1. Kentucky
29-3
1st in SEC (East)
The Wildcats play smothering defense and get balanced scoring. If there is a weakness, it’s the lack of a consistent 3-point threat. But that’s a minor quibble. This team has legitimate national-title hopes.
16. IUPUI
20-13
1st in Mid-Continent
Indiana-Purdue takes care of the ball. It limited its turnovers to 10 against Valparaiso’s 19 in the Mid-Con title game. Lack of depth should stop Jaguars from advancing in NCAA tourney.
5. Wisconsin
22-7
1st in Big Ten
The Badgers are the kind of team that could save the Big Ten’s wounded image with a deep tourney run. They’re cool, confident, defensive-minded and play well together. Main weakness: lack of height inside.
12. Weber St.
26-5
1st in Big Sky
The Wildcats defeated Eastern Washington 60-57 in the Big Sky tournament final–their 17th straight win. They have not lost since Jan. 3, when Utah beat them 72-58. Boyette was Big Sky player of the year.
3. Marquette
23-5
1st in C-USA (American)
Dwyane Wade is a difference maker, a legitimate national player-of-the-year candidate who can dominate in a variety of ways. But Marquette’s greatest virtue may be its tenacity, demonstrated in a 19-point rally at Louisville.
14. Holy Cross
26-4
1st in Patriot
Holy Cross breezed through a weak Patriot League, but don’t let the weak conference fool you. This is a team that challenged Kentucky and Kansas in first-round NCAA losses, and beat Boston College this season.
7. Indiana
20-12
6th in Big Ten
The Hoosiers, who live on despite an embarrassing loss at Penn State in the regular-season finale, will go as far as Bracey Wright and Jeff Newton carry them. Mike Davis has been critical of his senior leadership.
10. Alabama
17-11
4th in SEC (West)
A No. 1 ranking for a week in December was undeserved. That showed with a sub-.500 finish in the league. The Tide has no outside shooter who scares anyone and the lack of depth is appalling. Still, they are a danger.
8. Oregon
23-9
5th in Pacific 10
Darlings of the Elite Eight last year, the Ducks were brought back to Earth by Freddie Jones’ departure to the NBA. The two Lukes, Ridnour and Jackson, found out how different life is without the explosive Jones.
9. Utah
24-7
1st in Mountain West
The Runnin’ Utes have become a regular in the Big Dance under Rick Majerus. But their ability to make noise in the NCAAs may have taken a blow as forward Britton Johnsen was diagnosed with mononucleosis.
4. Dayton
24-5
2nd in Atlantic 10 (West)
No marquee names here, just plenty of tough veterans and a front line with size, moxie and a relish for banging bodies. The Flyers are going to defend and rebound, but they really start flying when they spread the scoring.
13. Tulsa
22-9
2nd in Western Athletic
The Golden Hurricane won the WAC tournament on its home court with a 75-64 win over Nevada after finishing second to Fresno State, banned from postseason play, in the regular season. Tulsa won 12 of its last 13.
6. Missouri
21-10
5th in Big 12
The Tigers have a nice trio in Ricky Clemons, Arthur Johnson and Rickey Paulding. But they’re too sloppy with the ball and on defense. The bench doesn’t provide any offense. Translation: Slow down any of the Big Three.
11. Southern Illinois
24-6
1st in Missouri Valley
After winning the conference’s regular season title, the Salukis were routed by runner-up Creighton 80-56 in the tournament title game. The Salukis have won 19 of their last 22–two of these losses were to Creighton.
2. Pittsburgh
26-4
1st in Big East (West)
After reaching the Big East finals in 2002, the Panthers were angered this year when Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun, in an effort to compliment them, said they were the best team in the conference but not the most talented.
15. Wagner
21-10
1st in Northeast
The Seahawks have their franchise player in Jermaine Hall, who was NEC rookie of the year three seasons ago and now is player of the year. Hall can do it all, but he’s going to need a lot of help if Wagner is to win in its NCAA debut.
WEST
Faces Midwest in Final Four
1. Arizona
25-3
1st in Pacific 10
As deep as any team in the country, some think that the Wildcats’ second five would be a top 25 team on their own. And they’re probably right. The Cats were supposed to dominate the Pac 10 and garner a No. 1 ranking.
16. Vermont
21-11
2nd in America East
A league tournament upset last year got the Catamounts mentally tough this season. They beat Hartford in the semifinals, a team that had beaten them twice in the regular season. Taylor Coppenrath is player of the year.
5. Notre Dame
22-9
3rd in Big East
Guard Matt Carroll converted 42.5 percent from the three-point line in conference play. Guard Chris Thomas won the Big East’s assist crown (6.8) for the second straight season.
12. Wisconsin-Milwaukee
24-7
2nd in Horizon
Panthers feature a balance of finesse, muscle and depth. They play a body-banging man-to-man defense and like to put the ball in Clay Tucker’s hands at key moments. They play rough. Whistle could be decisive.
3. Duke
24-6
2nd in ACC
The Blue Devils know how to get hot. Check out Mike Krzyzewski’s 58-15 NCAA tourney record. Losses over the last six weeks to Florida State and St. John’s aren’t embarrassing, but they’re not typical of a Duke team.
14. Colorado St.
19-13
6th in Mountain West
The sixth-place Rams started the season hot, winning 11 of their first 14 games, before fading and losing seven straight in league play. But they righted themselves and shocked tourney foes with three upsets.
7. Memphis
23-6
1st in C-USA (National)
The Tigers opened strong, floundered in mid-January, then rallied to close out with 11 straight wins. Chris Massie is a rarity, an inside force in a perimeter-oriented game. But it’s Memphis’ unselfishness and defense that’s key.
10. Arizona St.
19-11
1st in Pacific 10
Rob Evans knew what he was doing when he resisted last spring’s overtures to return to his home state to coach New Mexico –ASU would be loaded. Ike Diogu, a low post threat, gives the Sun Devils Sweet 16 potential.
8. Cincinnati
17-11
3rd in C-USA
The only thing consistent about the Bearcats this season has been their inconsistency, which is why they defeated then No. 5 Oregon and then No. 11 Oklahoma State but lost to unranked Charlotte and Saint Louis.
9. Gonzaga
23-8
1st in West Coast
The Bulldogs needed an at-large berth after losing to San Diego in the WCC tournament final. Power forward Cory Violette sat out the game because of a sprained ankle, but Gonzaga is hopeful he’ll be back this week.
4. Illinois
24-6
2nd in Big Ten
Illini have an All-America candidate in Brian Cook and
a never-give-up mindset but are very young (three freshmen starters). Keys: avoiding foul trouble–especially Cook and James Augustine–and not losing poise.
13. Western Kentucky
24-8
1st in Sun Belt
The Hilltoppers don’t have center Chris Marcus, who left the team for personal reasons, but they are still loaded with NCAA Tournament experience and will be a tough first-round opponent.
6. Creighton
29-4
2nd in Missouri Valley
Creighton finished second in the Valley’s regular season race but routed champion Southern Illinois 80-56 to win the conference tournament title and earn the automatic NCAA tourney bid for the second straight year.
11. Central Michigan
24-6
1st in Mid-American
CMU stands fifth in the country in field goal percentage (.503). If the Chippewas continue with their balanced inside-outside game, they could advance. Athletic 7-footer Chris Kaman is key.
2. Kansas
25-7
1st in Big 12
The Jayhawks have two of the nation’s best players in Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich, who make up perhaps the best inside-outside duo. But with its three-guard lineup, KU could be susceptible on the boards.
15. Utah St.
24-8
3rd in Big West
Fundamentally sound team lives off of defense and rebounding. Desmond Penigar, a physical specimen at 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, is capable of taking over a game but also tends to disappear.
SOUTH
Faces East in Final Four
1. Texas
22-6
2nd in Big 12
Texas has legit Final Four hopes, thanks to G T.J. Ford (14.8 ppg, 7.2 apg), the nation’s best point man. Coach Rick Barnes never has gone past the Sweet 16, and his team’s Achilles’ heel may be its outside shooting.
OPENING GAME No. 64 v. No. 65
TX Southern
18-12
3rd in Southwestern
UNC-Asheville
14-16
5th in Big South
5. Connecticut
21-9
1st in Big East (East)
Led by shot-blocking C Emeka Okafor (16.1 ppg, 11.0 rpg) and G Ben Gordon (19.9 ppg) the Huskies rebounded from coach Jim Calhoun’s three-week absence to finish second in the Big East tournament.
12. Brigham Young
23-8
T-1st in Mountain West
The Cougars have gone from 1-25 laughingstocks in 1997 to a co-conference championship in 2001 and tying for another this year. Senior G Travis Hansen (16.7 ppg), and F Mark Bigelow (13.8 ppg) lead the offense.
3. Xavier
25-5
1st in Atlantic 10 (West)
Xavier has a great inside-out combo in star F David West, (20.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg) and the mobile Romain Sato (18.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg). If Lionel Chalmers is steady at the point, this veteran team could make a long run.
14. Troy State
26-5
T-1st in Atlantic Sun
The Trojans are less-talented than their NCAA opponents, but if those opponents let them dictate the tempo, the chances for an upset improve greatly. However, the Trojans also can shoot themselves out of games.
7. Michigan St.
19-12
4th in Big Ten
The Spartans have made three recent Final Four appearances in a row and got hot in March, but their lack of experience at point guard could cost them. On the plus side, coach Tom Izzo’s defenses are hard to beat.
10. Colorado
20-11
6th in the Big 12
The Buffaloes have looked like two different teams at home and on the road. They’re big and physical, but their bench is non-existent and they have no outside shooting. G/F Michel Morandais averages 17.4 ppg.
8. Lousiana St.
21-10
2nd in SEC (East)
The Tigers are good when allowed to play their transition game, but they struggle in the half-court. F Ronald Dupree (16.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg) has the hot hand, and the Tigers have won seven of their last eight games.
9. Purdue
18-10
3rd in Big Ten
Coach Gene Keady took them to the Elite Eight in 2000, but an early exit is possible for the inconsistent, hard-to-figure Boilermakers. Their key to success is how well leading scorer Willie Deane (18.3 ppg) plays.
4. Stanford
23-8
2nd in Pacific 10
A smart team that does not beat itself, Stanford handed Arizona its only conference loss of the season.
G Julius Barnes (15.7 ppg, 3.8 apg) runs the offense. The Cardinal last made the Final Four in 1998.
13. San Diego
18-11
2nd in West Coast
The Toreros might have one of the field’s coolest names, but that’s it. Despite beating Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference tourney, San Diego has a tough draw. C Jason Keep (18.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg) is a force down low.
6. Maryland
19-9
3rd in ACC
The Terps lost four starters from last year’s national title game, but seem almost as deep this season. Steve Blake runs the point flawlessly, but can Maryland replace the post presence they had a year ago in Lonny Baxter?
11. UNC-Wilmington
24-6
1st in Colonial Athletic
Hoping to repeat as spoilers, the Seahawks, who upset Southern Cal last year, are led by G Brett Blizzard (21.3 ppg), who shoots 43 percent from behind the arc. Downside: opponents consistently outrebound them.
2. Florida
24-7
2nd in SEC (East)
With three straight losses heading into the tournament, the young Gators have something to prove. Frosh PG Anthony Roberson (12.8 ppg) and ailing F Matt Bonner (15.8 ppg) must play up to their potential for Florida to succeed.
15. Sam Houston St.
23-6
1st in Southland
The senior-dominated Bearkats responded well to being the first team in school history to be ranked preseason No. 1 in any sport. After an inconsistent start, F Donald Cole (17.4 ppg) became conference player of the year.
EAST
Faces South in Final Four
1. Oklahoma
24-6
3rd in Big 12
The Sooners played one of the nation’s toughest schedules and did fine, thanks to leading scorer Hollis Price (19.4 ppg). The Sooners are athletic and play good defense. But someone other than Price must step up on offense.
16. South Carolina St.
20-10
1st in MEAC
The Bulldogs won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament with superior frontcourt depth, but they struggled against non-conference teams. Forward Thurman Zimmerman was MEAC rookie of the year.
5. Mississippi St.
21-9
1st in SEC (West)
Center Mario Austin (15.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg) is a load down low and guard Timmy Bowers can be an outside-shooting force, but the Bulldogs too often struggle to score.
12. Butler
25-5
1st in Horizon
The system is the key. Players know their roles, stick to them and fulfill them. Guard Brandon Miller (12.3 ppg) has a habit of defusing opponents’ high scorers and hitting clutch baskets.
3. Syracuse
24-5
2nd in Big East (West)
Guard Carmelo Anthony (22.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg) is likely headed to the NBA after developing into one of the Big East’s top scorers and rebounders. Gerry McNamara led the team with 67 three-pointers.
14. Manhattan
23-6
1st in MAAC
The Jaspers like to press, run and substitute in waves. Their game plan is simple: Wear down opponents and let guard Luis Flores (24.8 ppg) break them down.
7. St. Joseph’s
23-6
1st in Atlantic 10 (East)
Everything revolves around guard Jameer Nelson (19.3 ppg, 4.8 apg, 5.0 rpg), as creative a point guard as any. Delonte West (17.6 ppg) rounds out one of the best backcourts in the country.
10. Auburn
20-11
3rd in SEC (West)
The Tigers were picked to finish near the bottom of the SEC West, but they got off to a great start (15-2) before they hit the wall. They have good athletes and they can play lockdown defense.
8. California
21-8
3rd in Pacific-10
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Golden Bears, whose starting point guard transferred and starting center jumped to the NBA. Forward Joe Shipp (20.3 ppg) is one of the top players in the conference.
9. N.C. State
18-12
4th in ACC
The toughest part was getting in for N.C. State, which upset Wake Forest in the ACC semis to earn a bid. The good news is that the Wolfpack’s spread offense works for a round or two in the NCAA tournament.
4. Louisville
24-6
2nd in C-USA (Amer.)
Coached by Rick Pitino, the Cardinals put together a 17-game winning streak during the season but were severely damaged when forward Ellis Myles went down for the year during their Feb. 27 loss to Marquette.
13. Austin Peay
23-7
1st (tie) in Ohio Valley
The Governors won 15 of their last 16 games and took the regular-season and tournament titles. Defense is a strong point–opponents have made only 42.8 percent of their shots.
6. Oklahoma St.
21-9
4th in Big 12
As usual, the Cowboys play solid defense. They sometimes struggle to score, they don’t rebound well and they don’t always take care of the ball. But their defensive acumen makes them a tough opponent.
11. Pennsylvania
22-5
1st in Ivy League
The Quakers are on a 15-game winning streak and haven’t lost since Jan. 25 against St. Joseph’s. But they haven’t won a first-round tourney game since 1994.
2. Wake Forest
24-5
1st in ACC
Picked to finish sixth in the ACC, the Demon Deacons instead won their first outright crown since 1962. The Deacons average nearly 80 points and give up only 66.
15. East Tennessee St.
20-10
1st (tie) in Southern (N)
The Bucs are 9-3 since top scorer Tiras Wade (16.3 ppg) left the team in February for undisclosed personal reasons. Still, they rank sixth nationally in scoring with 82.3 points per game.
