By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SCHEDULE

Friday •  (5) Illinois vs. (12) Murray State, 12:25 p.m. •  (4) Cincinnati vs. (13) East Tennessee State, 3:05 p.m. • (1) Kentucky vs. (16) Florida A&M, 7:10 p.m. •  (8) Washington vs. (9) UAB, 9:50 p.m. Sunday •  Illinois-Murray State winner vs. Cincinnati-East Tennessee State winner, 2:30 pm. •  Kentucky-Florida A&M winner vs. Washington-UAB winner, 5:10 p.m.

DIRECTIONS, PARKING

From South North on I-71. Exit at Front Street (Exit No. 100A). Turn left at intersection and proceed north on Front Street to signed event parking entrances near Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard. Parking There are more than 15,000 parking spaces available within a 10-minute walk of Nationwide Arena, including surface lots and parking garages. Arena District parking facilities are staffed to assist in directing traffic in and out of lots and garages. During events, parking in all lots and garages will be prepaid to avoid delays in exiting. For additional information about parking and the area surrounding the arena, call (614) 358-0932 or visit nationwidearena.com.

Two local teams, Cincinnati and Kentucky, are playing first- and possibly second-round games at Columbus' Nationwide Arena. Here's a look at four other teams that will play Friday in Columbus.

Atlanta Regional
No. 5 Illinois vs. No. 12 Murray State

Illinois sophomore 6-footer Dee Brown is one of the most exciting players in Columbus, racing around the court and dishing out 4.6 assists per game. When he gets going at full speed, however, Illinois' offense gets out of sync. The Illini won the Big Ten by sharing the ball among five capable scorers in the starting lineup, led by sophomore Deron Williams (13.9 ppg).

A team with upset potential, Murray State will be hurt because starting forward Kelvin Brown can't play. Brown has been suspended following an arrest Saturday on drug charges. Starting point guard Adam Chiles also was arrested but will be allowed to play. The two combine to contribute more than 22 points a game. Chiles, who played at Kentucky in 2001-02, creates scoring opportunities with dribble penetration and averages 4.7 assists a game.

St. Louis Regional
No. 8 Washington vs. No. 9 Ala.-Birmingham

This could be one of the best first-round games of the Tournament. Washington enters having won nine of its last 11 games, including one against Stanford. The Huskies are athletic and young. Sophomore Brandon Roy is their most versatile player at 6-6, but he struggles from 3-point range. Big man Mike Jensen is not a true center at 6-8, and he likes to step away from the basket on occasion.

Alabama-Birmingham is a veteran team that prides itself on playing high-pressure defense. That usually results in layups, but it leaves the Blazers vulnerable when it comes time to rebound. Senior Morris Finley has a knack for scoring and averages 13.0 points a game but is an average 3-point shooter. Sophomore Carldell Johnson is an excellent long-range shooter but doesn't take enough attempts and averages just 4.3 points.