SOUTH REGION
Capsule previews of Thursday’s South Region semifinal games in Louisville.
No. 2 Villanova (31-5) vs. No. 3 Miami (Fla.) (27-7)
Time, TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CBS
Why Villanova will win: The Wildcats have found their offensive form in the last month, averaging 81.8 points since Feb. 24. Villanova made 65 of 111 field goal attempts in NCAA tournament victories against North Carolina-Asheville and Iowa. Guard Ryan Arcidiacono is the facilitator of this revved-up attack, dealing out 61 assists with just eight turnovers in the last 10 games.
Why Miami will win: Angel Rodriguez has the ability to take over any game. The guard is averaging 26 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 steals in 35 minutes per tournament game. He is shooting 57.7% from the field, 60% from two-point distance and 54.5% from three-point range. Coach Jim Larranaga is 4-1 with the Hurricanes in the NCAA tournament, 9-6 overall.
No. 1 Kansas (32-4) vs. No. 5 Maryland (27-8)
Time, TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CBS
Why Kansas will win: The Jayhawks own the nation’s longest winning streak at 16 games. They have shown a killer instinct in the tournament behind forward Perry Ellis (averaging 21 points per game) and guard Wayne Selden Jr. (18 ppg). Selden is one of eight Jayhawks who shoot 40% or better from three-point distance.
Why Maryland will win: The Terrapins will need an exemplary effort from guard Melo Trimble. Trimble answered the call in a second-round win against Hawaii, striking for 24 points. He is averaging 21.5 points for the tournament. Forward Jake Layman has been a tournament shooting star, making good on 57.9% of his shots and averaging 18.5 points.