NCAA TOURNAMENT: SOUTH REGIONAL : THERE'S SOMETHIN' BRUIN IN INDY.Byline: Daily News Wire Services 1. AUBURN (27-3) Auburn, Ala. Nickname: Tigers Coach: Cliff Ellis Cliff Ellis (born December 5, 1945 in Marianna, Florida) is an American college basketball coach.[1] His 534 victories rank him 29th on the list of all-time career coaching victories in Division 1 basketball. Bid: At-large Tournament record: 7-5, 5 years Last NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association appearance: 1988 Conference: Southeastern Top scorer: Chris Porter Chris Porter may refer to:
Last 10 games: 8-2 Prospects: Making first NCAA appearance since `88. Pitiful nonconference schedule delayed Tigers' ascension in the polls, but they thrived in the SEC, led by JUCO JUCO Junior College transfer Porter. Among nation's top five rebounding teams; shoot poorly from line. 2. MARYLAND (26-5) College Park, Md. Nickname: Terrapins Coach: Gary Williams For the wrestler with the same name, see . Gary B. Williams (born March 4, 1945 in Collingswood, New Jersey, United States) is the current head coach of the University of Maryland's Men's basketball team. Bid: At-large Tournament record: 19-15, 15 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: ACC See adaptive cruise control. Top scorer: Steve Francis
Last 10 games: 7-3. Prospects: Experienced, athletic bunch that wilted in a few marquee games. Francis must avoid 1-on-1 lapses. Flourished despite season-ending injury to C Obina Ekezie. Terps haven't been to final eight since 1975. 3. ST. JOHN'S (25-8) Jamaica, N.Y. Nickname: Red Storm Coach: Mike Jarvis Mike Jarvis is a sports commentator and former NCAA basketball coach at Boston University, George Washington University, and St. John's University. He also works as a commentator for college basketball games on ESPN. Bid: At-large Tournament record: 23-26, 24 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Big East Top scorer: Ron Artest Ronald (Ron) William Artest Jr. (born November 13 1979) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. Artest gained reputation as one of the premier defenders in the game today, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year 14.8.Top rebounder: Tyrone Grant Tyrone Grant (1977, 201cm, forward) is a professional basketball player from U.S.A and, currently, member of the italian club Veroli. He is an effective scorer and also has a great capability in rebounds. 8.6.Assist leader: Erick Barkley Erick Barkley (born February 21 1978, in Queens, New York) is an American professional basketball player. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1st round (28th pick) of the 2000 NBA Draft. 4.5. 3-point threat: Artest 52. Last 10 games: 8-2 Prospects: Bootsy Thornton leads five double-figure scorers, and Artest is among nation's most versatile players. Undersized undersized see dwarfism, runt. but deep and athletic. Grant's return from a wrist injury could lead to long postseason run in Jarvis' first year. 4. OHIO Ohio, state, United States Ohio, midwestern state in the Great Lakes region of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania (NE) West Virginia (SE), Kentucky (S), Indiana (W), and Michigan and Lake Erie (N). STATE (23-8) Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the American state of Ohio. Named for explorer Christopher Columbus, the city was founded in 1812 at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and assumed the functions of state capital in 1816. Nickname: Buckeyes Coach: Jim O'Brien Jim O'Brien may be:
Bid: At-large Tournament record: 31-17, 18 years Last NCAA appearance: 1992 Conference: Big Ten Top scorer: Michael Redd 19.5. Top rebounder: Ken Johnson 6.0. Assist leader: Scoonie Penn 4.3. 3-point threat: Penn 75. Last 10 games: 8-2 Prospects: First NCAA since `92 for a program that's a year ahead of schedule in O'Brien's second season. Redd and Penn combine for nearly 35 points per game and Buckeyes go nine deep. Abysmal free-throw shooting (less than 60 percent) a problem. 5. UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX (22-8) Los Angeles Nickname: Bruins Coach: Steve Lavin Bid: At-large Tournament record: 79-27, 34 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Pac-10 Top scorer: Baron Davis 15.9. Top rebounder: JaRon Rush 7.1.Assist leader: Earl Watson 4.5. 3-point threat: Watson 32. Last 10 games: 7-3. Prospects: With three freshmen and a sophomore among starters, the Bruins are probably a year away from championship caliber. They force more than 20 turnovers per game but are dreadful from the foul line (59 percent). 6. INDIANA (22-10) Bloomington, Ind. Nickname: Hoosiers Coach: Bob Knight Bid: At-large Tournament record: 51-22, 27 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Big Ten Top scorer: A.J. Guyton 16.3. Top rebounder: Kirk Haston 6.3. Assist leader: Michael Lewis 4.5.3-point threat: Guyton 74. Last 10 games: 6-4 Prospects: Hoosiers are making their 14th consecutive NCAA trip but haven't survived first week since `94. This year might be no different for a weak rebounding team. Only quality road victory is at Purdue. 7. LOUISVILLE (19-10) Louisville, Ky. Nickname: Cardinals Coach: Denny Crum Bid: At-large Tournament record: 48-29, 27 years Last NCAA appearance: 1997 Conference: Conference USA Top scorer: Marques Marques may refer to:
Last 10 games: 7-3 Prospects: Cards were 10-7 and losers of four straight when NCAA rescinded postseason ban. They immediately went on a six-game tear, using pressure defense and balanced scoring to compensate for lack of size. Could survive first weekend. 8. SYRACUSE (21-11) Syracuse, N.Y. Nickname: Orangemen Coach: Jim Boeheim Bid: At-large Tournament record: 37-25, 24 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Big East Top scorer: Jason Hart 13.8. Top rebounder: Ryan Blackwell 7.8. Assist leader: Hart 4.4. 3-point threat: Hart 50. Last 10 games: 5-5 Prospects: Struggled after 6-0 start, oddly enough at home. The Orangemen's zone defense might confuse non-Big East opponents, and their bulk inside is formidable (eight blocked shots per game). But there's simply not enough offense here. 9. OKLAHOMA STATE (21-10) Stillwater, Okla. Nickname: Cowboys Coach: Eddie Sutton Bid: At-large Tournament record: 26-14, 15 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Big 12 Top scorer: Adrian Peterson 17.7. Top rebounder: Desmond Mason 7.8. Assist leader: Doug Gottlieb 8.7.3-point threat: Peterson 72. Last 10 games: 6-4 Prospects: Early loss to Florida Atlantic and three-game February skid nearly doomed Cowboys' postseason prospects. But this defensive-oriented team is experienced and superbly coached. Could last a round. 10. CREIGHTON (21-8) Omaha, Neb. Nickname: Bluejays Coach: Dana Altman Bid: MVC (Model View Controller) An architecture for building applications that separate the data (model) from the user interface (view) and the processing (controller). champion Tournament record: 7-10, 9 years Last NCAA appearance: 1991 Conference: Missouri Valley Top scorer: Rodney Buford 19.0. Top rebounder: Buford 7.2.Assist leader: Ryan Sears 3.8. 3-point threat: Buford 53. Last 10 games: 7-3 Prospects: Nonconference victories over Iowa and Oklahoma, and Missouri Valley road conquests of Evansville and Southwest Missouri, legitimize le·git·i·mize tr.v. le·git·i·mized, le·git·i·miz·ing, le·git·i·miz·es To legitimate. le·git the Bluejays. Creighton likes games in the 80s and shoots nearly 40 percent from 3-point range. 11. GEORGE WASHINGTON (20-8) Washington Nickname: Colonials Coach: Tom Penders Bid: At-large Tournament record: 3-6, 6 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Atlantic 10 Top scorer: Shawnta Rogers 20.5. Top rebounder: Yegor Mescheriakov 6.8.Assist leader: Rogers 6.9. 3-point threat: Rogers 80. Last 10 games: 7-3 Prospects: Colonials force 21 turnovers per game to overcome poor shooting from the field. Rogers, at 5-foot-4, is baffling baf·fle tr.v. baf·fled, baf·fling, baf·fles 1. To frustrate or check (a person) as by confusing or perplexing; stymie. 2. To impede the force or movement of. n. 1. and amazing, capable of creating havoc at both ends. But the A-10 isn't nearly as strong as last year and postseason will be trying. 12. DETROIT (24-5) Detroit Nickname: Titans Coach: Perry Watson Bid: Midwestern Collegiate champion Tournament record: 2-4, 4 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Midwestern Collegiate Top scorer: Rashad Phillips 16.0.Top rebounder: Jermaine Jackson 6.5.Assist leader: Jackson 4.7. 3-point threat: Desmond Ferguson 79. Last 10 games: 9-1 Prospects: Watson was a Michigan assistant during the Fab Five days, but his Titans are much less glamorous, preferring grind-fests in the 60s. Phillips, only 5-foot-7, is the ringleader ring·lead·er n. A person who leads others, especially in illicit or informal activities. ringleader Noun a person who leads others in illegal or mischievous actions Noun 1. on defense. Detroit beat St. John's in first round last year. 13. MURRAY STATE (27-5) Murray, Ky. Nickname: Racers Coach: Tevester Anderson Bid: OVC OVC Overcast OVC Office for Victims of Crime (US Department of Justice) OVC Ohio Valley Conference OVC Orphans and Vulnerable Children OVC Open Voting Consortium OVC Ontario Veterinary College OVC Office of the Vice Chancellor champion Tournament record: 1-9, 9 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Ohio Valley Top scorer: Isaac Spencer 16.3. Top rebounder: Spencer 7.2. Assist leader: Aubrey Reese 5.1. 3-point threat: Rod Murray 47. Last 10 games: 7-3 Prospects: Racers won at Oklahoma early and then captured Ohio Valley regular-season title for 11th time in 12 years. Losing coach Mark Gottfried to Alabama following last season didn't hurt Murray, which is 1-9 in NCAA Tournament play. 14. SAMFORD (24-5) Birmingham, Ala. Nickname: Bulldogs Coach: Jimmy Tillette Bid: TAAC TAAC Telecommunications Access Advisory Committee TAAC Technical Analysis and Applications Center TAAC Teens Against Animal Cruelty TAAC Training Ammunition Authorization Committee TAAC Technology Assessment and Acquisition Center champion Tournament record: First year Conference: Trans America Athletic Top scorer: Reed Rawlings 16.6. Top rebounder: Marc Salyers 5.6. Assist leader: Mario Lopez 3.4. 3-point threat: Will Daniel 76. Last 10 games: 9-1 Prospects: After only one game against a top-100 opponent, the Trans-America champs are in for culture shock. But Samford figures to go down gunning. The Bulldogs shoot nearly 50 percent and make nearly 10 threes per game. 15. VALPARAISO (23-8) Valparaiso, Ind. Nickname: Crusaders Coach: Homer Drew Bid: Mid-Continent champion Tournament record: 2-3, 3 years Last NCAA appearance: 1998 Conference: Mid-Continent Top scorer: Lubos Barton 14.0. Top rebounder: Zoran Viskovic 6.7. Assist leader: Jaren Nuness 4.6. 3-point threat: Barton 62. Last 10 games: 7-3 Prospects: Fourth consecutive NCAA bid for the Mid-Continent champs, but don't expect a repeat of last season's surprising Sweet 16 run. The bulky Crusaders accomplished nothing of note outside the conference. 16. WINTHROP (21-7) Rock Hill, S.C. Nickname: Eagles Coach: Gregg Marshall Bid: Big South champion Tournament record: First year Conference: Big South Top scorer: Heson Groves 12.3. Top rebounder: Groves 7.6. Assist leader: Tyson Waterman 4.4. 3-Point threat: Robbie Waldrop 69. Last 10 games: 9-1 Prospects: Big South champs will be one-and-done in their first NCAA appearance. Winthrop has won 15 of its last 16 games. Ventured into the big time three times, losing to Minnesota, N.C. State and Virginia Tech. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Earl Watson and the Bruins must elevate their games to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. John McCoy/Daily News |
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