March 26--WHO -- No. 1 Wisconsin (33-3) vs. No. 4 North Carolina (26-11).
WHAT: NCAA West Regional semifinal, Thursday, 4:45 p.m.
WHERE: Staples Center. TV: TBS.
UPDATE: Both teams are waiting to find out whether injured players will be available. North Carolina forward Kennedy Meeks suffered a sprained left knee late in a game against Arkansas last week and will be a game-time decision. He lightly practiced Wednesday. "If there is swelling and pain tonight, we won't play him," Coach Roy Williams said. Meeks averages 11.6 points and 7.5 rebounds, and is among the reasons the Tar Heels are fifth in the nation in offensive rebounding. Wisconsin may get back point guard Traevon Jackson, who has not played since suffering a fractured foot Jan. 11. He had started 84 consecutive games before the injury. "If he is physically capable of being on the floor, he deserves some time because I'm going to reward him for working so hard in rehab," Coach Bo Ryan said. Look for North Carolina to double team Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky, a national player-of-the-year candidate who was held in check by Oregon in the Badgers' last game.
Starters
WISCONSIN; Ht.; Wt.; PPG; Pos.; NORTH CAROLINA; Ht.; Wt.; PPG
Josh Gasser; 6-4; 192; 6.8; G; Marcus Paige; 6-1; 175; 14.1
Bronson Koenig; 6-4; 190; 8.6; G; Justin Jackson; 6-8; 193; 10.6
Frank Kaminsky; 7-0; 242; 18.4; F; Kennedy Meeks; 6-9; 270; 11.6
Nigel Hayes; 6-8; 235; 12.6; F; J.P. Tokoto; 6-6; 200; 8.4
Sam Dekker; 6-9; 230; 13.3; F; Brice Johnson; 6-9; 228; 12.9
Reserves
WISCONSIN; Ht.; Wt.; PPG; Pos.; NORTH CAROLINA; Ht.; Wt.; PPG
Zak Showalter; 6-2; 185; 2.1; G; Nate Britt; 6-1; 170; 5.5
Duje Dukan; 6-10; 218; 4.9; F; Isaiah Hicks; 6-8; 230; 6.6
Traevon Jackson; 6-3; 207; 9.4; G/F; Joel James; 6-10; 280; 2.5
