It is fair to say Michigan State has evolved, and then some, since its first trip to Atlanta in November.

No. 3 Kentucky and No. 2 Tennessee will tangle for the third time this season, and the stakes are higher than ever in the first NCAA Tournament meeting between the rivals.

No. 1 Auburn was the team to beat throughout the regular season, even earning the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed after entering Selection Sunday losers in three of its last four.

Kelvin Sampson and Houston are tuning out nostalgia and naysayers with a goal of tunnel vision when the top-seeded Cougars take the court against Purdue at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday night in a semifinal matchup in the Midwest Region.