(ESPN Stats & Information's Next Level preview of Friday's Sweet 16 games)
(12) Oregon vs (1) Louisville, 7:15 ET
In their Round of 32 win over Colorado State, Louisville scored 42 points in the paint. In the 2013 NCAA tournament, Louisville is averaging 43.0 paint points per game, the second most of any team in the field. The Cardinals are the third team in the past four tournaments to score at least 40 points in the paint in back-to-back games.
2013 Men's Basketball Championship
This season, Louisville averages 23.2 points per game off turnovers, the most among teams from Power Six conferences. The Cardinals record a steal on 16.3 percent of their opponents' possessions (second in the nation), and had a steal on 20 of North Carolina A&T's 68 possessions in the Round of 64. That's Louisville's highest steal percentage in a game in the past 15 seasons.
In the past two seasons, Louisville is 25-0 when it scores at least 24 points off turnovers.
During Louisville's current 12-game winning streak, the Cardinals are allowing 54.7 points per game and 84.1 points per 100 possessions. For the season, Louisville is second in the nation in defensive efficiency.
As for Oregon, the Ducks shot 60.0 percent (12-20) outside the paint -- including 8-for-11 on 3-point attempts -- in their Round of 32 win against Saint Louis, the best field goal percentage from that distance in any game in the past two NCAA tournaments.
(4) Michigan vs (1) Kansas, 7:37 ET
The Wolverines turn the ball over on just 14.4 percent of their possessions and have a 1.54 assist/turnover ratio, both rank No. 1 in the country. Michigan also is in the top 10 in offensive efficiency and field goal percentage; however, it will be going up against one of college basketball's best big men.
Led by center Jeff Withey, Kansas has limited its opponents to 38.6 percent shooting in the paint in the tournament. That's the third-lowest percentage of any team in the field. In two tournament games, Withey has blocked 11 shots, altered 14 field goals and affected 36 percent of opponents' attempts.
(3) Michigan State vs (2) Duke, Friday 9:45 ET
Duke is 20-1 this season when Ryan Kelly plays, and his impact has been on the defensive end. Duke's defensive efficiency with Kelly would rank in the top 20 of Division I. Without him the Blue Devils would be tied with Loyola Marymount for 244th.
Duke This Season
With/Without Ryan Kelly
Kelly holds opponents to 25.4 percent shooting as an on-ball defender, tied for 23rd in the nation (minimum 100 FGA defended). In Duke's win against Creighton in the Round of 32, Kelly held Doug McDermott to 3-for-11 (27.3 percent) shooting.
One area on defense where Duke has struggled in its five losses this season is in transition. The Blue Devils have allowed 18.8 transition points per game in their losses and are 3-4 when allowing 15 or more transition points. In two games in the tournament, the Blue Devils have allowed 4.5 points and 37.5 percent shooting in transition. Michigan State is averaging 15 points and shooting 81.3 percent in transition in two tournament games.
The Spartans lead the 2013 NCAA tourney in second-chance points (36), including a season-high 22 second-chance points in their Round of 32 win against Memphis. Derrick Nix is tied for second in the tournament with 11 second-chance points.
(15) Florida Gulf Coast vs (3) Florida, Friday 10:07 ET
The Eagles have controlled the second half each tournament game, outscoring Georgetown and San Diego State by a combined 19 points in the final 20 minutes.
The Eagles have pushed the pace in the second half. They scored 47 transition points against the Hoyas and Aztecs (those two combined for 20), with 34 of the 47 coming after halftime.
However, in the Sweet 16, FGCU might be playing the most balanced team in the country.
The Florida Gators allow 85.9 points per 100 possessions, third-best defensive efficiency in the nation, and they are the only team that ranks in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The Gators net efficiency of 29.1 -- which ranks No. 1 in the nation -- is higher than each of the past five national champions.