1.
CONNECTICUT
REC. 27-3
RPI: 3
AT-LARGE, BIG EAST
Good win: Vs. Villanova
Bad loss: At Marquette
The Huskies have a most impressive collection of long arms, height, speed and strength. Coach Jim Calhoun has coaxed some dominant performances out of them.
TOP PLAYERS
So. Rudy Gay, 15.3 PPG
Sr. Rashad Anderson, 13.2 PPG
16.
ALBANY
REC. 21-10
RPI: 128
AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPION
Good win: Vs. Vermont
Bad loss: Vs. Sacred Heart
The Great Danes go inside to Brent Wilson, but Jamar Wilson, the America East Player of the Year, makes everything work.
TOP PLAYERS
Jr. Jamar Wilson, 17.7 PPG
So. Brent Wilson, 10.6 PPG
4.
ILLINOIS
REC. 25-6
RPI: 9
AT-LARGE, BIG TEN
Good win: At UNC
Bad loss: Vs. Penn State
The Fighting Illini win with defense and rebounding. During the regular season, they led the Big Ten and ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Dee Brown, 14.4 PPG
Sr. James Augustine, 13.5 PPG
13.
AIR FORCE
REC. 24-6
RPI: 38
AT-LARGE, MOUNTAIN WEST
Good win: Vs. San Diego St.
Bad loss: At Wyoming
The Falcons hope their conference tournament history isn’t telling. They’re 0-7 in the first round since the Mountain West was formed.
TOP PLAYERS
Jr. Jacob Burtschi, 12.4 PPG
Jr. Matt McCraw, 10.4 PPG
8.
KENTUCKY
REC. 21-12
RPI: 39
AT-LARGE, SEC
Good win: Vs. West Virginia
Bad loss: Vs. Vanderbilt
It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Wildcats, who had two three-game losing streaks, lost by 27 at Kansas and lost five games at Rupp Arena.
TOP PLAYERS
So. Randolph Morris, 13.5 PPG
So . Rajon Rondo, 10.9 PPG
9.
UAB
REC. 24-6
RPI: 44
AT-LARGE, CONFERENCE-USA
Good win: Vs. Oklahoma St.
Bad loss: At UTEP
Only one Blazer starter averages more than 8 points, but the bench is deep. Coach Mike Anderson uses his depth to press and score fast.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Marvett McDonald, 15 PPG
Sr. Carldell Johnson, 7.4 PPG
5.
WASHINGTON
REC. 24-6
RPI: 20
AT-LARGE, PAC 10
Good win: At UCLA
Bad loss: Vs. Wash. St.
The Huskies had been the hottest Pac 10 team until stumbling against Oregon in the conference tournament, but they still possess the firepower for a NCAA run.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Brandon Roy, 19.9 PPG
Sr. Jamaal Williams, 13.4 PPG
12.
UTAH STATE
REC. 23-8
RPI: 54
AT-LARGE, WAC
Good win: At Nevada
Bad loss: At Fresno St.
Forward Nate Harris has scored at least 20 points in eight games, and guard Jaycee Carroll had a streak of 30 games with at least one 3-pointer.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Nate Harris, 17.2 PPG
So. Jaycee Carroll, 16.1 PPG
2.
TENNESSEE
REC. 21-7
RPI: 6
AT-LARGE, SEC
Good win: At Texas
Bad loss: Vs. Oklahoma St.
The Vols, upset by South Carolina in the SEC Tournament, lost four of their last six games. Despite that, it has been a strong first season for Coach Bruce Pearl.
TOP PLAYERS
So. Chris Lofton, 17.3 PPG
Sr. C.J. Watson, 15.3 PPG
15.
WINTHROP
REC. 23-7
RPI: 72
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPION
Good win: At Marquette
Bad loss: At South Carolina
The Eagles are a well-balanced, defensive-minded team capable of an upset. Winthrop has NCAA berths in six of the last eight seasons.
TOP PLAYERS
Jr. Torrell Martin, 13.9 PPG
Sr. James Shuler, 13.4 PPG
3.
NORTH CAROLINA
REC. 22-7
RPI: 8
AT-LARGE, ACC
Good win: At Duke
Bad loss: At USC
The Tar Heels led the ACC in assists, a testament to unselfishness and Roy Williams’ patience with a young team. The Heels also led in offensive rebounding.
TOP PLAYERS
Fr. Tyler Hansbrough, 19.1 PPG
Jr. Reyshawn Terry, 14.7 PPG
14.
MURRAY STATE
REC. 24-6
RPI: 63
OHIO VALLEY CHAMPION
Good win: Vs. Samford
Bad loss: At Tenn. Tech
The Racers dominated the boards in their conference tournament championship game and will need to control the inside.
TOP PLAYERS
Jr . Shawn Witherspoon, 10.8 PPG
Jr. Trey Pearson, 10 PPG
7.
WICHITA STATE
REC. 24-8
RPI: 28
AT-LARGE, MISSOURI VALLEY
Good win: Vs. Missouri St.
Bad loss: Vs. Bradley
With four players averaging in double figures, the Shockers can hurt opponents from the inside and the perimeter.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Paul Miller, 13 PPG
So. Sean Ogirri, 11.9 PPG
10.
SETON HALL
REC. 18-11
RPI: 48
AT-LARGE, BIG EAST
Good win: At N.C. State
Bad loss: Vs. Northwestern
The Pirates stress being careful–they’ve turned the ball over 10 or fewer times in six games (all victories). They also thrive when they push their offense.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Donald Copeland, 16.1 PPG
Sr . Kelly Whitney, 15.1 PPG
6.
MICHIGAN STATE
REC. 22-11
RPI: 16
AT-LARGE, BIG TEN
Good win: Vs. Arizona
Bad loss: At Minnesota
Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown and Paul Davis account for 73 percent of the Spartans’ scoring, which has made them easy to defend.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Maurice Ager, 19.1 PPG
Jr. Shannon Brown, 17.6 PPG
11.
GEORGE MASON
REC. 23-7
RPI: 30
AT-LARGE, COLONIAL ATHLETIC
Good win: Vs. UNC-Wilm.
Bad loss: Vs. Hofstra
The Patriots dominated the Colonial Athletic most of the season but struggled late, losing twice to Hofstra over their final four games.
TOP PLAYERS
Sr. Jai Lewis, 14 PPG
Sr. Tony Skinn, 12.8 PPG
