this season. The Gaels also have 11 road wins, tied for the most in Division I.

NO. 5 SYRACUSE VS. NO. 12 TEXAS A&M;

* Site: Jacksonville, Fla. * Time: approx. 6:40 p.m. PST

* The Buzz: The Orange could still be riding the big high that carried them through four games to the Big East tournament title, when senior guard Gerry McNamara was unstoppable. Or they could have spent every bit of heart and energy they had in that glorious run. Which is what the Aggies must hope for. Acie Law IV leads the Aggies in scoring (15.9 ppg.) and Big 12 coach of the year Billy Gillispie hopes the Aggies can prove wrong the many experts who said his team didn’t deserve a tournament at-large bid.

-- Diane Pucin