Midwest Regional semifinals

Midwest Regional semifinals

At St. Louis

No. 1 Michigan State (31-4) vs. No. 13 Oklahoma (22-10)

Time: 7: 55 tonight

TV: Updates on chs. 13, 9

Line: Michigan State by 9

Conference records: Michigan State won the Big Ten with a 15-1 record and also swept the conference tournament. Oklahoma went 11-5 in the Big 12 to tie for third.

Coaches: Tom Izzo is 86-40 in four years at Michigan State. Kelvin Sampson is 103-54 in five years at Oklahoma and 279-202 in 16 years overall.

Starting lineups: Michigan State: PG Mateen Cleaves (11.8 ppg, 7.2 apg, 2.0 spg), G Charlie Bell (8.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg), F Andre Hutson (8.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg), F Jason Klein (9.9 ppg, 34.4 3-pt%), F Antonio Smith (6.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg). Oklahoma: PG Michael Johnson (11.6 ppg, 3.9 apg), G Eric Martin (12.4 ppg, 44.3 3-pt%), G Alex Spaulding (3.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg), F Ryan Humphrey (11.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg), F Eduardo Najera (15.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg).

Bench strength: Michigan State brings its leading scorer (Morris Peterson, 13.5 ppg) and its top three-point shooter (A.J. Granger, 44.7%) off the bench for instant offense. Guard Thomas Kelley will spell Cleaves and get 15 minutes a game. For help inside, Oklahoma can go to a pair of 6-10 reserves -- Renzi Stone, who plays nearly 20 minutes a game, and Victor Avila, who gets nine. Guard Tim Heskett will also see considerable action.

Key matchup: The Spartans will count on the 6-6 Peterson to hold down the inspirational Najera (6-7), who leads Oklahoma in scoring and rebounding and is second in steals.

What Michigan State needs to do to win: The Spartans win with in-your-face defense and tenacious rebounding. If they can take away Oklahoma's favorite shots, the Sooners will become frustrated. That's half the battle right there. If Michigan State dominates on the boards, it could be over quickly.

What Oklahoma needs to do to win: Oklahoma has to make the most of its perimeter shooting to have a chance, and that means Eric Martin must have a big game behind the arc. The Sooners will need to attack the boards on both ends and minimize Michigan State's second chances.

Bottom line: The Sooners look made-to-order for the Spartans, who were less than overwhelming in the first two rounds. Cinderella could get clobbered.

No. 3 Kentucky (27-8) vs. No. 10 Miami of Ohio (24-7)

Time: 10: 15 tonight

TV: Chs. 13, 9

Line: Kentucky by 9 1/2

Conference records: Kentucky finished second in the SEC East with an 11-5 mark, but won the conference tournament. Miami won the regular-season title at 15-3 in the Mid-American Conference, but lost the tournament final to Kent.

Coaches: Tubby Smith is 62-12 in two years at Kentucky and 186-74 in eight years overall. Charlie Coles is 62-28 in three years at Miami and 154-112 in nine years overall.

Starting lineups: Kentucky: PG Wayne Turner (10.7 ppg, 3.8 apg), G Desmond Allison (4.7 ppg), F Scott Padgett (12.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), F Heshimu Evans (11.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg), C Michael Bradley (10.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg). Miami: G Damon Frierson (13.1 ppg, 3.4 apg), PG Rob Mestas (7.1 ppg), F Wally Szczerbiak (24.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg), F Jason Stewart (6.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg), F John Estick (8.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg).

Bench strength: Kentucky again fields one of the deepest teams in the tourney; nine players average at least 11 minutes a game. Top subs are 6-10 Jamaal Magloire (19 minutes), freshman Tayshaun Prince (20 minutes) and guard Saul Smith (17 minutes). Miami has nine players averaging at least 10 minutes per game, but it lacks the quality depth that Kentucky has. Refiloe Lethunya and Mike Ensminger, both 6-8, help out inside, while Anthony Taylor is a key backcourt reserve.

Key matchup: The matchup at forward -- with the 6-8 Szczerbiak against the 6-9 Padgett -- will be a make-or-break affair for Miami. Padgett will have a lot of help.

What Kentucky needs to do to win: The Wildcats will want to muscle up on the Redhawks, who have trouble with physical teams. Defense will be at a premium. Washington tried to man Szczerbiak and Utah tried junk defenses. Neither worked.

What Miami needs to do to win: If Miami can get an early lead, clog up the middle and force Kentucky to play a perimeter game, the Wildcats might struggle. They are not a good three-point shooting team.

Bottom line: A month ago, Kentucky was on the skids and seemed vulnerable to an early-round upset. With tons of tourney experience and renewed mental toughness, the Wildcats have a clear shot at their fourth straight Final Four.

Pub Date: 3/19/99