NCAA tournament preview: Saturday’s games

West Regional

Butler (29-4) vs. Murray State (31-4): Murray State, befitting a team nicknamed “Racers,” prefers a fast pace. Butler is more than content with a game in the 60s. Murray State averages 10 steals per game, and Butler can be sloppy with the ball, so the Bulldogs need to control their turnovers and not allow the Racers to get going in transition.

Kansas State (27-7) vs. Brigham Young (30-5): Both teams prefer a fast pace and want to run, though Kansas State is better-equipped to win a grind-it-out game. There will be some good guards on view, with BYU’s Jimmer Fredette (33-plus points six times) and K-State’s Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen sure to be focal points of their teams’ offenses.

Midwest Regional

Tennessee (26-8) vs. Ohio (22-14): Ohio won the MAC tourney as a No. 9-seeded team, then pulled a stunner in the first round by whipping Georgetown. Generally, Ohio plays good defense but struggles offensively. Tennessee center Wayne Chism should have a big day in the low post, which is important because the Volunteers usually struggle from three-point range.

Kansas (33-2) vs. Northern Iowa (29-4): Northern Iowa needs a half-court, grind-it-out affair to have any shot at the upset. Kansas struggled in the first half against Lehigh, and you would think the Jayhawks would play with a bit more intensity against the Panthers.

South Regional

Villanova (25-7) vs. St. Mary’s (27-5): Villanova certainly didn’t play like a No. 2-seeded team in the first round. St. Mary’s didn’t play like a No. 10-seeded team, beating Richmond more decisively than the final score would indicate. Villanova could have problems with Gaels center Omar Samhan, a deft scorer in the paint whose bulk makes his hard to handle. Look for Villanova Coach Jay Wright to use his bench extensively. .

Baylor (26-7) vs. Old Dominion (27-8): Baylor struggled offensively for a good portion of its first-round game before pulling away late. The key in this one is how effective Old Dominion’s guards can be defensively against the Baylor backcourt of Tweety Carter and LaceDarius Dunn.

East Regional

New Mexico (30-4) vs. Washington (25-9): New Mexico has shown that it is comfortable in a fast-paced game or in a half-court contest. Washington has to have a fast pace if it is to win again. Like New Mexico, Washington is a bit undersized but makes up for it by crashing the boards. .

Kentucky (33-2) vs. Wake Forest (20-10): Wake prevailed in the first round despite being sloppy with the ball. If the Demon Deacons are that careless again, this could get ugly. Wake needs big games from center Chas McFarland and forward Al-Farouq Aminu. Kentucky doesn’t always take care of the ball either.