1 Illinois
16 Fairleigh Dickinson
8 Texas
9 Nevada
5 Alabama
12 Wisconsin-Milwaukee
4 Boston College
13 Penn
6 LSU
11 Alabama-Birmingham
3 Arizona
14 Utah St.
7 Southern Illinois
10 St. Mary’s (Calif.)
2 Oklahoma St.
15 SE Louisiana
No. 1 Illinois
Big Ten Tournament champion
Anything less than a trip to the Final Four will leave a bitter taste for Illinois players and their fans, who have basked in the team’s record-setting season.
Top players:
Sr. Luther Head, G, 15.9 ppg.
Jr. Dee Brown, G, 13.8 ppg.
Jr. Deron Williams, G, 12.3 ppg.
Sr. Roger Powell, F, 12.0 ppg.
RPI
2
Overall
32-1
No. 16 Fairleigh
Dickinson
Northeast Tournament champion
The only 20-win team in the Northeast Conference features sophomore Andrea Crosariol, an Italian center who is one of the few 7-footers in the tournament. FDU last made the tourney in 1998.
Top players:
Sr. Tamien Trent, G, 15.8 ppg.
Jr. Gordon Klaiber, F, 15.8 ppg.
RPI
169
Overall
20-12
No. 8 Texas
At-large bid
Lost leading scorer P.J. Tucker to grades in January, then lost three straight games. Rebounded to win five of last seven, including at Oklahoma State, and have an impressive point guard in precocious Daniel Gibson.
Top players:
Fr. Daniel Gibson, G, 14.4 ppg.
Jr. Brad Buckman, F, 12.4 ppg.
RPI
42
Overall
20-10
No. 9 Nevada
At-large bid
The Wolf Pack swept Western Athletic Conference honors with player of the year Nick Fazekas, freshman of the year Ramon Sessions and coach of the year Mark Fox.
Top players:
So. Nick Fazekas, F, 21.4 ppg.
Sr. Kevinn Pinkney, F, 12.1 ppg.
RPI
32
Overall
24-6
No. 5 Alabama
At-large bid
The Tide has superb athletes and likes uptempo games. Kennedy Winston is one of the most-talented players in the nation and a matchup nightmare. Freshman PG Ronald Steele must play in control.
Top players:
Jr. Kennedy Winston, F, 17.8 ppg.
Sr. Earnest Shelton, G, 16.4 ppg.
RPI
17
Overall
24-7
No. 12 Wisconsin-
Milwaukee
Horizon League Tournament champion
Panthers edged Detroit 59-58 in a defensive battle to earn an automatic NCAA bid. Opponents must take care of the ball against Milwaukee.
Top players:
Sr. Ed McCants, G, 17.4 ppg.
Jr. Joah Tucker, G, 15.2 ppg.
RPI
58
Overall
24-5
No. 4 Boston College
At-large bid
Lost three of their last five games. Have solid low-post player in Craig Smith.
Embarrassed by early exit from the Big East Tournament, BC should have extra motivation for the Tournament.
Top players:
Jr. Craig Smith, F, 17.9 ppg.
So. Jared Dudley, F, 16.3 ppg.
Sr. Jermaine Watson, G, 9.8 ppg.
RPI
9 Overall
24-4
No. 13 Penn
Ivy League champion
Tim Begley is the 13th Penn player to be named Ivy League player of the year. He set the school record for 3s (248), second in league history.
Top players:
Sr. Tim Begley, G, 13.7 ppg.
So. Ibrahim Jaaber, G, 11.4 ppg.
So. Steve Danley, F, 9.5 ppg.
So. Mark Zoller, G/F, 9.3 ppg.
RPI
55
Overall
20-8
No. 6 LSU
At-large bid
The Tigers are all about their big-time low-post threats, Bass (SEC player of the year) and Glen Davis. The backcourt isn’t terrific, though the guards get a ton of open looks because defenses key on the big men.
Top players:
So. Brandon Bass, F, 17.1 ppg.
Fr. Glen Davis, C, 13.4 ppg.
RPI
25
Overall
20-9
No. 11 Alabama-Birmingham
At-large bid
UAB plays full-court defense and likes to run. The Blazers reached the Sweet 16 last year, Conference USA’s last team standing.
Top players:
Sr. Donell Taylor, G, 15.7 ppg.
Jr. Demaro Eddins, F, 12.6 ppg.
Sr. Ronell Taylor, G, 11.8 ppg.
RPI
49
Overall
21-0
No. 3 Arizona
At-large bid
The Wildcats’ fortunes rest on the shoulders of the mercurial Salim Stoudamire, who can shoot the Wildcats out of a game just as quickly as he can win one.
Top players:
Sr. Salim Stoudamire, G, 18.4 ppg.
Sr. Channing Frye, C, 15.8 ppg.
Jr. Hassan Adams, F, 12.2 ppg.
RPI
8 Overall
27-6
No. 14 Utah St.
Big West Tournament champion
The Aggies have a precise attack, leading the nation in field-goal shooting for much of the season. Much of the offense is run through Spencer Nelson, a 25-year-old senior who led in several categories in the conference.
Top players:
Sr. Spencer Nelson, F, 16.4 ppg.
Fr. Jaycee Carroll, G, 14.6 ppg.
RPI
50
Overall
24-7
No. 7 S. Illinois
At-large bid
The Salukis won their fourth straight Missouri Valley regular-season title but failed to win the conference tourney for the fourth straight year. Darren Brooks has been the conference player of the year the last two seasons.
Top players:
Sr. Darren Brooks, G, 15.0 ppg.
So. Jamaal Tatum, G, 12.1 ppg.
RPI
16
Overall
26-7
No. 10 St. Mary’s (Calif.)
At-large bid
Could be a tough out if Paul Marigney’s outside shot is on. Daniel Kickert (6-10) is a matchup problem with his size and ability to shoot from long distance.
Top players:
Sr. Paul Marigney, G, 17.0 ppg.
Jr. Daniel Kickert, F, 16.6 ppg.
Sr. E.J. Rowland, G, 11.1 ppg.
RPI
30
Overall
25-8
No. 2 Oklahoma St.
Big 12 Tournament champion
They can play five seniors, an advantage in a tournament that often rewards maturity and experience. But they’re undersized down low, where they depend on Joey Graham (6-7) and Ivan McFarlin (6-8) for rebounding.
Top players:
Sr. Joey Graham, F, 18.2 ppg.
Sr. John Lucas, G, 18.0 ppg.
RPI
5
Overall
24-6
No. 15
SE Louisiana
Southland Tournament champion
Southeastern established a new school record for wins in a season as they beat Northwestern State for the Southland bid. Nate Lofton (6-10) and Rickey Woods (6-6) give the Lions a good inside game.
Top players:
Jr. Ricky Woods, F, 17.2 ppg.
Sr. Jonathan Patton, G, 11.8 ppg.
RPI
115
Overall
24-8
