No. 1 Duke
RPI
4
Overall
25-5
ACC Tournament champion
It’s not the typical great Duke team as the Blue Devils have been slowed by a lack of depth and a series of injuries. They’ll go as far as J.J. Redick, Shelden Williams and Daniel Ewing can carry them.
Top players:
Jr. J.J. Redick, G, 22.7 ppg.
Jr. Shelden Williams, F, 15.6 ppg.
No. 16 Delaware St.
RPI
129
Overall
19-13
Mid-Eastern Athletic Tournament champion
Bluntt leads a team that shoots well from the perimeter (34.7 percent) and from the free throw line (75.5 percent), but doesn’t defend guards well.
Top players:
So. Jahsha Bluntt, G, 13.8 ppg.
Sr. Terrance Hunter, F, 11.7 ppg.
Sr. Aaron Williams, G, 11.1 ppg.
No. 8 Stanford
RPI
41
Overall
18-12
At-large bid
After leading scorer Dan Grunfeld (17.9 ppg.) was lost for the season with a knee injury, Stanford responded by winning five of seven.
Top players:
Jr. Chris Hernandez, G, 15.3 ppg.
Jr. Matt Haryasz, F, 12.4 ppg.
Sr. Nick Robinson, F, 8.3 ppg.
No. 9. Miss. St.
RPI
29
Overall
22-10
At-large bid
The Bulldogs have been a slight disappointment. Winsome Frazier was hurt midway through the season, and the Bulldogs suffered without him. Gary Ervin–an inconsistent point man–is the key guy for the Bulldogs.
Top players:
Sr. Lawrence Roberts, F, 16.7 ppg.
Sr. Winsome Frazier, G/F, 12.2 ppg.
No. 5 Michigan St.
RPI
21
Overall
22-6
At-large bid
Coach Tom Izzo has taken the Spartans to the tourney for eight straight years. Their record going in is as good as it was in 2000, when they won the national championship.
Top players:
Sr. Alan Anderson, F, 13.6 ppg.
Jr. Paul Davis, C, 11.8 ppg.
Jr. Maurice Ager, G, 13.3 ppg.
No. 12 Old Dominion
RPI
35
Overall
28-5
Colonial Athletic
Tournament champion
Alex Loughton (6-9) is a better player than his stats, Isaiah Hunter is the spark. Arnaud Dahi’s injury may affect frontcourt play.
Top players:
Jr. Alex Loughton, C, 13.9 ppg.
Jr. Isaiah Hunter, G, 13.4 ppg.
Jr. Arnaud Dahi, F, 10.3 ppg., 5.5 rpg.
No. 4 Syracuse
RPI
20
Overall
27-6
Big East Tournament champion
Seasoned group from 2003 championship team was bolstered by its impressive victory against UConn, as Big East player of the year Hakim Warrick scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds.
Top players:
Sr. Hakim Warrick, F, 21.4 ppg.
Jr. Gerry McNamara, G, 16.0 ppg.,
Sr. Josh Pace, F, 10.9 ppg.
No. 13 Vermont
RPI
26
Overall
24-6
America East Tournament champion
Taylor Coppenrath has won 23 awards for playing and academics and is a finalist for the Wooden Award All-American Team and national player of the year.
Top players:
Sr. Taylor Coppenrath, C, 25.3 ppg.
Sr. T.J. Sorrentine, G, 18.8 ppg.
Sr. Germain Mopa Njila, F, 6.9 rpg.
No. 6 Utah
RPI
23
Overall
27-5
At-large bid
Andrew Bogut, an Australian, probably will turn pro after the tourney. Marc Jackson left the Running ‘Utes after the ’02-’03 season in a dispute with then-Coach Rick Majerus.
Top players:
So. Andrew Bogut, F, 20.7 ppg.
Sr. Marc Jackson, G, 10.6 ppg.
No. 11. UTEP
RPI
33
Overall
27-7
WAC Tournament champion
Texas El Paso’s 24 regular-season victories were the most since the 1984-85 season, when the Miners won 27 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Top players:
Sr. Omar Thomas, F, 20.4 ppg.
Sr. Filiberto Rivera, G, 13.6 ppg.
Jr. Jason Williams, F, 11.8 ppg.
No. 3 Oklahoma
RPI
18
Overall
24-7
At-large bid
Strong down low, but improved guard play is what pushed the Sooners to the top of the Big 12. How those guards hold up in March will determine how far they go.
Top players:
Jr. Taj Gray, F, 14.5 ppg.
Jr. Terrell Everett, G, 12.6 ppg.
Jr. Keven Bookout, 11.7 ppg.
No. 14 Niagara
RPI
95
Overall
20-9
Metro Atlantic Tournament champion
Juan Mendez can be a force inside and shoot the 3; Niagara will need every ounce of what he can give to pull off the upset.
Top players:
Sr. Juan Mendez, 6-8, F, 23.6 ppg.
Sr. David Brooks, 6-3, G, 17.1 ppg.
Sr. Alvin Cruz, 6-1, G, 13.1 ppg.
No. 7 Cincinnati
RPI
24
Overall
24-7
At-large bid
The Bearcats finished the regular season with seven victories in their last eight games. DePaul was their only loss. Before that streak, they had lost three of four.
Top players:
Sr. Jason Maxiell, F, 15.3 ppg.
Jr. Eric Hicks, F, 13.9 ppg.
Jr. James White, G, 3.1 apg.
No. 10 Iowa
RPI
43
Overall
21-11
At-large bid
The Hawkeyes were 11-1 in non-conference play. After their best player, Pierre Pierce, was kicked off the team, they hit a 1-5 skid but recovered to win their last three.
Top players:
Jr. Greg Brunner, F, 14.5 ppg.
So. Adam Haluska, G, 14.3 ppg.
Jr. Jeff Horner, G, 14.1 ppg.
No. 2 Kentucky
RPI
11
Overall
25-5
At-large bid
This isn’t an overly talented team, but it’s well-coached, plays good defense and has clearly defined roles. How far the Wildcats go will be determined by freshmen Rajon Rondo and Randolph Morris.
Top players:
Jr. Kelenna Azubuike, F/G, 14.8 ppg.
Jr. Patrick Sparks, G, 11.84 ppg.
No. 15 Eastern Ky.
RPI
116
Overall
22-8
Ohio Valley tournament champion
Coached by former Kentucky standout Travis Ford, the Colonels relied on balanced scoring and teamwork to win the Ohio Valley Tournament and earn their first NCAA bid since 1979.
Top players:
Sr. Michael Haney, F, .626 FG%
Jr. Matt Witt, G, 6.4 apg.
