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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — No. 2 seed Cincinnati (30-4) vs. No. 15 seed Georgia State (24-10)
South Region; Nashville, Tennessee, Friday, 2 p.m.
BOTTOM LINE: Three years after upsetting Baylor as a No. 14 seed, Georgia State seeks to pull off a surprise as a No. 15 seed this time. Heading into this tournament, a No. 15 seed has beaten a No. 2 seed eight times in history. Cincinnati is a No. 2 seed for the first time since 2000, when it lost to Tulsa in the second round.
STINGY DEFENSES: This game features two of the top six Division I teams in field-goal percentage defense. Cincinnati ranks second and is allowing opponents to shoot just 37 percent thanks to a defense featuring American Athletic Conference player of the year Gary Clark. Georgia State ranks sixth in that category and is allowing teams to shoot 39.3 percent.
UNFAMILIAR FOES: This will mark the first meeting between these two programs.
DO PANTHERS HAVE A SHOT? Georgia State's chances of pulling the upset could depend on its 3-point accuracy. The Panthers have made a school-record 315 3-point baskets this season and are shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc, their best percentage ever. Devin Mitchell has made 45.1 percent (97 of 215) of his 3-pointers. Cincinnati ranks 11th in 3-point defense and is allowing opponents to make just 30.9 percent of their 3-pointers.
DID YOU KNOW? Georgia State coach Ron Hunter owns the career wins record at two different Division I schools. He owns a 147-84 record in seven seasons at Georgia State after going 274-219 in 17 seasons at IUPUI.
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