Marquette's Jones, New Mexico's Dent headline intriguing guard matchup in South Region
CLEVELAND (AP) — Marquette's Kam Jones and New Mexico's Donovan Dent will face each other Friday night in an intriguing NCAA Tournament first-round matchup of do-everything guards.
Jones and the seventh-seeded Golden Eagles take on Dent and the 10th-seeded Lobos in Cleveland in a South Region game.
Jones was an AP All-America second-team selection for the Golden Eagles (23-10) after being third in the Big East in scoring at 18.9 points per game and second in assists (6.1 per game).
Dent, the Mountain West Player of the Year and an honorable mention All-America pick, is the only player in Division I averaging at least 20 points (20.6) and six assists (6.4).
“I told the guys when we first started introducing New Mexico, understand this: He averages more points per game than Kam and more assists per game, in a league that’s comparable," Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. "We’ve got five teams in the NCAA Tournament, the Mountain West got four. So it’s a heck of a challenge.”
The matchup extends beyond Jones and Dent. Marquette's Stevie Mitchell will be tasked with defending Dent, while Tru Washington of New Mexico (26-7) gets the assignment in guarding Jones.
Dent said he is expecting a physical matchup against the Golden Eagles.
“We think on the defense side, they remind us a lot of San Diego State. They run a lot of 1 through 5. And we have to attack 1-on-1 to really get the matchup we want,” Dent said.
Friday’s slateSouth Region play starts with an afternoon doubleheader in Milwaukee. Third-seeded Iowa State faces No. 14 seed Lipscomb, followed by sixth-seeded Mississippi taking on No. 11 North Carolina.
Region action shifts to Cleveland at night with Marquette-New Mexico first up, with second-seeded Michigan State and No. 15 Bryant as the nightcap.
On this road beforeMichigan State coach Tom Izzo has been called many things. Superstitious and a believer in omens are not two of them.
The Spartans (27-6) begin this year’s NCAA Tournament in Cleveland with a first-round matchup against Bryant (23-11). The last time Michigan State went through Cleveland, it won a national championship in 2000.
“I just wish it worked that way, but I’m not sure that’s God’s plan. It’s great. It brings back good memories. But the sad part is, none of my guys were born then,” Izzo said. “I’m not sure they’re thinking, whoa, yeah, we started back then. I’ll never forget it, even though it’s been too long ago.”
The other difference is that the Spartans' games in 2000 took place at Cleveland State's arena, which is 1.3 miles from the downtown Cleveland arena and site of this weekend's games. The home of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers is hosting games for the third time.
Izzo also knows that a No. 2 seed in no way is a guarantee out of the first round. He still has memories of a 90-81 loss to 15 seed Middle Tennessee in 2016.
Bryant is third in Division I in blocked shots (6.0) and fourth in rebounds (41.2). Fifth-year senior Earl Timberlake is the first player in America East Conference history to average at least 15 points (15.5), eight rebounds (8.2), 4.5 assists (4.7) and 1.5 blocked shots in a season.
Familiar foeOle Miss encountered just about every kind of test imaginable this season from playing in the Southeastern Conference, which sent a record 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament. The Rebels’ first-round opponent – North Carolina – has a style of play that reminds them of one particular SEC team.
“I’d say the pace they play at – they like to get out in transition and play a really fast pace – kind of reminds us of Alabama a little bit, how they like to score in the first seven or eight seconds of a possession, kind of (get) it ahead in transition,” Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla said. “I feel like there are some similarities between them and Alabama.”
Rebels guard Jaylen Murray also brought up the Alabama comparison while talking about how North Carolina likes to get up and down the floor.
Ole Miss (22-11) got arguably its biggest win of the season on Jan. 14 when it won 74-64 at then-No. 4 Alabama. The Rebels believe that could help them prepare for what they might see from North Carolina (23-13).
This game represents an interesting matchup between North Carolina’s offense and Ole Miss’ defense.
North Carolina ranks 18th in the nation in offensive efficiency and has committed 10.8 turnovers per game, the third-lowest average in school history. Ole Miss ranks 12th in turnover margin.
“They hang their hat on the way they play defensively,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis.
North Carolina didn’t bother returning to Chapel Hill after its 95-68 First Four blowout of San Diego State on Tuesday night. The Tar Heels instead caught a 2:30 a.m. flight from Dayton to Milwaukee, where Friday’s game is taking place.
Homecoming for Lipscomb’s OgnacevicLipscomb’s first-round game against No. 3 seed Iowa State (24-9) represents a homecoming for Atlantic Sun player of the year Jacob Ognacevic, who grew up just over an hour away from Milwaukee in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
It also could represent something of an audition for Ognacevic, a 6-8 forward who intends to enter the transfer portal after Lipscomb’s postseason run has ended. Ognacevic missed the 2023-24 season with a bone bruise in his right knee but has come back to average 20.1 points and 8.1 rebounds this season for the 14th-seeded Bisons (25-9).
“He’s going into the portal this year,” Lipscomb coach Lennie Acuff said. “He’s graduated. I’m fine with that. He’s been a great player for us for four years. Go do it. Good for you. I felt like we were loyal to him, and it worked out as well."
For now, Ognacevic is looking forward to playing close to home in front of his family and friends. The contingent of Ognacevic fans attending Friday’s game isn’t quite as large as it might have been in other circumstances.
Ognacevic graduated from Lutheran High School, which is playing a state semifinal in Madison, Wisconsin, a little before Lipscomb’s game tips off on Friday.
___
AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this story.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.
Topics
-
New Mexico vs. Marquette: Players other than star guards Kam Jones, Donovan Dent will be key
Mar. 20—CLEVELAND, Ohio — Marquette's Kam Jones. New Mexico's Donovan Dent. They're the names that have been on the top of every opposing scouting report on the No. 7 Golden Eagles or No. 10 Lobos. ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Marquette vs. New Mexico, March Madness predictions, time: 2025 NCAA Tournament picks from proven model
SportsLine's model revealed its college basketball predictions for New Mexico Lobos vs. Marquette Golden Eagles on Friday in the first round of the 2025 NCAA TournamentCBS Sports - 3h -
Marquette basketball’s March Madness opponent is New Mexico to open 2025 NCAA tournament bracket
It’s Marquette basketball vs. New Mexico in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA tournament men’s bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Cleveland.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Marquette vs New Mexico schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game
What time is the Marquette vs New Mexico NCAA Tournament game? How to watch Eagles vs Lobos March Madness game on Friday, March 21 on TV.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Dent has 25, New Mexico beats San Jose State 63-52 in Mountain West Conference Tournament
Donovan Dent had 25 points in New Mexico's 63-52 win over San Jose State on Thursday in the Mountain West Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Dent added five assists for the Lobos (26-6). Nelly ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 13 -
How to watch UNM vs. Marquette today in first round of NCAA March Madness tournament
The Mountain West regular-season champion New Mexico Lobos take on Marquette in a first-round game in Cleveland.Yahoo Sports - 23m -
How far will the Marquette Golden Eagles go in March Madness? Give us your NCAA tournament prediction
The Golden Eagles (23-10) take on 10th-seeded New Mexico (26-7) at 6:25 p.m. Friday in Cleveland.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Marquette March Madness mailbag: Questions about MU's offense; will Shaka Smart leave after NCAA tournament?
Before the Golden Eagles face New Mexico in a first-round game Friday, beat reporter Ben Steele answered your questions about the game and the teams.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
New Mexico vs Marquette Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
New Mexico Lobos vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 19h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
'Scotland women can fill Murrayfield one day'
Scotland women's most-capped player Donna Kennedy believes the side will one day sell out Murrayfield.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Jessica Gadirova to return with twin Jennifer set for same surgery
Jessica Gadirova returns to competition at the British Gymnastic Championships but has a "heavy heart" as her sister starts rehabilitation for her ACL injury.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Osimhen leads Nigeria to first World Cup qualifying win
Victor Osimhen nets twice as Nigeria register their first victory in qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, while Algeria and Burkina Faso also win.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Swansea want Sheehan to stay for rest of season
Swansea City have asked caretaker boss Alan Sheehan to remain in charge until the end of the 2024-25 season.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
PFF names Panthers' best trade asset ahead of the 2025 NFL draft
If the Panthers are looking to deal ahead of the draft, PFF thinks this player would be their best (and most realistic) bargaining chip . . .Yahoo Sports - 18m
More in Sports
-
Aaron Rodgers free agency update: QB visits Steelers; deal reportedly not imminent
The Rodgers saga might be coming to an endCBS Sports - 8m -
11-seed Drake stuns Mizzou, as coach 'expected'
Drake, a No. 11 seed relying heavily on D-II transfers, had a 15-point lead whittled to one with 4:28 left but held off Missouri to advance in the NCAA tournament.ESPN - 10m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 10m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 10m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 10m