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Tonight starts one of the best weekends in all of basketball. Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchups consist of some of the best offensive and defensive teams in the country. A lot of big storylines will consist: 

Will tonight be Coach K’s last game?

Can #11 Michigan upset #2 Villanova?

Can Houston’s defense stop Arizona’s high powered offense?

Can Arkansas take out the #1 overall seed in the Dance?

Here is a preview of tonight’s games: 

#4 Arkansas vs #1 Gonzaga 

This one is going to be two great offensive teams going toe to toe. 

The difference will be who will be able to get stops. Gonzaga is coming off a comeback win vs Memphis where Timme took over the second half. Gonzaga has shot the ball well behind the 3 point line all season. Gonzaga plays a tough to guard 5 out system where they look to play through Timme. They will look to post him up and get him the basketball. 

Arkansas is coming off a tough win against New Mexico State where they shot 3-16 from 3 but still found a way to win. Arkansas looks to play fast and push the ball with Chris Lykes. They have a ton of shooters on the floor. 

Here is a look at a post-up set that Gonzaga uses to get Timme the basketball.

Learn how Mark Few uses his posts in this Gonzaga Playbook

Coach Musselman looks to execute in the half court - here is a look at their play “family”

Learn more about Coach Musselman’s Offensive Philosophy

#11 Michigan vs #2 Villanova

The matchup of Villanova vs Michigan is a unique and fun matchup. 

Michigan has played a form of 5 out all season going through big man Hunter Dickenson - however, they execute very well in their half court specials. Villanova will have to key in on slowing down Dickenson - he was unstoppable vs Tennessee. 

Villanova’s system consists of getting paint touches and jump stopping and making other players better. Their ¾ 1-2-2 press will be a challenge for Michigan. It will be designed to force turnovers, but also run time of the shot clock before Michigan can get set up. 

Here is a look at a set run in Michigan’s half court offense where they look to roll and replace and get a look at the big rolling and shooter coming up. 

Take an inside look at the Juwan Howard Michigan Playbook 

Here’s the ¾ 1-2-2 press that Villanova will look to slow down Michigan. 

Take a look at Jay Wright's Defense and his 1-2-2 Press

#3 Texas Tech vs #2 Duke

Texas Tech vs Duke will be a terrific matchup. 

The environment for every Duke game has been unreal with Coach K retiring after this season. Texas Tech has a fantastic defense that looks to guard their yard and make it tough on opposing offenses. 

Duke is coming off a dominating win over Michigan State. Duke will look to keep it simple on offense running a 4 out 1 in motion and running set plays/ iso plays to get their best players the basketball. Duke will have to play physical and fight for their inches against Texas Tech’s feisty defense. Should be a fun one.

Take a look at this set that Duke will use for an iso set for Banchero. 

Learn more about Duke’s Offensive Playbook.

Texas Tech’s defense will look to slow down Banchero and the Blue Devils with their man to man defense. Here is a look at their man to man principles. 

Take a look inside Mark Adam’s Clinic Notes

#5 Houston vs #1 Arizona

This should be the most anticipated matchup of the night. 

Two of the best teams left in March Madness going head to head. Houston is coming off a dominating win vs Illinois where forward Fabian White dominated. 

Houston will look to go inside and shoot a ton of 3’s in this matchup. Look for Kyler Edwards to fire 3’s in transition. Houston this season rebounded 40% of their missed shots.

 Arizona will have to try to keep them off the glass. Arizona will look to push the basketball in transition and put pressure on the rim. Arizona is led by Bennedict Mathurin. He is coming off a 30 point game vs TCU. Arizona will look to go inside and get the Houston bigs’ in foul trouble. 

Houston’s rebounding culture starts in practice - here is a look at what Houston emphasizes in practice. 

Take a deeper look into Houston's Culture

Here is a look at a set Arizona has used in their program for years to throw the basketball inside. 

Now that you’re prepared for tonight, let’s get this weekend tipped off and one step closer to the One Shining Moment. 

 Look out for tomorrow’s preview of Friday’s Sweet 16 matchups. 

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