The Seeds
• 1. Duke
• 2. Kentucky
• 3. Oklahoma
• 4. Syracuse
• 5. Michigan State
• 6. Utah
• 7. Cincinnati
• 8. Stanford
• 9. Mississippi State
• 10. Iowa
• 11. UTEP
• 12. Old Dominion
• 13. Vermont
• 14. Niagara
• 15. Eastern Kentucky
• 16. Delaware State
| Austin Region John Feinstein's Analysis of the Austin Region
Elsewhere
Syracuse | Chicago | Albuquerque
The Washington Post
Monday, March 14, 2005; Page G13 FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte
FRIDAY & SUNDAY | TICKETS: 704-894-2943
1. Duke, ACC champion
Record: 25-5 (11-5).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (64-17 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Daniel Ewing, 6-3, Sr. (15.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg)
G J.J. Redick, 6-4, Jr. (22.6 ppg, 93.3 FT%, 41.7 3-pt. FG%)
F Shavlik Randolph, 6-10, Jr. (4.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg)
F Lee Melchionni, 6-6, Jr. (8 ppg, 3 rpg, 1 apg)
C Shelden Williams, 6-9, Jr. (15.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 3.8 bpg)
Top reserves
G DeMarcus Nelson, 6-4, Fr. (6.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 9 spg)
F David McClure, 6-6, Fr. (1.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 55.6 FT%)
F Reggie Love, 6-4, Sr. (2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 48.3 FG%)
Data: This has been one of Krzyzewski's masterful coaching jobs because the Blue Devils have been stricken by injuries or illness all season, yet managed to win their first 15 games. Randolph battled back from mononucleosis. Love, McClure and Sean Dockery have encountered injuries that have sidelined them for various portions of the season. Given Duke's limited depth, fatigue and foul trouble often are factors. Ewing, Redick and Williams rarely play less than 35 minutes in a game. In addition, Williams needs to avoid foul trouble. Williams also led the ACC in blocked shots (3.87 per game), but Duke also is strong on the perimeter. 16. Delaware State, MEAC champion
Record: 19-13 (14-4). Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Greg Jackson (first NCAAs).
Starters
G Aaron Williams, 6-2, Sr. (11.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg)
G Darrin Shine, 5-9, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.4 apg)
F Jahsha Bluntt, 6-5, Soph. (13.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 40.6 3-pt. FG%)
F Terrance Hunter, 6-7, Sr. (11.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 41.8 FG%)
F Troy Roundtree, 6-5, Soph. (5.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46 FG%)
Top reserves
G Tracey Worley, 6-4, Fr. (5.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 85.1 FT%)
G Bruce Davis, 5-11, Sr. (3.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 40.9 3-pt. FG%)
Data: Delaware State will make its first ever NCAA tournament appearance in any sport thanks to Williams, whose 10-footer with 1.6 seconds remaining gave the Hornets a 55-53 victory over Hampton in the conference championship game. Delaware State put up a fight in early season losses at Illinois (87-67) and Marquette (66-60) and enters the tournament on an eight-game winning streak. A MEAC team last won a tournament game in 1997, when 15th seed Coppin State upset SEC champion South Carolina and last year, Florida A&M beat Lehigh in the play-in game and pushed top-ranked Kentucky for a half in a first-round game. 8. Stanford, Pacific-10 at-large
Record: 18-12 (11-7).
Past 10: 6-4.
Coach: Trent Johnson (2-1 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Chris Hernandez, 6-2, Jr. (15.1 ppg, 4 apg, 40.5 3-pt. FG%)
F Nick Robinson, 6-6, Sr. (8.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 apg)
F Fred Washington, 6-5, Soph. (4.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 47.1 FG%)
F Matt Haryasz, 6-11, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 44.5 FG%)
C Rob Little, 6-10, Sr. (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 50.7 FG%)
Top reserves
F Taj Finger, 6-8, Fr. (1.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 69.2 FT%)
G Jason Haas, 6-2, Jr. (3.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.5 apg)
Data: Stanford lost its coach, Mike Montgomery, and its best player, Josh Childress, in the offseason, but that wasn't all. The athletic Tim Morris was ruled ineligible at the semester break and then leading scorer Dan Grunfeld suffered a season-ending injury. Did we mention Stanford also started 0-3 in league play? Johnson still managed to will the Cardinal to the tournament. Stanford relies on defense and grit. The Cardinal held up-tempo Washington to only two fast-break points in a key late-season victory. Stanford also won four of six games after Grunfeld's injury. Johnson has gotten impressive performances from Washington and Haas, who scored 18 points against the Huskies. 9. Mississippi State, SEC at-large
Record: 22-10 (9-7).
Past 10: 5-5.
Coach: Rick Stansbury (2-3 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Gary Ervin, 5-11, Soph. (7.6 ppg, 4.8 apg, 1.1 spg)
G Winsome Frazier, 6-4, Sr. (12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 35.2 3-pt FG%)
F Lawrence Roberts, 6-9, Sr. (16.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 45.1 FG%)
F Shane Power, 6-5, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 35.2 3-pt FG%)
C Marcus Campbell, 7-0, Sr. (6.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 51.4 FG%)
Top reserves
G Jamall Edmondson, 5-9, Jr. (5.1 ppg, 1.3 apg, 37.8 3-pt. FG%)
G Dietric Slater, 6-3, Soph. (3.2 ppg, 26.9 3-pt FG%, 57.6% FT)
F Ontarrio Harper, 6-5, Sr. (8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 44 3-pt. FG%)
Data: The Bulldogs were derailed during the regular season by a thumb injury to Bowers, their best perimeter shooter and defender. He missed eight games in midseason, and the Bulldogs weren't able to rebound once he returned, losing five of their last 10 games. Mississippi State won three games in a row before losing to Alabama in the regular season finale. The Bulldogs beat Georgia and lost to Florida in the SEC tournament. Roberts, a transfer from Baylor, was the SEC player of the year last season and averaged a double-double this year. Mississippi State is playing in its fourth NCAA tournament in a row, a first in school history. FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.
FRIDAY & SUNDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT
4. Syracuse, Big East champion
Record: 27-6 (11-5).
Past 10: 6-4.
Coach: Jim Boeheim (38-21 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Gerry McNamara, 6-2, Jr. (15.7 ppg, 5.2 apg, 33.6 3-pt. FG%)
G Josh Pace, 6-6, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 3.8 apg, 58 FG%)
F Hakim Warrick, 6-8, Sr. (21.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 55.3 FG%)
F Terrence Roberts, 6-9, Soph. (7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 58.3 FG%)
C Craig Forth, 7-0, Sr. (5.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 55.4 FG%)
Top reserves
G Billy Edelin, 6-4, Jr. (4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 50.7 FG%)
G Louie McCroskey, 6-5, Soph. (5.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 40.6 FG%)
F Demetris Nichols, 6-8, Soph. (3.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 37.1 FG%)
Data: The Orange stumbled at the end of the regular season, losing four of its final seven games, and that took some of the luster off of its 22-3 start. Still, the elegant Warrick is the kind of star that can lead a team on a deep tournament run, as he proved the Orange's three-game run to the Big East title. McNamara is his perimeter counterpart and has taken 308 of the team's 487 three-pointers. Either Warrick or McNamara led Syracuse in scoring in 27 of 30 regular season games, but Boeheim has said throughout the season that the Orange's success hinges more on younger players McCroskey, Roberts and Nichols. 13. Vermont, America East champion
Record: 24-6 (16-2).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Tom Brennan (0-2 in NCAAs).
Starters
G T.J. Sorrentine, 5-11, Sr. (18.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 105 3-pt. FG)
G David Hehn, 6-5, Sr. (4.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 73.1 FT%)
C Martin Klimes, 6-8, Soph. (4.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 46.2 FG%)
F Taylor Coppenrath, 6-9, Sr. (25.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 53.6 FG%)
F Germain Mopa Njila, 6-4, Sr. (5.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 44.1 FG%)
Top reserves
F Josh Duell, 6-8, Fr. (5.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 43.8 FG%)
F Ryan Schneider, 6-7, Fr. (4.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 35.2 FG%)
G Alex Jensen, 6-2, Sr. (3 pg, 1.5 rpg, 41.4 FG%)
Data: Brennan is retiring after this season, so it wouldn't be surprising to see this veteran team win an NCAA tournament game for its coach. Four of the five starters were on last year's team, and the Catamounts are making their third straight NCAA tournament appearance. Coppenrath, who is second in Division I in scoring, was selected the America East player of the year for the third time. Only the late Reggie Lewis of Northeastern won the award as many times. The Catamounts are a good defensive team, giving up more than 70 points just three times this season. 5. Michigan State, >Big Ten at-large
Record: 22-6 (13-3)
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Tom Izzo (19-6 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Maurice Ager, 6-5, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2 apg)
G Shannon Brown, 6-4, Soph. (10.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.9 apg)
G Drew Neitzel, 6-0, Fr. (3.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 2.9 apg)
F Alan Anderson, 6-6, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 apg)
C Paul Davis, 6-11, Jr. (11.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 apg)
Top reserves
G Kelvin Torbert, 6-4, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 53 FG%)
G Chris Hill, 6-3, Sr. (9.9 ppg, 82 FT%, 40 3-pt. FG%)
F Delco Rowley, 6-8, Soph. (2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 10.5 mpg)
Data: The Spartans won eight of their last nine to end the regular season, but it didn't exactly come against tough opposition. Wisconsin was the only ranked team the Spartans beat in that stretch. It also didn't translate into success in the Big Ten tournament, where the Spartans lost to Iowa in the quarterfinals. Regardless, they've come a long way after they lost to George Washington and struggled to beat George Mason in early December. Anderson scored more than 20 points in three of the final four regular season games, after he had gone 116 games without more than 18 points. The Spartans are 32-10 in March under Izzo, and they tied for the national lead in free throw percentage (79.1). 12. Old Dominion, CAA champion
Record: 28-5 (15-3).
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Blaine Taylor (0-2 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Isaiah Hunter, 6-2, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 2.1 apg, 33.8% 3-pt. FG)
G Drew Williamson, 6-0, Soph. (6.2 ppg, 4.6 apg, 42.2% FG)
G Kiah Thomas, 6-4, Sr. (8.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42.9% FG)
F Arnaud Dahi, 6-7, Soph. (10.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 51.9% FG)
C Alex Loughton, 6-9, Jr. (13.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 51.0% FG)
Top reserves
F Valdas Vasylius, 6-7, Soph. (9.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 50.5% FG)
G Brandon Johnson, 6-1, Fr. (3.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, 35.7% FG)
G Brian Henderson, 6-4, Fr. (2.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg)
Data: Old Dominion, making its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1997, dominated the CAA this season, losing only to Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason and Hofstra during conference play. Still, the Monarchs had to gut out an overtime victory over VCU in the CAA final. The key player is Loughton, a native of Australia who was named CAA regular season player of the year and earned CAA tournament most outstanding player honors. The Monarchs are deep -- nine players average more than 11 minutes per game -- and hold CAA opponents to 60 points per game. Taylor coached Montana to two NCAA appearances in the '90s. FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at McKale Center, Tucson
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT 3. Oklahoma, Big 12 at-large
Record: 24-7 (12-4).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Kelvin Sampson (10-10 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Drew Lavender, 5-7, Soph. (9.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 3.3 apg)
G David Godbold, 6-5, Fr. (4.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 15.2 mpg)
G Terrell Everett, 6-4, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.1 apg)
F Taj Gray, 6-9, Jr. (14.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 56 FG%)
F Kevin Bookout, 6-8, Jr. (11.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 60 FG%)
Top reserves
G Lawrence McKenzie, 6-2, Soph. (9.5 ppg, 1.3 apg, 5 starts)
G Jaison Williams, 6-3, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 93 FT%)
F Johnnie Gilbert, 6-8, Sr. (3.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 55 FT%)
Data: Bookout and Gray finished first and second, respectively, in the conference in field goal percentage. So why did Sampson say the team's MVP was Everett, a junior college transfer? Because good things happen when the ball is in his hands. He led the team in assists, was second in scoring and free throw shooting and third in rebounds. He is the main difference between this year's team and last year's edition, which shot 40 percent from the field -- its lowest in 40 seasons -- and went to the NIT. Speaking of better shooting, consider freshman center Longar Longar. He has made 80 percent of his shots (29 for 36), including 16 dunks. 14. Niagara, Metro Atlantic champion
Record: 20-9 (13-5).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Joe Mihalich (first NCAAs).
Starters
F J.R. Duffey, 6-7, Soph (8.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 45.1% FG)
F Juan Mendez, 6-8, Sr. (23.6 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 47.9% FG)
G Lorenzo Miles, 6-0, Soph. (8.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)
G Alvin Cruz, 6-1, Sr. (13.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.5 apg)
G David Brooks, 6-3, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.8 apg)
Top reserves
F James Mathis, 6-6, Jr. (8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 54.5% FG)
G Barry Durosier, 6-1, Soph. (1.6 ppg, 1 rpg, 66.7% FT)
G Stanley Hodge, 6-1, Fr. (0.9 ppg, 1.1 apg, 80% FT)
Data: Niagara is making its second NCAA tournament appearance and its first since it was led by NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy. The WCAC is well represented on the Purple Eagles, who are coached by former DeMatha assistant Mihalich. Miles, a 2003 All-Met, Hodge and assistant coach Akbar Waheed all have ties to Gonzaga. Niagara is the fourth-highest scoring team in Division I, averaging 85.2 points per game. Five times the Purple Eagles have score more than 100 points. Nearly a third of their offense comes from behind the arc. Niagara takes an average of 25 three-point shots per game, making 9.1 per game. 6. Utah, Mountain West at-large
Record: 23-9 (10-6).
Record: 27-5, 13-1. Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Ray Giacoletti (0-1 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Marc Jackson, 6-1, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 46.3 3-pt. FG%)
G Richard Chaney, 6-4, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 46.9 FG%)
F Justin Hawkins, 6-5, Soph. (8.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 49.5 FG%)
F Bryant Markson, 6-6, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 53.9 FG%)
C Andrew Bogut, 7-0, Soph. (20.7 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg)
Top reserves
G Tim Drisdom, 6-3, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg. 3.2 apg)
G Jermaine Calvin, 5-9, Fr. (1 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.3 apg)
F Jonas Langvad, 6-9, Soph. (4.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, .3 apg)
Data: Utah is one of the more complete teams in the field. The Utes ranked second in the nation in shooting (52.5 percent) and seventh in scoring defense, allowing just 57 points per game, at the close of the regular season. They also feature a force in Bogut, possibly the top pick in June's NBA draft. When Giacoletti took over, he had to re-recruit Bogut, who was considering going pro after Coach Rick Majerus left. In addition to being a great scorer and defender, Bogut also is a superb interior passer. Jackson provides sound point guard play; he led the MWC in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Utes cruised before losing in the MWC final to New Mexico. 11. Texas-El Paso, WAC champion
Record: 27-7 (14-4)
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Doc Sadler (first NCAAs).
Starters
G Filiberto Rivera, 6-2, Sr. (13.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 37.4 3-pt. FG%)
G Giovanni St. Amant, 6-3, Jr. (7.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 43.2 FG%)
G Jason Williams, 6-6, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3 apg)
F Omar Thomas, 6-5, Sr. (20.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 51.5 FG%)
F John Tofi, 6-8, Jr. (6.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 48.7 FG%)
Top reserves
C Will Kimble, 6-10, Sr. (4.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 53.5 FG%)
F Thomas Gehrke, 6-8, Sr. (2.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 43.9 FG%)
G Miguel Ayala, 6-6, Jr. (7.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 38.7 3-pt. FG%)
Data: Rivera and Thomas are quite capable of leading the Miners to an upset. Both were first-team all-conference players. Rivera led the WAC in assists, assist-to-turnover ratio and free throw percentage. Against Louisiana Tech, Rivera had 18 assists and no turnovers. Ayala, a transfer who was named to the conference's all-newcomer team, is an excellent outside shooter. Texas-El Paso runs as well as any team in the WAC. Williams is also an effective player, especially on the defensive end. He was named to the conference's all-defensive team. Under former coach Billy Gillispie, the Miners nearly pulled an upset of Maryland last year in the NCAA tournament. FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: 317-262-3389 2. Kentucky, SEC at-large
Record: 25-5 (14-2).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Tubby Smith (24-10 in NCAAs).
Starters
F Chuck Hayes, 6-6, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 50.9 FG%)
C Randolph Morris, 6-10, Fr. (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 54.2 FG%)
G Kelenna Azubuike, 6-5, Jr. (14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 35.2 3-pt. FG%)
G Patrick Sparks, 6-0, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 3.9 apg, 36.8 3-pt. FG%)
G Rajon Rondo, 6-1, Fr. (7.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 56.0 FT%)
Top reserves
G Ramel Bradley, 6-1, Fr. (5.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 37.5 3-pt. FG%)
G Ravi Moss, 6-2, Jr. (3.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 39.5 3-pt. FG%)
C Shagari Alleyne, 7-3, Soph. (3.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 65.9 FG%)
Data: The Wildcats won their first 10 SEC games before losing at South Carolina on Feb. 15 and again at Florida in the regular season finale. Kentucky has largely overachieved this season, as the Wildcats start Sparks, a transfer from Western Kentucky, and Morris, a prep all-American from Atlanta. Azubuike can shoot the three-pointer and creates his own shots. Since winning the 1998 national championship, the Wildcats haven't returned to the Final Four, losing in the second round twice, the regional semifinals once and the regional finals three times. A No. 1 seed last year, Kentucky lost to ninth-seeded Alabama-Birmingham, 76-75, in the second round. 15. Eastern Kentucky, Ohio Valley champion
Record: 22-8 (11-5).
Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Travis Ford (first NCAAs).
Starters
F Michael Haney, 6-6, Sr. (13.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 62.6% FG)
F Alonzo Hird, 6-9, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 65.3% FG)
G Matt Witt, 6-0, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 6.4 apg, 33.1% 3-pt FG)
G Zach Ingles, 6-2, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 39.5% 3-pt FG)
G Jason McLeish, 6-0, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 32.9% 3-pt FG)
Top reserves
F Ryan Wiersma, 6-6, Fr. (3.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 59.4% FG)
F Darnell Dialls, 6-8, Fr. (2.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 50.8% FG)
G Ben Rushing, 5-11, Sr. (6.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 44.3% 3-pt FG)
Data: The Colonels are making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1979. Ford, who played in the Final Four as a Kentucky guard in 1993, could become a hot coaching commodity after leading Eastern Kentucky to its best record since 1978-79; the Colonels hadn't won more than 13 games in a season since 1995-96. The starting guards play a lot like Ford did at Kentucky -- they're tough, gritty and like to shoot three-pointers. The Colonels have some big-game experience, winning at Dayton, 73-66, on Nov. 21, and playing on the road 10 times in 11 games during a stretch in December and January. 7. Cincinnati, Conference USA at-large
Record: 24-7 (12-4).
Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Bob Huggins (19-14 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Jihad Muhammad, 5-11, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 2.5 apg, 35.3 3-pt. FG%)
G Armein Kirkland, 6-8, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 38.6 FG%)
F James White, 6-7, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 3.1 apg, 4.8 rpg)
F Eric Hicks, 6-6, Jr. (13.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 52.8 FG%)
F Jason Maxiell, 6-7, Sr. (15.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 53.7 FG%)
Top reserves
G Nick Williams, 6-3, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 81.2 FT%)
F Roy Bright, 6-6, Fr. (4.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 38.8 FG%)
G Jamaal Lucas, 6-1, Sr. (0.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 25 FG%)
Data: The Bearcats are making their 14th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance under Huggins. That is the third-longest streak in the nation. However, a Huggins-coached team has never beaten a higher seed in the tournament. A C-USA quarterfinal loss to South Florida was Cincinnati's first to a team with a losing record this season and ended a six-game winning streak. Maxiell uses his 250-pound frame to overpower opponents in the paint, and Kirkland is a versatile player and a particularly tough matchup because of his 6-foot-8 frame and long wingspan. Muhammad has been up and down all season and has been in and out of the starting lineup. 10. Iowa, Big Ten at-large
Record: 21-11 (7-9).
Past 10: 6-4.
Coach: Steve Alford (3-2 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Jeff Horner, 6-3, Jr. (14 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 77 FT%)
G Mike Henderson, 6-2, Soph. (4.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 36 3-pt. FG%)
G Adam Haluska, 6-5, Soph. (14.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 81 FT%)
F Greg Brunner, 6-7, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 51 FG%)
C Erek Hansen, 6-11, Jr. (5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 44 FG%)
Top reserves
G Carlton Reed, 6-4, Fr. (2.8 ppg, 70 FT%, 11.7 mpg)
F Doug Thomas, 6-8, Jr. (4.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 55 FG%)
F Alex Thompson, 6-9, Fr. (1.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 3 starts)
Data: Pierre Pierce (18 points per game) was dismissed from the team after 20 games. The Hawkeyes had a five-game winning streak soon after, including a win over then-No. 13 Michigan State in the conference quarterfinals. Key players now include little-used guard Jack Brownlee, who made buzzer-beating three-pointers at the end of the first half in two-point wins over Ohio State and Michigan, then made the clinching free throw in the final seconds against the Spartans (never mind that Alford told him to miss). The Hawkeyes also beat Louisville, Texas and Iowa State. And they sometimes start five native Iowans, the first time that's happened since 1996-97.
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