Houston (25-3) vs. Rutgers (16-11)

When/where: 6:10 p.m. today; Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. TV/radio: TBS; 950 AM.

PLAYERS TO WATCH Rutgers: Myles Johnson

You could easily mention guards Geo Baker, Jacob Young or Ron Harper Jr., but the Cougars have their work cut out with the 6-11, 255-pound center. He leads the Big Ten with 67 blocks and is sixth with 8.7 rebounds. “Best combo rim-protector, shot-blocker and offensive rebounder in Big Ten,” UH coach Kelvin Sampson said.

Houston: Marcus Sasser

With senior point guard DeJon Jarreau questionable with a hip injury, Sasser needs to step up. The 6-1 sophomore guard has been trending in the right direction since the end of the regular season, averaging 14.5 points and 41-percent shooting in the last four games.

WHY RUTGERS WILL WIN

The Scarlet Knights are battle-tested, having played a brutal schedule in the Big Ten, which was rated the toughest conference this season by KenPom. After waiting 30 years to attend the Big Dance,

Rutgers wants to stick around for a few songs. Rutgers must keep things close and exploit any weakness, especially if the Cougars are without leader DeJon Jarreau.

WHY HOUSTON WILL WIN

Somehow, some way, the Cougars always tend to reach deep and find a way to gut out games. There are so many weapons in the lineup that the Cougars should be able to overcome the loss of Jarreau — for now. Frontcourt of Justin Gorham, Reggie Chaney, Fabian White Jr. and Brison Gresham needs another strong performance like the opener, when they combined for 38 points and 20 rebounds.

BONUS STAT

With 13 points and 10 rebounds in the first-round win over Clemson, Caleb McConnell was the first Rutgers player to post a double-double off the bench in an NCAA Tournament game since Abdel Anderson against UConn in 1976.