NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - No. 2 seed Cincinnati (31-4) vs. No. 7 seed Nevada (28-7)
Second round, South Region, Nashville, Tennessee, Sunday, 6:10 p.m.
BOTTOM LINE: Cincinnati is the top remaining seed in the South Region following No. 1 seed Virginia’s stunning loss to Maryland-Baltimore County. The Bearcats are seeking their first regional semifinal appearance since 2012. Nevada just won its first NCAA Tournament game since 2007 and is trying to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2004.
UNFAMILIAR FOES: This is the first time Cincinnati and Nevada have ever faced off.
OFFENSE VS. DEFENSE: Cincinnati ranks second among all Division I teams in scoring defense (57.0) and field-goal percentage defense (37.1). Nevada hasn’t been held below 64 points in a game all season and ranks 16th in scoring offense (83.2).
THEY MEET AGAIN: Cincinnati forward Kyle Washington and Nevada forwards Caleb Martin and Cody Martin played together on the 2014-15 North Carolina State team that reached the regional semifinals.
RECORD CHASERS: A victory over Nevada would give Cincinnati its 32nd win to set a single-season school record. Cincinnati went 31-4 in 2002 before losing in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: After winning the American Athletic Conference’s regular-season and tournament titles, Cincinnati beat Georgia State 68-53 in Friday’s first-round action. Nevada is the Mountain West Conference regular-season champion and won its first-round game by erasing a 14-point, second-half deficit to beat Texas 87-83 in overtime.
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