NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two of the top defenses in the nation will square off with the winner carrying the title of Cinderella into the Sweet 16.

No. 13 Ohio (28-7) facing No. 12 South Florida (20-13) guarantees a double-digit seed will make it out of the first week of play in the NCAA Tournament, and both teams have gotten where they are through defense. Both rank in the top 50 nationally in defensive efficiency.

South Florida does it by putting a long team on the court across the board with its starters measuring at 6-10, 6-8, 6-7, 6-6 and 6-1.

“South Florida's defensive numbers are off the charts, you know,” Ohio coach John Groce said. “Obviously their tempo and pace, which you were alluding to, you've got to be able to adapt. You guys have heard me say, in tournament-type format, you've got to be adaptable. I think that's a real key to surviving and advancing.”

The Bulls rank seventh in the nation by allowing just 56.8 points per game, with part of that having to do with the slow pace they play – second slowest in the nation. But a large part of that is their stellar half-court defense that has allowed opponents to shoot just 38.8 percent from the field, including just 29.7 percent from 3-point range.

That has been evident in the NCAA Tournament as South Florida picked up their first-ever wins in the Big Dance by beating California, 65-54, in the opening round and then Temple, 58-44, in the second round.

“We have fun playing defense,” South Florida forward Victor Rudd said. “It transfers to offense. When you’re scoring shots, it makes you have more fun. You want to get steals and breakouts, dunks and layups.”

However, South Florida ranks in the bottom 100 in the nation in turnover percentage, whereas Ohio makes its biggest mark on the defensive end by forcing opponents into mistakes. The Bobcats are second nationally, while the Bulls have been prone to giving up possession.

Opponents also have not shot the ball well against Ohio, connecting on just 41.2 percent of all shots from the floor, including 29.7 percent of 3-pointers.

That could be tough for the Bulls, who score only 59 points per game, rank 225th in offensive efficiency and shoot 43.6 percent, including just 31.6 percent from 3-point range. Those offensive deficiencies were evident as the Bulls scored just 15 points in the first half against Temple.

Center Augustus Gilchrist (6-10) leads South Florida in scoring at 9.6 points per game, but he has shot just 38.8 percent on the year. Rudd, a 6-7 forward, averages 8.7 points, but makes just 36.2 percent of his attempts.

Point guard Anthony Collins has been South Florida's most efficient scoring, averaging 8.5 points on 50 percent shooting, but his range is limited (seven made 3-pointers this season). Ron Anderson (6-8) gives South Florida another big body inside, and Hugh Robertson (6-6) gives it length on the perimeter.

Off the bench, forward Toarlyn Firtzpatrick (6-8) is the Bulls’ top deep threat, making 41.1 percent of his 3-point attempts. Shaun Noriega (6-4) is a backup guard who shoots 37 percent from beyond the arc.

“Offensively they're very athletic, very long and athletic and big inside, and obviously they have great size and also great size on the wings as well,” Ohio guard Walter Offutt said.

Ohio is just outside of the top 100 in offensive efficiency, shooting 43.1 percent from the floor, including 33.9 percent on 3-point attempts.

Point guard D.J. Cooper leads the Bobcats by averaging 14.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. Offutt averages 11.7 points per game.

After that, Ohio has a lot of balance, getting about nine points per game from Reggie Keely, Ivo Baltic and Nick Kellogg.

During stretches of the season, and even during certain periods of games, the Bobcats have struggled offensively, and although they have improved, defense is still their key.

“We've executed really well offensively in the last month, but we had to rely on our defense at times,” Groce said. “We had some droughts ourself, so I can relate a little bit to that. But I've always told our guys, and I'm sure he tells their guys, if you defend and rebound, you're going to have a chance.”

Naturally, South Florida ranks as a good rebounding team, coming up with 52.6 percent of all misses. Ohio is average on the boards at 49.9 percent, ranking highly at getting second chances but also giving up quite a few offensive rebounds.

Baltic (5.1) and Keely (5.0) rank as the Bobcats’ top rebounders, while Jon Smith grabs 4.6 per game in less than 20 minutes. Fitzpatrick is the Bulls’ leading rebounder at 6.6 per game, with Anderson averaging 5.5. Three other players average more than four.

Pace could be a major factor. The Bobcats are best when they get out in transition.

“We know a fast-paced game is to our advantage and it's crucial for us to push the pace in order for us to get the win,” Keely said. “We want the game in the high 60s, high 70s. We know they played three games in four days. We got to really wear on them throughout the game.”

In addition, a faster pace could wear down South Florida, which will be playing its third game in five days and has a shorter bench than Ohio.

“We need to go out there and be aggressive and play our game,” Offutt said. “It will be fun and we'll be fine.”