The Seeds
• 1. Illinois
• 2. Ok. State
• 3. Arizona
• 4. Boston College
• 5. Alabama
• 6. LSU
• 7. So. Illinois
• 8. Texas
• 9. Nevada
• 10. Saint Mary's
• 11. UAB
• 12. UW-Milwaukee
• 13. Penn
• 14. Utah State
• 15. SE Louisiana
• 16. F. Dickinson
| Chicago Region John Feinstein's Analysis of the Chicago Region
Elsewhere
Syracuse | Austin | Albuquerque
The Washington Post
Monday, March 14, 2005; Page G10 FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: 317-262-3389
1. Illinois, Big Ten champion
Record: 32-1, 15-1. Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Bruce Weber (4-3 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Luther Head, 6-3, Sr. (16.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.8 apg)
G Deron Williams, 6-3, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.6 apg)
G Dee Brown, 6-0, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.6 apg)
F Roger Powell Jr., 6-6, Sr. (12.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
F James Augustine, 6-10, Jr. (10 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
Top reserves
G Richard McBride, 6-0, Soph. (3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 16 mpg)
C Jack Ingram, 6-10, Sr. (3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 80 FT%)
C Nick Smith, 7-2, Fr. (3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 11.9 mpg)
Data: Almost could have an entire bracket made up of teams the Illini beat: They defeated Delaware State, Oakland (Mich.), Gonzaga, Wake Forest, Cincinnati and every Big Ten team that made it. Their only loss was to Ohio State, which is ineligible for the tournament; Illinois remained No. 1 anyway, the first time a team stayed No. 1 following a loss in eight years. Head, Brown and Williams each was first-team all-conference -- just the fifth time since 1945 one team had three representatives. Brown also was named player of the year and defensive player of the year. Oh, and he's a pretty good shooter -- he made 48.2 percent of his three-point attempts.
16. Fairleigh Dickinson, Northeast champion
Record: 20-12, 13-5. Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Tom Green (0-3 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Tamien Trent, 6-9, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 35.5 3-pt. FG%)
G Chad Timberlake, 6-4, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 54.5 FG%)
G Mensah Peterson, 6-1, Sr. (7.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 36.8 3-pt. FG%)
F Gordon Klaiber, 6-9, Jr. (15.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.3 bpg)
C Andrea Crosariol, 7-0, Soph. (7.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 59 FG%)
Top reserves
F Andre Harris, 6-7, Soph. (7.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 45.4 FG%)
F Michael Peeples, 6-6, Soph. (3.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 30.3 FG%)
G Bernell Murray, 5-9, Fr. (2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 48.4 3-pt. FG%)
Data: The Knights' hopes for their first NCAA tournament berth since 1998 seemed to evaporate midway through the second half of their NEC semifinal against Long Island. But Fairleigh Dickinson rallied from a 14-point deficit and then beat Wagner, 58-52, in the tournament final. Klaiber, Trent and Timberlake rank among the NEC's top 12 scorers. Klaiber, who was named first team all-NEC for the second straight year and is the fourth player in school history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocked shots, is from Greenbelt, and played alongside Delonte West (Boston Celtics) and Eddie Basden (Charlotte) at Eleanor Roosevelt High.
8. Texas, Big 12 at-large
Record: 20-10, 9-7. Past 10: 5-5.
Coach: Rick Barnes (11-12 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Daniel Gibson, 6-2, Fr. (14.4 ppg, 4 apg, 75% FT)
G Kenny Taylor, 6-2, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 36% 3-pt)
G Kenton Paulino, 6-0, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 82% FT, 3 starts)
F Brad Buckman, 6-8, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 54% FG)
C Jason Klotz, 6-9, Sr. (10.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 28.8 mpg)
Top reserves
G Sydmill Harris, 6-4, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 81% FT)
F Mike Williams, 6-7, Fr. (3.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 14.8 mpg)
G Kenny Taylor, 6-2, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 28.6 mpg)
Data: The Longhorns made the NCAA tournament even though standout guard P.J. Tucker (13.7 points per game) was suspended for the season because of academics, and they lost in the Big 12 quarterfinals to Colorado, 81-69. In truth, the early loss in the Big 12 tournament wasn't the worst thing. The losses of Tucker and reserve LaMarcus Aldridge (knee injury) leave the team with eight scholarship players, and the extra rest will help. Texas coaches believed Gibson would be a starter since they began closely recruiting him in high school. Ruined Oklahoma State's senior night with a 74-73 win. Then had its own senior night ruined in a 74-58 loss to Oklahoma.
9. Nevada, Western Athletic at-large
Record: 24-6, 16-2. Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Mark Fox (first NCAAs).
Starters
G Kyle Shiloh, 6-3, Soph. (5.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.8 apg)
G Ramon Sessions, 6-3, Fr. (9.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.3 apg)
F Nick Fazekas, 6-11, Soph. (21.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg)
F Kevinn Pinkney, 6-10, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.3 apg)
F Jermaine Washington, 6-5, Sr. (6.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.6 apg)
Top reserves
F Mo Charlo, 6-7, Jr. (9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg)
G Seth Taylor, 6-3, Soph. (2.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg, .8 apg)
C Chad Bell, 7-0, Jr. (2.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 41.3 FG%)
Data: This season was uncertain after the Wolf Pack lost Kirk Snyder early to the NBA and Coach Trent Johnson to Stanford. But Nevada dominated the WAC postseason awards, as Fazekas won player of the year, Fox won coach of the year and Sessions won freshman of the year. Sessions's emergence was particularly key in helping to fill the void left by point guard Todd Okeson, now a Nevada graduate assistant. Nevada didn't lose a game in the regular season by more than three points since Dec. 7 against Toledo. Fox's team is anchored by its defense; Pinkney's aggressive play has helped Nevada hold opponents to a WAC-low 61 points per game.
FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Wolstein Center, Cleveland
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT
4. Boston College, Big East at-large
Record: 24-4, 13-3. Past 10: 6-4.
Coach: Al Skinner (3-5 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Louis Hinnant, 6-4, Jr. (5.3 ppg, 4.8 apg, 34.5% 3-pt. FG)
G Sean Marshall, 6-5, Soph. (10.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 37.2% 3-pt. FG)
F Craig Smith, 6-7, Jr. (17.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 48.8% FG)
F Jared Dudley, 6-7, Soph. (16.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.1 apg)
C Nate Doornekamp, 7-0, Sr. (5.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.3 apg)
Top reserves
G Jermaine Watson, 6-3, Sr. (10 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 82.8% FT)
G Steve Hailey, 6-0, Soph. (3.7 ppg, 2.9 apg, 73.5% FT)
F Sean Williams, 6-10, Fr. (3.9 ppg, 64.3% FG, 2.5 bpg)
Data: The Eagles are leaving the Big East with a share of the regular season conference title. But some question the Eagles' strength; they needed overtime to beat Holy Cross and Yale, and of the league's top eight teams, they had to play only Villanova and West Virginia twice. A quarterfinal loss to West Virginia didn't help, either. What isn't questioned is Boston College's resiliency and teamwork. The Eagles trailed in the second half of 18 games (and won 15 of them), and they share the ball better than any team in the league (487 assists on 715 field goals). Boston College has not advanced to the second weekend of the tournament since 1994.
13. Penn, Ivy League champion
Record: 20-8, 13-1. Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Fran Dunphy (1-7 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Tim Begley, 6-6, Sr. (14.1 ppg, 40.2% 3-pt FG, 4.9 apg)
G Ibrahim Jaaber, 6-2, Soph. (11.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.8 spg)
G David Whitehurst, 6-2, Fr. (1.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg)
F Steve Danley, 6-8, Soph. (9.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 47.1% FG)
F Mark Zoller, 6-7, Soph. (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 50% FG)
Top reserves
G Eric Osmundson, 6-5, Sr. ( 8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 50% FG)
F Jan Fikiel, 6-10, Sr. (6.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 49.2% FG)
Data: This was supposed to be a transition year for Penn, which starts three sophomores and a freshman. But the Quakers, who have won three of the last four Ivy League titles, easily won the conference to earn their 21st trip to the NCAA tournament. Penn, which hasn't won an NCAA game since 1994, struggled in late December and early January, losing five straight. Since then, the Quakers have won 16 of their last 17. Begley is the team's best outside shooter. Whitehurst didn't join the starting lineup until late in the season, replacing Osmundson. In his first season as a starter, Danley (DeMatha) has been a significant contributor for the Quakers. Jaaber set the school's season record for steals with 68.
5. Alabama, SEC at-large
Record: 24-7, 12-4. Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Mark Gottfried (4-5 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Earnest Shelton, 6-3, Sr. (16.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 39.1 3-pt. FG%)
G Ronald Steele, 6-2, Fr. (7.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, 80.6 FT%)
F Chuck Davis, 6-7, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 58.3 FG%)
F Kennedy Winston, 6-6, Jr. (18.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 47.9 3-pt. FG%)
C Jermareo Davidson, 6-10, Soph. (7.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 57.7 FG%)
Top reserves
F Jean Felix, 6-7, Jr. (5.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 46.7 3-pt. FG%)
F Evan Brock, 6-8, Jr. (2.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 51.3 FG%)
G Justin Jonus, 6-5, Fr. (2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 31.7 3-pt. FG%)
Data: The Crimson Tide won 10 of its first 12 conference games, but then lost two of its last four and tied with LSU for the SEC West title before falling to Florida in the SEC semis. Alabama has a tall and athletic front line, and Steele has run the offense remarkably well for a freshman, with nearly three times as many assists as turnovers. Shelton and Winston are proficient perimeter shooters. The Crimson Tide was one of the biggest surprises in the NCAA tournament as a No. 8 seed last year, winning three games, including a second-round upset of No. 1 seed Stanford, before losing to national champion Connecticut in the regional final.
12. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Horizon League champion
Record: 24-5, 14-2. Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Bruce Pearl (0-1 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Chris Hill, 5-10, Jr. (7.9 ppg, 3.1 apg, 75% FT)
G Ed McCants, 6-3, Sr. (17.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 37% 3-pt)
G Boo Davis, 6-3, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 85% FT)
F Joah Tucker, 6-5, Jr. (15.2 ppg, 6 rpg, 21% 3-pt)
F Adrian Tigert, 6-7, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 57% FG)
Top reserves
G Mark Pancratz, 6-3, Jr. (2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 14 mpg)
C James Wright, 6-7, Sr. (4.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 19.5 mpg)
C Derrick Ford, 6-10, Jr. (3.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 11 mpg)
Data: The Panthers aren't the typical team from a one-bid conference. They played on national cable TV three times. They hosted the conference final, and the sellout crowd of 10,783 was the largest in school history. And they played before more than 17,000 in road losses to Wisconsin and Kansas (in Kansas City). The Panthers went to the NIT last year, after losing to Detroit, 65-62, in the conference final by missing 12 of 20 free throws. In 2003, they missed a potential winning layup at the buzzer against Notre Dame in the NCAA tournament. They certainly aren't overly troubled in conference play -- they won the regular season title by four games.
FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Taco Bell Arena, Boise, Idaho
FRIDAY & SUNDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT
3. Arizona, Pacific-10 at-large
Record: 27-6, 15-3. Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Lute Olson (42-25 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Salim Stoudamire, 6-1, Sr. (18.2 ppg, 1.9 apg, 53 3-pt. FG%)
G Hassan Adams, 6-4, Jr. (12.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 48 FG%)
G Mustafa Shakur, 6-3, Soph. (8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.6 apg)
F Ivan Radenovic, 6-10, Soph. (8.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 43.2 FG%)
C Channing Frye, 6-11, Sr. (15.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.1 bpg)
Top reserves
G Chris Rodgers, 6-4, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.3 apg)
C Kirk Walters, 6-10, Soph. (2.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 52.2 FG%)
G Jawann McClellan, 6-4, Fr. (5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 34 3-pt. FG%)
Data: Even Olson has conceded that he likes how his team is beginning to surge as the NCAA tournament approaches. Stoudamire is one of the best shooters in the country and probably the best shooter on the West Coast. Olson said Stoudamire is the best guard he has coached because he also plays strong defense. Adams is skilled at attacking the basket and driving the lane. And Frye gives the Wildcats a post presence, offensively and defensively, that few teams can match. Arizona was tripped up by Washington State, which slowed the game down on Jan. 29. The Wildcats also have fallen to two ACC teams, Virginia and Wake Forest, early on. 14. Utah State, Big West champion
Record: 24-7, 13-5. Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Stew Morrill (1-4 in NCAAs).
Starters
G Jaycee Carroll, 6-2, Fr. (14.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 47.4 3-pt. FG%)
G David Pak, 6-2, Jr. (6.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 35.3 3-pt. FG%)
F Spencer Nelson, 6-8, Sr. (16.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.8 apg)
F Nate Harris, 6-7, Jr. (13 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 65.4 FG%)
C Cassiano Matheus, 6-10, Jr. (6.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 59.3 FG%)
Top reserves
F Jason Williams, 6-7, Sr. (5.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 38.5 3-pt. FG%)
F John Neil, 6-6, Sr. (3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 50.5 FG%)
G Chris Huber, 6-1, Jr. (3.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 36.6 3-pt. FG%)
Data: Utah State's victory in the Big West tournament final was particularly sweet because the Aggies were the first team left out of last year's NCAA tournament despite being ranked in the top 25 and having a 25-4 record. Utah State earned its fifth NCAA tournament appearance in the past eight seasons in impressive fashion, ending Pacific's 34-game conference win streak in the final. The Aggies held the Tigers without a field goal for 10 minutes. Carroll, who scored 22 points, became the first freshman to ever earn tournament MVP honors. Utah State has not lost a game by more than four points since Jan. 13, when it lost at Pacific by seven. 6. LSU, SEC at-large
Record: 20-9, 12-4. Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: John Brady (2-2 in NCAAs).
Starters
F Brandon Bass, 6-8, Soph. (17.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 56.9 FG%)
F Glen Davis, 6-9, Fr. (13.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 51.1 FG%)
G Antonio Hudson, 6-6, Sr. (12.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 38.7 3-pt. FG%)
G Darrel Mitchell, 5-11, Jr. (13.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.6 rpg)
G Tack Minor, 5-11, Soph. (10.8 ppg, 4.8 apg, 3.8 rpg)
Top reserves
F Ross Neltner, 6-9, Soph. (2.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 44.4 3-pt. FG%)
G Xavier Whipple, 6-2, Sr. (2.1 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 rpg)
F Darnell Lazare, 6-8, Soph. (2.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 69.2 FT%)
Data: After losing two of their first four conference games, the Tigers won their last six to tie Alabama for first place in the SEC West. Brady was on the hot seat after missing the NCAA tournament in three of the past four seasons, but he found a nice combination of perimeter shooters and strong post players. Bass is perhaps the best sophomore in the country, and Minor is an ultra-quick point guard. Mitchell and Hudson are capable of scoring 20 points in a game. Davis, at 310 pounds, is a major force in the paint if he stays out of foul trouble. The Tigers don't have a very deep bench, which could be a concern in tournament play.
11. Ala.-Birmingham, Conference USA at-large
Record: 21-10, 10-6. Past 10: 5-5.
Coach: Mike Anderson (2-1 NCAAs).
Starters
G Donnell Taylor, 6-6, Sr. (15.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 40.4 3-pt. FG%)
G Squeaky Johnson, 5-10, Jr. (5.0 ppg, 4.7 apg, 36.7 FG%)
G Marvett McDonald, 6-2, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 39.3 FG%)
F Demario Eddins, 6-7, Jr. (12.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 49.6 FG%)
F Marques Lewis, 6-8, Sr. (8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 53.6 FG%)
Top reserves
G Ronell Taylor, 6-5, Sr. (11.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46.3 FG%)
G Richard Jones, 6-5, Jr. (4.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 37.3 FG%)
F Derrick Broom, 6-5, Jr. (3.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 41.2 3-pt. FG%)
Data: The Blazers are making their second straight NCAA tournament appearance and 12th in school history. UAB upset top-ranked Kentucky in last year's second round to advance to the round of 16, where it lost to Kansas. After putting their tournament hopes in jeopardy with a four-game losing streak in February, the Blazers won five straight, including an 81-80 overtime victory over DePaul in the conference quarterfinals. Injuries may prevent another run. Guard Ronell Taylor was conference sixth man of the year but broke a foot Feb. 5, forward Marques Lewis has been hampered by an ankle injury and forward Demario Eddins is playing with a bad hip.
FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
at Ford Center, Oklahoma City
THURSDAY & SATURDAY | TICKETS: SOLD OUT
2. Oklahoma State, Big 12 champion
Record: 24-6, 11-5. Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Eddie Sutton (37-25 in NCAAs).
Starters
G JamesOn Curry, 6-3, Fr. (8.6 ppg, 2.3 apg, 44 3-pt. FG%)
G Stephen Graham, 6-6, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 18.7 mpg)
G John Lucas III, 5-11, Sr. (18.3 ppg, 4.5 apg, 92 FT%)
F Joey Graham, 6-7, Sr. (17.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 88 FT%)
F Ivan McFarlin, 6-8, Sr. (11.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 59 FG%)
Top reserves
G Daniel Bobik, 6-5, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 3.3 apg, 28 mpg)
F Terrence Crawford, 6-6, Sr. (4.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 18.5 mpg)
C Frans Steyn, 7-2, Sr. (3.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 52 FT%)
Data: The Cowboys are a bit long in the tooth, and that experience is one reason why they can change things on the fly. The team struggled defending interior players; four inside players recorded career-highs against them, and Oklahoma forwards Kevin Bookout and Taj Gray combined for 45 points in beating the Cowboys in late January. So before the conference tournament, Sutton began practicing a 2-3 zone, using Steyn, who played in only six league games, as the fulcrum. The offense doesn't need any reinforcements. The Cowboys were third in the nation in field goal percentage (50.4 percent) and led the country in three-point shooting (42.8 percent).
15. Southeastern Louisiana, Southland champion
Record: 24-8, 13-3. Past 10: 8-2.
Coach: Billy Kennedy (first NCAAs).
Starters
G Terry Bryant, 6-1, Soph. (8.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 76.1 FT%)
G Jonathan Patton, 6-2, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 37.6 3-pt. FG%)
F Jonathan Walker, 6-8, Jr. (5.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 44.3 FG%)
F Ricky Woods, 6-5, Jr. (17.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 56.3 FG%)
C Nate Lofton, 6-10, Sr. (11.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 54.9 FG%)
Top reserves
G Neill Berry, 6-3, Sr. (2.6 ppg, 29.2 FG%, 28.1 3-pt. FG%)
G Chris Lee, 6-3, Jr. (3.1 ppg, 28.1 3-pt FG%)
G Thomas Woods, 6-3, Fr. (2.6 ppg, 54.5 FT%, 33.3 FG%)
Data: The Lions are making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament after beating Northwestern State, 49-42, in the Southland Conference championship game. That win ended Southeastern Louisiana's 14-game losing streak at Northwestern State. The Lions have won 17 of their past 20 games, and their best victory came at Boise State, 56-48, on Nov. 21. Woods, a transfer from Paris (Tex.) Junior College, scored 20 points or more in 11 games this year. The Lions allowed 55.6 points per game, more than six points less than any other Southland team, but didn't face a ranked team.
7. Southern Illinois, Missouri Valley at-large
Record: 26-7, 15-3. Past 10: 9-1.
Coach: Chris Lowery (first NCAAs).
Starters
G Darren Brooks, 6-3, Sr. (14.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.7 spg)
G Stetson Hairston, 6-3, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.3 apg)
G Jamaal Tatum, 6-2, Soph. (11.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.2 apg)
F Matt Shaw, 6-7, Fr. (6.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 60 FG%)
C Josh Warren, 6-8, Sr. (4.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Top reserves
G Tony Young, 6-0, Soph. (6.6 ppg, 1.5 apg, 42.7 3-pt. FG%)
F Randal Falker, 6-7, Fr. (4.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1 bpg)
F LaMar Owen, 6-5, Sr. (7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 spg)
Data: The Salukis played only one team from a power conference (they beat Vanderbilt, 67-53, on Nov. 26), but finished the regular season No. 17 in RPI. How? Because they won 15 games in the Missouri Valley, which has four 20-win teams and is ranked the eighth-toughest league in the nation. SIU ranks 12th nationally in scoring defense (60.3 points per game). Brooks, also the team's top rebounder (5.1 per game), is the first player to be named Missouri Valley player of the year and defensive player of the year in consecutive seasons. The Salukis showed some vulnerability by losing to Southwest Missouri State in the conference semifinals.
10. Saint Mary's (Calif.), West Coast at-large
Record: 25-8, 11-3. Past 10: 7-3.
Coach: Randy Bennett (First NCAAs).
Starters
G Paul Marigney, 6-3, Sr. (16.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.5 FG%)
G E.J. Rowland, 6-2, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.8 apg)
G Jonathan Sanders, 6-7, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 48.9 FG%)
F Frederic Adjiwanou, 6-8, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 42.1 FG%)
F Daniel Kickert, 6-10, Jr. (16.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 54.7 FG%)
Top reserves
G Jason Walberg, 6-4, Jr. (4.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 31.4 3-pt. FG%)
F Brett Collins, 6-5, Soph. (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 37.2 FG%)
C Blake Sholberg, 7-1, Soph. (3.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 56 FG%)
Data: Fourth-year coach Bennett has done an impressive job since taking over a program that won just two games during the 1999-2000 season. The Gaels were expected to have a breakout season this year and contend for their first NCAA tournament appearance in eight years. Australia native Kickert has developed into a superb scorer both inside and on the perimeter; he'll challenge for WCC player of the year honors next season. Kickert made a career-high seven three-pointers in the WCC tournament final loss to Gonzaga. Saint Mary's played a formidable nonconference schedule, but it also played Gonzaga well, which helped warrant the at-large berth.
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