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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A quick look at Friday’s NCAA games

Midwest Regional

At Indianapolis

2 Michigan vs.

!1 Tennessee

Time: 4:15 p.m., CBS

Records: Michigan (27-8), Tennessee (24-12)

Things to know: The Volunteers beat Iowa by 13, Massachusetts by 19 and Mercer by 20. Will their legs be fresh in their fourth game? The Wolverines are shooting 46.7 percent on 3-pointers in the tournament.

Players to watch: Michigan guard Nik Stauskas has shot 42.9 percent on three-pointers in the first two games. Tennessee forward Jarnell Stokes is averaging 20.3 points in the tournament.

Prediction: Michigan.

4 Louisville vs.

8 Kentucky

Time: 6:45 p.m., CBS

Records: Louisville (31-5), Kentucky (26-10)

Things to know: The Wildcats finally are fulfilling their potential with five freshman starters and impressive tournament victories over Kansas State and Wichita State. The defending champion Cardinals struggled to shake off No. 13 seed Manhattan and No. 5 Saint Louis.

Players to watch: Louisville senior guard Luke Hancock dominated last season’s Final Four, and he’s at it again, scoring 21 against Saint Louis and eight straight in the closing minutes to beat Manhattan. Kentucky freshman forward Julius Randle registered double-doubles in the first two games.

Prediction: Louisville.

East Regional

At New York

3 Iowa St. vs.

7 Connecticut

Time: 4:27 p.m., TBS

Records: Iowa State (28-7), Connecticut (28-8)

Things to know: The Cyclones are surviving despite the loss of forward Georges Niang to a broken foot, hitting 21 of 43 three-pointers in the tournament. The Huskies have forced 30 turnovers in two tournament victories, including an upset of No. 2 seed Villanova.

Players to watch: Iowa State guard DeAndre Kane was clutch against North Carolina with a game-winning layup. He averages 17.1 points. UConn guard Shabazz Napier has channeled his inner Kemba Walker and scored 49 points in the first two tournament games.

Prediction: Iowa State.

1 Virginia vs.

4 Michigan St.

Time: 6:57 p.m., TBS

Records: Virginia (30-6), Michigan State (28-8)

Things to know: The Spartans are a rare team that can match up against Virginia’s personnel and handle the Cavaliers’ pack-line defense. The Michigan State seniors want to avoid becoming coach Tom Izzo’s first class never to make the Final Four.

Players to watch: Michigan State forward Adreian Payne can be dominant, scoring 41 points against Delaware in the round of 64. Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon leads a balanced attack with 12.6 points and 2.7 assists per game.

Prediction: Michigan State

Chicago Tribune