Updated

Aaron Craft and Deshaun Thomas paid attention last weekend when the highest-seeded teams in their regional started toppling like so many dominoes. The Ohio State stars both wondered whether any big names could survive the wild West.

Now that they're on the brink of a second straight trip to the Final Four, Craft and Thomas are confident they won't be the next marquee program to fall to the likes of Wichita State.

The second-seeded Buckeyes (29-7) are a win away from matching last season's accomplishments, and Thomas says the Buckeyes' current run has been easier. Craft believes Ohio State has more momentum than last season after two straight victories on dramatic, tiebreaking 3-pointers.

The ninth-seeded Shockers (29-8) won't surprise the Buckeyes, who know they'll try to force a quick tempo.