TULSA, Okla. (AP) No. 6 seed SMU (30-4) vs. No. 11 seed USC (25-9)
First round, East Region, Tulsa, Oklahoma; 3:10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: SMU is in the NCAA Tournament after being banned from postseason play a year ago for multiple violations, including academic fraud and unethical conduct. USC rallied from 17 points down in the second half to win its First Four game against Providence on Wednesday.
ROLLING: SMU has won 16 straight games, including 11 by double digits, and hasn't lost since Jan. 12. The Mustangs won the American Athletic Conference tournament title by defeating Cincinnati in the championship game.
BOUNCING BACK: USC ended February on a four-game skid, then won three straight before losing to UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament.
DID YOU KNOW: USC beat SMU 78-73 on Nov. 25.
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