The Seeds • 1. Villanova • 2. Ohio State • 3. Florida • 4. Boston College • 5. Nevada • 6. Oklahoma • 7. Georgetown • 8. Arizona • 9. Wisconsin • 10. Northern Iowa • 11. UW-Milwaukee • 12. Montana • 13. Pacific • 14. Southern Alabama • 15. Davidson • 16. Monmouth or Hampton

The Washington Post
Monday, March 13, 2006; Page F13

FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
At Wachovia Center, Philadelphia
FRIDAY & SUNDAY    |   TICKETS: SOLD OUT

Record: 24-3, 14-2. Past 10: 9-1.

Coach: Jay Wright (2-3 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Kyle Lowry, 6-1, Soph. (11.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.4 spg)
G Mike Nardi, 6-2, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 41% 3-pt.)
G Allan Ray, 6-2, Sr. (19.1 ppg, 4 rpg, 89.5% FT)
G Randy Foye, 6-4, Sr. (20.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.2 apg)
F Will Sheridan, 6-8, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 bpg)
Top Reserves
F Dante Cunningham, 6-9, Fr. (2.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 45.6% FG)
F Shane Clark, 6-7, Fr. (2.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 42.9% FG)

Data: Nothing seems to faze the Wildcats, who lost their best interior player (senior Curtis Sumpter) to a knee injury in the preseason. They might be in for more adversity as Ray injured his eye during a Big East tournament loss to Pittsburgh. Wright adjusted by going with a four-guard lineup, which features a lightning-quick point guard (Lowry), a slim shooter (Nardi) and two physical wings who can muscle to the basket or pull up and shoot from long range (Ray and Foye). The four guards account for 82 percent of the Wildcats' scoring.

Record: 18-14, 12-6. Past 10: 7-3.

Coach: Dave Calloway (0-2 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Chris Kenny, 6-3, Sr. (8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 78% FT)
G Tyler Azzarelli, 6-1, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 3.1 apg, 35% 3-pt.)
F Marques Alston, 6-4, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.1 apg)
F Dejan Delic, 6-6, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.2 apg)
F Corey Hallett, 6-10, Soph. (5.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 16.8 mpg)
Data: On Dec. 12, the Hawks lost to Lehigh, 71-57. It was their sixth consecutive defeat and dropped their record to 1-7. So what led to a turnaround that allowed Monmouth to finish four games above .500 and to go on to win the conference tournament? Quite simply, defense. It allowed the fewest points in the NEC (64.5 per game) and held opponents to a 40.1 percent shooting, best in the conference.

Record: 16-15, 10-8. Past 10: 5-5.

Coach: Bobby Collins (first NCAAs).

Starters

G Jeff Granger, 6-3, Sr. (11.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 35% 3-pt.)
G Rodrick Coleman, 5-10, Jr. (5.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.3 apg)
F Jaz Cowan, 6-9, Jr. (13.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 50% FG)
F Adrian Woodard, 6-4, Soph. (4.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 spg)
C Bruce Brown, 6-11, Sr. (10.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 55% FG)

Data: The Pirates entered their conference tournament three games below .500; they exited with their third NCAA berth in six years. Having not played up its potential for most of the season, Collins held a team meeting before the MEAC tournament began, and Hampton responded by winning four games in four nights.

Record: 19-12, 11-7. Past 10: 6-4.

Coach: Lute Olson (45-26 in NCAAs).

Starters

G Mustafa Shakur, 6-3, Jr. (10.7 ppg, 4.6 apg, 81.7% FT)
G Hassan Adams, 6-4, Sr. (17.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 spg)
F Marcus Williams, 6-7, Fr. (12.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 47.9% 3-pt.)
F Ivan Radenovic, 6-10, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 45.2% FG)
C Kirk Walters, 6-10, Jr. (6.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg)
Top Reserves
G Chris Rodgers, 6-4, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 2.2 spg, 13 starts)
G J.P. Prince, 6-6, Fr. (2.4 ppg, 2.0 apg, 0.9 spg)

Data: Despite finishing fourth in the conference regular season and going 1-6 against ranked teams, the Wildcats made the tournament for the 22nd consecutive year, the nation's longest streak. It doesn't help Arizona's chances, though, that senior leading scorer Adams is fighting off a shoulder injury and was arrested last week for the second time this season, on DUI charges. Still, hope can be found in the play of freshman Marcus Williams, who has scored 16 or more points in five out of the team's past eight games and is a conference freshman of the year hopeful.

Record: 19-11, 9-7. Past 10: 4-6.

Coach: Bo Ryan (7-4 in NCAAs).

Starters

G Ray Nixon, 6-8, Sr. (6.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.6 apg)
G Kammron Taylor, 6-2, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.4 apg)
F Brian Butch, 6-11, Soph. (10.1 ppg, 6 rpg, 50% FG)
F Alando Tucker, 6-5, Jr. (19.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 apg)
C Jason Chappell, 6-10, Jr. (4.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.9 apg)
Top Reserves
G Michael Flowers, 6-2, Soph. (5.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2 apg)
F Joe Krabbenhoft, 6-7, Fr. (3.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.4 apg)

Data: The Badgers, who are the second-youngest team in the Big Ten, were able to right the ship after a midseason swoon during which they lost five of six games, including a home loss to North Dakota State. But a three-game winning streak late in the season was halted by another bad loss, this time to Northwestern.

FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
At Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City
THURSDAY & SATURDAY    |   TICKETS: SOLD OUT

Record: 26-7, 11-5. Past 10: 8-2.

Coach: Al Skinner (4-6 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Louis Hinnant, 6-4, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 4.3 apg, 43% 3-pt.)
G Sean Marshall, 6-6, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 36% 3-pt.)
F Jared Dudley, 6-7, Jr. (16.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 31% 3-pt.)
F Craig Smith, 6-7, Sr. (17 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 58% FG)
C John Oates, 6-10, Soph. (3.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 44% FG)
Top Reserves
G Tyrese Rice, 6-0, Fr. (9.2 ppg, 74% FT, 40% 3-pt.)
F Sean Williams, 6-10, Soph. (3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 51% FG)
F Akida McLain, 6-8, Soph. (4.9 ppg, 3 rpg, 50% FG)

Data: Since starting ACC play 0-3, the Eagles have played like they were expected to in their first season in the conference. The front-court tandem of Smith and Dudley is one of the nation's best; no other ACC team has two front-court players ranked in the top 12 in points per game. Most of the offense runs through Smith and Dudley, which means the Eagles at times struggle from the outside. Rice is the team's best three-point shooter, but perimeter shooting remains a question. BC ranks 10th in the ACC in three-point shots made per game. BC also is the only ACC team to use the same starting lineup all year.

Record: 24-7, 12-2. Past 10: 9-1.

Coach: Bob Thomason (2-3 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Johnny Gray, 6-1, Sr. (14.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 42% 3-pt.)
G Mike Webb, 6-1, Sr. (10.4. ppg, 2.8. rpg, 2.5 apg)
G-F Anthony Esparza, 6-5, Jr. (7.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.5 apg)
F Christian Maraker, 6-9, Sr. (17.2. ppg, 8.9. rpg, 50% FG)
F-C Michael White, 6-7, Jr. (7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 59% FG)
Top Reserves
G Steffan Johnson, 6-1, Fr. (6.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 17.5 mpg)
F Anthony Brown, 6-8, Fr. (5.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 8 starts)
F-C Wolfgang Raffety, 6-8, Jr. (2.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 52% FG)

Data: The Tigers enter their third consecutive NCAA tournament having won 14 of 15 games, with the one loss coming in overtime to New Mexico State. Pacific led the league in scoring (81.7 points per game), and Gray and Webb give it two legitimate threats from the outside, combining to make 129 three-pointers this season. Maraker, from Varberg, Sweden, was named the Big West player of the year and recorded 23 points and 11 rebounds in the conference title game against Long Beach State. The Tigers also have been tournament-tested in recent years, winning first-round games in the NCAAs the past two seasons.

Record: 27-5, 13-3. Past 10: 10-0.

Coach: Mark Fox (1-1 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Ramon Sessions, 6-3, Soph. (4.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 4.6 apg)
G Kyle Shiloh, 6-3, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.7 rpg)
G Marcelus Kemp, 6-5, Soph. (14.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 45.2% FG)
F Mo Charlo, 6-7, Sr. (10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 41% FG)
F Nick Fazekas, 6-11, Jr. (21.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 53% FG)
Top Reserves
F Demarshay Johnson, 6-9, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 53% FG, 42% FT)
C Chad Bell, 7-0, Sr. (2.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 56% FT)
G Lyndale Burleson, 6-3, Fr. (2.2 ppg, 36% FG, 16 mpg)

Data: A popular sleeper choice, Nevada could be more balanced than two years ago, when it reached the round of 16. The Wolf Pack, which has won 14 straight, finished second in the WAC in scoring offense and scoring defense. It ranked 16th nationally in field goal percentage defense. Don't expect Nevada to make many three-pointers because the interior play of Fazekas, a pro prospect and one of the more underrated players nationally, keys the offense. Fazekas, who was first in the WAC in scoring and second in rebounding, was the WAC player of the year for the second straight season, and Fox repeated as the league's coach of the year, as well.

Record: 23-6, 10-4. Past 10: 7-3.

Coach: Larry Krystkowiak (0-1 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Virgil Matthews, 6-3, Sr. (10 ppg, 4 apg, 47.5% 3-pt.)
G Kevin Criswell, 6-2, Sr. (16.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg)
F Matt Dlouhy, 6-6, Jr. (7.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.9 apg)
F Jordan Hasquet, 6-9, Fr. (7.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 52.5% FG)
F Andrew Strait, 6-8, Soph. (16.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 62.2% FG)
Top Reserves
G Bryan Ellis, 5-10, Jr. (4.2 ppg, 3.7 apg, 1.2 spg)
G Matt Martin, 6-0, Soph. (6.7 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 rpg)
F Mike Chavez, 6-7, Soph. (4.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Data: Krystkowiak has led the Grizzlies to their second straight NCAA berth. His team has thrived offensively, averaging 80 points (16th in the nation) on 49.9 percent shooting (fifth) with 18.3 assists per game (fourth). Strait and Criswell are the leaders, but others are capable of carrying the load: Matthews and Hasquet combined for 41 points -- while Criswell and Strait had just 10 total -- in the Big Sky tournament final. The Grizzlies went 1-1 against NCAA tournament teams, losing by four to Wisconsin-Milwaukee and beating Oral Roberts by 14, and defeated Stanford, the only major-conference team they played, by 19.

FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
At Jacksonville (Fla.) Veterans Memorial Arena
THURSDAY & SATURDAY     |   TICKETS: SOLD OUT

Record: 27-6, 10-6. Past 10: 7-3.

Coach: Billy Donovan (10-7 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Taurean Green, 6-0, Soph. (13.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5 apg)
G Lee Humphrey, 6-2, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 46% 3-pt.)
F Joakim Noah, 6-11, Soph. (14.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 66% FG)
F Corey Brewer, 6-8, Soph. (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.7 apg)
C Al Horford, 6-9, Soph. (11.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 62% FG)
Top Reserves
F Chris Richard, 6-8, Jr. (6.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 72% FG)
G Walter Hodge, 6-0, Fr. (4.8 ppg. 1 rpg, 20.9 mpg)
F Adrian Moss, 6-9, Sr. (3.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 48% FG)

Data: One reason Florida shoots the ball so well (its 50.8 field goal percentage tops Division I) is that the Gators are an unselfish team. Not only do all five starters average in double figures, but 63 percent of Florida's field goals come off an assist. The Gators also are good at getting to the free throw line. They made nearly as many foul shots (515) as their opponents attempted (538) in the regular season. Noah, son of tennis great Yannick Noah, is averaging close to 20 points per game over the last month and ranks third in Division I in field goal percentage. After winning its first 19 games, Florida lost three of its last five before winning the SEC tournament.

Record: 24-6, 12-3. Past 10: 9-1.

Coach: John Pelphrey (First NCAAs).

Starters
G Mario Jointer, 6-2, Sr. (13.5 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.6 spg)
G Chey Christie, 6-4, Sr. (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 46.9% FG)
G Carlos Smith, 6-0, Jr. (7.2 ppg, 3.0 apg, 42.2% 3-pt.)
F Michael Phillips, 6-6, Sr. (8.1 ppg, 0.4 bpg, 61.9% FG)
F Leandro Buboltz, 6-7, Jr. (4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 90.9% FT)
Top Reserves
F Richard Law, 6-6, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 51.4% FG, 46.7% 3-pt.)
G Demetric Bennett, 6-5, Soph. (8.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 39.6% 3-pt.)
F Jason McGriff, 6-9, Jr. (6.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.4 bpg)

Data: The Jaguars, enjoying their best season since 1981, have a balanced squad with a 10-deep rotation, and Pelphrey doesn't mind shuffling around his starting lineup. Phillips started all three games in the Sun Belt tournament, but has started just a total of six times this season. In the Sun Belt conference tournament final, South Alabama held league player of the year Andrew Winchester to 29 percent shooting in a 95-70 victory over Western Kentucky, avenging a 74-73 home loss on Jan. 21. The Jaguars have won 11 of their last 12, and five players have averaged nine or more points per game during that streak.

Record: 20-8, 11-5. Past 10: 6-4.

Coach: Kelvin Sampson (11-11 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Terrell Everett, 6-4, Sr. (12.6 ppg, 6.8 apg, 1.8 spg)
G Michael Neal, 6-3, Jr. (13.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.0 apg)
G David Godbold, 6-5, Soph. (5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.5 apg)
F Kevin Bookout, 6-8, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 56.3% FG)
F Taj Gray, 6-9, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 57.3% FG)
Top Reserves
G-F Nate Carter, 6-6, Jr. (6.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
G Austin Johnson, 6-3, Fr. (2.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 23.8% FG)
F Taylor Griffin, 6-7, Fr. (3.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Data: Bookout and Gray form a physical front court that rarely strays from the basket and helped the Sooners rank third nationally in rebounding margin (plus-10 per game). Neal, almost purely a three-point gunner (82 of his 99 regular season baskets came from beyond the arc), moved into the starting lineup Feb. 15 after the offensively challenged Johnson sprained an ankle and averaged 19.8 points over the next five games. The same stretch had OU fans invoking "Sooner Magic," a phrase previously reserved for the school's football teams of the 1970s, as the team played four consecutive one-point games and won them all.

Record: 21-8, 2-4. Past 10: 6-4.

Coach: Rob Jeter (first NCAAs).

Starters
G Chris Hill, 5-10, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg)
G Boo Davis, 6-3, Sr.(16.2 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.4 spg)
F Joah Tucker, 6-5, Sr. (16.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 47% FG)
F Jason McCoy, 6-9, Sr. (4.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 46% FG)
C Adrian Tigert, 6-7, Sr. (12.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 55% FG)
Top Reserves
G Avery Smith, 6-3, Soph. (4.8 ppg, 1.9 rgp, 1.2 spg)
G Mark Pancratz, 6-3, Sr. (1.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 46% FG)

Data: The Panthers might be the most veteran team in the tournament. They have seven seniors, four of which were starters on last year's team, which reached the round of 16. All five starters are 23 years old. UWM doesn't just have experience, though. It also has talent. Tucker was phenomenal in last year's tournament, scoring 32 points against Illinois in the region semifinal. The versatile swingman can post up inside or hit jumpers from the outside. He and Tigert are big reasons the Panthers dominate inside. UWM outscored Butler in the Horizon League tournament final, 56-24, in the lane and outrebounded the Bulldogs, 40-24. The Panthers average nearly seven more rebounds per game than their opponents.

FIRST- AND SECOND-ROUND GAMES
At University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio
FRIDAY & SUNDAY    |   TICKETS: SOLD OUT

Record: 25-5, 12-4. Past 10: 8-2.

Coach: Thad Matta (6-4 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Je'Kel Foster, 6-3, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.1 apg)
G Jamar Butler, 6-2, Soph. (10.1 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.1 rpg)
F J.J. Sullinger, 6-5, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 52.2% FG)
F Matt Sylvester, 6-7, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 rpg)
C Terence Dials, 6-9, Sr. (15.3 ppg, 8 rpg, 58.1% FG)
Top Reserves
G Ron Lewis, 6-4, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 79.2% FT)
G Sylvester Mayes, 6-1, Jr. (4.2 ppg, 1.9 apg, 1 rpg)
C Matt Terwilliger, 6-8, Soph. (2.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 51% FG)

Data: The Buckeyes arrived ahead of schedule this season. Most observers predicted that the team would make noise on the national stage next season, when Greg Oden and a highly regarded recruiting class arrives in Columbus. But most of the observers forgot that Ohio State won 20 games last season (self-imposed sanctions kept the Buckeyes out of the NCAA tournament) and returned fifth-year senior starters Sullinger, Sylvester and Dials. After leading Ohio State to the Big Ten regular season championship, Matta has won a title in three different conferences. Foster is one of the nation's top three-point shooters, hitting 44.7 percent.

Record: 20-10, 10-5. Past 10: 7-3.

Coach: Bob McKillop (0-2 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Kenny Grant, 6-2, Sr. (6.9 ppg, 6.5 apg, 3 rpg)
G Matt McKillop, 6-1, Sr. (5.7 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.3 rpg)
G Brendan Winters, 6-5, Sr. (16.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.7 apg)
F Thomas Sander, 6-8, Soph. (6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 61.7% FG)
F Ian Johnson, 6-9, Sr. (15.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 51.5% FG)
Top Reserves
G Jason Morton, 6-2, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
G Jason Richards, 6-2, Soph. (4.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 1.9 rpg)
F Boris Meno, 6-8, Soph. (5.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg)

Data: McKillop, in his 17th year leading the Wildcats, continues his every-fourth-year appearance in the NCAAs, having previously led Davidson there in 1998 and 2002. The Wildcats' run through their conference tournament, capped by Winters's career-high 33 points in an 80-55 rout of Chattanooga in the final, marked the first time all season they won three straight games against Division I opponents. They did, however, face the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, Charlotte, Saint Joseph's and Missouri, winning the latter two. Grant ranks fifth in the nation in assists per game, and the team is seventh nationally in free throw shooting (76.7 percent).

Record: 21-8, 10-6. Past 10: 5-5.

Coach: John Thompson III (0-2 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Ashanti Cook, 6-2, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 2.4 apg, 41.9% 3-pt. FG)
G Jonathan Wallace, 6-1, Soph. (8.6 ppg, 3.2 apg, 43% 3-pt.)
F Brandon Bowman, 6-9, Sr. (10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.2 spg)
F Jeff Green, 6-9, Soph. (11.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 apg)
C Roy Hibbert, 7-2, Soph. (11.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 59.9% FG)
Top Reserves
G Jessie Sapp, 6-3, Fr. (3.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 42.5% FG)
G-F Darrel Owens, 6-7, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 3 rpg, 41% 3-pt.)
F Marc Egerson, 6-6, Fr. (1.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 41.7% 3-pt.)

Data: This is a new experience for the Hoyas, who once made annual trips to the NCAA tournament. Georgetown is making its 23rd NCAA appearance, but its first since 2001 -- which means that none of the current players has any experience. Only Thompson, who twice took Princeton to the tournament, does. The Hoyas have proven they are capable of beating any team (see: Duke) but also of losing to any team (see: South Florida). Georgetown's strength is its balance; the Hoyas rely heavily on six players who average 25 or more minutes. Hibbert gives them an unusual weapon with his size, but the versatile Green is the one who makes them go.

Record: 23-9, 11-7. Past 10: 4-6.

Coach: Greg McDermott (0-2 in NCAAs).

Starters
G Ben Jacobson, 6-3, Sr. (14.2 ppg, 4 apg, 36 mpg)
G John Little, 6-0, Sr. (7 ppg, 40% 3-pt. FG, 29 mpg)
G Brooks McKowen, 6-2, Soph. (5.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 36% FG)
F Grant Stout, 6-8, Jr. (12.1 ppg, 56% FG, 2.1 bpg)
C Eric Coleman, 6-6, Soph. (11.7 ppg, 57% FG, 58% FT)
Top Reserves
G Erik Crawford, 6-4, Sr. (9.9 ppg, 30 mpg, 13 starts)
G Travis Brown, 6-3, Sr. (3.6 ppg, 87% FT, 9.1 mpg)
G Jared Josten, 5-11, Soph. (1.7 ppg, 40% FG, 8.7 mpg)

Data: Jacobson not only is the star, he shares the same name as the team's top assistant (the coach goes by Ben S. Jacobson). McDermott, a UNI graduate, was given a raise of around $100,000 in March. The money was raised by private funds from unnamed donors. It's easy to see why the school wants to hold onto him: The Panthers were ranked in the top 25 for the first time in program history in early February; wins over Iowa, LSU and Bucknell were the catalyst. The Panthers have all five starters back from last season. Three of them average in double figures after four did so last season. UNI stumbled to the finish, losing five of its past seven.