Where » Georgia Dome, Atlanta

TV » CBS

Key matchup » Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Kentucky) vs. Quincy Miller (Baylor). In the Sweet 16, Indiana didn’t have a player who could handle the versatile 6-foot-7 Kidd-Gilchrist (24 points). Baylor has two long, quick defenders — the 6-9 Miller and 6-11 Perry Jones. But the Bears’ best option against Kidd-Gilchrist’s drives might be their zone defense.

How Kentucky can win » Defend inside. In a fast-paced game Friday, the Wildcats went with a smaller lineup but defended poorly inside as Christian Watford and Cody Zeller combined for 47 points. Kentucky can’t afford a similar lapse. Jones and Quincy Acy hit a combined 15 of 19 shots against Xavier.

How Baylor can win » Run with the Wildcats. Indiana showed Friday that the best way to score against Kentucky is to get up the floor and prevent the national leader in blocked shots, Anthony Davis (4.6 bpg), from setting up. Defending Kentucky in a fast-paced game is difficult, but Baylor has the length and quickness for the job.

Player to watch » Perry Jones III (Baylor). All five of Kentucky’s starters could be first-round picks, but the most physically gifted player on the floor Sunday might be Jones. The sophomore was a monster in the Big 12 tournament (65 points, 29 rebounds), but his disappearing act has returned in the NCAAs (7.7 ppg).

X-factor » Darius Miller. Senior scholarship players are rare at Kentucky. But Miller, a huge guard at 6-8, 235 pounds, gives the Wildcats unique flexibility as their sixth man. In the last two games Miller has scored 38 points, hitting 13 of 19 shots, including five of eight from beyond the arc, and grabbed nine rebounds.

Examiner predicts » Kentucky 97-90

Midwest region

No. 1 North Carolina (32-5) vs. No. 2 Kansas (30-6)

When » Sunday, 5:05 p.m.

Where » Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis

TV » CBS

Key matchup » Stilman White/Kendall Marshall (UNC) vs. Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas). Without Marshall at point guard, UNC survived an overtime challenge from Ohio as White (six assists, zero turnovers) took care of the ball. Getting by without Marshall against a team with a backcourt as athletic as that of Kansas will be another matter entirely.

How UNC can win » Change the game. Outscoring teams has been a successful strategy for loaded UNC. But the Tar Heels can’t depend on offense without Marshall. UNC’s best chance is to slow it down, pack it in and force Kansas, mediocre from 3-point range (34.6 percent), to fire away. The Jayhawks went 1-for-14 from the arc Friday against N.C. State.

How Kansas can win » Force the tempo. The Jayhawks should have a major edge in the backcourt. To take advantage they should turn up the pressure. Kansas has plenty of interior presence with 6-foot-9 Thomas Robinson and 7-foot Jeff Withey, who had 10 blocked shots Friday against N.C. State. They can cover if UNC beats the pressure.

Player to watch » Thomas Robinson (Kansas). It will be interesting to watch the national player of the year candidate go up against ACC defensive player of the year John Henson. The Tar Heels might be one of the few teams that can guard him one-on-one. Both players are projected to go in the top 10 of the NBA Draft.

X-factor » Harrison Barnes (UNC). The Tar Heels’ sophomore scoring leader looked lost Friday night, missing 13 of 16 shots and committing five turnovers, including one in the closing seconds of regulation that nearly cost UNC the game. For UNC to advance without Kendall Marshall, Barnes will have to have a big game.

Examiner predicts » Kansas 79-66

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