women

St. Thomas (29-0) vs. Hope (Mich.) (25-4)

When: 4 p.m. Friday

Where: Crestview Hills, Ky.

The skinny: The second-ranked Tommies roll into the Sweet 16 for the third time in the past four seasons. In that span, they have gone 20-3 in postseason games and have compiled an overall record of 109-13. Their success is built on defense; the Tommies have allowed only one opponent to score more than 60 points this season, and they allow an average of 47.7 points per game, second-best in Division III. No. 14 Hope has won two NCAA titles and beat the Tommies in the Sweet 16 in 2013. The winner will play the winner of Friday's second game between host Thomas More and Washington (Mo.) at 6 p.m. Saturday.

men

St. Olaf (23-5) vs. Marietta (Ohio) (27-3)

When: 5:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Rock Island, Ill.

The skinny: The 24th-ranked Oles, who had never won an NCAA tournament game, earned victories over No. 16 Ohio Wesleyan and Defiance last weekend. St. Olaf has set a school record for victories behind a balanced offense led by all-MIAC selections Ben Figini (16.9 points per game), Justin Pahl (13.6) and Sterling Nielsen (12.2). No. 12 Marietta made 21 three-pointers in a 120-81 win over Medaille in its tournament opener. The winner will play the winner of Friday's second game between host school Augustana (Ill.) and Mount Union in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Northwestern (20-9) vs. East Texas Baptist (23-5)

When: 5 p.m. Friday

Where: Stevens Point, Wis.

The skinny: The St. Paul school notched its first NCAA tournament victories last weekend, including a memorable 71-70 triumph over No. 3 St. Thomas in the first round on a last-second three-pointer by Porter Morrell. The Eagles are on a school-record 18-game win streak and have not lost since Dec. 22. Junior guard Michael Carney, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference player of the year, tops the team with 15.2 points per game. The winner will face the winner of Friday's second game between Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Emory (Ga.) in Saturday's quarterfinals at 7 p.m.

RACHEL BLOUNT