No. 1 North Carolina
RPI
6
Overall
27-4
At-large bid
Roy Williams has the country’s most talented team playing together. Since the loss to Santa Clara, the Tar Heels have looked like a team going to St. Louis.
Top players:
Jr. Sean May, F, 16.5 ppg., 10.7 rpg.
Jr. Raymond Felton, G, 12.7 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 6.9 apg.
No. 16a Oakland
RPI
192
Overall
12-18
Mid-Continent Tournament champ
Golden Grizzlies lost first seven games to big-name teams like Illinois, which toughened team for its Mid-Con run.
No. 16b Alabama A&M
RPI
226
Overall
18-13
Southwestern Tournament champ
The Bulldogs won their first conference title since joining the SWAC in 1999.
No. 8 Minnesota
RPI
40
Overall
21-10
At-large bid
The Gophers were the surprise team of the Big Ten. They tied for fourth after being picked 10th by Street & Smith’s and the Sporting News.
Top players:
Jr. Vincent Grier, G, 17.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg.
Sr. Jeff Hagen, C, 11.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg.
No. 9 Iowa St.
RPI
62
Overall
18-11
At-large bid
Cyclones had five wins over ranked teams in regular season and an impressive late rush but were woefully inconsistent.
Top players:
So. Curtis Stinson, G, 17.1 ppg., 4.5 apg.
Sr. Jared Homan, C, 13.4 ppg., 8.0 rpg.
So. Will Blalock, G, 12.8 ppg., 4.8 apg.
No. 5 Villanova
RPI
15
Overall
22-7
At-large bid
Has excellent one-on-one offensive players in Allan Ray and Randy Foye. Curtis Sumpter can score away from the rim, as he shot 43.2 percent on 3s.
Top players:
Jr. Allan Ray, G, 17.3 ppg.
Jr. Curtis Sumpter, F, 16.1 ppg., 7.1 rpg.
Jr. Randy Foye G, 15.1 ppg., 5.0 rpg.
No. 12 New Mexico
RPI
67
Overall
26-6
Mountain West Tournament champ
The Lobos, hoping for an at-large bid despite a horrid strength-of-schedule ranking, played their way into the tournament.
Top players:
Sr. Danny Granger, F, 19.0 ppg., 8.8 rpg.
Sr. Troy DeVries, G, 11.3 ppg., 47% 3FG
Jr. David Chiotti, F, 10.5 ppg., 55% FG.
No. 4 Florida
RPI
19
Overall
23-7
SEC Tournament champion
The three key players are upperclassmen, a rarity these days. The Gators have played much better defense this season, and to reverse a trend of early NCAA exits, they need to make sure they continue to play good defense.
Top players:
Sr. David Lee, F, 13.5 ppg., 8.7 rpg.
Jr. Anthony Roberson, G, 18.4 ppg.
No. 13 Ohio
RPI
48
Overall
18-10
Mid-American Tournament champ
Four Bobcats starters average double figures, led by Mychal Green, a junior-college transfer who has had an immediate impact on the Ohio offense.
Top players:
Jr. Mychal Green, G, 14.7 ppg.
Fr. Leon Williams, F, 12.0 ppg., 8.6 rpg.
So. Sonny Troutman, F, 12.6 ppg.
No. 6 Wisconsin
RPI
14
Overall
22-8
At-large bid
Coach Bo Ryan knows how to win NCAA Tournaments. When he was at Wisconsin-Platteville, he coached four Division III national champions.
Top players:
Sr. Mike Wilkinson, F, 14.8 ppg., 7.3 rpg.
So. Alando Tucker, F, 15 ppg., 6.7 rpg.
No. 11 Northern Iowa
RPI
37
Overall
21-10
At-large bid
Close losses at Cincinnati and Iowa kept the Panthers from being a lock. UNI guards make things happen for coach Greg McDermott, a Northern Iowa graduate.
Top players:
Jr. Ben Jacobson, G, 17.8 ppg.
Jr. Erik Crawford, G, 13.3 ppg.
No. 3 Kansas
RPI
1
Overall
23-6
At-large bid
Health questions surround Keith Langford, who twisted his ankle in the regular-season finale. No questions surround Wayne Simien, the Big 12’s player of the year, who had a league-best 14 double-doubles.
Top players:
Sr. Wayne Simien, F, 20.2 ppg., 11.1 rpg.
Sr. Aaron Miles, G, 7.3 apg.
No. 14 Bucknell
RPI
64
Overall
22-9
Patriot League Tournament champ
The Bison stunned Pitt and Saint Joseph’s, but they are legitimate because they are effective scoring inside and outside the lane. They are also pesky defensively.
Top players:
Jr. Kevin Bettencourt, G, 12.7 ppg., 2.3 apg.
Jr. Charles Lee, G/F, 12.5 ppg., 6.3 rpg.
No. 7 Charlotte
RPI
31
Overall
21-7
At-large bid
The 49ers ended the regular season with losses at Louisville and South Florida. Curtis Withers and Eddie Basden gave Charlotte the only team in the conference with two first-team all-conference players.
Top players:
Jr. Curtis Withers, F, 18.1 ppg.
Sr. Eddie Basden, G, 15.3 ppg., 8.4 rpg.
No. 10 N.C. State
RPI
63
Overall
19-13
At-large bid
The Wolfpack can frustrate teams with their slow, patient style of play. To advance deep in the tournament, they need Julius Hodge to play like a star.
Top players:
So. Julius Hodge, F, 17.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 4.6 apg.
Jr. Tony Bethel, G, 8.3 ppg., 4.0 rpg.
No. 2 Connecticut
RPI
13
Overall
22-7
At-large bid
The Huskies want a fast, transition game, as they were 4-4 when they scored 69 points or less. UConn is No. 1 in blocked shots (9.1).
Top players:
So. Charlie Villanueva, F, 13.2 ppg., 8.2 rpg.
So. Josh Boone, C, 12.7 ppg., 3.0 bpg.
So. Marcus Williams, G, 9.2 ppg.
No. 15 Central Florida
RPI
108
Overall
24-8
Atlantic Sun Tournament champ
UCF makes its second NCAA appearance in a row, and this year it has more balance and less fear. Keeping Anthony Williams out of foul trouble is a must.
Top players:
So. Josh Peppers, F, 13.5 ppg., 3.4 rpg.
Sr. Gary Johnson, G, 13.2 ppg., 4 rpg.
Jr. Anthony Williams, C, 11.2 ppg.
