There are flaws across this NCAA board, even in the No. 1 seeds.
Kentucky lacks depth and has only one non-starter averaging more than six minutes a game.
Duke lacks inside depth and suffers if 6-foot-9-inch forward Shelden Williams gets in foul trouble.
St. Joseph’s lacks an inside presence and relies heavily on outside shooting, a fickle mistress.
And Stanford, with the exception of forward Josh Childress, lacks athleticism and must grind out wins with its balance and basic style of play.
DEPAUL vs. DAYTON
First round on Thursday, Phoenix regional
The Blue Demons have been a revelation since forward Andre Brown returned from injury. They have balanced scoring, clutch shooters in Delonte Holland and Drake Diener and Brown’s inside presence.
But their point guard is freshman Sammy Meija, and it is always dangerous when a youngster is guiding a team in March. The Flyers counter with an experienced backcourt and a front line capable of neutralizing Brown.
Logic dictates a Flyers win. But the Blue Demons are toughened from Conference USA play and win.
Other first-round dilemmas:
– Seton Hall-Arizona
– Texas Tech-Charlotte
– Xavier-Louisville
WISCONSIN vs. PITTSBURGH
Second round on Sunday, East Rutherford, N.J., regional
The Badgers are a remarkably resilient team, steady, composed and led by spectacular point guard Devin Harris. But the Panthers, the best defensive team in the Big East, have their own accomplished point in Carl Krauser, who’s surrounded by a bevy of experienced players who can score and do any type of blue-collar work. They’ll find a way to dig out a win even in front of a hostile crowd in Milwaukee.
Other second-round dilemmas:
– Michigan State-Gonzaga
– St. Joseph’s-Texas Tech
– Cincinnati-Illinois
DUKE vs. TEXAS
Regional final on March 28, Atlanta regional
Duke would be severely challenged by Texas, which runs in a bunch of big bodies and could wear Shelden Williams down. But the Longhorns get their scoring from their guards and they are no match for the Blue Devils’ Chris Duhon, J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing, and the Blue Devils advance.
Other regional-final dilemmas:
– Georgia Tech-Kentucky
– Connecticut-Stanford
GA. TECH vs. OKLAHOMA ST.
Final Four on April 3, San Antonio
The Yellow Jackets have an underrated leader in sophomore point guard Jarrett Jack, a plethora of other guards to help him out and a mind-set that allowed them to lead the ACC in field-goal and three-point field-goal percentage defense. The Cowboys have a defensive stopper in guard Tony Allen, a clever point in John Lucas, an experienced starting lineup of two seniors and three juniors and the steadying hand of Eddie Sutton, one of just 11 coaches to take two schools to the Final Four. The Cowboys advance.
And they won’t be done until they win the national title.
2004 NCAA DIVISION I
Pickin’ and grinnin’
Tribune college basketball reporter Skip Myslenski dips a toe in the office pool:
See microfilm for complete graphic.
