Here’s an early look at who might compose the field at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis in April 2006.
1. North Carolina: If April 4 was considered the most important date circled on calendars in Chapel Hill, then May 14 ranks a close second. That is the deadline for college underclassmen to declare early for the NBA draft, and when coach Roy Williams will find out if he will coach stars Sean May, Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants one more season. The presence of the trio would make the Tar Heels prohibitive favorites to dominate college basketball next season.
2. Duke: Michigan State essentially told J.J. Redick in a tournament loss what honest NBA scouts will in the coming weeks: He needs another year to round out his game. If Redick and Shelden Williams return, as expected, Duke is likely to enter next season ranked among the top three teams.
3. Oklahoma: Steady improvement throughout the course of this season helped the young Sooners earn a share of the Big 12 regular-season title, and coach Kelvin Sampson believes the addition of three blue-chip recruits will make next season’s group even better.
4. Florida: Matt Walsh has enrolled in the IMG basketball academy to gauge his draft value, but he has not made it official that he will enter the NBA draft. If he stays, and talented teammates Matt Bonner and Anthony Roberson also come back, then Florida becomes a favorite to win the Southeastern Conference.
