Games involving West and South regions. All Hawaii times.

WEST REGION

No. 5 Purdue (25-9) vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa (23-10)

Tipoff: 8:30 a.m.

Coaches: Matt Painter (Purdue), Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa).

Overview: Northern Iowa won the Missouri Valley tournament after a lackluster year for the conference. The Big Ten's Purdue, on the other hand, won the conference tournament in a league that sent seven teams to the NCAA tournament. The Boilermakers have the look of a team that could make a run, righting themselves in the Big Ten tourney and seeing improved play from sharpshooting forward Robbie Hummel, who has struggled with a back injury this season.

Difference-makers: Purdue -- F Robbie Hummel (12.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg) had a strong Big Ten tourney, scoring 20, 19 and 9; C JaJuan Johnson (13.2 ppg, 2.2 bpg) was first-team all-Big Ten; G E'Twaun Moore (13.9 ppg) led team in scoring 14 times. Northern Iowa -- G Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11.8 ppg) was a Missouri Valley Conference all-defensive team pick; F Adam Koch (12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) had a 30-point game against Missouri State; C Jordan Eglseder (10.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 58.8 fg%) is Northern Iowa's first 7-footer.

Stattitude: Purdue is 17-5 in NCAA tournament first-round games and hasn't gone one-and-done since 1993.

No. 4 Washington (25-8) vs. No. 13 Mississippi State (23-12)

Tipoff: About 11 a.m.

Coaches: Lorenzo Romar (Washington), Rick Stansbury (Mississippi State).

Overview: Washington isn't sure what to expect from the crowd in Portland's Rose Garden. Sure, they'll have some of their fans, but how many Oregon fans, who don't exactly love the Huskies, will show up? Washington is sure it got a tough first-round draw, the SEC tournament champs. Mississippi State tends to live and die with the three-pointer.

Difference-makers: Washington -- F Jon Brockman (14.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg) is a machine on the boards; G Isaiah Thomas (15.4 ppg) is the second coming of Nate Robinson; G Justin Dentmon (15.3 ppg, 43.2 3fg) is a clutch shooter. Mississippi State -- F/C Jarvis Varnado (13.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.7 bpg) is a two-time SEC defensive player of the year; G/F Ravern Johnson (12.4 ppg, 40.0 3fg%) leads team with 82 three-pointers; G Barry Stewart (12.2 ppg) has 200 career three-pointers.

Stattitude: Washington's five starters have a total of 35 blocked shots. MSU's Jarvis Varnado has 165.

SOUTH REGION

No. 4 Gonzaga (26-5) vs. No. 13 Akron (23-12)

Tipoff: 1:25 p.m.

Coaches: Mark Few (Gonzaga), Keith Dambrot (Akron).

Overview: Akron is basically Gonzaga circa 1999, , a mid-major that can play a little with the big boys given a chance. Gonzaga, though, has matured into a consistent power, and this is one of the better Zags squads, a balanced team with a strong defense and good size and a lot of guys who can shoot the basketball.

Difference-makers: Gonzaga -- G Matt Bouldin (13.7 ppg, 3.4 apg, 44.8 3fg%) is a two-time first-team all-West Coast Conference pick; F Josh Heytvelt (14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 54.5 fg%) scored 28 and 29 in back-to-back games in February; F Austin Daye (12.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.0 bpg) averaged 17.5 in WCC tourney. Akron -- F Nate Linhart (10.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) is a defensive stopper; F Brett McKnight (11.3 ppg) leads the team in scoring as sixth man; F Chris McKnight (9.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg) had 14 rebounds in MAC tourney semis vs. Bowling Green.

Stattitude: Gonzaga shot 48.7% from the field, a full 12 points better than its opponents (36.7%).

No. 5 Illinois (24-9) vs. No. 12 Western Kentucky (24-8)

Tipoff: About 3:55 p.m.

Coaches: Bruce Weber (Illinois), Ken McDonald (Western Kentucky).

Overview: The Illini will lose a lot if injured guard Chester Frazier (hand) is unable to go. He's their best defender and floor leader. His teammates will need to step up, because Western Kentucky has terrific guards in A.J. Slaughter and Orlando Mendez-Valdez, who combine for about 30 points a game.

Difference-makers: Illinois -- F Mike Davis (11.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 53.3 fg%) led the Big Ten in rebounding; C Mike Tisdale (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 54.0 fg%) has a nice shooting touch; G Demetri McCamey (11.9 ppg, 4.8 apg) has five 20-point games. Western Kentucky -- G A.J. Slaughter (15.8 ppg, 3.6 apg) scored 25 vs. Louisville; G Orlando Mendez-Valdez (14.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) scored 25 vs. Florida State; F Steffphon Pettigrew (12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) was the first Kentucky Mr. Basketball to sign with WKU since 1984.

Stattitude: Western Kentucky was 1-0 this season when it played Louisville, the top overall seed in the tournament.