TODAY’S GAMES / OAKLAND REGIONAL

NO. 7 MARQUETTE VS. NO. 10 ALABAMA

* Site: San Diego. * Time: 11:40 a.m. PST

* Buzz: This matchup is something of a family affair. Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried’s cousin, Joni Harbaugh, is married to Marquette Coach Tom Crean. Crimson Tide F Jermareo Davidson and G Ronald Steele averaged a combined 31.5 points in Southeastern Conference play. Marquette G Joe Chapman, C Chris Grimm and F Steve Novak, all seniors, each were a part of the Golden Eagle team that reached the Final Four in 2003, and that experience could pay dividends as Marquette returns to the NCAA tournament for the first time since that run.

NO. 2 UCLA VS. NO. 15 BELMONT

* Site: San Diego. * Time: 1:55 p.m. PST

* Buzz: Pencil in the Bruins to advance. The blue-and-gold Bruins, that is. UCLA has too much firepower for its namesakes from Nashville. Gs Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo make up one of the nation’s top backcourts, and F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has been a rebounding force. Expect a spirited effort from Belmont, which needed overtime to defeat Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament title game, but not much else. Among the lesser-known Bruins’ losses: Kennesaw State, Wright State and Gardner Webb.

NO. 3 GONZAGA VS. NO. 14 XAVIER

* Site: Salt Lake City. * Time: 4:20 p.m. PST

* The Buzz: Gonzaga, once a March darling, hasn’t advanced past the second round since 2001. The Bulldogs’ defense is a concern this season, but they also have never had a player quite like F Adam Morrison, the nation’s leading scorer, averaging 28.4 points a game. F J.P. Batista, who said his bruised thigh is at 90% strength, is overshadowed by Morrison but gives Gonzaga a strong inside presence. He is averaging 19.3 points and 9.5 rebounds. Xavier won the Atlantic 10 tournament despite losing F Brian Thornton, its leading scorer and rebounder, to a broken ankle in February.

NO. 6 INDIANA VS. NO. 11 SAN DIEGO STATE

* Site: Salt Lake City. * Time: 6:50 p.m. PST

* The Buzz: Indiana Coach Mike Davis resigned in February but is coaching until the end of a season the Hoosiers will be trying to extend tonight. G Robert Vaden hasn’t practiced since spraining his left ankle Saturday against Ohio State. “Hopefully, he can play,” Davis said. San Diego State G Brandon Heath is the Aztecs’ leading scorer, averaging 18.5 points, but there is a key matchup down low between Aztec F Marcus Slaughter (6-9, 220) and Indiana F Marco Killingsworth (6-8, 268).

-- Ben Bolch and Robyn Norwood