sports

Player to watch: Marcus Smart (15.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.2 apg).

Notable: In Smart, the Cowboys boast one of the nation’s top players. The freshman guard is the Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

DUCKS (26-8)

Coach: Dana Altman.

Entry: Pac-12 champion.

Player to watch: E.J. Singler (11.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.9 apg).

Notable: Altman was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Oregon led the Pac-12 in rebounding (37.4 per game) and steals (8.5 per game).

[4] ST. LOUIS VS. [13] NEW MEXICO ST.

Thursday in San Jose, Calif.

BILLIKENS (27-6)

Coach: Jim Crews.

Entry: Atlantic 10 champion.

Player to watch: Dwayne Evans (13.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg).

Notable: A dark horse to reach the Final Four, St. Louis is playing for the memory of late coach Rick Majerus, who died last December.

AGGIES (24-10)