The regional finals of the 2016 NCAA Tournament are upon us, with four matches taking place today to lock in the Final Four. Here’s a look at today’s match schedule, plus a quick-fire preview of each match:
#1 Nebraska vs #8 Washington
- Starts: 4PM Eastern
- Devaney Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nebraska: The Huskers looked unstoppable for two rounds, sweeping New Hampshire and TCU with ease. But in round 3, Big Ten rivals Penn State went up 2-0 in sets and forced a huge Nebraska comeback for the Huskers to even make a return trip to the regional finals.
Washington: The Huskies are the only team in the nation that has yet to drop a single set in the NCAA Tournament. Their road was softened considerably with #9 Michigan State losing in the early rounds, but Washington has still beaten SEC power Kentucky and Arizona along with Corpus Christi so far.
What to watch for: Nebraska has been dominant at home, going 17-1 in Lincoln this year. Their only home loss came to Ohio State in October. But Washington has been equally good on the road, with a 13-1 road record and the only loss coming to Stanford, also in October. Can Washington’s 10-match win streak continue against a Nebraska team that looked as shaky in the first two sets yesterday as it has all year?
#3 Wisconsin vs #6 Stanford
- Starts: 6PM Eastern
- UW Fieldhouse, Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin: The Badgers have had a road much like Nebraska, looking dominant for two 3-0 sweeps, then having to dig themselves out of a hole to win a 5-setter against a Big Ten opponent in round 3. Wisconsin beat Ohio State and now gets to host Stanford, carrying in an 11-1 record outside the Big Ten Conference.
Stanford: The Cardinal struggled some in the Pac-12, but have been very good outside the conference. In particular, Stanford is 3-1 against Big Ten opponents this year, including three striaght wins against Minnesota, Illinois and Penn State to start the year.
What to watch for: Stanford has yet to face a ranked opponent in this year’s tournament. Still, they’ve already done better than last year’s second round exit in a 0-3 upset loss to Loyola Marymount. Wisconsin has packed the house for its past few home events, and has just one loss to 14 wins at home this season.
#4 Texas vs Creighton
- Starts: 8PM Eastern
- Gregory Gymnasium, Austin, Texas
Texas: NCAA runners-up a year ago, the Longhorns have showed up when it counted this year, losing the Big 12 but advancing past all other Big 12 teams in the tournament. A narrow shave against BYU has Texas a bit on its heels, but the Longhorns are at home and haven’t lost in Austin since September 18.
Creighton: The true Cinderella story of the tournament, Creighton is the only unseeded team left in play after upsetting back-to-back seeded opponents. Texas is by far their toughest test, but the Bluejays come in with the nation’s longest win streak at 23 matches.
What to watch for: Another Creighton win would have the Bluejays responsible for eliminating both of the best teams in the Big 12. Texas is currently undefeated against every conference but the Big 12 and Big Ten this year.
#2 Minnesota vs #10 UCLA
- Starts: 10PM Eastern
- Sports Pavilion, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota: The Golden Gophers have the second-best win streak in the NCAA currently at 13 matches. That includes wins over eventual seeded teams #16 Penn State, #9 Michigan State, #12 Michigan, #1 Nebraska, #3 Wisconsin and #15 Missouri.
UCLA: The Bruins are on a tough West-Coast-To-Central-Time road swing, but took care of business 3-1 against higher-seeded UNC. UCLA now gets the latest match nationwide for the second-straight day, playing at 9 PM local Minneapolis time (feels like 7 PM Pacific) after starting at 9:45 Minneapolis time (feels like 7:45 Pacific) on Friday night.
What to watch for: Will the late start benefit UCLA, with the start time feeling more typical to a west coast team? This is also one of three major matchups between the Big Ten and Pac-12 for conference supremacy this season.
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