The Seeds
• 1. Washington
• 2. Wake Forest
• 3. Gonzaga
• 4. Louisville
• 5. Georgia Tech
• 6. Texas Tech
• 7. West Virginia
• 8. Pacific
• 9. Pittsburgh
• 10. Creighton
• 11. UCLA
• 12. Geo. Washington
• 13. La.-Lafayette
• 14. Winthrop
• 15. Chattanooga
• 16. Montana
| Albuquerque Region John Feinstein's Analysis of the Albuquerque Region
Elsewhere
Syracuse | Chicago | Austin
The Washington Post
Monday, March 14, 2005; Page G11 FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Taco Bell Arena, Boise, Idaho
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT
1. Washington, Pacific-10 champion
Record: 27-5, (15-4).
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Lorenzo Romar (0-2 in NCAAs). Starters
G Nate Robinson, 5-9, Jr. (16. 3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.9 apg
G Tre Simmons, 6-5, Sr. (16.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 43.4 3-pt. FG%
G Will Conroy, 6-2, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.5 apg
F Mike Jensen, 6-8, Jr. (6.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1 apg
F Bobby Jones, 6-6, Jr. (11.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.8 apg
Top reserves
G Brandon Roy, 6-6, Jr. (13.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.2 apg
C Hakeem Rollins, 6-7, Sr. (2.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg
G Joel Smith, 6-4, Fr. (4.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.8 apg
Data: Romar acknowledged that at times it might look like the Huskies are competing on the playground. But make no mistake, there is a method behind all the running. The Huskies average close to 90 points per game, often wearing down opponents with a barrage of three-pointers. They made a school-record 16 in a victory at California. Simmons is the Pacific-10's best shooter behind Arizona's Salim Stoudamire. Robinson, a difficult matchup for any guard, has refined his shot in what likely will be his final season of college basketball. Washington met high expectations, but the Huskies wasted a chance at their first regular season conference title since 1985. 16. Montana, Big Sky champion
Record: 27-5, (15-4).
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Larry Krystkowiak (first NCAAs). Starters
G Matt Martin, 6-0, Fr. (9.2 ppg, 3.4 apg, 2.3 rpg
G Kevin Criswell, 6-2, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 apg
F Matt Dlouhy, 6-6, Soph. (9.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 spg
F Kamarr Davis, 6-7, Sr. (14.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 52.6% FG
C John Seyfert, 6-10, Jr. (5.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 0.8 bpg
Top reserves
F Andrew Strait, 6-8, Fr. (8.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 58.6% FG
F Corey Easley, 6-8, Jr. (4.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.8 apg
G Virgil Matthews, 6-3, Jr. (3.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.6 apg
Data: Krystkowiak, a three-time Big Sky player of the year in the 1980s and Montana's career leading scorer and rebounder, is making his first trip to the NCAAs in his first season as a college head coach. He's not afraid to shuffle the lineup: Eleven players have started at least once. The young team -- Davis is its only senior -- has won six straight. The defining moment came in the Big Sky title game, when, trailing Weber State by double digits in the first half, the Grizzlies began arguing with each other on the court. Krystkowiak ordered the team to clear the air at halftime; they opened the second half with a 14-5 run, then held on for a 63-61 win. 8. Pacific, Big West at-large
Record: 26-3, (18-0).
Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Bob Thomason (1-2 in NCAAs). Starters
G David Doubley, 6-1, Sr. (12.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 4.1 apg
G Marko Mihailovic, 6-5, Sr. (6.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 36.5 3-pt. FG%
F Christian Maraker, 6-9, Jr. (13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 apg
F Jasko Korajkic, 6-7, Sr. (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
C Guillaume Yango, 6-9, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1 bpg
Top reserves
G Mike Webb, 6-1, Jr. (4.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 34.7 3-pt. FG%
G Johnny Gray, 6-1, Jr. (3.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 50 FG%
F Tyler Newton, 6-10, Sr. (7.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 58.8 FG%
Data: It's easy to forget about the Tigers from Stockton, Calif., but they have been one of the nation's hottest teams, losing just four games from Jan. 1, 2004 through the end of the 2004-05 regular season. Thomason's goal was to go 16-2 in league play. But the Tigers went 18-0 and entered the top 25 for the first time. The roster has a strong international flavor, with two players from Sweden and one from France. Flexibility best describes this bunch. By the end of the regular season, six players led the team in scoring in games. Eight players average more than 11 minutes per game. Pacific is also a great shooting team. 9. Pittsburgh, Big East at-large
Record: 20-8, (10-6).
Past 10: 5-5.
Coach: Jamie Dixon (2-1 in NCAAs). Starters
G Carl Krauser, 6-2, Jr. (15.5 ppg, 6 apg, 38.7% 3-pt. FG
G Antonio Graves, 6-3, Soph. (7.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 47.1% 3-pt. FG
F Chevon Troutman, 6-7, Sr. (15.3 ppg, 8 rpg, 58.7% FG
F Chris Taft, 6-10, Soph. (13.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 57.8% FG
F Levon Kendall, 6-9, Soph. (4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 46.6% FG
Top reserves
G Ronald Ramon, 6-1, Fr. (7.1 ppg, 1.9 apg, 75.9% FG
F Mark McCarroll, 6-10, Sr. (2.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 38.8% FG
C Aaron Gray, 7-0, Soph. (4.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 58.3% FG
Data: The Panthers appeared to be playing their way onto the tournament bubble in late February, losing three straight games (including two at home) for the first time since 2001. But they ended that streak with a 22-point win at Boston College; that, along with victories at Connecticut, Syracuse and Notre Dame, was enough for a fourth consecutive berth. The Panthers are known for their toughness, as evidenced by five comeback victories; they overcame 17-point deficits in wins over U-Conn. and Syracuse. Troutman doesn't get the attention Taft does, but he is Pittsburgh's rock; he is among the team leaders in six different categories. FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Gaylord Entertainment Center, Nashville
FRIDAY & SUNDAY | TICKETS: 615-770-2040
4. Louisville, Conference USA champion
Record: 29-4, (14-2)
Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Rick Pitino (27-9 in NCAAs). Starters
G Taquan Dean, 6-3, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 2.5 apg, 46.4 3-pt. FG%
G Larry O'Bannon, 6-4, Sr. (15.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42.5 3-pt. FG%
F Francisco Garcia, 6-7, Jr. (15.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg
F Ellis Myles, 6-7, Sr. (10.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 49.8 FG%
C Juan Palacios, 6-8, Fr. (9.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 47.5 FG%)
Top reserves
F Otis George, 6-8, Sr. (6.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 51.5 FG%
G Brandon Jenkins, 6-3, Soph. (5.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 48.3 FG%
G Lorrenzo Wade, 6-6, Fr. (4.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 41.9 FG%
Data: The Cardinals have won 18 of their past 19 games, including three straight in the Conference USA tournament. Louisville averaged 82 points per game during conference play while allowing only 64 points and shot a conference-best 46.5 percent from the field. The Cardinals attempted 716 three-point shots during the regular season and made 39.7 percent of them. The main gunners are guard Dean, who ranked 12th in the nation by making 46.8 percent of his three-point shots, and Garcia, who made 43.8 percent. Myles posted double-digits in rebounds 16 times this season. 13. Louisiana-Lafayette, Sun Belt champion
Record: 20-10, (11-4)
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Robert Lee (first NCAAs). Starters
G Orien Green, 6-4, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.1 apg
G Tiras Wade, 6-6, Jr. (19.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 80% FT
G Dwayne Mitchell, 6-5, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.5 apg
F Brian Hamilton, 6-6, Sr. (13.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 55% FT
C Chris Cameron, 6-11, Sr. (7.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42% FG
Top reserves
G Derek Gray, 6-3, Fr. (1.1 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 20% FG
G-F Ross Mouton, 6-7, Soph. (3.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg,
F Spencer Ford, 6-7, Jr. (4.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, )
Data: The Ragin' Cajuns nickname seems appropriate -- they average nearly 20 fouls per game (250th in Division I). Wade's scoring average is the school's highest in 12 seasons, he scored in double figures in all 30 games and he played 37, 40 and 40 minutes, respectively, in the conference tournament. Green started 30 games at Florida in 2001-02 before transferring. Lee became coach only after former coach Glynn Cyprien was found to have lied on his résumé. He said he had a college degree but instead it was from Lacrosse University, an online, unaccredited school that, despite its name, is not at all associated with Johns Hopkins.
5. Georgia Tech, ACC at-large
Record: 19-11 (8-8)
Past 10: 6-4.
Coach: Paul Hewitt (5-3 in NCAAs). Starters
G Jarrett Jack, 6-3, Jr. (15.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.6 apg
G B.J. Elder, 6-4, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg
F Ismail Muhammad, 6-6, Sr. (9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2 apg
F Anthony McHenry, 6-7, Sr. (4.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.9 apg
C Luke Schenscher, 7-1, Sr. (10.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Top reserves
G Will Bynum, 6-0, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.6 apg
F Jeremis Smith, 6-7, Fr. (2.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.2 fpg
G Anthony Morrow, 6-6, Fr. (5.2 ppg, 2 rpg, .5 tpg
Data: If you don't believe the Yellow Jackets are a dangerous sleeper, just ask them. Hewitt's team is confident, much like it was last season when it made it to the national title game. The same core of players returned this season. Georgia Tech disappointed during the regular season in large part because of a hamstring injury suffered by Elder, who was sidelined five weeks. Elder's absence disrupted spacing on the court, making it more difficult for Schenscher inside. The loss of Smith (dislocated kneecap) for 17 games also hampered Tech's inside presence. Both players are back now, and Hewitt's team is playing defense like it did last season. 12. George Washington, Atlantic 10 champion
Record: 22-7 (11-5).
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Karl Hobbs (first NCAAs). Starters
G T.J. Thompson, 5-10, Sr. (13.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 39.9 3-pt. FG%
G Carl Elliott, 6-4, Soph. (8.3 ppg, 4.6 apg, 73 steals
F Mike Hall, 6-8, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 51.5 FG%
F Omar Williams, 6-9, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.1 FG%
F Pops Mensah-Bonsu, 6-9, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 56.5% FG%
Top reserves
G J.R. Pinnock, 6-5, Soph. (13.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 50 FG%
G Maureece Rice, 6-1, Fr. (3.5 ppg, 45.1 FG%, 32.3 3-pt FG%
F Dokun Akingbade, 6-9, Jr. (1.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 52.2 FG%
Data: The Colonials are making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1999 and have the kind of talent and depth necessary to make a run. George Washington led the Atlantic 10 with 77.2 points per game and outscored opponents by an average margin of 9.8 points. The inside play of Mensah-Bonsu is crucial because he is George Washington's only true post player. When he gets into foul trouble, the Colonials are forced to go to a smaller lineup and often employ full-court and half-court traps to quicken the game's pace. Thompson hit 40 percent of his three-point attempts, but the Colonials have made only 36 percent of their three-point shots as a team. FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at McKale Center, Tucson.
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT 3. Gonzaga , West Coast champion
Record: 25-4 (12-2).
Past 10: 10-0.
Coach: Mark Few (6-5 in NCAAs). Starters
G Erroll Knight, 6-7, Jr. (6.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 47.8 FG%
G Derek Raivio, 6-3, Soph. (13.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5 apg
F Adam Morrison, 6-8, Soph. (18.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 49 FG%
F Ronny Turiaf, 6-10, Sr. (16 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 bpg
C J.P. Batista, 6-9, Jr. (12.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 63.6 FG%
Top reserves
G Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes, 6-0, Fr. (2.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.5 apg
G David Pendergraft, 6-6, Fr. (3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 50 3-pt. FG%
F Sean Mallon, 6-9, Soph. (8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 apg
Data: No one should call Gonzaga a Cinderella anymore. But the Bulldogs shouldn't be christened a Final Four favorite either, not after they were upset in last year's second round by a true Cinderella, Nevada. That said, Gonzaga is extremely talented and well-tested through nonconference play, which included beating Georgia Tech, Washington and Oklahoma State and losing to Illinois. The Bulldogs enter the NCAA tournament having won 12 games in a row. Raivio, despite his youthful looks, is a tough point guard who can bury the three-pointer. Morrison can drive and excel on the perimeter. Turiaf dominates the boards for the balanced Bulldogs. 14. Winthrop, Big South champion
Record: 27-5 (15-1).
Past 10: 10-0.
Coach: Gregg Marshall (0-4 in NCAAs). Starters
G Chris Gaynor, 5-10, Fr. (6.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 31.9 3-pt. FG%
G Torrell Martin, 6-5, Soph. (12.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 42.2 3-pt. FG%
G James Shuler, 6-6, Jr. (12.1 ppg, 3.2 apg, 36.8 3-pt. FG%
F Phillip Williams, 6-8, Soph. (7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 53.5 FG%
C Craig Bradshaw, 6-10, Soph. (8.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 43.7 3-pt. FG%
Top reserves
G Michael Jenkins, 6-3, Fr. (3.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 26.4 FG%
F Otis Daniels, 6-5, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 56.1 FG%
C Billy Houston, 6-8, Jr. (4.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 47.7 FG%
Data: The Eagles had never been to the NCAA tournament before Marshall arrived, but they've won the Big South tournament five times in his seven seasons. This is their first NCAA appearance since 2002. Winthrop was seeded No. 16 three times and No. 14 once in its previous NCAA appearances, losing all four games by an average of 28.5 points. The Eagles bring an 18-game winning streak into the NCAAs, last losing at Coastal Carolina, 76-68, on Jan. 5. Winthrop lost to Arkansas and at South Carolina and Oregon, but won, 60-54, at Providence on Nov. 30. Shuler and Martin were first team all-Big South selections. 6. Texas Tech, Big 12 at-large
Record: 20-10 (10-6).
Past 10: 5-5.
Coach: Bob Knight (43-23 in NCAAs). Starters
G Jarrius Jackson, 6-1, Soph. (14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg
G Ronald Ross, 6-2, Sr. (16.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.7 apg
F Darryl Dora, 6-9, Soph. (6.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 25.8 mpg
F Devonne Giles, 6-8, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 48 FG%
F Martin Zeno, 6-5, Fr. (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg
Top reserves
G Drew Coffman, 6-1, Soph. (3.3 ppg, 1.9 apg, 83 FT%
G Curtis Marshall, 6-5, Sr. (7.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 42 3-pt. FG%
F Damir Suljagic, 6-8, Fr. (3.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 62 FG%)
Data: Before making a run to the Big 12 final, Texas Tech had suffered four double-digit losses in its final seven regular season games. The Red Raiders also were outrebounded during the regular season, 35.6-35. They are here because they shoot free throws well -- 76.4 percent on the season -- and because Ross is remarkably resilient. The former walk-on has been yanked from the starting lineup five times in his career by Knight, yet stuck it out. He certainly gets high praise from Knight. "He can take a butt-chewing," the coach said. 11. UCLA, Pacific-10 at-large
Record: 18-10 (11-7)
Past 10: 6-4.
Coach: Ben Howland (4-3 in NCAAs). Starters
G Arron Afflalo, 6-5, Fr. (11 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 38.9 3-pt. FG%
G Jordan Farmar, 6-2, Fr. (13.5 ppg, 5.3 apg, 35.6 3-pt. FG%
F Josh Shipp, 6-5, Fr. (9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 45.5 FG%
F Dijon Thompson, 6-7, Sr. (18.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 37.8 3-pt. FG%
C Michael Fey, 7-0, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 54.9 FG%
Top reserves
G Brian Morrison, 6-2, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 35.3 3-pt. FG%
F Josiah Johnson, 6-8, Sr. (0.3 ppg, 1 rpg, 33 FG%
C Ryan Hollins, 7-0, Jr. (4.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 53 FG%
Data: UCLA has been inconsistent for much of the season, losing three straight games in January and only securing a tournament berth late in the regular season. Some erratic periods can be expected because the Bruins start three freshmen, even though the back court of Afflalo and Farmar features future stars. Afflalo didn't back down from Notre Dame's Chris Thomas in UCLA's victory Feb. 27. UCLA held Notre Dame's top three scorers to 28.6-percent shooting in the game. And Farmar earned Pacific-10 freshman of the year honors because of his heady play. Thompson has been a steady influence on the young players. FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Wolstein Center, Cleveland
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT 2. Wake Forest, ACC at-large
Record: 26-5 (13-3).
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Skip Prosser (5-7 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Justin Gray, 6-2, Jr. (16.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.1 apg
G Chris Paul, 6-0, Soph. (14.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 6.6 apg
F Vytas Danelius, 6-9, Sr. (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 35.1 3-pt. FG%
F Jamaal Levy, 6-9, Sr. (7.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.3 apg
C Eric Williams, 6-9, Jr. (16 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Top reserves
G Taron Downey, 6-2, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg
F Chris Ellis, 6-9, Jr. (4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 56 FG%
F Trent Strickland, 6-5, Jr. (6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 60 FG%
Data: If Wake Forest's season ends before the Final Four, it will be because of its defense. In two of the Demon Deacons' four regular season losses, opponents scored more than 100 points. Wake Forest ranks 10th in the ACC in league games in blocked shots. The question is whether Prosser's potent offense can overcome the defensive shortcomings. No team in the ACC scored more points (89.5) than Wake Forest in league games. No team shot better from three-point range. Paul has improved during his sophomore season, leading the conference by a large margin in assist-to-turnover ratio in league games. 15. Chattanooga, Southern champion
Record: 20-10 (10-6).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: John Shulman (first NCAAs). Starters
G Steve Cherry, 6-4, Jr. (6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 apg
G Casey Long, 6-4, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 2.9 apg, 37.6 3-pt. FG%
F Charles Anderson, 6-8, Jr. (6.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 65.2 FT%
F Chris Brown, 6-7, Sr. (11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 71.6 FT%
F Mindauga Katelynas, 6-9, Sr. (12.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 42.7 3-pt. FG%
Top reserves
G Ricky Hood, 6-3, Soph. (4.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 37.5 3-pt. FG%
F Alphonso Pugh, 6-6, Jr. (11.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 62.3 FT%
C Matt Malone, 6-10, Fr. (4.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 36 3-pt. FG%
Data: Shulman, a former Mocs assistant who was promoted when Jeff Lebo left for Auburn, led his first team to the NCAA tournament after Chattanooga had lost in the Southern Conference championship game the past two seasons. Chattanooga last played in the NCAA tournament in 1997, when the No. 14 seed Mocs upset No. 3 seed Georgia, 73-70, in the first round and No. 6 seed Illinois, 75-63, in the second round. The Mocs are battle tested, having played at Ohio State, Syracuse, Tennessee and Virginia Tech during the regular season. Katelynas, from Lithuania, averaged 13 rebounds during three games in the conference tournament. 7. West Virginia, Big East at-large
Record: 21-10 (8-8).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: John Beilein (1-2 in NCAAs). StartersG J.D. Collins, 5-10, Jr. (2.8 ppg, 2.7 apg, 32 3-pt. FG%
G Mike Gansey, 6-4, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 47.9 FG%
G Johannes Herber, 6-6, Jr. (8.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.2 apg
F Tyrone Sally, 6-7, Sr. (12.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 35.3 3-pt. FG%
C Kevin Pittsnogle, 6-11, Jr. (10.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 87.8 FT%
Top reserves
G Patrick Beilein, 6-4, Jr. (8.7 ppg, 1.6 apg, 35.2 3-pt. FG%
G Darris Nichols, 6-2, Fr. (3.4 ppg, 2.1 apg, 43.7 FG%
C D'or Fischer, 6-11, Sr. (8.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Data: A loss to Seton Hall in the regular season finale put the Mountaineers on shaky ground, but wins over Boston College and Villanova in the Big East tournament sent them into the NCAAs for the first time since 1998. It's been a wild ride for the Mountaineers, who won their first 10 games, including wins at LSU and N.C. State, and cracked the top 25 for the first time since 1998. West Virginia then lost six of its next seven before righting itself. The Mountaineers take 45 percent of their shots from three-point range, making 33.7 percent, and only Fischer isn't a long-distance threat. West Virginia averages just 11.3 turnovers (fifth in Division I). 10. Creighton, Missouri Valley champion
Record: 23-10 (11-7).
Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Dana Altman (2-6 in NCAAs).Starters
G Nate Funk, 6-3, Jr. (18 ppg, 5 rpg, 48.8 3-pt. FG%)
G Tyler McKinney, 6-1, Sr. (6.7 ppg, 5.5 apg, 2.7 rpg
G Johnny Mathies, 6-0, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 spg
F Anthony Tolliver, 6-8, Soph. (3.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 51% FT
F Dane Watts, 6-8, Fr. (6.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Top reserves
G Kellen Miliner, 6-2, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 apg
F Jimmy Motz, 6-7, Jr. (5.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 45.7 3-pt. FG%
C Jeffrey Day, 6-9, Jr. (6.1 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Data: The Bluejays opened the season 7-0 with wins over Missouri and Ohio State, but were just 15-10 by Feb. 12. They then closed with eight straight wins, becoming the first team in the Missouri Valley's 97-year history to boast seven straight 20-win seasons. The Bluejays did not trail at any point in three MVC tournament games, and earned their fifth automatic bid in seven years. Creighton takes care of the ball (12.2 turnovers per game) and can shoot: The team makes nearly nine three-pointers per game (11th in the nation) on 41.5 percent shooting (fourth), and on Feb. 19 torched Chattanooga for a conference-record 20 threes (on 30 attempts).
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