A Brief History of Basketball (Just in Time for the Final Four)
Born in the Ontario village of Almonte in 1861, James Naismith was a hardworking athlete who excelled at many sports,
and who chafed when the long Canadian winter kept him from playing outdoors, resulting in added pounds and lost
strength.
Naismith moved to Massachusetts, where he taught physical education at a small Christian college. The winter weather of
New England was no better than that of Ontario, but the school had an assembly hall with moveable benches and a
hardwood floor. Naismith concocted a game suited to the room’s high ceiling and rectangular plan, a game that combined
elements of soccer, football, hockey, and baseball and that emphasized teamwork and friendly, nonviolent competition.
Naismith’s invention made use of a regulation soccer ball that, instead of being kicked, was bounced or passed by hand
from one end of the room to the other and launched into a peach basket hung at either end—which gave the new game its
name, basketball.
First played with nine members on each team, Naismith’s game quickly spread throughout New England, and then
elsewhere in the United States. By 1896 enough colleges had formed teams that the first extramural competition was held,
but now with only five players to a team.
Two years later, the first professional basketball league was organized. In the next few years, with Naismith’s approval,
new rules were devised to insure that the game would be played in a friendly spirit. Most important of the new rules were
those defining fouls and the penalties for them, most of which allowed the fouled player to take possession of the ball and
sometimes to throw it without opposition. Other rules helped speed the game by pitting play against a clock, and not by an
accumulation of points, which could and often did take hours to achieve. The game evolved over the decades, with the
addition of yet other rules over the years, including one that allowed players to shoot with one hand—an innovation that
gave rise to the spectacular balletic moves of players like Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Wilt
Chamberlain in the 1960s and ’70s.
Important technical innovations to the game came early on. One was the addition of nets to the baskets, which allowed the
ball to fall through and be retrieved on the court; earlier, a referee or player had to climb a ladder to pluck the ball from
the wooden baskets of old. Another was the addition of a backboard to the basket—an innovation meant not for the
shooter’s convenience, but instead to keep fans of the defending team from sticking their arms into the basket and
blocking the opposing team’s shot.
Basketball traveled to France and England in 1893, to Germany in 1894, and to Japan in 1900. It became an official
Olympic event at the 1936 Berlin Games, which hastened its spread to many other countries. Throughout the Cold War,
international basketball courts took the place of battlefields, with the United States and the Soviet Union competing neckand-neck for domination of the game. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s did not remove politics from
basketball. In the place of the old superpower competition came rivalries among teams from the former republics of
Yugoslavia, for instance, and between players from the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.
Other countries have developed strong teams in recent years, and sometimes in the unlikeliest of places. In recent years,
the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, for instance, has fielded three dozen amateur teams, while the principality of
Andorra, with only 86,500 inhabitants, sponsored nine amateur teams while establishing the sport as part of the country’s
physical education curriculum. Even the Himalayan nation of Nepal now boasts a professional team.
But nowhere is basketball more popular than in the United States, the game’s birthplace 122 years ago. Once restricted to
the long northerly winter, basketball’s calendar has grown to embrace every season—and now that March madness has
wound down and spring has begun, the NCAA Final Four competition is upon us, as it is sure to be every April for years
to come.
13 Rules of Basketball - Written by James Naismith
1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance
to be made for a man running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of
this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or,
if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means
without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there,
providing those defending the goal do no touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the
opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching
it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds.
If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall
call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three
consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it
belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals,
with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner.
The rules of basketball, thankfully, are fairly straightforward. However, for the younger players, some rules can be easily forgotten.
The three-second rule addressing how long an offensive player can be in the key before clearing out is a good example.
Once you have taught the rules of the game to your team, there is a simple way to make sure that they don't forget them. Have them
tell you the rules. Spend a few minutes during each practice quizzing them. Make it fun. Additionally, you can teach and reinforce the
rules of the game during drills.
Before you can teach the rules to your team, you must know them yourself...
The Rules
Basketball is a team sport. Two teams of five players each try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop elevated 10 feet above the
ground. The game is played on a rectangular floor called the court, and there is a hoop at each end. The court is divided into two main
sections by the mid-court line. If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, it has ten seconds to get the ball
over the mid-court line. If it doesn't, then the defense gets the ball. Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, it can
no longer have possession of the ball in the area in back of the line. If it does, the defense is awarded the ball.
The ball is moved down the court toward the basket by passing or dribbling. The team with the ball is called the offense. The team
without the ball is called the defense. They try to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
When a team makes a basket, they score two points and the ball goes to the other team. If a basket, or field goal, is made outside of the
three-point arc, then that basket is worth three points. A free throw is worth one point. Free throws are awarded to a team according to
some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed. Fouling a shooter always results in
two or three free throws being awarded the shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot. If he was beyond the three-point line,
then he gets three shots. Other types of fouls do not result in free throws being awarded until a certain number have accumulated
during a half. Once that number is reached, then the player who was fouled is awarded a '1-and-1' opportunity. If he makes his first
free throw, he gets to attempt a second. If he misses the first shot, the ball is live on the rebound.
Each game is divided into sections. All levels have two halves. In college, each half is twenty minutes long. In high school and below,
the halves are divided into eight (and sometimes, six) minute quarters. In the pros, quarters are twelve minutes long. There is a gap of
several minutes between halves. Gaps between quarters are relatively short. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, then overtime
periods of various lengths are played until a winner emerges.
Each team is assigned a basket or goal to defend. This means that the other basket is their scoring basket. At halftime, the teams
switch goals. The game begins with one player from either team at center court. A referee will toss the ball up between the two. The
player that gets his hands on the ball will tip it to a teammate. This is called a tip-off. In addition to stealing the ball from an opposing
player, there are other ways for a team to get the ball.
One such way is if the other team commits a foul or violation.
History of the NCAA Basketball Tournament
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament played each spring in the
United States, currently featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship of the major
college basketball teams. The tournament, organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), was
created during 1939 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and was the idea of Ohio State University coach
Harold Olsen. Played mostly during March, it is known informally as March Madness or the Big Dance, and has become
one of the most famous annual sporting events in the United States. The NCAA has credited Bob Walsh of the Seattle
Organizing Committee for starting the March Madness celebration during 1984.
The tournament teams include champions from 32 Division I conferences (which receive automatic bids), and 36 teams
which are awarded at-large berths. These "at-large" teams are chosen by an NCAA selection committee in a nationally
televised event on the Sunday preceding the First Four play-in tournament, currently held in Dayton, Ohio, and dubbed
Selection Sunday, as detailed below. The 68 teams are divided into four regions and organized into a single elimination
"bracket", which predetermines, when a team wins a game, which team it will face next. Each team is "seeded", or ranked,
within its region. After an initial four games between eight lower-ranked teams, the tournament occurs during the course
of three weekends, at pre-selected neutral sites around the United States. Lower-ranked teams are placed in the bracket
against higher ranked teams. Each weekend eliminates three quarters of the teams, from a round of 64, to a "Sweet
Sixteen", and for the last weekend of the Tournament a Final Four; the Final Four is usually played during the first
weekend of April. These four teams, one from each region, then compete in one location for the national championship.
The tournament has been at least partially televised since 1969. Presently, the games are broadcast by CBS, TBS, TNT,
and truTV by the trade-name NCAA March Madness. Since 2011, all games are available for viewing nationwide. As
television coverage has grown, so too has the tournament's popularity. Presently, millions of Americans "fill out a
bracket" predicting winners of all 67 games.
With 11 national titles, UCLA has the record for the most NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships; John
Wooden coached UCLA to 10 of its 11 titles. The University of Kentucky is second, with 8 national titles, while Indiana
University and the University of North Carolina are tied for third with 5 national titles. Duke University ranks fifth with 4
national titles.
Expansion of Field:
The NCAA tournament has expanded a number of times throughout its history. This is a breakdown of the
history of the tournament formats:
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1939–1950: 8 teams
1951–1952: 16 teams
1953–1974: varied between 22 and 25 teams
1975–1978: 32 teams
1979: 40 teams
1980–1982: 48 teams
1983: 52 teams (four play-in games before the tournament)
1984: 53 teams (five play-in games before the tournament)
1985–2000: 64 teams
2001–2010: 65 teams (with an opening round game to determine whether the 64th or 65th team plays in
the first round)
2011–present: 68 teams (four play-in games in the first round before all remaining teams compete in the
second round)
What Are the Positive Effects of Being a Basketball Player?
Basketball is among the most popular and fastest growing sports in the world; according to the International
Basketball Federation, over 450 million people play basketball across the globe. Anyone who plays basketball on a
regular basis can expect to experience a wide range of benefits. Basketball is excellent for training several body
systems and improving your ability to make decisions in dynamic environments.
Burn Calories
Basketball requires you to perform a diverse set of athletic techniques including running, jumping and quick lateral
movements. Playing an hour of basketball provides a significant amount of aerobic exercise and can burn a great
deal of calories. When you play one hour of competitive basketball, you can expect to burn around 600 calories if
you are a 165-pound person and up to 900 calories if you weight 250 pounds. The exact number of calories burned
will vary based on your weight, physical health and the amount of effort and energy that you expend during play.
Motor Coordination
To be a good basketball player you must learn to perform many skills with the ball. Practicing skills like free throw
shooting and jump shooting is particularly helpful for training your hand-eye coordination. Rebounding missed shots
is another skill that requires a great degree of full-body coordination.To be a successful rebounder you must
coordinate the timing of your jump to reach the ball as it caroms from the hoop and do so before other players do.
Rebounding also trains hand-eye coordination, as you must safely secure the ball with your hands before others tip it
away. The third basic basketball skill, dribbling, requires a finer degree of coordination. When you are first learning
basketball, dribbling trains your hand-eye coordination; once you master the skill, you'll no longer look at the ball
while dribbling and the skill will become a pure motor coordination task.
Strength Training
Basketball provides an excellent full-body workout and can help you develop useful, lean muscle. People who don't
play basketball may not realize that it is a physically intensive contact sport. Defense and rebounding are two aspects
of the game that are highly reliant on effective body positioning and the ability to maintain that position when your
opponent exerts bodily force upon you. Playing good defensive basketball can develop your deltoids, traps, neck,
lower back and core muscles. Since basketball requires a lot of running and jumping, it is also excellent for
developing and toning leg and groin muscles. The finer movements that you perform in basketball, such as dribbling
and shooting, are good for strengthening your arms, wrist flexors and hand muscles.
Mental Development
Basketball requires a wide range of physical skills, but it is also a fast-paced mental game. Research on the mental
aspects of basketball has revealed that players must develop a great deal of attentional control to quickly and
accurately process what's happening on the court and make effective decisions with the ball and on defense.
Attentional control refers to your ability to direct your focus in a desired direction; in basketball, you must train
yourself to constantly observe your teammates and opponents and evaluate what course of action to take in response
to their actions. Research conducted by Dr. Daniel Gopher of the International Ergonomics Association suggests that
the attentional control skills that you learn while playing basketball can even help you make quick decisions on the
job and in other real-life situations.
What Are the Positive Effects of Being a Basketball Player?
Basketball is among the most popular and fastest growing sports in the world; according to the International
Basketball Federation, over 450 million people play basketball across the globe. Anyone who plays basketball on a
regular basis can expect to experience a wide range of benefits. Basketball is excellent for training several body
systems and improving your ability to make decisions in dynamic environments.
Burn Calories
Basketball requires you to perform a diverse set of athletic techniques including running, jumping and quick lateral
movements. Playing an hour of basketball provides a significant amount of aerobic exercise and can burn a great
deal of calories. When you play one hour of competitive basketball, you can expect to burn around 600 calories if
you are a 165-pound person and up to 900 calories if you weigh 250 pounds. The exact number of calories burned
will vary based on your weight, physical health and the amount of effort and energy that you expend during play.
Motor Coordination
To be a good basketball player you must learn to perform many skills with the ball. Practicing skills like free throw
shooting and jump shooting is particularly helpful for training your hand-eye coordination. Rebounding missed shots
is another skill that requires a great degree of full-body coordination. To be a successful rebounder you must
coordinate the timing of your jump to reach the ball as it caroms from the hoop and do so before other players do.
Rebounding also trains hand-eye coordination, as you must safely secure the ball with your hands before others tip it
away. The third basic basketball skill, dribbling, requires a finer degree of coordination. When you are first learning
basketball, dribbling trains your hand-eye coordination; once you master the skill, you'll no longer look at the ball
while dribbling and the skill will become a pure motor coordination task.
Strength Training
Basketball provides an excellent full-body workout and can help you develop useful, lean muscle. People who don't
play basketball may not realize that it is a physically intensive contact sport. Defense and rebounding are two aspects
of the game that are highly reliant on effective body positioning and the ability to maintain that position when your
opponent exerts bodily force upon you. Playing good defensive basketball can develop your deltoids, traps, neck,
lower back and core muscles. Since basketball requires a lot of running and jumping, it is also excellent for
developing and toning leg and groin muscles. The finer movements that you perform in basketball, such as dribbling
and shooting, are good for strengthening your arms, wrist flexors and hand muscles.
Mental Development
Basketball requires a wide range of physical skills, but it is also a fast-paced mental game. Research on the mental
aspects of basketball has revealed that players must develop a great deal of attentional control to quickly and
accurately process what's happening on the court and make effective decisions with the ball and on defense.
Attentional control refers to your ability to direct your focus in a desired direction; in basketball, you must train
yourself to constantly observe your teammates and opponents and evaluate what course of action to take in response
to their actions. Research conducted by Dr. Daniel Gopher of the International Ergonomics Association suggests that
the attentional control skills that you learn while playing basketball can even help you make quick decisions on the
job and in other real-life situations.
Player Positions
Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the basket.
Offensive -- The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also responsible for blocking defenders,
known as picking or screening, to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get
some offensive rebounds and put-backs.
Defensive -- On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots and
passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they're taller.
Forward. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be called upon to play under the
hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and corner areas.
Offensive -- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.
Defensive -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.
Guard. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing the court, and
passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays.
Offensive -- Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main responsibilities. They also need to be
able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.
Defensive -- On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and
for boxing out.
Player Positions
Center. Centers are generally your tallest players. They generally are positioned near the basket.
Offensive -- The center's goal is to get open for a pass and to shoot. They are also responsible for blocking defenders,
known as picking or screening, to open other players up for driving to the basket for a goal. Centers are expected to get
some offensive rebounds and put-backs.
Defensive -- On defense, the center's main responsibility is to keep opponents from shooting by blocking shots and
passes in the key area. They also are expected to get a lot of rebounds because they're taller.
Forward. Your next tallest players will most likely be your forwards. While a forward may be called upon to play under the
hoop, they may also be required to operate in the wings and corner areas.
Offensive -- Forwards are responsible to get free for a pass, take outside shots, drive for goals, and rebound.
Defensive -- Responsibilities include preventing drives to the goal and rebounding.
Guard. These are potentially your shortest players and they should be really good at dribbling fast, seeing the court, and
passing. It is their job to bring the ball down the court and set up offensive plays.
Offensive -- Dribbling, passing, and setting up offensive plays are a guard's main responsibilities. They also need to be
able to drive to the basket and to shoot from the perimeter.
Defensive -- On defense, a guard is responsible for stealing passes, contesting shots, preventing drives to the hoop, and
for boxing out.
2014 NCAA tournament: Midwest region capsules and
analysis
Best round of 64 matchup: Despite fading a bit down the
stretch, UMass earned a surprising No. 6 seed and could very
well end up as an underdog to either Iowa or Tennessee, who
will play in Dayton on Tuesday to get into the main bracket.
The Minutemen are fun to watch, playing a fast-paced,
frenetic style on both ends of the court that relies on scoring in
transition and pressure defense. They also have one of the
nation's most dynamic players in 5-9 point guard Chaz
Williams, who averages 15.8 points and 7.0 assists. Both Iowa
and Tennessee, however, are ranked higher in most statisticsbased analytic models and could very well make the
Minutemen's first trip to the tournament since 1998 a short
one.
Potential upset: Duke should be wary of the Mercer Bears.
Much like Florida Gulf Coast last season, Mercer comes out of
the Atlantic Sun as a dangerous double-digit seed, with eight
wins in its last 10 games. Laden with seniors, the Bears are
efficient offensively, make 39% of their three-pointers and get
balanced scoring from six different players led by guard
Langston Hall (14.7 ppg). The Bears also have more size than
a traditional mid-major, with an array of 6-4 guards and 6-10
center Daniel Coursey, who averages nearly 10 points and
seven rebounds. Mercer beat Seton Hall and Ole Miss in the
regular season and only lost to Texas by three points, proving
they can hang with power conference talent.
The sleeper: Can a preseason No. 1 team qualify as a sleeper?
Given the outsized expectations for Kentucky, it was a
disappointing season on pretty much every level as the
Wildcats scuffled to a 24-10 record. Furthermore, Kentucky
beat just three NCAA tournament teams (Providence,
Louisville and Tennessee) and didn't play with much cohesion
or passion over the final dozen games of the regular season.
That's why they ended up with a No. 8 seed, despite making
the SEC tournament championship game. Still, Kentucky has
the biggest collection of future NBA talent in the country and
showed some signs of putting it together in Atlanta, falling 6160 to Florida. Calipari's one-and-done factory against
experienced and unbeaten Wichita State is a dream Round of
32 matchup.
The winner: Despite getting a No. 4 seed, at least one line
lower than expected, the bracket shakes out pretty well for
Louisville. The Cardinals have won 12 of their last 13 games,
all but one by blowout margins, and appear to be peaking at
the right time. They also get a favorable path to the Sweet 16,
where they would potentially face Wichita State in a rematch
of last year's national semifinal. Louisville isn't quite as good
defensively as last season's NCAA champions, but Rick
Pitino's team is shooting it well enough to get back to a Final
Four. Senior guard Russ Smith has been almost unguardable
since playing on the ball more late in the season and has made
13 of his last 20 from 3-point range.
No. 1 Wichita State
Nickname: Shockers. Location: Wichita.
Record: 34-0, 18-0. Bid: Missouri Valley champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in Final Four.
Coach: Gregg Marshall, 5-9 in nine appearances.
Overview: The Shockers are the first team to enter the NCAA
tournament unbeaten in 23 years. Wichita State's weak
strength of schedule (97th nationally) and its mid-major tag
have led to skepticism, the Shockers are efficient in a lot of
areas. It starts on the defensive end — where the players' chipon-their-shoulder toughness comes out best.
Did you know? Shockers reflects the university's heritage:
Early students earned money by shocking, or harvesting,
wheat in nearby fields.
Starters: F Cleanthony Early, 6-8, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg); G
Ron Baker, 6-3, So. (13.1 ppg, 3.1 apg); G Fred VanFleet, 511, So. (12.1 ppg, 5.3 apg); G Tekele Cotton, 6-2, Jr. (10.8
ppg, 4.1 rpg); C Kadeem Coleby, 6-9 Sr. (2.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg).
No. 2 Michigan
Nickname: Wolverines. Location: Ann Arbor.
Record: 25-8, 15-3. Bid: Big Ten at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in national title
game.
Coach: John Beilein, 13-8 in eight appearances.
Overview: The Wolverines won the Big Ten regular-season
crown, overcoming the injury to star sophomore Mitch
McGary, who played in eight games. A deep and experienced
team, Michigan won seven in a row before falling in the Big
Ten title game.
Did you know? Guard Spike Albrecht earned the nickname
"Spike" because he never took off his baseball cleats when he
was young.
Starters: G Nik Stauskus, 6-6, So. (17.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 45.8
3FG%); G Caris LeVert, 6-6, So. (13.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 41.0
3FG%); G Derrick Walton Jr., 6-1, Fr. (8.1 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.9
rpg); F Glenn Robinson III, 6-6, So. (13.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 49.7
FG%); F Jordan Morgan, 6-8, Sr. (5.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 69.0
FG%).
No. 3 Duke
Nickname: Blue Devils. Location: Durham, N.C.
Record: 26-8, 13-5. Bid: ACC at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in Elite Eight.
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, 82-25 in 29 appearances.
Overview: Jabari Parker lived up to his billing as one of the
nation's top freshmen. He and Rodney Hood are part of an
athletic frontcourt that lacks size and depth to match up with
more physical opponents. Foul trouble caused them problems
during the season. The Blue Devils explosive offense avoids
turnovers and relies on three-point shot. They ranked among
the nation's leaders in both categories.
Did you know? Duke is the only school not named after a city
or state to win a national title since 1985.
Starters: F Jabari Parker, 6-8, Fr. (19.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 48.7
FG%); F Rodney Hood, 6-8, So. (16.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 42.5
3FG%, 81.9 FT%); F Amile Jefferson, 6-9, So. (6.5 ppg, 6.6
rpg, 65.1 FG%), G Rasheed Sulaimon, 6-4, So. (9.5 ppg, 2.6
apg, 42.4 3FG%) G Tyler Thornton, 6-2, Sr. (3.1 ppg, 83.3
FT%).
No. 4 Louisville
Nickname: Cardinals.Location: Louisville.
Record: 29-5, 15-3.Bid: American champ.
Last appearance: 2013, national champion.
Coach: Rick Pitino, 48-16 in 18 appearances.
Overview: Russ Smith has made his game less, well, Russdiculous this year and cut down on his turnovers. The
defending champs miss the steadying influence of Peyton Siva
in the back court, but the rapid development of Chris Jones
has helped.
Did you know? The tradition of the University of Louisville
marching band performingMy Old Kentucky Home at the
Kentucky Derby began in 1936. Bold Venture, a longshot who
had never won a stakes race ridden by apprentice jockey Babe
Hanford, was that year's winner.
Starters: G Russ Smith, 6-0, Sr. (17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg,
2.0 spg); F Montrezl Harrell, 6-8, So. (14.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg); F
Luke Hancock, 6-6, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 82.3 ft%); G Chris Jones, 510, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.2 spg); F Stephan Van Treese, 6-9,
Sr. (2.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
No. 5 Saint Louis
Nickname: Billikens.Location: St. Louis.
Record: 26-6, 13-3.Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Oregon in third round.
Coach:Jim Crews, 2-5 in five appearances.
Overview:The Billikens start five seniors, almost unheard of
in this one-and-done era. They claimed their second
consecutive regular-season title but were shocked by St.
Bonaventure in the quarterfinals of the A-10 tournament. After
starting 24-2, including 19 consecutive wins, SLU has
dropped four of its last five.
Did you know? Crews was a senior on Indiana's 1975-76
squad that went 32-0, the last undefeated national champion.
Starters:F Dwayne Evans, 6-6, Sr. (14.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg); G
Jordair Jett, 6-1, Sr. (13.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.7 apg); F Rob Loe,
6-11, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 76.5 FT%); G Mike McCall Jr., 60, Sr. (9.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 75.7 FT%); F Jake Barnett, 6-5, Sr.
(4.9 ppg).
No. 6 Massachusetts
Nickname: Minutemen.Location:Amherst.
Record: 24-8, 10-6. Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.
Last appearance: 1998, lost to Saint Louis in first round.
Coach: Derek Kellogg, first appearance.
Overview: UMass rocketed off to a 16-1 start in Kellogg's
sixth season, helping propel the Minutemen back to the
tournament after a 16-year absence. UMass relies on energy
but doesn't have a deep bench.
Did you know? In coach Derek Kellogg's four years as a
UMass player (1992-1995) the Minutemen became just the
second team to win four consecutive regular-season and
tournament titles.
Starters: G Chaz Williams, 5-9, Sr. (15.8 ppg, 7.1 apg); F
Cady Lalanne, 6-10, Jr. (11.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 57 FG%, 2.4 bpg);
F Sampson Carter, 6-8, Sr. (10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg); F Raphiael
Putney, 6-9, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 76 FT%); G Derrick
Gordon, 6-3, So. (9.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg).
No. 7 Texas
Nickname:Longhorns. Location: Austin.
Record: 23-10, 11-7.Bid: Big 12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2012, lost to Cincinnati in second round.
Coach:Rick Barnes, 18-14 in 14 appearances
Overview:The Longhorns are back after a missing last year's
tournament for the first time since 1998. If Texas makes a run,
it will be on defense and rebounding. Opponents shoot only
39.8%, putting Texas at the top of the Big 12; UT also leads
with 41.8 rebounds a game. That includes 14.8 offensive
boards, fifth in the country.
Did you know? The campus' iconic tower has a variety of
different lighting combinations for different events, including
one for national titles.
Starters:G Javan Felix, 5-11, So. (12 ppg, 2.8 apg); G
Demarcus Holland, 6-2, So. (5 rpg, 7.3 ppg, 2.4 apg); G Isaiah
Taylor, 6-1, Fr. (12.6 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.4 rpg); F Jonathan
Holmes, 6-8, Jr. (13 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 51.3 FG%); C Cameron
Ridley, 6-9, So. (11,5 ppg, 2.2 bpg, 54.5 FG%, 8.1 rpg).
No. 8 Kentucky
Nickname: Wildcats.Location: Lexington.
Record: 24-10, 12-6.Bid: SEC at-large.
Last appearance: 2012, national champion.
Coach: John Calipari, 38-13 in 14 appearances.
Overview: With Calipari at the helm since the 2008-09
season, the Wildcats have gotten to at least the Elite Eight
three times. His young team lost three of four heading into the
SEC tournament.
Did you know? Calipari is one of only two coaches to lead
three different schools to a No. 1 ranking. Calipari is also one
of only two coaches to lead three different schools to a Final
Four. Calipari has won six conference championships in the
last seven years. He has also won seven regular-season
conference championships in the last nine years.
Starters: G Aaron Harrison, 6-6, Fr. (13.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1
apg); G Andrew Harrison, 6-6, Fr. (10.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.7 apg);
G 6-6, James Young, Fr. (14.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg); F Julius Randle,
6-9, Fr. (15.4 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 51.3 FG%, 71.2 FT%); C Dakari
Johnson, 7-0, Fr. (5.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
No. 9 Kansas State
Nickname: Wildcats.Location: Manhattan.
Record: 20-12, 10-8.Bid: Big 12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to La Salle in second round.
Coach: Bruce Weber, 11-9 in nine appearances
Overview: The Wildcats have been looking worse for the
wear late in the season, losing their last three games, but
Marcus Foster's big-game potential could single-handedly sink
a mightier team. They also can rely on their defense, tops in
the Big 12 in points per game at 65.7 but they only score 69.7.
They also shoot poorly, eighth in the league at 43.6%.
Did you know? Kansas State grad Herbert Diamond is
famous for inventing the snooze alarm.
Starters: G Marcus Foster, 6-2, Fr. (15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg); G
Will Spradling, 6-2, Sr. (8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg); F Nino
Williams, 6-5, Jr. (51.4 FG%, 6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg); F Thomas
Gipson, 6-7, Jr. (55.9 FG%, 11.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg); F Wesley
Iwundu, 6-7, Fr. (41.2 3FG%, 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg).
No. 10 Arizona State
Nickname: Sun Devils. Location: Tempe.
Record: 21-11, (10-8).Bid: Pac-12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2009, lost to Syracuse in second round.
Coach: Herb Sendek, 7-7 in seven appearances.
Overview: The Sun Devils enter the tournament having lost
their final three games and five of their last seven. Arizona
State boasts one of the country's best diminutive players in 510 Jahii Carson, last season's Pac-12 co-Freshman of the Year.
And Jordan Bachynski, who led the country in blocks per
game, provides the Sun Devils a menacing defensive presence
at the rim.
Did you know? Herb Sendek has more 20-win seasons (5)
than the school does in the 26 years prior to his arrival (4).
Starters: G Jahii Carson, 5-10, So. (18.9 ppg, 4.5 apg), C
Jordan Bachynski, 7-2, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.2 bpg, 55.1
FG%), G Jermaine Marshall, 6-4, Sr. (15.4 ppg, 41.1 3FG%),
G Shaquielle McKissic, 6-3, Sr. (8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg), F Eric
Jacobsen, 6-10, So. (2.6 ppg).
No. 11 Iowa
Nickname: Hawkeyes.Location: Iowa City.
Record: 20-12, 9-9.Bid: Big Ten at-large.
Last appearance: 2006, lost to Northwestern State in first
round.
Coach: Fran McCaffery, 2-5 in five appearances.
Overview: Ranked as high as No. 10 in the USA TODAY
Sports Coaches Poll at one point, the Hawkeyes were in the
running for the Big Ten title but collapsed down the stretch.
They lost six of their last seven, including to No. 11 seed
Northwestern in the conference tournament. McCaffery is
coaching his fourth different team in the NCAAs.
Did you know? Guard Roy Devyn Marble's father Roy
Marble starred at Iowa from 1985-89 and is the program's alltime scoring leader with 2,116 points.
Starters: G Roy Devyn Marble, 6-6, Sr. (17.0 ppg, 3.5 apg);
G Mike Gesell, 6-1, So. (8.3 ppg, 3.9 apg); F Melsahn Basabe,
6-7, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 57.5 FG%); F Aaron White, 6-9, Jr.
(13.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 58.8 FG%); C Adam Woodbury, 7-1, So.
(5.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 50.0 FG%).
No. 11 Tennessee
Nickname: Volunteers.Location: Knoxville.
Record: 21-12, 11-7.Bid: SEC at-large.
Last appearance: 2011, lost to Michigan in the first round.
Coach: Cuonzo Martin, first appearance.
Overview: Since former coach Bruce Pearl was let go in 2011,
the Vols failed to reach the NCAAs until now. They won five
of their last six, the loss to No. 1 Florida in the SEC
semifinals. They rely on strong defense, as exemplified by
holding South Carolina scoreless for the first six minutes of
their SEC quarterfinal.
Did you know? Martin is one of two coaches in the SEC
who have defeated every team in the league at least once
the past two seasons. This is the 35th anniversary of UT's
last SEC title.
Starters: G Josh Richardson, 6-6, Jr. (9.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg); G
Jordan McRae, 6-6, Sr. (18.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.6 apg); G
Antonio Barton, 6-2, Sr. (7.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg); F Jeronne
Maymon, 6-8, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 52.8 FG%); F Jarnell
Stokes, 6-8, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 52.9 FG%).
No. 12 North Carolina State
> Nickname: Wolfpack. Location: Raleigh.
Record: 21-13, 9-9.Bid: ACC at-large.
< Last appearance: 2013, lost to Temple in the second round.
Coach: Mark Gottfried, 7-9 in nine appearances.
Overview: Late wins at Pittsburgh and against Syracuse in the
ACC tournament helped the Wolfpack join the field after an
up-and-down season. ACC player of the year T.J. Warren is an
explosive scorer on a team that doesn't shoot the ball from
outside or rebound well. Warren will need scoring help from
G Ralston Turner and reserve Anthony Barber, who is one
piece of a deep bench.
Did you know? Gottfried is only the third ACC coach to lead
his team to the NCAA tournament in his first three seasons.
The others are Roy Williams and Bill Guthridge.
Statistics: F T.J. Warren, 6-8, So. (24.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.7 spg,
52.7 FG%); F Kyle Washington 6-9, Fr. (4.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg); G
Ralston Turner, 6-5, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 37.6 3FG%); G Tyler
Lewis (4.3 ppg, 3.5 apg); C Jordan Vandenberg, 7-1, Sr. (4.5
ppg, 4.6 rpg, 67.4 FG%).
No. 12 Xavier
Nickname: Musketeers.Location: Cincinnati.
Record: 21-12, 10-8.Bid: Big East at-large.
Last appearance: 2012, lost to Baylor in the Sweet 16.
Coach: Chris Mack, 6-4 in four appearances.
Overview: Xavier returns to the tournament for the 11th time
in 13 seasons despite losing eight of their last 14. The
backcourt of Semaj Christon and Dee Davis leads the offense.
Matt Stainbrook provides size in the frontcourt, but he came
off the bench in the Big East tournament because of a knee
injury.
Did you know? Proposed in 1925, the school's Musketeers
mascot was intended to promote the importance of chivalry
and accentuate the school's ties to its French origins and
culture.
Statistics: G Semaj Christon, 6-3, So. (17.0 ppg, 40.5 3FG%,
4.1 apg); G Dee Davis 6-0, Jr. (7.7 ppg, 4.8 apg, 84.2 FT%); F
Justin Martin, 6-6, Jr. (11.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 38.1 3FG%); F Isaiah
Philmore, 6-8, Sr. (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 52.4 FG%); F Jalen
Reynolds, 6-9, Fr. (3.6 ppg, 54.5 FG%).
No. 13 Manhattan
Nickname: Jaspers. Location: Riverdale, N.Y.
Record: 25-7, 15-5.Bid: Metro Atlantic champ.
Last appearance: 2004, lost to Wake Forest in second round.
Coach: Steve Masiello, first appearance.
Overview: Masiello is a Rick Pitino disciple, so expect a
player rotation that goes nine or 10 deep and plenty of
pressure defense. Backstopping everything for the Jaspers is
Rhamel Brown, who at just 6-7 is one of the nation's top shot
blockers.
Did you know? Masiello served as a New York Knicks ball
boy in his youth.
Starters: F Ashton Pankey, 6-10, So. (7.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 57.3
FG%); F Rhamel Brown, 6-7, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.8 blocks,
52.8 FG%); G Michael Alvarado, 6-2, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 4.2 apg);
G RaShawn Stores, 5-11, Jr. (5.0 ppg, 75.0 FT%); G George
Beamon, 6-4, Sr. (19.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg; 84.9 FT%).
No. 14 Mercer
Nickname: Bears. Location: Macon, Ga.
Record: 26-8, 14-4.Bid: Atlantic Sun champion.
Last appearance: 1985, lost to Georgia Tech in the first
round.
Coach: Bob Hoffman, first appearance.
Overview:The Bears beat No. 1 seed FGCU, who returned
four starters from last year's Sweet 16 team, in the title game.
The experienced Bears have seven seniors and have won 77
games during the last three seasons.
Did you know? Junior guard Darious Moten's pregame ritual
is washing his hands.
Starters: G Langston Hall, 6-4, Sr. (14.7 ppg, 3 rpg, 5.5 apg,
40.1 3FG%, 86.5 FT%). F Daniel Coursey, 6-10, Sr. (9.9 ppg,
6.7 rpg, 58.6 FG%, 2 bpg). F Bud Thomas, 6-6, Sr. (9.1 ppg,
4.1 rpg). F Jakob Gollon, 6-6, Sr. (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 75 FT%).
G Anthony White Jr., 6-2, Sr. (8.3 ppg, 80 FT%).
Starters: C Aaric Murray, 6-10, Sr. (21.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.4
bpg); G Madarious Gibbs, 6-1, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.1 apg,
51.1 FG%); F D'Angelo Scott, 6-7, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 80.2
FT%); G D'Aris "D.D." Scarver, 6-2, Sr. (14.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg);
G Lawrence Johnson-Danner, 6-4, Sr. (7.8 ppg, 87.3 FT%,
43.4 3FG%).
No. 15 Wofford
Nickname: Terriers. Location:Spartanburg, S.C.
Record: 20-12, 11-5.Bid:Southern champ.
Last appearance: 2011, lost to Brigham Young in the second
round.
< Coach: Mike Young, 0-2 in two appearances.
Overview: If the Terriers are to win their first-ever NCAA
tournament game, they must control tempo and slow the game
down to play to their strength. Wofford plays solid defense
and is efficient with the three-point shot. With no regular taller
than 6-7, it lacks size to handle bigger teams.
Did you know? The entire 170-plus acre Wofford campus has
been designated as an arboretum.
Statistics: G Karl Cochran, 6-1, Jr. (15.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1
apg); G Spencer Collins, 6-4, So. (13.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 78.9
FT%); G Eric Garcia, 5-11, Fr. (7.0 ppg, 45.6 3FG%); F Lee
Skinner, 6-6, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg); F C.J. Neumann, 6-7, So.
(4.4 ppg, 59.0 FG%).
No. 16 Cal Poly
Nickname: Mustangs.Location: San Luis Obispo.
Record: 13-19, 6-10.Bid:Big West champ.
Last appearance: None.
Coach: Joe Callero, first appearance.
Overview: The Mustangs had lost nine of their previous 11
games before a three-game run to the Big West title. Every
previous Cal Poly team in five seasons under Callero had
matched or improved its win total from the previous year, but
none of those made the NCAA tournament. The Mustangs, a
No. 7 seed in the Big West, are the lowest seed from a
conference to make the field of 68.
Did you know? Cal Poly alumni include the designer of the
Voyager spacecraft, Bob Rutan, as well as John Madden,
former UFC champ Chuck Liddell and late Las Vegas
entertainer Danny Gans.
Starters: F David Nwaba, 6-4, So. (11.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 51.6
FG%); G Jamal Johnson, 6-0, Sr. (4.7 ppg); F Chris Eversley,
6-7, Sr., (13.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg); F Brian Bennett, 6-9, So. (6.1
ppg, 3.1 rpg); G Kyle Odister, 6-0, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 75.0 FT%).
No. 16 Texas Southern
Nickname: Tigers.Location: Houston.
Record: 19-14, 12-6.Bid: Southwestern Athletic champ.
Last appearance: 2003, lost to UNC-Asheville in opening
round.
Coach: Mike Davis, 7-5 in 5 appearances.
Overview: The Tigers have won nine in a row. Davis, who
took Indiana to the 2002 Final Four, can call on a wealth of
experience. The top eight players in the rotation are juniors or
seniors, led by Aaric Murray (the SWAC player of the year
and defensive player of the year).
Did you know? Former New York Giants star defensive
lineman and current daytime TV host Michael Strahan is an
alum. He'll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in
August.
2014 NCAA tournament: South region capsules and
analysis
Best Round of 64 matchup: Dayton got a bid and a No. 11
seed, despite finishing tied for fifth in the Atlantic 10, because
of its rugged early schedule — the Flyers beat No. 11
Gonzaga and lost by one to No. 18 Baylor. Since then, they've
been up and down but had won four in a row and 10 of 11
before losing to St. Joseph's in the A10 tourney. They come in
with a balanced attack led by junior guard Jordan Sibert and
senior forward Devin Oliver and a feeling that they can play
with anyone. Ohio State, the No. 6 seed, comes in wondering
how to turn on the momentum. The Buckeyes, after a sterling
preseason, were 10-8 in the Big Ten and have lost three of
their last six games. Like the Flyers, they feature balanced
scoring, led by forward LaQuinton Ross (15.4 points a game).
This has the look of a last-possession ballgame.
Potential upset: Could a team possibly come into the
tournament any colder than Syracuse? The Orange were once
upon a time 25-0, but that seems like a long time ago. They've
lost five of their last seven games. How did 25-0 become 27-5
and a No. 1 seed become a No. 3 seed? Mostly, they've been
betrayed by an offense that is 253rd in the country in points a
game (68.2), 236th in assists (11.9) and 206th in shooting
(43.7%). How could this team not be ripe for a first-round
upset? No. 14 seed Western Michigan hopes to fit the bill. The
Broncos, champions of the Mid-American Conference, are a
pedestrian 23-9 but have won 12 of their last 13 games, three
of those in overtime. And they have a potential upset hero in
senior guard David Brown, who averages 19 points and scored
32 in the MAC title game against Toledo.
The sleeper: They're a 12th seed and their team has a name
(Stephen F. Austin) for a name, but they're about as close to
perfect as there is in this tournament. The Lumberjacks were
not only the champions of the Southland Conference, they
were 18-0. And they've won 28 games in a row, two more than
No. 1 Florida. So is it such a reach to think they could beat
No. 5 seed Virginia Commonwealth and maybe even give a
scare to No. 4 UCLA in the third round? To the Lumberjacks,
the go-to guy is the open guy (they're eighth in the nation in
assists) and that kind of game translates well when stepping up
a level in competition. If you like Cinderellas, don't be
surprised if you find yourself rooting for forward Jacob Parker
and guards Desmond Haymon and Thomas Walkup. They're
out to make a name for Stephen F. Austin.
The winner: A year after the UCLA Bruins fired Ben
Howland because of a program that wasn't winning enough
and was seemingly veering off-track, the Bruins find
themselves on track and definitely – so far, anyway – winning
enough. In the first year of new coach Steve Alford, the Bruins
stormed through the Pac-12 tournament and upset Arizona in
the title game, playing loose on offense, tough on defense.
They're an eight-deep rotation built around oversized point
guard Kyle Anderson, who had 21 points and 15 rebounds
against Arizona. The big shot down the stretch was buried by
a shooter Alford calls "Money" – 6-5 guard Jordan Adams.
They likely face a Sweet 16 matchup against No.1 seed
Florida, which had a perfect SEC season and comes into the
tournament with a 26-game winning streak. But UCLA owes
Florida, having lost to the Gators in 2011 (second round),
2007 (national semifinal) and 2006 (national final).
South Regional capsules
1. Florida
Nickname: Gators. Location: Gainesville.
Record: 32-2, 18-0. Bid: SEC champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Michigan in the regional
finals.
Coach: Billy Donovan, 31-11 in 13 appearances.
Overview: How good is Florida? Until Tennessee built a
double-digit lead in the SEC semifinals, the Gators hadn't
trailed by double figures since before Thanksgiving. Why is
Florida this good? The stability of four senior starters.
Did you know? Donovan is the winningest coach in
University of Florida history. Donovan has 15 consecutive
postseason appearances, four SEC championships, three Final
Four appearances and two national titles.
Starters: G Michael Frazier II, 6-4, Soph. (13.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg,
46.6 FG%, 84.6 FT%, 44.9 3FG%); G Scottie Wilbekin, 6-2,
Sr. (13.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg); F Will Yequete, 6-8, Sr. (5.1
ppg, 5.3 rpg); F Casey Prather, 6-6, Sr. (14.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg,
61.5 FG%, 68.2 FT%, 40.0 3FG%); F Patric Young, 6-9, Sr.
(10.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 54.8 FG%).
2. Kansas
Nickname: Jayhawks. Location: Lawrence.
Record: 24-9, 14-4. Bid: Big 12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Michigan in regional
semifinal.
Coach: Bill Self, 35-14 in 15 appearances.
Overview: With star freshmen Andrew Wiggins, Wayne
Selden Jr. and Joel Embiid, the Jawhawks have largely lived
up to lofty preseason expectations. However, Embiid's status
is up in the air after a stress fracture in his lower back, leaving
Kansas prone to an early upset. The seven-footer shoots
62.6%, pulls 8.1 rebounds and blocks 2.6 shots a game.
Did you know? James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, is
the only coach in Jayhawks history with a losing record.
Starters: G Andrew Wiggins, 6-8, Fr. (16.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg 76.5
FT%); G Wayne Selden Jr., 6-5, Fr. (10.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6
apg); G Naadir Tharpe, 5-11, Jr. (5 apg, 83.6 FT%, 8.9 ppg); F
Perry Ellis, 6-8, So. (50.0 3FG%, 54.2 FG%, 13.2 ppg, 6.4
rpg); F Tarik Black, 6-9, Sr. (67.9 FG%, 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg).
3. Syracuse
Nickname: Orange. Location: Syracuse, N.Y.
Record: 27-5, 14-4. Bid: ACC at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Michigan in Final Four.
Coach: Jim Boeheim, 52-29 in 30 appearances
Overview: The Orange won their first 25 games and were
ranked No. 1 for three weeks before stumbling down the
stretch with five losses in seven games. Their zone defense
and size always cause problems for opponents, however they
need to shoot better and get support from the bench to rebound
from the end-of-season slump.
Did you know? Jim Boeheim was hired as head coach of
Syracuse in 1976. Players from that team will turn 60 this
year.
Starters: F C.J. Fair, 6-8, Sr. (16.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg); F Jerami
Grant, 6-8, So. (12.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg); F Rakeem Christmas, 6-9,
Jr. (6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 63.2 FG%); G Trevor Cooney, 6-4, So.
(12.5 ppg, 38.3 3FG%, 85.5 FT%) G Tyler Ennis, 6-2, Fr.
(12.4 ppg, 5.6 apg, 2.1 spg).
4. UCLA
Nickname: Bruins. Location: Los Angeles.
Record: 26-8, 12-6. Bid: Pac-12.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Minnesota in second round.
Coach: Steve Alford, 5-7 in 7 appearances.
Overview: First-year head coach Steve Alford led the Bruins
on a tear through the Pac-12 tournament that culminated with
a title game win against Arizona. Do-everything forward Kyle
Anderson sparks the Pac-12's highest-scoring offense. Leading
scorer Jordan Adams ranks No. 3 in the country in steals per
game.
Did you know? UCLA was the first school to win 100
national championships across sports, and the basketball team
has worn jerseys with a different color "C" to mark the
accomplishment.
Starters: F Kyle Anderson, 6-9, So. (14.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 6.6
apg, 48.0 3FG%), G Jordan Adams, 6-5, So. (17.5 ppg, 5.3
rpg), F David Wear, 6-10, Sr. (6.5 ppg), F Travis Wear, 6-10,
Sr. (6.6 ppg), G Norman Powell, 6-4, Jr. (10.9 ppg, 53.2 FG%)
5. Virginia Commonwealth
Nickname: Rams. Location: Richmond.
Record: 26-8, 12-4. Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Michigan in third round.
Coach: Shaka Smart, 7-3 in three appearances
Overview: The Rams fell to Saint Joseph's in the A-10 title
game but still secured a NCAA tournament berth. Their
"havoc" style of play saw them lead the nation in steals for the
third year in a row.
Trivia/Interesting fact: Smart was named to the 1999 USA
TODAY All-USA Academic team.
Starters: GTreveon Graham, 6-6, Jr. (15.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg); F
Juvonte Reddic, 6-9, Sr. (12.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 51.9 FG%); G
Melvin Johnson, 6-3, So. (10.5 ppg, 76.3 FT%); G Rob
Brandenberg, 6-2, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 81.1 FT%); G Briante Weber,
6-2, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.6 spg, 78.5 FT%).
6. Ohio State
Nickname: Buckeyes. Location: Columbus.
Record: 25-9, 10-8. Bid: Big Ten at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Wichita State in Elite Eight.
Coach: Thad Matta, 23-11 in 11 appearances.
Overview: The Buckeyes started 15-0 and reached as high as
No. 2 but had an inconsistent conference campaign that
included two losses to bottom-feeder Penn State. Ohio State, a
veteran team with a senior backcourt, won three in a row
before falling to arch-rival Michigan in the Big Ten
semifinals.
Did you know? Former Duke basketball star and Syracuse
quarterback Greg Paulus is an assistant on Matta's staff.
Starters: G Aaron Craft, 6-2, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.6 spg);
G Lenzelle Smith Jr., 6-4, Sr. (11.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 76.6 FT%); F
LaQuinton Ross, 6-8, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 44.9 FG%); F
Sam Thompson, 6-7, Jr. (7.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 43.4 FG%); C Amir
Williams, 6-11, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 60.8 FG%).
7. New Mexico
Nickname: Lobos. Location: Albuquerque.
Record: 27-6, 15-3. Bid: Mountain West champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Harvard in the second round.
Coach: Craig Neal, first appearance.
Overview: Cameron Bairstow and Alex Kirk form a
formidable frontline that helps the Lobos defend the basket
and control the backboard. In the backcourt, Kendall Williams
can and score and pass with equal success. However, Williams
and reserve Cullen Neal are the lone consistent outside
shooters.
Did you know? New Mexico's home arena — The Pit — got
its name because it was built in 1966 in a hole 37 feet below
ground. It hosted the 1983 Final Four won by North Carolina
State.
Statistics: F Cameron Bairstow, 6-9, Sr. (20.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg,
56.5 FG%); C Alex Kirk, 7-0, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.9 bpg);
G Kendall Williams, 6-4, Sr. (16.4 ppg, 5.0 apg, 40.7 3FG%,
79.5 FT%); G Hugh Greenwood, 6-3, Jr. (5.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.4
apg); G Deshawn Delaney 6-5, Jr. (4.6 ppg, 52.3 FG%).
8. Colorado
Nickname: Buffaloes. Location: Boulder.
Record: 23-11, 10-8. Bid: Pac-12 at-large.
Last appearance:2013, lost to Illinois in second round.
Coach: Tad Boyle, 1-2 in 2 appearances.
Overview: Joining the Pac-12 has been a boon for the
Buffaloes, who are back in the tournament for the third
consecutive year. Spencer Dinwiddie, Colorado's top scorer,
was lost for the season due to an ACL injury near the
beginning of conference play. Josh Scott has stepped up in his
absence, but the Buffaloes have struggled with their 3-point
shooting percentage, finishing second to last in the conference.
Did you know? Colorado is the only public university in the
U.S. to build instruments that have flown on NASA missions
to every planet.
Starters: F Josh Scott, 6-10, So. (14.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 53.5
FG%), G Askia Booker 6-2, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 3.5 apg), F Xavier
Johnson, 6-7, So. (12.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) F Wesley Gordon, 6-9,
Fr. (6.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), G Xavier Talton, 6-2, So. (4.6 ppg).
9. Pittsburgh
Nickname: Panthers. Location: Pittsburgh.
Record: 25-9, 11-7. Bid: ACC at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Wichita State in second round.
Coach: Jamie Dixon, 11-9 in nine appearances
Overview: The Panthers ran through a soft early schedule
before narrow losses in the ACC to Virginia, Syracuse (twice)
and North Carolina. Lamar Paterson does a little bit of
everything to lead the team. Like most years, Pitt wins with its
stingy defense and physical play. However, the offense is
prone to stretches of drought that have hurt the team in past
NCAA tournament disappointments.
Did you know? Jonas Salk and a team of researchers
developed the vaccine for polio while working at Pittsburgh
during the 1950s.
Statistics: G/F Lamar Patterson, 6-5, Sr. (17.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg,
4.5 apg, 39.5 3FG%); F Talib Zanna, 6-9, Sr. (12.5 ppg, 8.3
rpg, 56.1 FG%); F Michael Young, 6-9, Fr. (6.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg,
81.5 FT%); G Cameron Wright, 6-4, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg);G
James Robinson (7.8 ppg,. 3.9 apg, 81.3 FT%).
10. Stanford
Nickname: Cardinal. Location: Palo Alto, Calif.
Record: 21-12, (10-8). Bid: At-large.
Last appearance: 2008, lost to Texas in regional semifinal.
Coach: Johnny Dawkins, first appearance.
Overview: Stanford is back in the tournament for the first
time in Dawkins' six-year run at the school. Chasson Randle
keys the Cardinal's offense and finished the year as the Pac12's No. 2 scorer. Anthony Brown was named the conference's
most improved player.
Did you know? Stanford has won a national championship in
at least one sport for 37 years in a row.
Starters: G Chasson Randle, 6-2, Jr. (18.8 ppg, 48.7 FG%), F
Dwight Powell, 6-10, Sr. (14.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg), G Anthony
Brown, 6-6, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 49.4 FG%, 46.1 3FG%), C Stefan
Nastic, 6-11, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 53.5 FG%), F Josh Huestis, 6-7, Sr.
(11.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg).
11. Dayton
Nickname: Flyers Location: Dayton, Ohio
Record: 23-10, 10-6 Bid: At-large
Last appearance: 2009, lost to Kansas in second round
Coach: Archie Miller, first appearance
Overview: The Flyers found themselves on the bubble under
third-year head coach Archie Miller after scoring a number of
big wins as well as poor losses. The Flyers got hot down the
stretch in A-10 play however, winning 10 of 12.
Trivia/Interesting fact: Assistant coach Kevin Kuwick
served 10 years in the military and earned the Army's Bronze
Star award while serving in Iraq.
Starters: Jordan Siebert,(12.6 ppg, 44.2 3FG%); Devin
Oliver, (12.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 81.0 FT%) Dyshawn Pierre (11.0
ppg, 5.7 rpg); Khari Price, (6.7 ppg, 41.2 3FG%, 87.0 FT%);
Matt Kavanaugh (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg).
12. Stephen F. Austin
Nickname: Lumberjacks. Location: Nacogdoches, Texas.
Record: 31-2, 18-0. Bid: Southland champ.
Last appearance: 2009, lost to Syracuse in first round.
Coach: Brad Underwood, first appearance.
Overview: The Lumberjacks blitzed the Southland, posting a
perfect 18-0 conference record and come into the tournament
riding a 28-game winning streak. While eighth in the nation in
assists per game, the Lumberjacks only have one player who
averages more than three per game.
Did you know? Underwood coached NBA player Solomon
Jones at Daytona Beach Community College.
Starters: F Jacob Parker, 6-6, Jr. (14.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 53.7
FG%, 46.7 3FG%, 78.9 FT%); G Desmond Haymon, 6-3, Sr.
(14.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg); G Thomas Walkup, 6-4, So. (12.9 ppg, 5.0
rpg, 56.1 FG%); F Nikola Gajic, 6-5, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg); G
Trey Pinkney, 5-9 So. (3.0 ppg, 3.4 apg).
13. Tulsa
Nickname: Golden Hurricane. Location: Tulsa, Okla.
Record: 21-12, 13-3. Bid: Conference USA champ.
Last appearance: 2003, lost to Wisconsin in second round.
Coach: Danny Manning, first appearance.
Overview: Tulsa has won 17 of its last 20 games. The three
losses came by a combined 16 points. The Golden Hurricanes
will enter the NCAA tournament riding an 11-game winning
streak. Sophomore guard James Woodard, the C-USA tourney
MVP, has scored double figures in 26 consecutive games.
Did you know? Manning led Kansas to the 1988 national title
as a player and 20 years later was part of the next Jayhawks
national title as an assistant coach.
Starters: F Rasher Smith, 6-7, So. (12.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg), F
Dander Wright, 6-9, So. (7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), G Shaquille
Harrison,6-3, So. (9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Tim Pete, 6-4,
Sr. (5.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 apg), G James Woodard,6-3, So.
(15.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg).
14. Western Michigan
Nickname: Broncos. Location: Kalamazoo.
Record: 23-9, 14-4. Bid: Mid-American champ.
Last appearance: 2004, lost to Vanderbilt in first round.
Coach: Steve Hawkins, 0-1 in 1 appearance
Overview: Western had its first back-to-back 20-win seasons
since 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. The Broncos are led by
David Brown, who became the sixth player to score more than
600 points in a season. Western goes into the NCAAs winning
14 of its last 16. They had the composure to come back from
18 down in the second half of the MAC semis vs. Akron.
Did you know? The Broncos have finished either first or
second in the MAC West 10 of Hawkins' 11 years.
Starters: C Shayne Whittington, 6-11, Sr.(16.1 ppg, 9.0
rbg,1.6 bpg), F Connar Tava, 6-6, So. (12.0 ppg, 5.8 rbg, 2.8
apg, 1.3 spg), G David Brown, 6-4, Sr. (19.0 ppg, 3.6 rbg, 1.5
spg), G Austin Richie, 6-3, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 2.2 rbg, 2.4 apg), F
Tucker Haymond 6-6, Fr. (6.5 ppg, 3.6rpg).
15. Eastern Kentucky
Nickname: Colonels. Location: Richmond, Ky.
Record: 24-9, 11-5. Bid: Ohio Valley champ.
Last appearance: 2007, lost to North Carolina in first round.
Coach: Jeff Neubauer, 0-1 in 1 appearance.
Overview: The Colonels can surround the perimeter with a
cast of capable long-range shooters. Even top reserve Orlando
Williams hits threes at a better than 42% clip. They also are
one of the nation's best at taking care of the ball and taking it
away, boasting a whopping +6.5 turnover margin. EKU shoots
75% from the line. Not deep, playing essentially a six-man
rotation, and not big, with no one topping 6-8 on the roster.
Did you know? Junior frontcourt reserve Deverin Muff writes
a weekly column forThe Eastern Progress, the school's
student newspaper.
Starters: G Glenn Cosey, 6-0, Sr. (18.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 85.1
FT%, 42.2 3FG%); G Corey Walden, 6-2, Jr. (13.2 ppg, 4.2
rpg, 2.0 spg, 82.1 FT%); G Marcus Lewis, 6-4, Sr. (10.1 ppg,
53.7 FG%); G Tarius Johnson, 6-5, Sr. (9.3 ppg, 41.6 3FG%);
F Eric Stutz, 6-8, Jr. (8.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 65.5 FG%).
16. Albany (First Four)
Nickname: Great Danes. Location: Albany, N.Y.
Record: 18-14, 9-7. Bid: America East champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Duke in second round.
Coach: Will Brown, 0-3 in 3 appearances.
Overview: For the second year in a row, the Great Danes
advanced despite entering the league tournament as the No. 4
seed. They beat the top two seeds along the way. Albany
enters having won six of seven, avenging the loss by beating
Stony Brook to win the conference tournament. It leans
heavily on the starters with the bench producing just around
11 points a game in the regular season.
Did you know? Starting center John Puk has four uncles who
all played football at the FBS level, one at Iowa, two at
Minnesota and one at Stanford.
Starters: G Peter Hooley, 6-4, So. (14.8 ppg, 88.0 FT%); F
Sam Rowley, 6-6, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 50.6 FG%); G DJ
Evans, 5-9, Sr. (11.1 ppg); F Gary Johnson, 6-6, Sr. (11.1 ppg,
4.4 rpg, 52.8 FG%); C John Puk, 6-10, Sr. (6.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg).
16. Mount St. Mary's (first four)
Nickname: Mountaineers. Location: Emmitsburg, Md.
Record: 16-16, 9-7. Bid: Northeast Conference champion
Last appearance: 2008, lost in first round to North Carolina.
Coach: Jamion Christian, first appearance.
Overview: The Mountaineers are just the second No. 4 seed to
win the Northeast Conference tournament, taking down the
top two seeds on their home floors along the way. A lineup
with three senior starters picked up the pace after a sub.-500
February, shooting 49.3% from the field while going 4-0 since
the calendar turned to March.
Did you know? Guard Rashad Whack appeared in the 2005
Martin Lawrence movieRebound.
Starters: G Julian Norfleet, 6-2, Sr. (17.6 ppg, 5.5 apg); G
Rashad Whack, 6-3, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 80.3 FT%); G Sam
Prescott, 6-3, Sr. (10.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 77.8 FT%); G Byron
Ashe, 6-0, Fr. (7.6 ppg); F Taylor Danaher, 7-0, So. (7.0 ppg,
5.2 rpg, 57.7 FG%, 84.5 FT%).
2014 NCAA tournament: West region capsules and
analysis
Best round of 64 matchup: It's hard to know what to make of
Baylor. The very athletic Bears are capable of inexplicably
bad stretches, like a late January slump that included five
consecutive losses. But when they're playing well, as they did
in winning 10 of their past 12 games, the combination of
length and talent is a difficult matchup for almost anyone.
Nebraska's return to the NCAA tournament is one of the
season's better stories. But for a microcosm of the Huskers,
look no further than the Big Ten tournament, which featured a
come-from-ahead loss to Ohio State, when an 18-point lead
evaporated in the last 13 minutes. Who wins? Who knows?
Baylor and Nebraska are absolutely unpredictable, which
could make for a really fun meeting.
Potential upset: Arizona didn't get rewarded with its potential
opponent in the round of 32. Of Oklahoma State's 12 losses,
10 came by six points or less or in overtime. Led by a
potential lottery pick in sophomore guard Marcus Smart, as
well as underrated sidekick Markel Brown, No. 9 seed
Oklahoma State rebounded in a big way from a midseason
funk. After seven consecutive losses — and losing Smart to a
three-game suspension after shoving a fan in a loss at Texas
Tech — Oklahoma State has won five of its past seven,
including a win vs. Kansas. The two losses were in overtime,
at Iowa State and to Kansas in the Big 12 tournament. If the
late-season run continues, the Cowboys are very capable of
knocking the Wildcats out and making a deep run.
The sleeper: The West is full of teams that overcame
alarming slumps and played well down the stretch. No. 7
Oregon rebounded with a late-season run that included a win
vs. Arizona. Dana Altman cobbled together another band of
hot-shooting transfers. The Ducks don't always play defense
or rebound, but led by junior guard Joseph Young (18.6
points, 41.6% from three-point range), when they get hot,
they're tough to handle, hitting almost 40% of their three-point
attempts and 76.6% from the foul line. Oregon has already
beaten round of 64 opponent Brigham Young once. The
Ducks' offense vs. Wisconsin's defense could make for a very
entertaining matchup. If they get hot, they could make a deep
run.
The winner: Never mind the loss to UCLA in the Pac-12
championship game. With a battle-tested squad led by AllAmerica junior guard Nick Johnson (16.2 points) and
freshman forward Aaron Gordon (12.1 points, 7.8 rebounds),
Sean Miller has his best Arizona team yet. After starting the
season with a school-record 21-game winning streak, the
Wildcats were handed their first loss, to California, on the
same night they lost starting forward Brandon Ashley to a
season-ending foot injury. But they retooled and, in a deep
Pac-12, ran away with the league's regular-season race. Their
four losses were by a combined 16 points. Their devoted fans
should travel en masse to San Diego and Anaheim. It won't be
easy, but the Wildcats are the pick to emerge from the West —
and maybe to win the whole thing.
1. Arizona
Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Tucson.
Record: 30-4, (15-3). Bid: Pac-12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Ohio State in regional
semifinal.
Coach: Sean Miller, 11-6 in six appearances.
Overview: The Wildcats ran away with the Pac-12 regularseason title, finishing three games ahead of second-place
UCLA. Losing Brandon Ashley, the team's third-leading
scorer, to a season-ending foot injury was a midseason blow to
Arizona's depth. But Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Johnson
and Freshman of the Year Aaron Gordon kept the team rolling
down the stretch.
Did you know? With all three of their regular-season losses
coming on the road, Arizona watched as opposing fans rushed
the court each time.
Starters: G Nick Johnson, 6-3, Jr. (16.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), F
Aaron Gordon, 6-9, Fr. (12.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg), C Kaleb
Tarczewski, 7-0, So. (10.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 58.3 FG%), G T.J.
McConnell, 6-1, Jr., (8.3 ppg, 5.5 apg), G Gabe York, 6-3, So.
(6.8 ppg, 40.2 3FG%).
2. Wisconsin
Nickname: Badgers. Location: Madison.
Record: 26-7, 12-6. Bid: Big Ten at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Mississippi in second round.
Coach: Bo Ryan, 16-12 in 12 appearances.
Overview: The Badgers had an extremely streaky season,
starting 16-0, losing five of six and then winning eight in a
row before losing the regular-season finale. An experienced
team, Wisconsin made it to the Big Ten semifinals and enters
the tournament with confidence from a strong finish.
Did you know? Guard Traevon Jackon's father Jim Jackson
was the fourth overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He played
for 12 teams in 14 NBA seasons and was the last Laker to
wear No. 24 before Kobe Bryant.
Starters: G Ben Brust, 6-1, Sr. (12.4, ppg, 4.7 rpg, 88.4
FT%); G Traevon Jackson, 6-2, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.9
apg); G Josh Gasser, 6-3, Jr. (9.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 46.2 3FG%); F
Sam Dekker, 6-7, So. (12.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 46.8 FG%); F Frank
Kaminsky, 7-0, Jr. (13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 40.3 3FG%).
3. Creighton
Nickname: Bluejays. Location: Omaha.
Record: 26-7, 14-4. Bid: Big East at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Duke in the third round.
Coach: Greg McDermott, 2-5 in five appearances.
Overview: The Bluejays made the transition to the Big East
look seamless, finishing second in the league and making the
conference tournament final. They have two key ingredients to
make a NCAA run: experience and great shooting. All five
starters make at least 40% of their three-pointers.
Did you know? Creighton is the only school to rank in the top
10 in attendance for men's basketball, baseball and men's
soccer.
Statistics: F Doug McDermott, 6-8, Sr. (26.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg,
52.9 FG%, 44.7 3FG%, 86.7 FT%); F Ethan Wragge, 6-7, Sr.
(10.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 47.8 3FG%, 82.4 FT%); G Grant Gibbs, 65, Sr. (7.6 ppg, 48.6 3FG%); G Austin Chatman, 6-0, Jr. (7.6
ppg, 4.3 apg, 40.3 3FG%); G Jahenns Manigat 6-1, Sr. (7.1
ppg, 3.0 ag, 41.1 3FG%, 88.2 FT%).
4. San Diego State
Nickname: Aztecs. Location: San Diego.
Record: 29-4, 16-2. Bid: Mountain West at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Florida Gulf Coast in the third
round.
Coach: Steve Fisher, 23-12 in 13 appearances.
Overview: Any team that faces the Aztecs must figure out a
way to score on defense that ranks near the top in every major
category. The domination in that area carried them to one of
the best records in the country, despite an offense — led by
Mountain West player of the year Xavier Thames — that
doesn't shoot well from the field or free-throw line.
Did you know? Since the 2010-11 season, San Diego State
has the nation's top record (33-10) in games decided by six
points or fewer.
Statistics: G Xavier Thames, 6-3, Sr. (16.9 ppg, 3.0 apg, 38.6
3FG%, 82.9 FT%); F Skylar Spencer, 6-10, So. (5.1 ppg, 4.1
rpg, 57.0 FG%); F Winston Shepard, 6-8, So. (12.3 ppg, 5.2
rpg); F J.J. O'Brien, 6-7, Jr. (8.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 56.8 FG%); F
Josh Davis, 6-8, Sr. (8.0 ppg, 9.9 rpg).
5. Oklahoma
Nickname: Sooners. Location: Norman.
Record: 23-9, 12-6. Bid: Big 12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to San Diego State in second
round.
Coach: Lon Kruger, 14-14 in 14 appearances.
Overview: The Sooners have consistency to their advantage:
All five starters have started every game, and Tyler Neal is the
Big 12 co-sixth-man-of-the-year, providing an offensive
boost. That offense is second in the league (82.2) but the
defense is last (75.9). The Sooners are dangerous from the foul
line at a league-best 75%, tied for 17th nationally.
Did you know? Kruger is the only coach to lead five different
teams to the NCAA tournament — Kansas State, Florida,
Illinois, UNLV and the Sooners.
Starters: G Isaiah Cousins, 6-4, So. (11 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 81.3
FT%); G Buddy Hield, 6-4, So. (16.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg); G Jordan
Woodard, 6-0, Fr. (10.3 ppg, 4.6 apg); F Cameron Clark, 6-7,
Sr. (15.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 43.7 3FG%); F Ryan Spangler, 6-8, So.
(9.9 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 60.0 FG%).
6. Baylor
Nickname: Bears. Location: Waco, Texas.
Record: 24-11, 9-9. Bid: Big 12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2012, lost to Kentucky in regional final.
Coach: Scott Drew, 6-3 in three appearances.
Overview: Despite losing to Iowa State in the conference
tournament final, the Bears have been on an impressive lateseason run, winning nine of their last 11. Senior guard Brady
Heslip is the best 3-point shooter in the conference and 18th in
the country with 3.09 a game and fifth in percentage at 46.4.
Did you know? Football was banned by Baylor in 1906. The
ban lasted just one year due to the student backlash.
Starters: G Brady Heslip, 6-2, Sr. (11.5 ppg, 46.4 3FG%,
72.2 FT%); G Kenny Chery, 5-11, Jr. (86.7 FT%, 11.7 ppg, 5
apg); F Royce O'Neale, 6-6, Jr. (52.1 FG%, 44.0 3FG%, 4.7
rpg); F Cory Jefferson, 6-9, Sr. (50.9 FG%, 41.4 3FG%, 13.4
ppg, 8.1 rpg); C Isaiah Austin, 7-1, So. (10.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.1
bpg).
7. Oregon
Nickname: Ducks. Location: Eugene.
Record: 23-9, (10-8). Bid: Pac-12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Louisville in regional
semifinal.
Coach: Dana Altman, 4-9 in 9 appearances.
Overview: The Ducks won't be flying under the radar this
March after making a Sweet 16 run in 2013. Oregon won eight
games in a row before falling to UCLA in the conference
tournament quarterfinals. Sharpshooter Joseph Young paced
an offense that ranked No. 12 in the country with 81.8 points
per game.
Did you know? Oregon won the first NCAA men's basketball
national tournament in 1939.
Starters: G Joseph Young, 6-2, Jr. (18.2 ppg, 40.6 3FG%), F
Mike Moser, 6-8, Sr. (13.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg), G Damyean Dotson,
6-5, So. (10.1 ppg), G Johnathan Loyd, 5-8, Sr. (7.5 ppg, 4.8
apg), C Waverly Austin, 6-11, Sr. (1.9 ppg).
8. Gonzaga
Nickname: Bulldogs. Location: Spokane, Wash.
Record: 28-6, 15-3. Bid: West Coast champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Wichita State in round of 32.
Coach: Mark Few, 15-14 in 14 appearances.
Overview: The Zags are in their 16th consecutive NCAA
tournament, but a deep run would be a surprise for this group
that lacks a complete post presence. When the treys aren't
falling, Sam Dower has to do a lot.
Did you know? Gonzaga is the home of the Bing Crosby
Library, featuring an extensive collection of recordings,
photographs and awards. Crosby grew up in Spokane and
attended Gonzaga in the 1920s before pursuing his career in
Hollywood.
Starters: F Sam Dower, 6-9, Sr. (15.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 59.0 fg%,
82.8 ft%); G Kevin Pangos, 6-2, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.7
apg, 87.5 ft%, 41.1 3fg%); G Gary Bell Jr, 6-2, Jr. (11.2 ppg,
80.3 ft%, 42.7 3fg%); G David Stockton, 5-11, Sr. (7.5 ppg,
4.2 apg); C Przemek Karnowski, 7-1, So. (10.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg,
59.0 fg%).
9. Oklahoma State
Nickname: Cowboys. Location: Stillwater.
Record: 21-12, 8-10. Bid: Big 12 at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Oregon in second round.
Coach: Travis Ford, 1-4 in four appearances.
Overview: The Cowboys are picking up steam again after an
up-and-down season. The team started 16-3 before losing
seven in a row, including a loss at Texas Tech where star
guard Marcus Smart shoved a fan and was suspended for three
games.
Did you know? Opening in 1938, Oklahoma State's
Gallagher-Iba Arena is the conference's oldest basketball
venue. The original maple floor remains in use.
Starters: G Marcus Smart, 6-4, So. (17.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.7
apg, 2.7 spg); G Phil Forte, 5-11, So. (13.2 ppg, 86.7 FT%,
45.2 3FG%); G/F Markel Brown, 6-3, Sr. (17.2 ppg, 3 apg, 5.6
rpg); G/F Le'Bryan Nash, 6-7, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 52.3
FG%); F/C Kamari Murphy, 6-8, So. (6.4 rpg, 55.1 FG%).
10. Brigham Young
Nickname: Cougars. Location: Provo, Utah.
Record: 23-11, 13-5. Bid: West Coast at-large.
Last appearance: 2012, lost to Marquette in round of 64.
Coach: Dave Rose, 4-6 in six appearances.
Overview: The Cougars' advancement hopes took a huge hit
with the loss of G Kyle Collinsworth (14.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.6
apg) to a knee injury in the WCC tourney final. Creating open
looks for Tyler Haws could be a challenge.
Did you know? Among BYU's many prominent alumni is
Philo T. Farnsworth, credited with the invention of electronic
television.
Starters: G Tyler Haws, 6-5, Jr. (23.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 88.0 ft%,
41.1 3fg%); G Matt Carlino, 6-2, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.3
apg); F Eric Mika, 6-10, Fr. (11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 52.9 fg%); F
Nate Austin, 6-11, Jr. (3.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg); G Anson Winder, 63, Jr. (6.5 ppg).
11. Nebraska
Nickname: Cornhuskers. Location: Lincoln.
Record: 19-12, 11-7. Bid: Big Ten at-large.
Last appearance: 1998, lost to Arkansas in first round.
Coach: Tim Miles, 0-1 in one appearance.
Overview: After starting 0-4 in Big Ten play, the surprising
Cornhuskers turned things around in a major way, notching
signature wins against Ohio State, Michigan State and
Wisconsin.
Did you know? Freshman guard Tai Webster plays for the
New Zealand national team and averaged 13.5 points in the
2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament when he
was 17 years old.
Starters: G Shavon Shields, 6-7, So. (12.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 44.2
FG%); G Ray Gallegos, 6-2, Sr. (7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 75.0 FT%);
G Tai Webster, 6-4, Fr. (4.2, 2.1 rpg, 2.0 apg); F Terran
Petteway, 6-6, So. (18.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 81.7 FT%); F Walter
Pitchford, 6-10, So. (9.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 48.1 FG%).
12. North Dakota State
Nickname: Bison. Location: Fargo.
Record: 25-6, 12-2. Bid: Summit League champ.
Last appearance: 2009, lost to Kansas in first round.
Coach: Saul Phillips, 0-1 in one appearance.
Overview: Summit League POY Taylor Braun stuffed the box
scores for Coach Phillips' squad, leading the conference in
scoring. The Bison will rely on Braun and senior forward
Marshall Bjorklund to fuel an offense shot 50.9% from the
field to lead the nation.
Did you know? Braun was three days away from committing
to a Division II school in Oregon until NDSU offered him a
scholarship.
Starters: F Marshall Bjorklund, 6-8, Sr. (13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg,
63.9 FG%); F TrayVonn Wright, 6-7, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg);
G Taylor Braun, 6-7, Sr. (18.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 41.2
3FG%); G Lawrence Alexander, 6-3, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg); G
Kory Brown, 6-4, So. (7.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 59.1 FG%)
13. New Mexico State
Nickname: Aggies. Location: Las Cruces.
Record: 26-9, 12-4. Bid: WAC champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Saint Louis in second round.
Coach: Marvin Menzies, 0-3 in three appearances.
Overview: Most of these guys have NCAA experience, and
Sim Bhullar can alter the way opponents attack the rim. Daniel
Mullings played well at the point in the WAC tournament in
place of suspended K.C. Ross-Miller, whose reinstatement has
yet to be determined by the school.
Did you know? An on-campus observatory is named for
Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto and several other
objects in the solar system who was a member of the NMSU
faculty from 1955 until his retirement in 1973.
Starters: G Daniel Mullings, 6-2, Jr. (16.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.5
apg); G D.K. Eldridge, 6-2, Jr. (11.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 apg,
40.4 3fg%); C Sim Bhullar, 7-5, So. (10.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.4
bpg, 64.7 fg%); F Tshilidzi Nephawe, 6-10, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 7.8
rpg, 55.5 fg%); G Kevin Aronis, 6-3, Sr. (7.5 ppg).
14. Louisiana-Lafayette
Nickname: Ragin' Cajuns. Location: Lafayette, La.
Record: 23-11, 11-7. Bid: Sun Belt champ.
Last appearance: 2005, lost to Louisville in first round.
Coach: Bob Marlin, 0-2 in two appearances.
Overview: With two improbable upsets in the Sun Belt
tourney, the Ragin' Cajuns claimed their first NCAA
automatic berth in Marlin's fourth season in Lafayette. Payton
and Long are the big scorers, but the confidence shown by role
players in the postseason could make them dangerous.
Did you know? Among ULL's research initiatives are several
projects in the biology department looking into the restoration
of Louisiana's coastal wetlands.
Starters: G Elfrid Payton, 6-3, Jr. (19.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.0 apg,
2.3 spg); F Shawn Long, 6-9, So. (18.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.8
bpg); G Bryant Mbamalu, 6-2, Sr. (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg); G
Xavian Rimmer, 6-2, Jr. (8.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 42.4 3fg%); F
Elridge Moore, 6-5, Sr. (4.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
15. American
Nickname: Eagles. Location: Washington, D.C.
Record: 20-12, 13-5. Bid: Patriot League champ.
Last appearance: 2009, lost to Villanova in first round.
Coach: Mike Brennan, first appearance.
Overview: Brennan took over a team picked in the preseason
to finish next-to-last in the Patriot and guided it to the title,
tying the school mark for wins by a first-year coach. American
enters the tournament shooting 49.5% from the field. AU leans
heavily on its starters with four averaging at least 32 minutes.
Did you know? Starter Darius Gardner played on a Yates
High team in Houston that finished No. 1 in the USA TODAY
Super 25 rankings in 2010.
Starters: G Jesse Reed, 6-5, So. (14.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 53.1
FG%, 49.1 3FG%); F Tony Wroblicky, 6-10, Sr. (12.2 ppg,
7.3 rpg, 59.4 FG%); G John Schoof, 6-5, Jr. (11.8 ppg, 76.8
FT%); G Darius Gardner, 5-9, Jr. (11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg,
2.1 spg, 51.5 FG%); F Kyle Kager, 6-8, Jr. (6.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg,
76.4 FT%).
16. Weber State
Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Ogden, Utah.
Record: 19-11, 14-6. Bid: Big Sky champ.
Last appearance: 2007, lost to UCLA in first round.
Coach: Randy Rahe, 0-1 in 1 appearance
Overview: Rahe has won four conference titles in his eight
seasons as head coach of the Wildcats. He uses a seven-man
rotation, each player receiving more than 15 minutes of
playing time. Weber State has three double-digit scorers in its
starting lineup. Davion Berry was named Big Sky MVP.
Did you know? The Wildcats have won 21 Big Sky regularseason championships. Weber State also became the first
school to reach 500 Big Sky wins.
Starters: G/F Davion Berry, 6-4, Sr. (19.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.0
apg); F Joel Bolomboy, 6-9, So. (8.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg); C Kyle
Tresnak, 6-10, Sr. (11.2 ppg, 4.8 apg); G Jordan Richardson,
6-1, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 2.5 apg); G Jeremy Senglin, 6-2, Fr. (11.1
ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.2 apg).
‘
2014 NCAA tournament: East region capsules
and analysis
Best round of 64 matchup: Perhaps no other team in the East
Region kicks off the tournament with more confidence than
No. 11 Providence, which played itself off the bracket bubble
by winning the Big East tournament title, the school's first in
two decades. On the flip side stands No. 6 North Carolina,
which capped a 12-game winning streak with losses to Duke
and Pittsburgh to end the regular season. Providence is hot;
UNC is, well, warm. In a bracket that's hard to project, both
teams could have grand March plans.
Potential upset: Harvard is not your normal No. 12 seed: the
Crimson have reached the NCAA tournament three years in a
row, beating New Mexico in the second round a year ago for
the school's first win in tournament history. With a top-35
defense in tow, this year's group looks like coach Tommy
Amaker's best. This defense might be an issue for Cincinnati,
which has an all-conference pick in guard Sean Kilpatrick but
has been prone to lulls offensively. Besides, the 5-12 matchup
has historically seen its share of early upsets – so mark your
brackets accordingly.
The sleeper: Is it fair to call a team that ranked No. 2
nationally in the preseason, opened the year 18-1 and won a
high-major conference championship a sleeper? Despite the
early-season hype – and Sunday's Big Ten tournament title –
Michigan State sits as the East Region's No. 4 seed, behind
No. 1 Virginia, No. 2 Villanova and No. 3 Iowa State. By
seeding, at least, and like Louisville in the Midwest Region,
the Spartans are flying in under the radar.
The winner: Even as the region's fourth-seeded team,
Michigan State's blend of size, experience, senior leadership
and coaching makes the Spartans the region's best bet to reach
Dallas. The Spartans' issue is how injuries have prevented this
title contender from competing as a healthy unit during much
of the regular season. If Michigan State stumbles, Virginia
showcased a tournament-friendly blend of clutch scoring and
defensive intensity in winning the ACC crown.
No. 1 Virginia
Nickname: Cavaliers.Location: Charlottesville.
Record: 28-6, 16-2. Bid: ACC champ.
Last appearance: 2012, lost to Florida in second round.
Coach: Tony Bennett, 3-3 in three appearances.
Overview: It was a historic year for the Cavaliers, who won
their first ACC regular-season title since 1981 and the
conference tournament for first time since 1976. Stopping
opponents is the backbone of the Cavaliers, who lead the
nation in scoring defense. The biggest challenges for a long
tournament run will be scoring and free-throw shooting. But
they have help from the bench with Justin Anderson and
Anthony Gill.
Did you know? Virginia's home arena is named for John Paul
Jones, but not for well-known Navy hero of the Revolutionary
War. It's named after the father of a major donor.
Statistics: G Malcolm Brogdon, 6-5, So. (12.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg,
89.3 FT%) G Joe Harris, 6-6, Sr. (11.4 ppg, 41.0 3FG%); G
London Perrantes 6-2, Fr. (5.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 41.8 3FG%, 82.1
FT%); F Akil Mitchell, 6-8 Sr. (7.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 54.9 FG%);
F/C Mike Tobey, 6-11, So. (6.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg).
No. 2 Villanova
Nickname: Wildcats.Location: Villanova, Pa.
Record: 28-4, 16-2.Bid: Big East at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to North Carolina in second
round.
Coach: Jay Wright, 12-10 in 10 appearances.
Overview:Before a loss to Seton Hall in the Big East
tournament, the Wildcats' losses were to Syracuse and
Creighton (twice). But just one win came against a ranked
team (Kansas), and that was Nov. 29. Outside shooting will be
critical. Villanova is one of the nation's leaders in three-point
percentage and three-pointers made.
Did you know? Musicians Don McLean, Toby Keith and Jim
Croce all attended Villanova, as did Oscar winner Bradley
Cooper.
Starters: G James Bell, 6-6, Sr. (14.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 81.0
FT%); G Darrun Hilliard, 6-6, Jr. (14.4 ppg, 41.4 3FG%); G
Ryan Arcidiacono, 6-3, So. (10.0 ppg, 3.5 apg); F JayVaughn
Pinkston, 6-7, Jr. (14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 52.7 FG%); F Daniel
Ochefu, 6-11, So. (5.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 62.1 FG%).
No. 3 Iowa State
Nickname: Cyclones.Location: Ames.
Record: 26-7, 11-7.Bid: Big 12 champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Ohio State in third round.
Coach: Fred Hoiberg, 2-2 in two appearances
Overview:Big 12 player of the year Melvin Ejim leads a
Cyclones team that is adept at winning high-scoring games —
they are first in the conference and sixth in the country in
scoring offense, and among the worst at scoring defense, tied
for 272nd.
Did you know? The school's original colors were black, silver
and gold, but were changed in the 1890s to cardinal and gold
because it was easier to find red sweaters.
Starters:G DeAndre Kane, 6-4, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.9
apg); G Monté Morris, 6-2, Fr. (81.7 FT%, 3.7 apg); F Melvin
Ejim, 6-6, Sr. (18.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 51.3 FG%); F Dustin Hogue,
6-6, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg); F Georges Niang, 6-7, So. (16.2
ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.6 apg).
No. 4 Michigan State
Nickname: Spartans.Location: East Lansing.
Record: 26-8, 12-6. Bid: Big Ten champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Duke in Sweet 16.
Coach:Tom Izzo, 39-15 in 16 appearances.
Overview: Michigan State started 18-1 and was No. 1 in the
nation, but injuries hit the team hard during Big Ten play. The
Spartans went 5-7 in their final 12 regular season games but
back at full strength, won the Big Ten tournament, showing
that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Did you know? Guard Gary Harris' mother Joy Holmes
Harris played in the WNBA with the Detroit Shock in 2000.
Starters: G Gary Harris, 6-4, So. (17.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 80.3
FT%); G Keith Appling, 6-1, Sr. (12.7 ppg, 4.8 apg, 45.6
FG%); G Denzel Valentine, 6-5, So. (8.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.9
apg); F Branden Dawson, 6-6, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 58.2
FG%); C Adreian Payne, 6-10, Sr. (16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 42.3
3FG%).
No. 5 Cincinnati
Nickname: Bearcats. Location: Cincinnati.
Record: 27-6, 15-3.Bid: American at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Creighton in second round.
Coach: Mick Cronin, 3-5 in five appearances.
Overview: The Bearcats plan to stick around a little longer
this time. The formula isn't complicated, create shots for Sean
Kilpatrick and let Justin Jackson and Titus Rubles clean the
glass, but there isn't a lot of scoring depth.
Twitter: @GoBEARCATS.
Did you know? Hall-of-fame pitcher Sandy Koufax was a
basketball walk-on at UC before making the varsity baseball
team, where he drew the attention of big-league scouts and
eventually signed with the Dodgers.
Starters: G Sean Kilpatrick, 6-4, Sr. (20.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.5
apg, 84.4 ft%); F Justin Jackson, 6-8, Sr. (11.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg,
2.9 bpg, 54.8 fg%); F Titus Rubles, 6-7, Sr. (7.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg);
F Shaquille Thomas, 6-7, So. (6.7 ppg); G Ge'Lawn Guyn, 62, Jr. (4.8 ppg).
No. 6 North Carolina
Nickname: Tar Heels.Location: Chapel Hill.
Record: 23-9, 13-5.Bid: ACC at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Kansas in third round.
Coach: Roy Williams, 62-21 in 23 appearances.
Overview: After a 0-3 start in the ACC, the Tar Heels won 13
of their next 14 games which coincided with Leslie
McDonald's return to the starting lineup after a knee injury. A
strong rebounding team, shooting could be a major issue
preventing a deep run. UNC ranks near the bottom of the
country in three-point and free-throw shooting.
Did you know? North Carolina has had 45 players drafted in
the first round of the NBA draft and 106 overall.
Starters:G Marcus Paige, 6-1, So. (17.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 87.6
FT%); F J.P. Tokoto, 6-5, So. (9.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg); F James
Michael McAdoo, 6-9, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg); G Leslie
McDonald, 6-5, Sr. (10.7 ppg); F Kennedy Meeks, 6-9, Fr.
(7.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg).
No. 7 Connecticut
Nickname: Huskies.Location: Storrs.
Record: 26-8, 12-6.Bid: American at-large.
Last appearance: 2012, lost to Iowa State in second round.
Coach: Kevin Ollie, first appearance.
Overview: The Huskies will go as far as Shabazz Napier, their
do-everything league player of the year, can take them. UConn
is tougher to beat when Ryan Boatright is hitting from the arc,
but he can be inconsistent.
Did you know? In 1979, a Fairfield native enrolled in the
journalism program at UConn, but she eventually moved on to
pursue an acting career — probably the right decision for Meg
Ryan.
Starters: G Shabazz Napier, 6-1, Sr. (17.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.2
apg, 87.7 ft%); F DeAndre Daniels, 6-9, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 5.6
rpg); G Ryan Boatright, 6-0, Jr. (12.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg); F
Lasan Kromah, 6-6, Sr. (7.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg); C Amida Brimah,
7-0, Fr. (4.0 ppg, 2.5 bpg).
No. 8 Memphis
Nickname: Tigers.Location: Memphis.
Record: 23-9, 12-6.Bid: American Athletic at-large.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Michigan State in third round.
Coach: Josh Pastner, 1-3 in 3 appearances.
Overview: The Tigers have a lot of backcourt depth,
including AAC sixth-man award winner Michael Dixon (12.2
ppg). There are fewer options on the front line, so foul trouble
for the starters could be problematic.
Did you know? Given its home city's namesake, it is fitting
that one of the university's components is the Institute of
Egyptian Art and Archaeology.
Starters: G Joe Jackson, 6-1, Sr. (14.4 ppg, 4.6 apg, 77.1
FT%); F Shaq Goodwin, 6-9, So. (11.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 58.8
FG%); F Austin Nichols, 6-8, Fr. (9.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg); G Jeron
Johnson, 6-3, Sr. (9.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.7 apg); G Chris
Crawford, 6-4, Sr. (8.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg).
No. 9 George Washington
Nickname: Colonials. Location: Washington, D.C.
Record: 24-8, 11-5.Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.
Last appearance: 2007, lost to Vanderbilt in first round.
Coach: Mike Lonergan, 0-1 in one appearance.
Overview: The Colonials were picked to finish 10th in the
league but earned the No. 3 seed after a strong season. Guard
Kethan Savage, the Colonials' No. 2 scorer, returned briefly in
the Atlantic 10 tournament after missing eight weeks because
of a broken foot.
Did you know? Basketball Hall of Famer Red Auerbach is a
George Washington alum.
Starters: G Maurice Creek, 6-5, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 40.8
3FG%); G/F Patricio Garino, 6-6, So. (12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 57.5
FG%); F Isaiah Armwood, 6-9, Sr. (12.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg); F
Kevin Larsen, 6-10, So. (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 54.1 FG%); G Joe
McDonald, 6-1, So. (8.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg).
No. 10 Saint Joseph's
Nickname: Hawks. Location: Philadelphia.
Record: 24-9, 11-5.Bid: Atlantic 10 champ.
Last appearance: 2008, lost to Oklahoma in first round.
Coach: Phil Martelli, 6-5 in five appearances.
Overview: Saint Joseph's claimed its first conference
tournament title since 1997 by topping VCU in the title game.
The Hawks posted their highest win total and conference win
total since 2005.
Did you know? Walk-on Brendan Casper's father played for
Phil Martelli while Martelli was the coach of Bishop Kenrick
High School.
Starters: G Langston Galloway, 6-2, Sr. (17.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg,
42.5 3FG%, 81.7 FT%); F Ronald Roberts Jr., 6-8, Sr. (14.6
ppg, 7.2 rpg, 58.6 FG%); F DeAndre Bembry, 6-6, Fr. (12.2
ppg, 4.5 rpg); F Halil Kanacevic, 6-8, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg,
4.4 apg, 55.1 FG%); G Chris Wilson, 6-3, Jr. (9.4 ppg, 3.5
rpg).
No. 11 Providence
Nickname: Friars.Location: Providence, R.I.
Record: 23-11, 10-8.Bid: Big East champ.
Last appearance: 2004, lost to Pacific in first round.
Coach: Ed Cooley, first appearance.
Overview: Providence enters the tournament with momentum,
six wins in seven games, including its first Big East
tournament title since 1994. A below-average shooting team,
the Friars benefit by getting to foul line and being one of the
top shooting teams from the charity stripe. Depth is a
significant concern, however. F Carson Desrosiers is the only
sub that sees significant action.
Did you know?John Thompson and Billy Donovan both
played for Providence and later won national titles as coaches
of other schools.
Statistics: G Bryce Cotton, 6-1, Sr. (21.7 ppg, 5.9 apg, 37.8
3FG%, 85.0 FT%); G Josh Fortune, 6-5, So. (8.0 ppg, 2.2
apg); F LaDontae Henton 6-6, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 76.7
FT%); F Kadeem Batts, 6-9, Sr. (12.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg); F Tyler
Harris, 6-9, So. (11.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 86.5 FT%).
No. 12 Harvard
Nickname: Crimson.Location: Cambridge, Mass.
Record: 26-4, 13-1.Bid: Ivy League champ.
Last appearance: 2013, lost to Arizona in third round.
Coach: Tommy Amaker, 3-3 in three appearances.
Overview: Amaker has again guided the Crimson to the Big
Dance, their third consecutive bid. Led by Ivy League POY
Wesley Saunders, several players return from last year's 14thseeded team that upset third-seeded New Mexico.
Did you know? Four members of the team played at the same
high school, Northfield Mount Harmon in Gill, Mass. —
freshman forward Zena Edosomwan, sophomore forward
Evan Cummins, junior guard Matt Brown and senior guard
Laurent Rivard.
Starters: F Steve Moundou-Missi, 6-7, Jr. (10.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg,
54.4 FG%); F Kyle Casey, 6-7, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg); G
Wesley Saunders, 6-5, Jr. (14.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.9 apg); G
Siyani Chambers, 6-0 , So. (11.1 ppg, 4.6 apg); G Laurent
Rivard, 6-5, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 42.6 3FG%).
No. 13 Delaware
Nickname: Blue Hens.Location: Newark.
Record: 25-9, 14-2.Bid: Colonial Athletic champ.
Last appearance: 1999, lost to Tennessee in first round.
Coach: Monté Ross, first appearance.
Overview: The Blue Hens average 79.5 points a game, which
puts them in Kansas' territory. Ross is loaded with veterans
and gets great guard play, usually a tricky combination for
unsuspecting Goliaths. Senior Carl Baptiste is their fiery
inside presence.
Did you know? Ross was an assistant under Saint Joseph's
coach Phil Martelli during the 2003-04 season, when the
Hawks reached the Elite Eight and finished with a 30-2 record.
Also, he pronounces his name, "mon-tay."
Starters: F Carl Baptiste, 6-9, Sr. (10.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 56.2
FG%); G Devon Saddler, 6-2, Sr. (20.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.8 apg);
G Davon Usher, 6-6, Sr. (19.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg); G Jarvis Threatt,
6-2, Jr. (17.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.5 spg); G Kyle
Anderson, 6-3, Jr. (10.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg).
No. 14 North Carolina Central
Nickname: Eagles.Location: Durham.
Record: 28-5, 15-1. Bid: Mid-Eastern Athletic champ.
Last appearance: First appearance.
Coach: LeVelle Moton, first appearance.
Overview: One of the nation's most experienced teams (the
top seven in the rotation are juniors or seniors) and one of the
nation's hottest (20-game winning streak). The Eagles have
won at North Carolina State and lost by 11 at No. 2 Wichita
State, so they should be able to handle the brights lights of the
NCAA tournament.
Did you know?This tournament appearance is the program's
first since it was in the NCAA Division II field in 1997. The
Eagles won the 1989 Division II title.
Starters: G Jeremy Ingram, 6-3, Sr. (20.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 76.3
FT%); G Emanuel Chapman, 6-1, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 6.8
apg, 2.17 spg, 87.9 FT%); G Alfonzo Houston, 6-3, Sr. (9.7
ppg); F Jay Copeland, 6-7, Jr. (8.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 53.4 FG%); F
Karamo Jawara, 6-8, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg).
No. 15 Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Nickname: Panthers.Location: Milwaukee.
Record: 21-13, 7-9.Bid: Horizon League champ.
Last appearance: 2006, lost to Florida in second round.
Coach: Rob Jeter, 1-1 in 1 appearance.
Overview: The Panthers claimed the Horizon title a year after
finishing 8-24 and after being picked last this preseason. The
No. 5 seed won four games en route to the title, including in
overtime at top seed Wisconsin-Green Bay. They got a boost
with the return from suspension of leading scorer Jordan
Aaron in time for the Horizon tournament.
Did you know?Jeter's father, the late Bob Jeter, played for the
NFL's Green Bay Packers — he is a member of the team's
Hall of Fame — and Chicago Bears from 1963 to 1973.
Starters: G Jordan Aaron, 5-10, Sr. (14.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 80.6
FT%); F Kyle Kelm, 6-9, Sr. (12.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 52.5 FG%); F
Matt Tiby, 6-8, So. (12.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg); F Austin Arians, 6-6,
So. (11.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 78 FT%); G Steve McWhorter, 6-2, Jr.
(8.1 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.8 rpg).
No. 16 Coastal Carolina
Nickname: Chanticleers.Location: Conway, S.C.
Record: 21-12, 11-5.Bid: Big South champ.
Last appearance: 1993, lost to Michigan in the first round.
Coach: Cliff Ellis, 8-8 in eight appearances.
Overview: The Chanticleers bounced back from a 14-15
record in 2013 to finish first in the South Division of the Big
South. This is the fourth team coach Cliff Ellis has led to the
NCAA tournament.
Did you know? Ellis has recorded several albums and also is
an ostrich farmer.
Starters: G Elijah Wilson, 6-4, Fr. (16.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg). G
Warren Gillis, 6-3, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 85.4 FT%).
G Josh Cameron, 6-1, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 76 FT%). F Badou
Diagne, 6-7, So. (7.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 51 FG%). F El Hadji
Ndiequene, 6-10, Sr. (4.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg).