SOUTH REGION

(3) Tennessee (25-8) vs.

(14) Wright State (25-9)

12:40 p.m. | truTV

Defense is both teams’ calling card. Vols opponents average 66.4 points; the Raiders allow 66 per game.

(6) Miami (22-9) vs.

(11) Loyola (28-5)

3:10 p.m. | truTV

Canes guard Bruce Brown (foot) will be in uniform but won’t play. Loyola ranks third in field-goal shooting, fifth in scoring defense.

(5) Kentucky (24-10) vs.

(12) Davidson (21-11)

7:10 p.m. | CBS

Kentucky’s all-freshman lineup has played great down the stretch. Davidson is third in the nation in free-throw shooting.

(4) Arizona (27-7) vs.

(13) Buffalo (26-8)

9:40 p.m. | CBS

The Wildcats have dealt with one off-court issue after another. The MAC tournament champ Bulls average 84.8 points.

WEST REGION

(4) Gonzaga (30-4) vs.

(13) UNC G’boro (27-7)

1:30 p.m., TNT

Johnathan Williams leads a handful of Bulldogs from last year’s runners-up. The Spartans are making their tournament debut.

(5) Ohio State (24-8) vs.

(12) S. Dakota St. (28-6)

4 p.m., TNT

The Buckeyes reloaded under first-year coach Chris Holtmann. The Jackrabbits’ Mike Daum (23.8?ppg) is a two-time Summit League player of the year.

(6) Houston (26-7) vs.

(11) San Diego St. (22-10)

7:20 p.m., TBS

The Cougars are the fourth program Kelvin Sampson has coached to the tournament. The Aztecs are riding a nine-game winning streak.

(3) Michigan (28-7) vs.

(14) Montana (26-7)

9:50 p.m., TBS

The Wolverines have won nine in a row, beating both Michigan State and Purdue in the Big Ten tournament. The Grizzlies force 16 turnovers per game.

EAST REGION

(1) Villanova (30-4) vs.

(16) Radford (23-12)

6:50 p.m. | TNT

The Wildcats shoot 50.4 percent from the field and 77.1 from the line. Radford won the Big South on Carlik Jones’ buzzer-beating 3.

(3) Texas Tech (24-9) vs.

(14) S.F. Austin (28-6)

7:27 p.m. | truTV

The Lumberjacks lead the nation forcing 20 turnovers per game. Red Raiders guard Keenan Evans has recovered from a toe injury.

(8) Virginia Tech (21-11) vs.

(9) Alabama (19-15)

9:20 p.m. | TNT

Dynamic Tide freshman Collin Sexton improved throughout the year. The Hokies knocked off Virginia, Duke and North Carolina.

(6) Florida (20-12) vs.

(11) St. Bona. (26-7)

9:57 p.m. | truTV

The Bonnies’ win over UCLA was their first NCAA victory since 1970. Gators PG Chris Chiozza averages 6.1 assists.

MIDWEST REGION

(7) Rhode Island (25-7) vs.

(10) Oklahoma (18-13)

12:15 p.m., CBS

The Sooners have heard how they don’t belong, but if Trae Young gets hot, they can beat anyone. The Rams also suffered a late slide.

(1) Kansas (27-7) vs.

(16) Penn (24-8)

2 p.m., TBS

The Jayhawks average 10 3s; the Quakers rank second in 3-point defense (29.2). Big man Ukoka Azubuike (knee) might not play for Kansas.

(2) Duke (26-7) vs.

(15) Iona (20-13)

2:45 p.m., CBS

The Blue Devils’ success depends on the freshman backcourt of Trevon Duval and Gary Trent Jr. Five Gaels average in double digits.

(8) Seton Hall (21-11) vs.

(9) N.C. State (21-11)

4:30 p.m., TBS

Seton Hall scoring leader Desi Rodriguez is working back from an ankle injury. Kevin Keatts has the Wolfpack ahead of schedule.

— Kansas City Star