South Regional semifinal

Friday, 7:55 p.m. ET, at Austin, Texas

No. 6 Miami, Fla. (23-10) vs. No. 7 Tulsa (31-4)

By Tim Crothers, Sports Illustrated

How they got here: Miami beat No. 11 Arkansas 75-71, No. 3 Ohio State 75-62; Tulsa beat No. 10 UNLV 89-62, No. 2 Cincinnati 69-61

Miami will win if: The Hurricanes can take advantage of a more potent frontcourt that includes Mario Bland, Elton Tyler and John Salmons, who have combined to average 39.5 points and 22 rebounds per game in the tournament. Mercurial guard Johnny Hemsley, who has hit nine three-pointers and averaged 22 points in the first two games, must burn Tulsa's defense when it gambles.

Tulsa will win if: The Golden Hurricane's pesky defense, which set a Western Athletic Conference record for steals, is able to bother Miami's butterfingered ballhandlers, who have suffered 44 turnovers in two NCAA games. Sixth man David Shelton must continue to provide points off the bench and 6'11" center Brandon Kurtz must take advantage of his stature against Miami, which does not have a player on its roster taller than 6'9".

Player to watch: Tulsa forward Eric Coley, a gritty player who busts broncos in the summertime, produced 16 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Cincinnati.

X factor: These teams are familiar with each other's style, because Tulsa coach Bill Self worked as an assistant under Miami coach Leonard Hamilton at Oklahoma State from 1986-90.

Prediction: Miami

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