NCAA Tournament East Regional has intriguing matchups

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But their teams play alike starting with a pressure, trapping defense. They also prefer to push the pace.

“It’s going to be up-tempo because both coaches like to play that way,” Pearl said. “Both teams will attack.”

Louisville will do so with a frontline led by center David Padgett, who was recruited by Williams at Kansas, and remained a Jayhawk for one year after Williams had taken the North Carolina job.

Padgett missed 10 games because of a broken kneecap but said Wednesday that he’s playing pain-free for the first time all season.

“He directs us,” Louisville’s Terrence Williams said. “He tells you to go backdoor before the backdoor opens. He’s the coach on the floor, our point center. He just basically directs traffic. Without him, it’s kind of hard.”

Tennessee may be dealing with an injury issue. Earlier in the week, guard Chris Lofton wore a protective boot after suffering an injury against Butler in the second round.

But Wednesday, Lofton proclaimed to be healthy.

“I’m fine,” Lofton said. “It’s no big deal. I’m ready to play.”

He better be.

It’s Charlotte, and nobody got a pass here.

@ Go to KansasCity.com for continual KU updates from Detroit and complete coverage of the NCAA’s Sweet 16.

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