TODAY’S GAMES

East Regional

West Virginia (27-6) vs. Morgan State (27-9): Forward Kevin Thompson averages a double-double for Morgan State, which is a 17.5-point underdog.

Temple (29-5) vs. Cornell (27-4): Cornell leads the nation with 43.4% shooting from three-point range; Temple holds opponents to 28.1% from three-point range.

Clemson (21-10) vs. Missouri (22-10): Both teams like to press and play up-tempo off transition. Which team takes better care of the ball is key: Missouri forces 19.7 turnovers per game, Clemson, 17.5.

Wisconsin (23-8) vs. Wofford (26-8): Neither team runs and guns, and Wisconsin’s size gives it the advantage in a half-court game.

South Regional

Purdue (27-5) vs. Siena (27-6): Siena is the trendy pick, and with good reason: The Saints have won first-round games in the last two NCAA tournaments and Purdue is without star forward Robbie Hummel.

Texas A&M; (23-9) vs. Utah State (27-7): Utah State lacks the size and athletic ability to compete physically with Texas A&M;, but it can shoot -- 41.9% on three-pointers.

Duke (29-5) vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff (18-15): If Arkansas Pine Bluff meets or exceeds its average of 16.7 turnovers a game, it won’t be able to hang with Duke.

California (23-10) vs. Louisville (20-12): The Golden Bears will be without forward Omondi Amoke, who this week was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. Cal has better guards, though, including Jerome Randle.

Midwest Regional

Oklahoma State (22-10) vs. Georgia Tech (22-12): Derrick Favors, Gani Lawal and Zachery Peacock give Georgia Tech the edge inside, but the Cowboys’ guards could cause havoc against a team that averages more than 16 turnovers.

Michigan State (24-8) vs. New Mexico State (22-11): The Spartans should have a big rebounding edge against New Mexico State, and they play much better defense.

Ohio State (27-7) vs. UC Santa Barbara (20-9): The Big West champion Gauchos don’t have anyone who can match up with Buckeyes swingman Evan Turner, who probably will be the college player of the year.

Maryland (23-8) vs. Houston (19-15): Cougars guard Aubrey Coleman (25.6 points per game) is the nation’s leading scorer, but Houston doesn’t rebound or play much defense.

West Regional

Xavier (24-8) vs. Minnesota (21-13): Xavier averages 80 points and limits opponents to 41.1% shooting. Minnesota needs point guard Devoe Joseph to have a good game and get his teammates the ball.

Pittsburgh (24-8) vs. Oakland (26-8): Pittsburgh needs to focus on center Keith Benson, a top scorer and rebounder. Oakland must contain guard Ashton Gibbs, who controls Pittsburgh’s offense.

Gonzaga (26-6) vs. Florida State (22-9): The nation’s best field-goal-percentage defense (Florida State) meets an offense that shoots 49.4%.

Syracuse (28-4) vs. Vermont (25-9): Guard Maurice Joseph of Vermont has an age and experience factor over younger brother and Syracuse sixth man Kris, who should have a bigger role with center Arinze Onuaku not expected to play.