NCAA Tournament team capsules: East
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1. Pittsburgh
Record: 28-4
Best win: at UConn
Player to watch: Pitt's Round Mound of Rebound, DeJuan Blair, is a mountain of a man in the paint at 6-7, 265. He might have the best pair of hands in college basketball and he powers his way to the basket, averaging 15.6 ppg and 12.2 rpg while hitting 59.9 percent of his shots.
Notable: The Panthers are a very good shooting team (48.4 percent), ranking in the nation's top 10, and they lead the nation in rebounding margin (9.9). Small forward Sam Young is in constant motion to find open shots; he averages 18.7 ppg. Point guard Levance Fields, who suffered a leg injury late in the season, may not be shaped like a typical basketball player, but he plays like a great one, averaging 10.7 ppg and 7.6 apg, which is second in the nation. His assist-to-turnover ratio is nearly 4-1. Coach Jamie Dixon has a long bench and demands physical play on defense.
2. Duke
Record: 28-6
Best win: Wake Forest
Player to watch: Gerald Henderson, the son of the former Celtics (also Gerald), is a 6-4 guard who has evolved into an explosive offensive player this season. He averages 16.6 ppg and is capable of knocking down outside shots (47.1 percentage) but can also aggressively attack the basket. He's the rare combination of quick, strong, and smart.
Notable: In recent years, the Blue Devils have lived at the three-point arc and it's no difference this season (they convert 34.9 percent) but statistically at least they're tough inside, outrebounding opponents by three per game. The Devils also play a great pressurized man-to-man defense, getting 8.5 steals per game and hold teams to 43 percent shooting. Both 6-8 sophomore forward Kyle Singler (16.7 ppg) and Henderson are talented players who've improved a great deal and both are really competitive. Singler is also the team's leading rebounder at 7.7. The lack of a solid inside game could spell doom for the Blue Devils.
3. Villanova
Record: 26-7
Best win: Pittsburgh
Player to watch: Scottie Reynolds is a 6-3 guard who's not a great shooter (40.8 percent) but he finds ways to score (15.5 ppg) with a high basketball IQ and a fearless way of playing. He's outstanding with the ball and also leads the Wildcats in assists (3.6).
Notable: The Wildcats really came together at the end of the season, winning 12 of their last 15 but also knocking off Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Marquette while becoming a more efficient and higher-scoring team. Dante Cunningham, a tough-minded 6-6 forward is the leading scorer (16.0) and rebounder (7.2). Corey Stokes (9.7 ppg) is the team's top outside threat (43.4 percent). Coach Jay Wright has said this is an inconsistent defensive team, but led by Reggie Redding, they've held opponents to 40.4 shooting.
4. Xavier
Record: 25-7
Best win: Memphis
Player to watch: Derrick Brown, a 6-8 junior forward, used to be known as just a dunker. And while he's still one of the best leapers in the country, his game is now more well-rounded. He averages 13.8 ppg but he's also a 3-point threat, hitting 43.8 percent of his shots beyond the arc.
Notable: The Muskies are a great mixture of veterans and talented young players but they didn't seem to be improving at the end of the season, going 5-5 in their last 10. The key veterans are Brown, 6-6 guard B.J. Raymond (14.1 ppg), and 6-6 swingman C.J. Anderson (10.0 ppg). The key young players are freshman point guard Terrell Holloway (5.6 ppg), who originally committed to Indiana but was released when coach Kelvin Sampson was fired, and center Kenny Frease (5.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg), who's a huge presence at 7-0, 265. Everyone rebounds so the Muskies pound teams on the boards with an 8.4 rebounding margin, which is fourth in the nation. They have ball-handling problems at times (more turnovers than assists).
5. Florida State:
Record: 25-9
Best win: at Clemson
Player to watch: Toney Douglas started his career at Auburn but wanted to make sure he played point guard. For the Seminoles, he can be any kind of guard he wants. In his senior season, he exploded, averaging 21.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, and was named first-team All-ACC. Some would make the argument he should have been player of the year. He'll have the ball most of the time, which isn't a bad thing.
Notable: The Seminoles return to the NCAAs for the first time since 1998. The problem for this team is offense; they don't have another player who can provide a lot of it except Douglas, who is the only double-figure scorer. The next-best offensive players are 6-9 forwards Uche Echefu (8.6 ppg) and Chris Singleton (7.7 ppg), who both can be spectacular at times, then suddenly disappear. Freshman 7-foot center Solomon Alabi (8.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) is quickly developing into an excellent player. Ball-handling has been a problem as the Seminoles have more turnovers than assists.
6. UCLA
Record:25-8
Best win: Washington
Player to watch: Darren Collison was a preseason All-American and maybe the Bruins point guard didn't quite live up to that, but he still had a tremendous season, averaging 14.5 ppg, 4.9 apg, and leading the nation in free throw percentage (91.4). He's an outstanding defensive player who uses his quickness to advantage at both ends of the court.
Notable: The Bruins were favored to win the Pac-10 and fell short. They didn't play many big non-conference games but lost to Michigan and Texas (they did beat Notre Dame, but the Irish's slide had already begun). Despite all that, this is a deep and talented team that plays good defense (but probably not as good as coach Ben Howland likes) and leads the nation in field goal percentage (49.4). Junior guard Josh Shipp, a 6-5 senior, lengthened his offensive game this year and hit 43.8 percent of his three-pointers while averaging 14.4 ppg. He's a big threat off the dribble. Michael Roll, a 6-5 junior, is a dangerous three-point threat (6.8 ppg, 51 percent) off the bench. Alfred Aboya, a 6-9 senior, is the team's top big man, averaging 9.8 ppg and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game.
7. Texas
Record: 22-11
Best win: UCLA
Player to watch: A.J. Abrams is only 5-11 but he's not your usual penetrating, pass-first point guard. He fires away, averaging 16.3 points per game while taking over 13 shots per game. His shooting percentage is not great (39.6). He's an excellent ball-handler (only 46 turnovers in 33 games) but also only has 43 assists.
Notable: The Longhorns looked like a Final Four contender early in the season but they leveled off as they finished 7-7 in their last 14 games. Damion James, a 6-7 high-flyer, averages 15.4 ppg and leads the team with 9.2 rebounds per game. Late-bloomer 6-10 junior center Dexter Pittman (10.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has lost over 70 pounds and is quickly emerging as a top-flight player. The Longhorns play tough defense, as most teams coached by Rick Barnes do, holding opponents to 40.6 percent shooting. Forward Gary Johnson is an inspirational story, overcoming a heart ailment and missing 13 games before he was cleared to play. He averages 10.5 ppg.
8. Oklahoma State
Record: 22-11
Best win: Texas
Player to watch: Byron Eaton is a burly, 5-11, 210-pound guard who can take defenders into the lane where he'll either score (14.1. ppg) or find open teammates (5.2 apg). Eaton's constant movement makes him a difficult assignment for any defender. He sprained a toe in the Big 12 tournament and it's the type of injury that could affect his game.
Notable: Travis Ford has done a remarkable job in his first season after leaving UMass. He successfully installed his up-tempo, pressing style as the Cowboys' points per game jumped nearly 14 points. James Anderson is the Cowboys' leading scorer (18.6 ppg), and the 6-6 guard launches nearly six three-pointers per game, and makes 41 percent. The press causes teams problems: the Cowboys force 15.2 turnovers per game. Overall, Oklahoma State is not a big team; 6-5 Obi Muonelo is the team's leading rebounder (7.3).
9. Tennessee
Record: 21-12
Best win: Marquette
Player to watch: Wayne Chism, the Volunteers' 6-9 center, is a fun player to watch because he looks like he's having a lot of fun when he's playing. At 242 pounds, he's bulky but he moves well, scoring close to the basket while also taking at least three three-pointers a game. He averages 13.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg.
Notable: Coach Bruce Pearl has a plan and he sticks to it. The Vols will press, run, and shoot threes. Keeping the pressure on the opponent is paramount and playing up to 10 players helps that. Tyler Smith, a 6-7 junior forward, is a boxscore stuffer, averaging 17.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, and a team-leading 3.3 apg. J.P. Prince (10.1 ppg) is a 6-7 guard and he used his height to his advantage against smaller defenders. A very interesting player and a possible future star is backup center Brian Williams, who can throw his weight around at 6-10, 267 pounds. He only plays 16 minutes per game but averages 5.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg.
10. Minnesota
Record: 22-10
Best win: Louisville
Player to watch: At 6-0, 195 pounds, Lawrence Westbrook is built like a defensive back and he brings a football toughness to the Gophers. He's the team's only double-figure scorer at 12.4 ppg, but he's also the unquestioned leader and the player who will take big shots at the end of games. He's from Chandler, Ariz., but played his senior year at the Winchendon School.
Notable: Tubby Smith has resurrected Minnesota basketball in his second season. He did it by having this team play patient offense and tough defense. There's only one double-figure scorer because he will play as many as 10 players. Westbrook is a junior, but Tubby has invested in a tremendous sophomore class, starting with point Al Nolen (6.6 ppg, 4.3 apg), who's quick and strong. The other top sophs are shooting guard Blake Hoffarber (6.5 ppg, 34 percent on threes) and 6-8 forward Paul Carter (5.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg). There's a freshman who has a big future: Ralph Sampson III, who at 6-11 is five inches shorter than his famous father, but his mannerisms are familiar. He improved steadily through the season and averages 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. In what seems like a Big 10 trend, Tubby played 19 home games, which helps a young team. The Gophers had a losing record on the road, however.
11. Virginia Commonwealth
Record: 24-9
Best win: George Mason
Player to watch: Eric Maynor is a wiry, in-control point guard who penetrates with intelligence, takes the long jumper when he's open, and finds teammates for easy shots. He helped take Duke out of the NCAAs two seasons ago, and he's only gotten better. He'll be on the big stage again, looking for a big moment that he relishes. Statistically, he averages 22.4 ppg, 6.1 apg, and even chips in with 3.5 rpg.
Notable: This is a dangerous team that's playing its best right now. Coach Anthony Grant, a former assistant to Billy Donovan at Florida, will be rumored for every opening at higher-profile schools. The one drawback is that the Rams played some important out-of-conference games (Oklahoma, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vanderbilt, and New Mexico), and were only able to beat New Mexico. The rising star is 6-8 sophomore center Larry Sanders, a real high-riser who averages 11.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, and 2.6 blocks. Joey Rodriquez, a 6-2 freshman, is the best outside threat (9.4 ppg). A rugged man-to-man defense holds teams to 39 percent shooting.
12. Wisconsin
Record: 19-12
Best win: at Virginia Tech
Player to watch: Marcus Landry is brother of Carl Landry of the Houston Rockets. At 6-7, he's two inches shorter than his brother but has a similar game. His aim is to get the ball in the paint and score near the basket. He hits 49.8 percent of his shots and averages 12.6. He will even nail an occasional three (39.7 percent).
Notable: The Badgers played a tough schedule and weren't good enough to overcome it. They lost to UConn, Marquette, and Texas in non-conference games. In conference they got swept by Minnesota and Purdue and lost at
13. Portland State
Record: 23-9
Best win: at Gonzaga
Player to watch: Jeremiah Dominguez is a 5-6 senior guard whose looks and style of play will remind people of Jose Barea, the former Northeastern star who now plays for the Dallas Mavericks. Dominguez is quick and a good ballhandler who loves to penetrate and score over taller opponents or find teammates. He averages 12.9 ppg and 3.2 apg.
Notable: Coach Ken Bone has built a good program for the Big Sky Conference with transfers, both from four-year schools (Dominguez started at the University of Portland) and two-year schools. The other transfers are guard Dominic Waters (Hawaii), who averages 11.5 ppg; 6-2 guard Andre Murray (JC transfer), who averages 11.0 ppg; forward Phil Nelson (Washington), who averages 11.2 ppg; and forward Jamie Jones (Portland), who averages 8.9 ppg and a team-leading 5.3 rpg. The Vikes have two significant games to point to: They beat Gonzaga in Spokane and then fell to Washington by 1 in Seattle.
14. American
Record: 24-7
Best win: Holy Cross
Player to watch: Garrison Carr is a 5-11 shooting guard who overcomes his height by launching threes from long distance (he hits 38.7 percent) but he also uses his quickness to get in position to score. He averages 17.8 ppg.
Notable: The Eagles, under coach Jeff Jones (he coached at Virginia) play a patient, half-court game (averaging 64.5 ppg) and tough man-to-man defense (holding teams to 39 percent shooting). They were only 6-6 at the end of December, but once they got into Patriot League play they started rolling. Carr is complemented by Derrick Mercer, another small guard at 5-9. Mercer averages 11.5 ppg and 4.3 apg and plays a smart, unselfish game with Carr. Brian Gilmore, a 6-8 senior, is the team's best inside player, scoring 12.4 ppg.
15. Binghamton
Record: 23-8
Best win: at Rutgers
Player to watch: D.J. Rivera is a 6-3 guard masquerading as a forward. He's a transfer from Saint Joseph's who averages 20.0 ppg and 6.5 rpg. He is quick and jumps well so he likes to attack the basket. He has a tendency to go for the spectacular play rather than the easy one, therefore he has 20 more turnovers than assists.
Notable: The Bearcats are a wild bunch in more ways than one. The rest of the league seems to regard them as bandits because the coaches didn't vote Rivera onto the league's first team even though he was regarded as the best player in America East. They're athletic and play tough defense (seven steals per game) but they have more turnovers than assists (as do their opponents, so games tend to be chaotic). They've also been outrebounded. Rivera isn't the only transfer that's transformed this program. Second-leading scorer Malik Alvin (11.7 ppg) started his career at UTEP. The point guard is Tiki Mayben, who played one season at UMass and started 12 games for the Minutemen. He averages 11.5 ppg and 4.6 apg. They'll take an 11-game winning streak into their first NCAA Tournament.
16. East Tennessee
Record: 23-10
Best win: Jacksonville
Player to watch: Kevin Tiggs is a wiry 6-4 forward who's a dangerous scorer, averaging 21.5 ppg on 54 percent shooting. Tiggs can be an outside threat, hitting 35.6 percent on 3-pointers, but is really a threat on the move inside the arc with a wingspan longer than his height.
Notable: The Buccaneers were the most talented team in the Atlantic Sun but underachieved for a lot of the season and finished second. The Bucs woke up, won their final two regular-season games by wide margins, then basically romped through the conference tournament. At least they're peaking at the right time. Mike Smith, a skin-headed tough guy, is the Bucs' best inside player at 6-6, averaging 15.5 ppg and a team-leading 7.7 rpg. Point guard Courtney Pigram, a 6-1 senior, has a scorer's mentality and averages 17.6 ppg and 4.1 assists.
