NCAA Tournament team capsules: South
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1. North Carolina
Record: 28-4
Best win: Michigan State
Player to watch: Point guard Ty Lawson had an incredible season. He might be the quickest player in the country, going end to end while dribbling faster than other players can do it running. He put pressure on teams with his aggressive play, getting good shots for himself and his teammates. Lawson has picked up his scoring this season (15.9) but is still a pass-first player (6.5 apg). Lawson was never known as a shooter but is hitting 53.8 percent of his field goals this season and 46.7 percent on threes.
Notable: Usually Tyler Hansbrough would be the player to watch. He was the national player of the year last season, but he won't be repeat. He missed some games early because of a stress reaction but he's still the strong, determined, competitive player he's always been who continues to score in creative ways near the basket. Until Boston College shocked them in January, the feeling was this team was going to steamroll its way to a national championship. The Tar Heels did have a little dip but they still might be the most talented team. Junior guard Wayne Ellington is a smooth operator (15.2 ppg) who will score from beyond the arc but can also put the ball on the floor. Danny Green, a 6-6 forward, is the ultimate glue guy (13.3 ppg) who has the knack for making a big shot. Here's one of the secrets to their success: the Tar Heels have made more free throws (625) than their opponents have attempts (523). As always, this is a well-coached group.
2. Oklahoma
Record: 27-5
Best win: Texas
Player to watch: Blake Griffin, the 6-10 sophomore center, is the consensus National Player of the Year. A rugged 250 pounds, he is a tower of power in the low post with both strength and skill, averaging 21.9 ppg and 14.3 rpg. He's a decent passer, too, which helps since he's constantly double-teamed.
Notable: Obviously, it all begins and ends with Griffin, but there is more to the Sooners. Young coach Jeff Capel, who played at Duke, is proving himself to be very capable and a possible future star. His team plays tough defense, holding opponents to 39.8 percent shooting. Griffin is joined up front by his older brother, Taylor, a 6-7 bruiser (9.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg). Freshman guard Willie Warren has provided some needed perimeter offense (14.7) and speed. Point guard Austin Johnson (8.8 ppg, 3.9 apg) has had a solid senior season.
3. Syracuse
Record: 26-9
Best win: UConn in 6 OTs
Player to watch: Jonny Flynn, Syracuse's sophomore point guard, is a pocket rocket (6-feet) who can blast past defenders with his cross-over dribble and get the ball in the lane where either he or a teammate can cause damage. He averages 17.5 ppg and 6.7 apg. He's not a bad three-pointer shooter, either (32.3 percent).
Notable: The Orange had a bad slump in conference play, dropping seven of 10 at one point, but finished the regular season with four straight wins. In the Big East tournament, they advanced to the finals (including the epic six-overtime victory over UConn). They are one of the best shooting teams in the country (48.8 percent) especially when big guys Paul Harris (he's only 6-5 but is a great leaper who averages 12.6 ppg), 6-9 Arinze Onuaku (10.3 ppg, 65.7 shooting percentage), and 6-9 Rich Jackson (8.1 ppg, 62.5 shooting percentage) get it in the paint. Andy Rautins, who averages 10.5 ppg, has the lowest shooting percentage (38.4) among key players but he's fearless. The son of former Syracuse star Leo Rautins will unload a long-range missile whatever the score. Eric Devendorf, a 6-4 junior guard, averages 15.9 and is adept at scoring on the move but has also developed his outside shot this season.
4. Gonzaga
Record: 26-5
Best win: Tennessee (twice)
Player to watch: Matt Bouldin, a 6-5 junior guard, plays a versatile, unselfish game and averages 13.7 ppg. He's a threat from the outside (44.8 percent on threes) but will often dribble-drive to score near the rim or find his teammates (3.4 apg).
Notable: The Zags have never been known for their defense but this season they lead the nation in field-goal percentage defense (36.7 percent), usually playing man-to-man. They don't necessarily force a ton of turnovers (15.3 per game) but they make teams miss. The leading scorer is 6-11 senior center Josh Heytvelt (14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg), who uses his outstanding leaping ability to score over people. Sophomore forward Austin Daye, son of former Celtic Darren Daye, is a great athlete with a wide wingspan. He averages 12.9 ppg and a team-leading 6.9 rpg. Point guard Jeremy Pargo, younger brother of NBA player Jannero Pargo, is a tremendously unselfish player, averaging 9.8 ppg (he could score a lot more) and 5.1 apg. The Zags played their usual tough out-of-conference schedule, facing Oklahoma State (W), Maryland (W), Tennessee twice (sweep), Washington State (W), Arizona (L), Utah (L), Connecticut (L), and Memphis (L).
5. Illinois
Record: 24-9
Best win: Missouri
Player to watch: Demetri McCamey really emerged in his sophomore season to become the Fighting
Notable: The Illini have not been pretty to watch this season, favoring a half-court physical game. They average 64.6 ppg while opponents score 56.6 while shooting only 39.3 percent. The inside game has been inconsistent but it has potential because of two other sophomores, 6-9 forward Mike Davis (11.23 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and 7-1 center Mike Tisdale (10.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Tisdale is a toothpick (he doesn't look as heavy as his listed 235 pounds) but his future could be bright. The team's best outside shooter is senior Trent Meacham (9.8 ppg, 41.4 percent on threes). Another player to watch comes off the bench, defensive stopper Jeff Jordan, son of Michael, who joined the team as a walk-on but earned a scholarship with his dedicated play.
6. Arizona State
Record: 24-9
Best win: BYU
Player to watch: James Hardin was a huge recruit for Herb Sendek after he took this job and he's come through. He was named the Pac-10 player of the year after averaging 20.8 ppg and 5.5 rpg. At 6-6, he's a tough matchup for most teams and that allows him to get shots over shorter players. A extremely unselfish player, he averages 4.2 apg.
Notable: Sendek has officially rebuilt the Sun Devil program with this NCAA bid. Hardin's a big reason but there are other important players, including Derek Glasser, a 6-1 junior guard, who played at Artesia High School with Hardin. Glasser averages 8.5 ppg while hitting 41.4 on threes and handing off 4.8 apg. Between him and Hardin, teammates have to be ready for passes at any time. The Sun Devils average 15 assists per game. Jeff Pendergraph, a 6-9 senior, is a tough inside player, he averages 14.5 ppg and 8.4 rpg.
7. Clemson
Record: 23-8
Best win: Duke
Player to watch: Terrence Oglesby, a 6-3 guard, is an unconscionable shot taker - the longer the better. He averages 13.5 ppg while hitting 39 percent of his threes. He's become a better passer in his sophomore season but the real show is when he launches one from 25.
Notable: The Tigers have established a reputation for being a nationally ranked team in December and then letting their season melt away in February and March. They were 19-2 after beating Duke Feb. 4; since then, they're 4-6, including an embarrassing loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC quarterfinals. This is still a talented group that could do well if they're not too mentally injured. Coach Oliver Purnell uses nine players and a full-court press most of the time. The two big guys - 6-7 Trevor Booker (15.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and 6-9 Raymond Sykes (7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg) - are beasts in the paint, tough and rugged. K.C. Rivers is a smooth, left-handed 6-5 forward who averages 14.2 ppg but is capable of bigger games.
8. LSU
Record: 26-7
Best win: at Mississippi State
Player to watch: Marcus Thornton, a 6-4 guard, has put together a tremendous senior season. He's an explosive scorer (he's had eight games of 30 or more points), averaging 20.7 and is capable of some amazing hot streaks. He'll toss in some long three-pointers (37.6 percent) but can also take defenders off the dribble.
Notable: When LSU hired Stanford coach Trent Johnson it was a little surprising that an SEC school would take a chance on a West Coast coach. It's worked, Johnson has taken John Brady's players and made them a better team. He's preaching defense and his team has responded, but it also helped that they played 21 home games. The Tigers were the best team in the SEC despite finishing the season with a two-game losing streak. While Thornton is the outside threat, 6-7 junior forward Tasmin Mitchell (16.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg) takes cares of things on the inside, scoring over defenders with his long reach. Garrett Temple, who's father and brother played at LSU too, is a 6-6 guard who averages 7.2 ppg and leads the team in assists (3.8).
9. Butler
Record: 26-5
Best win: at Xavier
Player to watch: Matt Howard is listed as 6-8; he's also listed as a forward. He is probably more like 6-5 - no more than 6-6 - and he's Butler's center. He makes the most of what he has with effort and guile. He leads the Bulldogs in both scoring (14.6 ppg, hitting 54.8 percent of his shots) and rebounding (6.7).
Notable: Coach Brad Stevens looks like he just graduated from college (OK, he didn't; it was 1999) but he coaches like a veteran. How else can you explain how he took one returning starter and put three freshmen on the floor and had this kind of season? Just tremendous. Gordon Hayward looks like he's in eighth grade but actually he's a 6-8 freshman forward who averages 13.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg and battles hard despite checking in at only 200 pounds. The other freshman starters are 6-3 guard Shelvin Mack (11.7 ppg, 3.4 apg) and 6-0 guard Ronald Nored (4.2 ppg). A fourth freshman, Zach Hahn, is a dangerous 3-point shooter off the bench (5.3 ppg). Two things are most important for the Bulldogs: shooting threes (they take 22.8 per game and make 35 percent) and defense (they hold opponents to 38.2 percent shooting, which is in the top five in the nation.)
10. Michigan
Record: 20-13
Best win: Duke
Player to watch: The Michigan offense flows through Manny Harris, a muscular 6-5 guard who leads the Wolverines in scoring (16.8), rebounding (6.9), assists (4.3), and steals (42). Harris can overpower other guards inside the arc although he's not an exceptional shooter (41.5 percent). He is an exceptional free throw shooter, hitting 85.6 percent.
Notable: Coach John Beilein has turned around Michigan basketball in his second year. The Wolverines were not projected to be an NCAA team before the season began. He did it with his usual touch, a tricky 1-3-1 zone trap on defense and patient, determined offense. His team doesn't shoot exceptionally well (except on three throws, 75.5 percent) but they manufacture enough offense. The formula was good enough to beat Duke and UCLA. The best inside player is 6-8 junior DeShawn Sims (15.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg). Laval Lucas-Perry, a 6-3 guard who averages 7.0 ppg, transferred from Arizona and fit into Beilein's scheme after becoming eligible in December.
11. Temple
Record: 22-11
Best win: Tennessee
Player to watch: Dionte Christmas, the Owls' 6-5 shooting guard, is capable of taking over games with his three-point shooting. He converts a decent 34.8 percent but when he gets on a streak, he's amazing. He needs to make up for a poor game in last season's tournament. He averages 19.2 ppg.
Notable: The Owls were 5-6 at the end of December and turned things around, not unlike last season, when they did the same thing and won the Atlantic 10 tournament. Coach Frank Dunphy has a decent inside combination with 6-9 sophomore Lavoy Allen (10.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and 7-0 junior Sergio Olmos (8.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Semaj Inge is the point guard (7.1 ppg, 3.6 apg).
12. Western Kentucky
Record: 24-8
Best win: Louisville
Player to watch: Orlando Mendez-Valdez doesn't look like your typical basketball player. He's a stocky 6-feet-1, 185 pounds, sort of like UConn's doughboy point guard Khalid El-Amin, but he uses his smarts and some good shooting on threes (40 percent) to average 14 ppg; he also contributes 3.9 apg and 4.1 rpg.
Notable: First-year coach Ken McDonald, a former assistant under Rick Barnes at Texas, put together a nice season mostly by using players who were reserves on last year's NCAA team. He has a team that lacks height but fights for rebounds (especially the guards) and plays good defense. The Hilltoppers were a little inconsistent. They beat Louisville but they also lost by 32 at Evansville, by 28 at Mississippi State, and by 27 at Murray State. The offense starts and ends on the perimeter with Mendez-Valdez, 6-3 junior A.J. Slaughter (15.8 ppg, 3.6 apg), and 6-5 sophomore Steffphon Pettigrew (12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg).
13. Akron
Record: 23-12
Best win: Buffalo
Player to watch: Nate Linhart is a hard-working 6-8 senior forward who was named MVP of the Mid-American Conference tournament. Linhart, a left-hander, averages 10.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg.
Notable: Bob Huggins was coach the last time Akron went to the NCAA Tournament in 1986. The coach now is Keith Dambrot, who coached LeBron James in high school. He's been Huggins-like with a 115-50 record in five seasons. The Zips are barely winners statistically, outscoring opponents 66.8-64.5, they've been outrebounded, and have more turnovers than assists. What they have going for them is tough defense and unselfish, team play. Dambrot uses up to nine players. The leading scorer is 6-6 sophomore Brett McKnight, who averages 11.4. Humpty Hitchens, a 5-9 freshman, is a key player at point guard where he averages 8.9 ppg and 2.2 apg.
14. Stephen F. Austin
Record: 24-7
Best win: at Drake
Player to watch: Matt Kingsley is a 6-9 senior forward and he's the main target as the Lumberjacks emphasize an inside game on offense. Kingsley averages 16.1 ppg while hitting 55 percent of his shots. He also averages a team-leading 7.8 rebounds per game.
Notable: Coach Danny Kaspar focuses on defense where statistically his team is one of the best in the country, and have been for several years. Opponents scored only 56 points per game against the Lumberjacks, which is the second-best in the country; plus they hold teams to 37.4 percent shooting, which is third in the country. On offense, getting the ball inside to Kingsley and 6-4 senior Joe Alexander is the strategy. Alexander averages 14.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg. The Lumberjacks' most unusual player is 5-3 point guard Eric Bell.
15. Morgan State
Record: 23-11
Best win: at Maryland
Player to watch: Marquise Kately is a 6-5 senior who transferred from California so he knows how to play against top-notch players. His offensive focus is inside the arc as he hits 47.7 percent of his shots while averaging 11.0 ppg and 5.4 rpg.
Notable: Coach Todd Bozeman coached Jason Kidd at California but left in disgrace for paying players. It wasn't until two years ago that a school would take a chance on him. It's worked out for Morgan State as he turned a losing program into a winning one and finally the school got its first NCAA berth. The team played a good non-conference schedule, losing to Utah, Mississippi, Saint Mary's, and Washington, but then pulled off the signature win of Bozeman's tenure by winning at Maryland. Two hometown players from Baltimore, Reggie Holmes and Jermaine Bolden, are key players. Holmes is a 6-4 junior who averages 16.9 ppg while Bolden is a 5-9 point guard, averaging 9.2 ppg and 4.9 apg.
16. Radford
Record: 21-11
Best win: VMI
Player to watch: Artsiom Parakhouski is a big house transplanted from Belarus. He's 6-10, 260, and he uses that size to his advantage with physical play in the paint. After arriving from junior college in Idaho, he averaged 16.3 ppg while hitting 55 percent of his shots, plus 11.2 rpg and 1.5 blocks per game.
Notable: The Highlanders started 4-9, losing to Virginia, William & Mary, Navy, Duquesne, James Madison, George Mason, West Virginia, and Wake Forest. So they've been forged by the heat of playing on the road, and it benefited them in the Big South season. Obviously, they have to be a lot better than they were in those road games if they're going to even think about an upset. They are well-coached by Brad Greenberg, brother of Virginia Tech coach Seth, and an NBA coaching and personnel guy. Parakhouski is complemented by 5-9 junior point guard Amir Johnson (9.6 ppg, 5.3 apg) and 6-3 senior guard Kenny Thomas (14.8 ppg, hitting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers). There are some ball-handing problems, with an average of 16 turnovers per game.
