NCAA tournament preview: Sunday’s games

East Regional

West Virginia (28-6) vs. Missouri (23-10): West Virginia has one of the deepest frontcourts in the nation, but its guards aren’t known for their offense. Their job will be to avoid turnovers and handle Missouri’s pressure defense. The Tigers want a fast pace, and the Mountaineers wouldn’t mind turning this into a half-court game.

Wisconsin (24-8) vs. Cornell (28-4): Cornell leads the nation in three-point field-goal percentage, and the Big Red’s motion offense carved up Temple’s defense in the first round. Wisconsin’s biggest advantage is its size. The Badgers need a big game from 6-foot-10 junior Jon Leuer. Cornell 7-footer Jeff Foote must avoid foul trouble.

South Regional

Purdue (28-5) vs. Texas A&M (24-9): Texas A&M is physical and plays good defense, but the Aggies aren’t particularly proficient on offense and can be sloppy with the ball. Purdue is physical on defense too, and will make it tough on Texas A&M. The big man showdown between Purdue’s JaJuan Johnson and Texas A&M’s Bryan Davis is worth keeping an eye on.

Duke (30-5) vs. California (24-10): Both teams want an up-tempo game. Duke is a better defensive team and rebounds better than the Golden Bears. Duke’s perimeter defense has been great. Cal shoots better than 37% from three-point range and has to be hot from the outside if it is to pull the upset. Duke’s Kyle Singler and Brian Zoubek should have offensive success in the post.

Midwest Regional

Ohio State (28-7) vs. Georgia Tech (23-12): Georgia Tech’s upset hopes depend on its big men. If Gani Lawal, Derrick Favors and Zachery Peacock get the ball enough, they are going to have success inside. Ohio State runs a four-guard offense with 6-7 Evan Turner directing traffic, but the athletic Buckeyes still rebound well.

Maryland (24-8) vs. Michigan State (25-8): Maryland wants to run, and while Michigan State can handle any kind of tempo, the Spartans probably would be content to make this a half-court game. The Spartans pound opponents on the backboards, and that bears watching.

West Regional

Syracuse (29-4) vs. Gonzaga (27-6): Syracuse shoots better than 51% and Gonzaga makes better than 49% of its shots. Syracuse’s zone means the Bulldogs are going to have to hit perimeter shots. The Orange should be able to score enough to beat Gonzaga, which means the Orange defense is the key to this one.

Pittsburgh (25-8) vs. Xavier (25-8): Pitt plays physical, aggressive defense, and Xavier prefers a fast pace. Xavier will try to use the three-pointer to create room in the lane for big men Jason Love and Jamel McLean.

— Associated Press