By Andy Katz ESPN.com An examination of the four teams that have reached the West Regional semifinals at University Arena in Albuquerque, N.M.: No. 4 LSU Tigers
Who they play next: No. 8 Wisconsin on Thursday, 10:15 p.m. ET What worked: Stromile Swift's offense has arrived in the NCAA Tournament with a 23-point, 10-rebound game in the second round. Swift's versatility worked in the regular season, but he was a bit tentative in the first round. Brian Beshara has continued to be the unsung hero with a 3-pointer to beat Southeast Missouri and a steal to help defeat Texas. The Tigers are getting enough balance at both ends to continue advancing. What didn't: The Tigers still allowed Texas too many fast-break points. That shouldn't be a problem against Wisconsin. But if they advance into the Elite Eight, that could be a factor that prevents the Tigers from getting to the Final Four. They also need to watch early first-half droughts -- they could dig themselves too deep a hole against Wisconsin. What can LSU do to advance: Get the ball to Swift inside and make sure Smith is a factor inside and out. Beshara will have to hit the open looks, so too, will Lamont Roland. Wisconsin doesn't give teams too many chances. The Tigers have to take advantage of every one. No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers How they got here: Beat No. 9 Fresno State, 65-56; beat No. 1 Arizona, 66-59. Who they play next: No. 4 LSU on Thursday, 10:15 p.m. ET What worked: The Badgers' defense, what else? They shut down the Bulldogs during a stretch in the second half and silenced the Wildcats' up-tempo attack in Round 2. They also got Richard Jefferson into foul trouble by pounding the ball in the post. Wisconsin also scored more easily than it had during the regular season. What didn't: Not much. The Badgers played about as perfect as they can to advance. There were a few erratic stretches but the games couldn't have gone any better for Dick Bennett. What can Wisconsin do to advance: If Mark Vershaw can handle LSU's Jabari Smith inside, put him on his back, spin on him and finish, the Badgers have a shot. Smith and Stromile Swift are shot blockers and will try to gamble. The Badgers have to push both of them and hope they get more arm than ball. If that occurs, the Tigers are dead. They have no bench up front. No. 6 Purdue How they got here: Beat No. 11 Dayton, 62-61; Beat No. 3 Oklahoma, 66-62. Who they play next: No. 10 Gonzaga on Thursday, 7:55 p.m. ET What worked: Just about everything for the Boilermakers. They played every situation to near perfection to keep Dayton and Oklahoma from coming back. Brian Cardinal was active inside and Jaraan Cornell snapped out of his slump. Purdue wins ugly, but that's fine at this stage in the tournament. What didn't: Purdue still needs to get a few more easy baskets. If the Boilermakers can, they've got a chance to beat Gonzaga. Getting a few more calls would help, too, in a likely physical game. What can Purdue do to advance: Gonzaga isn't deep inside and Casey Calvary has to stay on the floor. Cardinal can get him in foul trouble with his physical style of play. The Bulldogs may have to collapse down on Cardinal if he starts to get busy and that would open up shots for Cornell from the perimeter. No. 10 Gonzaga How they got here: Beat No. 7 Louisville, 77-66; beat No. 2 St. John's, 82-76. Who they play next: No. 6 Purdue on Thursday, 7:38 p.m. ET What worked: The Bulldogs' shooting of Richie Frahm and Matt Santangelo did the trick again for the most experienced tournament tested team in the field outside of Michigan State. The Bulldogs ran the break and got good role play from Mark Spink and Zach Gourde. What didn't: The Bulldogs need to get more out of Axel Dench in the post and could use another perimeter scorer off the bench to feel secure about advancing deeper in the tournament. What can Gonzaga do to advance: It's all about shooting. Gonzaga coach Mark Few likes to call Gonzaga "Guard U." If that's the case, the Zags will go as far as Santangelo and Frahm can shoot. If they are on against Purdue and get decent looks, they'll win. If they don't, they'll lose. Andy Katz is a senior writer for ESPN.com. |
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