How Davidson got here

First Round: defeated No. 7 seed Gonzaga, 82-76,

Second Round: defeated No. 2 seed Georgetown, 74-70,

Outlook

Call Davidson “this year’s George Mason” if you want, but Davidson might just be better than the George Mason team that made a Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2006. The small liberal arts college in North Carolina is making waves as a giant-killer after defeating Gonzaga and Georgetown to reach the Sweet 16. Davidson, which lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season, has prepared itself for the NCAA tournament by playing a treacherous non-conference schedule. Davidson lost to North Carolina 72-68, fell to Duke 79-73, and lost at UCLA 75-63. The Wildcats stood 4-6 on Dec. 21 after a loss to North Carolina State, but they haven’t lost since, reeling off 24 straight victories, including an undefeated record in the Southern Conference.

How do they do it?

With guard play first and foremost. Sophomore Stephen Curry is a phenomenal talent, but senior point guard Jason Richards is just as important. Richards is second on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game and leads the nation in assists with 8.0 per game. The rest of the Wildcats get by on guts and a high basketball I.Q.

Player Spotlight

Stephen Curry, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard

As a high school senior in Charlotte, NC., Curry waited and waited. He wanted to play Division I basketball, but the offers weren’t coming in. His home state schools, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest and N.C. State, all took a pass. Virginia Tech, his father’s alma mater, offered him a scholarship with the caveat that he would have to walk-on for a season. So Curry defied logic and settled on Davidson, a school about 20 miles north of Charlotte. Well, Curry grew three inches, gained about 25 pounds and is now one of the best guards in America. At a sprite 185 pounds, Curry averaged 21.7 points as a freshman and upped that to 25.7 point per game this season. The country has taken notice. With 40 points in a first round victory against Gonzaga and 30 against Georgetown in round two, Curry has been one of the stories of the NCAA tournament. If Davidson want to continue its unlikely run, it needs another other-worldly performance from Curry against Wisconsin on Friday.

Notable alumni

Former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson

Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow

How Villanova got here

First Round: defeated No. 5 seed Clemson, 75-69,

Second Round: defeated No. 13 seed Siena, 84-72,

Outlook

See ya, Clemson. Vanderbilt? Thanks for stopping by. Have a safe trip back to D.C. Georgetown. The favorites -- except Kansas and Wisconsin -- in Midwest Region of the NCAA tournament have gone the way of the woolly mammoth. In their place sits Villanova. The Villanova Wildcats are hardly cinderellas They are making their 29th NCAA tournament appearance, and their third Sweet 16 appearance in four years. The Wildcats have a dangerous lead guard, sophomore Scottie Reynolds, and a solid game coach, Jay Wright. They may have finished the regular season in a tie for 8th in the Big East, but Villanova is not your typical No. 12 seed.

How do they do it?

It’s all about the guards in Detroit., and Villanova has three talented underclassmen. Sophomore Scottie Reynolds and freshmen Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher are athletic, they can handle the ball, and they combine for more than 31 points per game.

Player Spotlight

Scottie Reynold, 6-foot-2 sophomore guard

Like Davidson’s Stephen Curry, Reynolds’ college decision is an interesting story as well. Reynolds decided on Oklahoma and had already signed when Oklahoma’s coach, Kelvin Sampson, ditched town and headed for Oklahoma. Taking advantage of the rule that allows players to de-commit from a school if its coach leaves, Reynolds settled on Villanova. Reynolds has benefited from Villanova coach Jay Wright up-tempo, perimeter oriented offense. Kansas’ Russell Robinson called Reynold’s style unorthodox. Reynolds possesses deceptive quickness and he shoots 38.1 percent from the three-point line. He also lacks an experienced supporting cast. Unless Reynolds has a special weekend, it seems unlikely that Villanova survives in Detroit.

Notable Alumni

Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen

NFL running back Brian Westbrooke

Former NFL player and current television analyst Howie Long

Late singer-songwriter Jim Croce

How Wisconsin got here

First round: Defeated Cal-State Fullerton 71-56

Second Round: Defeated Kansas State 72-55

Outlook

In 2000, college basketball fans were treated to a halftime score of 19-17 in the Final Four. One of those teams involved was Wisconsin. The Badgers, an eight seed that year, snuck up on teams with their slow, defensive-minded style. Now, they’re one of the favorites to make the Final Four, especially now that Georgetown has been eliminated. Wisconsin has talent at every position, and more importantly, those talented guys play hard. Bo Ryan is one of the best basketball coaches and he’s done one of his best jobs this season.

How They Do It

Wisconsin finally did what teams have been trying in agony to do for so long: stop Michael Beasley. The Badgers sustained a 17-point performance from the Kansas State star in the first half then limited him to six points in the second. National experts and fans saw that and took notice of Wisconsin’s defense, but it’s been less comforting than a bed at a $30-a-night hotel all season. On average, this year’s opponents have shot the ball 38 percent from the field and put up just fewer than 54 points a game. Davidson’s hot shooting guards could be in for some trouble on Friday.

Player Spotlight

Brian Butch, senior

Fear the Polar Bear. That’s the nickname given to this 6-foot-11, gentle-looking yet intense competitor from the North. Butch screams Big 10 basketball. He’s big, deceptively quick and loves to mix it up in the paint. At first, Butch had trouble finding his groove with Wisconsin. Last season, he blossomed before hurting his elbow late in the regular season. The Badgers struggled without him, losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Now, as a senior, Butch has led the team to a Big 10 regular season and postseason championship. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding, and if there’s ever a scuffle under the basket, expect Butch to be in the middle of it.

Notable alumni

Vice President Dick Cheney

Major League Baseball comissioner Bud Selig