NCAA Tournament team capsules: West

1. Connecticut
Record: 27-4
Best win: at Louisville
Player to watch: Senior guard A.J. Price is the key to this team. When he plays great, the Huskies look like a national championship contender. He averages 14.0 ppg and 4.7 apg but he's capable of scoring a lot more, such as the 36 he rang up at Marquette.
Notable: Here's the statistical anomaly: The Huskies, led by 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet (4.5 per game), lead the nation in blocked shots but also have the fewest fouls of any team. Jeff Adrien, the former Globe All-Scholastic from Brookline, is a beast in the low post, averaging 13.6 ppg and 10.0 rpg while converting half his shots. The loss of guard Jerome Dyson to injury has hurt the Huskies but freshman Kemba Walker (8.7 ppg, 2.7 apg) is quickly emerging as a future star off the bench. Stanley Robinson, a 6-8 senior forward, sat out the first semester for academic reasons but has caught up with his teammates, averaging 7.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg.

2. Memphis
Record: 31-3
Best win: at Gonzaga
Player to watch: Tyreke Evans, a 6-6 guard, came to Memphis as one of the highest-rated recruits in the country. He's had some ups and downs but coach John Calipari made him the point guard, trusting him with his dribble-drive offense. Evans still has too many turnovers but it's worked out. Evans with his lithe, rangy body, can score (16.6) and involve his teammates (3.8 apg). He also gets 5.5 rebounds per game.
Notable: Coach Cal has a more defensive-minded team this season and the Tigers are good at it, leading the nation in field-goal percentage defense (36.2) and they are third in victory margin (17,2). A key player is Antonio Anderson from Lynn, who scores 10.2 ppg, leads the team in assists (4.1) and gets 4.9 rebounds per game. Up front, the tandem of 6-9 Robert Dozier (12.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and 6-10 Shawn Taggart (10.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg) is formidable. The Tigers enter the tournament on a 25-game winning streak; their last loss was to Syracuse on Dec. 20.

3. Missouri
Record: 28-6
Best win: at Texas
Player to watch: DeMarre Carroll is a 6-8 forward who fits perfectly into the system his uncle, coach Mike Anderson, runs. He's versatile and contributes at both ends of the floor, guarding the player inbounding the ball in the full-court press on defense and providing an athletic presence on offense, averaging 16.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg. He hits 56 percent of his shots (even an occasional three) but excels at moving toward the basket.
Notable: Anderson was a former assistant to Nolan Richardson at Arkansas when the Razorbacks won the national championship with a fast-break offense and a full-court press. Anderson had some NCAA Tournament success at UAB with the same strategy. Now, he's got it going on at Missouri. The Tigers thrive in a chaotic, fast-paced game and it's fun to watch. Surprisingly, they don't turn the ball over that much and they force nearly 19 per game. Anderson will play as many as 11 players, shuttling them in and out to keep them fresh. The only other double-figure scorer is 6-9 center Leo Lyons (14.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg).

4. Washington
Record: 25-8
Best win: at Stanford
Player to watch: Jon Brockman, Washington's 6-foot-7, 255-pound senior center, probably could slide right over to a different job. How about Marine drill instructor? He's a tough guy with a buzz cut who uses his wide-body to full affect in the lane, scoring 14.9 ppg and averaging 11.2 rpg.
Notable: The Huskies were not regarded as a title contender in the Pac-10 this season, but they surprised everyone by winning their first outright title since 1953. Coach Lorenzo Romar has had more talented teams but this group plays together. It also helped that he had one of the best freshman in the country, Isaiah Thomas. Thomas, a 5-foot-8 guard from Tacoma who attended prep school in South Kent, Conn., for two years, obviously idolizes Allen Iverson, wearing the same arm sleeve and adopting his mannerisms. He averages 15.4 ppg and 2.5 apg. The Huskies' backcourt is tiny as Thomas teams with 5-11 senior Justin Dentmon (15.0 ppg). Forward Quincy Pondexter is an athletic 6-6 forward who averages 11.5 ppg and gets a good percentage of offensive rebounds. The Huskies benefited from a heavy home schedule, going 18-1 in their beautiful arena.

5. Purdue
Record: 25-9
Best win: Michigan State
Player to watch: E'Twaun Moore is a smooth operator, gliding gracefully to the hoop or stopping for a short jumper. Moore is a scorer (13.8) although not a great shooter (42.9). He finds ways to put the ball in the basket but he's not selfish, averaging 3.1 assists. He's better on the move but can nail a three when needed. He'll get a rebound too, averaging 4.8.
Notable: The Boilermakers have top-10 talent but one major injury has changed the team. Robbie Hummel, an All-Big 10 player last season, injured his back. He's still trying to play but it affects his game and he's so integral to the team that his lesser play really hurts. Despite all that he averages 12.8 ppg and 6.8 rebounds. Defense is key for the Boilers, they hold teams to 38.1 percent shooting and the best defender is 6-3 tough guy Chris Kramer, who always draws the other team's best guard. Inside, the Boilers rely on 6-10 sophomore JaJuan Johnson, who averages 13.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg and has the potential to be a great player some day. This is still a young team so they might not go far this season but next season should be a good one.

6. Marquette
Record: 24-9
Best win: Villanova
Player to watch: Jerel McNeal is the leading scorer in Marquette history with 1,930 points. He has been a tremendous player for four years, using his height (6-5) to take advantage of smaller players but combining that with a smooth outside game (40.6 on threes). McNeal averages 19.3 ppg and is a terrific defender.
Notable: Marquette was a threat for a long run in the NCAAs until point guard Dominic James injured his foot late in the season. That leaves them short a very good player. Coach Buzz Williams plays three guards: McNeal, 6-5 senior Wesley Matthews (17.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), and the speedy Maurice Acker (2.7 ppg), a 5-8 junior who replaced James. Lazar Hayward, a 6-6 junior forward, has a good inside-outside game (15.6 ppg, 36 percent on threes). The team could use more inside play, however. The two big guys, 6-8 Dwight Burke and 6-6 Jimmy Butler, are inconsistent.

7. California
Record: 22-10
Best win: at Washington
Player to watch: Jerome Randle, the Bears' 5-10 point guard, is a tough-minded player who seems to relish making plays in the clutch. He's an outstanding ballhandler who averages 4.9 apg but is also an outstanding shooter, hitting 50 percent overall and 46.8 on threes (including some real long-range bombs).
Notable: Coach Mike Montgomery had great success at Stanford and tried the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. That didn't work out so well, and he came back to college at Cal, his old school's rival. He has made an immediate difference. It helped that he had a talented backcourt in Randle and 6-5 Patrick Christopher. Christopher has an unorthodox jump shot but it goes in 44.7 percent of the time and he averages 14.6 ppg. Mostly because of these two, the Bears led the nation in 3-point shooting percentage, but they're judicious in the amount they take. The two forwards, 6-6 Theo Robertson (12.8 ppg) and 6-8 Jamal Boykin (9.6 ppg after transferring from Duke), are hard workers and physical players. The center is 7-0 Jordan Wilkes, son of former UCLA and NBA star Jamaal Wilkes. Freshman Jorge Gutierrez (4.6 ppg) is a game-changer when he comes off the bench.

8. BYU
Record: 25-7
Best win: Utah State
Player to watch: Lee Cummard is a skinny 6-7 senior forward but ignore his slight appearance because this guy can play. Cummard jumps well and shoots 52 percent and that includes three-pointers, which he isn't shy about launching. Don't foul him, he hits 86.8 percent. He averages 16.8 ppg and also grabs 6.3 rpg and is second on the team in assists (3.2 per game).
Notable: BYU coach David Rose usually uses only seven players so the starters get a lot of time. The Cougars are not a half-court team, however, they average 77.4 ppg and like to get out on the break. Jonathan Tavernari is a 6-6 junior forward from Brazil who played high school ball in the United States and a man with a quick trigger. The ball doesn't stay in his hands long and when it leaves it's usually going to the basket. He averages 15.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Jimmer Fredette, a 6-2 sophomore point guard, came to Provo from Glens Falls, N.Y. He looks for his teammates first (4.1 apg) but can score 16.2 ppg sometimes in big numbers. Jackson Emery is a 6-3 sophomore guard who only averages 7.8 ppg but he's a great athlete and a collector of loose balls and stray rebounds. Overall, this is an outstanding shooting team, hitting 48.7 percent, fifth in the nation.

9. Texas A&M
Record: 23-9
Best win: LSU
Player to watch: Josh Carter is a 6-7 guard who loves to live outside the arc. He averages 14.1 ppg and hits 40.9 percent of his threes. He's capable of some incredible streaks when the shots are falling.
Notable: The Aggies had a serious slump, losing seven of 10 at one point, but rallied to win their final six games to secure this berth although they came up flat in the Big 12 tournament, losing to Texas Tech in the first round. Junior guard Donald Sloan is the top playmaker, averaging 3.0 apg. The inside game revolves around 6-10 Chinemelu Elonu (10.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and 6-9 Bryan Davis (10.4 ppg, 6.4 apg). Coach Mark Turgeon uses his bench liberally, sometimes playing as many as 10 players.

10. Maryland
Record: 20-13
Best win: Michigan State
Player to watch: Greivis Vasquez, the Terrapins' 6-4 sophomore guard, mirrors the entire Maryland team. At times, he can be spectacular and then the next moment a knucklehead. His size helps him on both ends of the court but he's not a great shooter (39.9 percent) except on the free-throw line (87 percent). He leads the team in scoring (17.2), rebounding (5.5) and assists (5.1).
Notable: Coach Gary Williams has come under heavy criticism this season as his team was wildly inconsistent, but in the end cobbled together enough good wins (Michigan State and North Carolina) to overset some down times (a home loss to Morgan State). The Terps also had a losing record in away games. Another weakness is rebounding, opponents have outrebounded them. Eric Hayes, a 6-4 sophomore has an unselfish game like Vasquez. He averages 10.2 ppg and 3.2 apg. Landon Milbourne, a 6-7 junior, is the team's best inside player. He averages 11.6 ppg, hitting 49.2 of his shots.

11. Utah State
Record: 30-4
Best win: Utah
Player to watch: Gary Wilkinson is a veteran player - 26 years old, to be exact - and that experience helps the Aggies' 6-9, 240-pound center work his way around the paint. He's adept at scoring in the paint and averages 17.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg.
Notable: The Aggies have older players (mostly because of Mormon missions) but coach Stew Morrill had to rebuild this season and it's been a complete success. The schedule hasn't been the most difficult (the WAC is down this year) but the Aggies do two things very well: they play smartly and shoot the ball (49.8 percent, second in the nation). They have two dangerous outside scorers in Jared Quayle (12.9 ppg and 38 percent on threes) and Tyler Newbold (9.1 ppg and 40 percent on threes). Tai Wesley, a 6-7 forward, is the other inside presence for the Aggies. He averages 11.9 ppg and 6.1 rpg.

12. Northern Iowa
Record: 23-10
Best win: at Creighton
Player to watch: Adam Koch, a 6-8 junior who is the best player on a well-balanced team. Koch is fundamentally sound, averages 12.3 ppg on 50 percent shooting, grabs 5.2 rebounds, and hits 77 percent of his free throws.
Notable: It may sound as though guards Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Ali Farokhmanesh are exchange students but they're not. Ahelegbe is from Oakdale, Minn., and Farokhmanesh from Iowa City, and they complement each other well. Ahelegbe averages 11.8 ppg and 3.1 apg while Farokhmanesh averages 9.6 ppg. Both shot over 36 percent on threes. On the inside, the Panthers can get good production from 7-1 Jordan Eglseder, who averages 10.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg. One bad sign: the Panthers lost to Siena, 81-75, in a Bracketbuster game that wasn't as close as the score indicated.

13. Mississippi State
Record: 23-12
Best win: LSU
Player to watch: Jarvis Varnado, the Bulldogs 6-9 center, has the most blocked shots in the country (165) and opponents feel his affect all game long. Obviously, it's not easy getting the ball inside. Varnado is also the team's leading scorer (13.1 ppg) and rebounder (9.0).
Notable: The month of March changed the inconsistent Bulldogs. They've won six straight including the SEC tournament, or otherwise they'd probably not be in the field of 65. Defensively, led by Varnado, opponents only hit 41.3 of their shots. Offensively, the Bulldogs are a lot more inconsistent. When they're hitting 3-pointers they become a much better team. The outside threats are 6-2 junior Barry Stewart (12.4 ppg and 36 percent on threes) and 6-7 sophomore Ravern Johnson (12.2 ppg and 40 percent on threes).

14. Cornell
Record: 21-9
Best win: LaSalle
Player to watch: Ryan Wittman, a 6-6 junior forward, is the son of Randy Wittman, former college star at Indiana, NBA veteran, and former coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's not as good as his father, but he's a standout in the Ivy League with his inside-outside game. He averages 18.5 ppg while hitting 45 percent overall and 41 percent on threes.
Notable: The Big Red were hindered by injuries. Point guard Louis Dale (13.5 ppg, 3.6 apg) only played 22 games, missing time early in the season, but he was back in form in Ivy League play. Senior guard Adam Gore also missed a lot of time because of injury and now comes off the bench; he's a dangerous shooter. Cornell does have something few teams have: a legitimate center in 7-footer Jeff Foote, who averages 11.8 ppg and 7.1 rpg. The Big Red are outstanding 3-point shooters, hitting 41.5 percent, third in the nation.

15. Cal State Northridge
Record: 17-13
Best win: Pacific
Player to watch: Rodrique Mels, the Matadors' 6-3 senior guard from Guadeloupe, was named the MVP of the Big West tournament after scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds. The team will need him to continue that production in the NCAAs.
Notable: Trouble has followed the Matadors this season so it's surprising they were able to win the Big West tournament and earn an NCAA berth. Early in the season they went on a six-game road trip and lost every game. In January, leading scorer Deon Tresvant and coach Bobby Braswell's son were arrested on suspicion of stealing $6,600 from an electronics store. Both players were suspended. Then in February, starting point guard Josh Jenkins suffered internal injuries in a car accident that ended his season. Jenkins led the conference in assists at the time. The Matadors have a one-two punch down low with 6-9 Tremaine Townsend (10.9 ppg and 8.4 rpg) and Willie Galick (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 57 shooting percentage).

16. Chattanooga
Record: 18-16
Best win: Niagara
Player to watch: The offense runs through Stephen McDowell (18.6 ppg), a 5-11 senior who took 145 more shots than the next-highest player on the team. He's a dangerous 3-point shooter, hitting 43 percent. He launches more than nine threes per game.
Notable: The Mocs are lucky to be here, let's be honest. They hosted the Southern Conference tournament and got very lucky when the College of Charleston upset the league's best team, Davidson, in the semifinals. They started the season 0-5 but four of the losses were to Tennessee, Missouri, Memphis, and Southern Cal. Of course, the other one was to Fairfield. Nicchaeus Doaks, a 6-7 senior, is a tough inside scorer, averaging 13.9 ppg on 51 percent shooting, and is the team's leading rebounder (8.7 per game).