#11 Saint Mary's vs. #6 Memphis

NCAA Tournament Round of 64

#11 Saint Mary's Gaels vs. #6 Memphis Tigers

March 21, 2013, 11:45 AM PDT, Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Memphis hails from Conference USA and is 30-4 on the season, 16-0 in C-USA regular season play and currently on a six game winning streak. The Tigers are 12-3 away from home.

Saint Mary's is 28-6 on the season, on a one game winning streak and 12-5 away from home.

TV: CBS.

Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 85.

Online: Live video from the NCAA.

Two teams that deal with the same question. Who've you beat? Memphis rolled through Conference USA, a league weaker than the WCC, to a 16-0 record and conference tournament title. Saint Mary's rolled through every team in the WCC except Gonzaga. Both schools played weak non-conference schedules.

Memphis is loaded with talent. There are four players on the Memphis roster that were ESPN Top-100 recruits in their high school class (Shaq Goodwin, Adonis Thomas, Tarik Black and Joe Jackson) In terms of talent, the Tigers should win easily. But ask Kentucky coach (and former Memphis coach) John Calipari, who just lost in his NIT opener last night, about talent. When it doesn't gel it doesn't help.

Saint Mary's doesn't have the depth of highly touted talent, but being led by an Olympian surely helps bridge the gap between the Gaels and Tigers. It's especially helpful when that Olympian emerged from a shooting slump just as NCAA Tournament play begins.

Statistically the Gaels have the edge in this one, but it will be another offense vs. defense battle.

Memphis holds teams to just 0.91 points per possession, the national average is 0.99ppp, which puts them into a tie for 28th nationally in that category. Their best defensive quality is their blocking ability. They're seventh nationally in block percentage and fourth in blocks per game (6.3 per game). 6'5'' forward D.J. Stephens leads the team, accounting for 38.3% of the Tigers' blocks. 6'9'' Shaq Goodwin and 6'7'' Adonis Thomas follow Stephens with 18.2% and 11.2% respectively.

The Gaels may just be in luck though as they're not often blocked. KenPom.com has the Gaels ranked 20th in offensive block%. Memphis holds teams 0.08 points per possession below the national average. Saint Mary's scores 0.15 points per possession more than the national average.