SEEDING THE FIELD Eric Prisbell places the NCAA tournament's 65 teams

Sunday, January 14, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD

1 North Carolina

Depth wasn't enough in Blacksburg.

2 Kansas

No wins come easy in Ames.

3 Oregon

Ernie Kent cried after UCLA victory.

4 Tennessee

Lofton is the best shooter in nation.

5 Butler

RPI likely to drop in conference play.

6 Alabama

27-point loss at Arkansas was stunning.

7 Boston College

Point guard issues plague Eagles.

8 Texas

Durant leading team in three categories.

9 Michigan

Amaker in position to return to tourney.

10. UNLV

Mountain West good for two bids.

11. Gonzaga

'Zags back to Cinderella role.

12. Villanova

Typical middling Big East team.

13. Appalachian State

Mountaineers will finally play at home.

14. Oral Roberts

Best of a not-so-good league this year.

15. Samford

Watch out for Austin Peay in Ohio Valley.

16. Fairleigh Dickinson

FDU will battle Sacred Heart for bid.

SAN JOSE

1 UCLA

No shame in loss at Oregon.

2 Ohio State

All losses against top five teams.

3 Air Force

Strong RPI plus strong résumé.

4 Texas A&M

Will battle Kansas for Big 12 crown.

5 Duke

Weaknesses starting to become evident.

6 Arkansas

Alabama victory strengthens résumé.

7 West Virginia

Mountaineers not supposed to be this good.

8 Notre Dame

Hard-fought victory against Mountaineers.

9 Southern Illinois

If not careful, could be out of MVC picture.

10. Southern California

UCLA and Arizona back-to-back is tough.

11. Florida State

Improved RPI after last year's snub.

12. Illinois

Weber needs to get fans off his back.

13. Ohio

Conference tourney should be entertaining.

14. Vermont

Blakely's three beat New Hampshire.

15. Delaware State

Only unbeaten in conference play.

16. Weber State

Big Sky is wide open this year.

San Antonio

1 Florida

The nation's best big-time sports school.

2 Pittsburgh

The best team in the Big East.

3 Clemson

Right now, the biggest surprise nationally.

4 Nevada

Fazekas hobbled by sprained ankle.

5 Missouri State

Looking like the class of the Valley.

6 Kentucky

'Cats not as strong as RPI indicates.

7 Northern Iowa

Tied atop Valley standings after loss.

8 Maryland

Terrapins still need 8 ACC wins, at least.

9 Georgetown

Hoyas don't have much margin for error.

10. Texas Tech

Credit Knight if Red Raiders can sneak in.

11. Michigan State

Needs to step up to solidify spot.

12. California

Bears epitomize depth of the Pac-10.

13. Western Kentucky

No one should challenge in Sun Belt.

14. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

Path to tournament won't be easy.

15. Holy Cross

Bucknell will pose challenge for bid.

16. Belmont/Jackson State

Will these two end up in Dayton?

St. Louis

1 Wisconsin

Badgers earn top seed with Ohio St. win.

2 Arizona

No. 2 in Pac-10, No. 2 in RPI.

3 Oklahoma State

Surprising blowout loss at Kansas.

4 Washington Stat e

Résumé still could use strengthening.

5 Memphis

Only team worthy in Conference USA.

6 Indiana

Hoosiers looking like tournament team.

7 Georgia Tech

Duke victory not all that surprising.

8 Virginia Tech

Avenged last year's heartbreaker.

9 LSU

Disappointing season for Tigers thus far.

10. Creighton

On the verge of not earning an invite.

11. Xavier

Disposed of K-State rather easily.

12. Connecticut

Huskies have not beaten anyone of note.

13. Winthrop

Dangerous regardless of opponent.

14. Long Beach State

49ers have won nine straight.

15. Marist

Siena and Loyola hanging right there.

16. Pennsylvania

Not the finest year for the Ivy.