Zion-Tacko matchup highlights NCAA

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) » Tacko Fall really hopes the UCFDuke NCAA Tournament game is not all about the Knights’ 7- foot- 6 center and the Blue Devils’ explosive freshman star Zion Williamson.

Sorry, Tacko, it’s way too late for that with excitement strong for the East Region’s marquee matchup Sunday between college basketball’s tallest player vs. its most dynamic performer in Williamson.

“Obviously, it’s very exciting,” said Fall, a full 11 inches taller than Williamson. “You got a guy who’s 7- 6. You got a guy who’s a freak athlete, very talented. But at the end of the day, it’s a ballgame. It’s basketball. We can’t make it bigger than what it really is. I don’t want it to be like a freak show between Zion and I.”

Already, Fall has pledged to stand tall and not let Williamson dunk on him.

Challenge accepted, sort of.

“What is he supposed to say?” Williamson responded. “He said the right thing.”

Count on both players continuing what has them a step away from the Sweet 16.

Fall, a senior, had 13 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in helping UCF (24-8) to its first-ever NCAA victory, 73-58, over eighthseeded VCU .

Williamson had 25 points and put on a dazzling, dominant show in the second half to lift Duke (30- 5) to an 85- 62 victory over North Dakota State.

Williamson knows Fall, with an armspan of 8 feet, 4 inches, will be a hurdle like none the Blue Devils have faced before.

“I got a lot of respect for him because for him to be that size and be able to move the way he does and have as much skill as he does, he’s a great player,” Williamson said.

Fall will do all he can to do what most other opponents haven’t this season — limit Williamson’s effectiveness down low.

“I’m going to be out there and be aggressive and be the (rim) protector that I am,” Fall said. “Zion is obviously a very talented kid, great kid.”

But, Fall continued, “he’s going to do his job and I’m going to do my job and whatever happens, happens.” lieves that took away many of the awkward feelings if this were the first time. “You still don’t relish it,” he said. “But it’s still something you’ve already experienced.”