SAN DIEGO AT A GLANCE: TOP SEED STANFORD MAY HAVE EASIEST ROUTE TO MINNEAPOLIS.

Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO - A look at the eight teams at the NCAA West Regional, opening play today at San Diego State's Cox Arena.

--STANFORD (28-2): Seeded first in the West and ranked second in the country, the Cardinal is supposed to have the easiest route to the Final Four at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

A team with the kind of balance most coaches can't even dream about. With Casey Jacobsen and twins Jason Collins and Jarron Collins, it might have the best frontcourt in the nation. Of course, it was impressive the past couple of years and was knocked out in the second round.

``We're not overlooking anyone,'' Jarron Collins said.

The Cardinal is undefeated away from Maples Pavilion.

--UNC GREENSBORO (19-11): This is where we mention no 16th-seeded team in NCAA history has ever defeated a No. 1 seed.

``It's only a matter of time,'' said Greensboro coach Fran McCaffery. ``I think it's realistic that we can win the basketball game. Of course, we'll have to play a near-perfect game.''

In the shadow of the ACC, it hasn't been easy for Greensboro. But McCaffery has 5-foot-10 point guard Courtney Eldridge playing at a high level and has received a major contribution from Air Force transfer Davic Schuck, a 6-7 forward.

--GEORGIA TECH (17-12): With the Bobby Cremins era at an end, the Yellow Jackets responded under Paul Hewitt, returning to the tournament for the first time since 1996.

Another team with a top point guard: Tony Akins led the Yellow Jackets in scoring (14.2) and assists (4.2). They have only one major post player, but that's 6-11, 265-pound Alvin Jones (13.6 points, 10.3 rebounds), a likely NBA first-round pick.

``This kid Alvin Jones is the biggest thing out of Atlanta,'' said St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli. ``He's bigger than the CNN building.''

--St. JOSEPH'S (25-6): The at-large berth was the first ever for the Hawks, who used the surprising play of freshman point guard Jameer Nelson (12.4 points, 6.3 assists) and the shooting of Marvin O'Connor (21.6 points) to capture the Atlantic 10 regular-season title. Nelson was named Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated.

Like the Yellow Jackets, the Hawks prefer an up-tempo game and are led by their guards.

--INDIANA (21-12): Another interesting year for the Hoosiers, albeit without Bobby Knight. After Knight was ousted, Mike Davis took over as interim coach and things were looking fairly bleak when the Hoosiers started 12-9.

But Indiana finally got the knack of Davis' new offense - no more of that motion stuff. ``I didn't understand it,'' Davis said. The Hoosiers have gone inside to 6-10 Kirk Haston and 6-9 Jared Jefferies and tightened their defense.

--KENT STATE (23-9): The Golden Flashes received an automatic tournament berth when they caputured the Mid-America Conference tournament but look in trouble against the Hoosiers. Kent's tallest starter is 6-9 center Mike Perry.

Reason for hope: KSU and Indiana have three common opponents (Western Michigan, Northwestern, Ball State), the Hoosiers going 3-0 and the Golden Flashes 3-1 (losing their first game to Ball State).

--CINCINNATI (23-9): The No. 5 Bearcats offer yet another top backcourt, Steve Logan earning Conference USA's player of the year honors. Logan averaged 17.8 points per game (21.8 over the last 18 games), and guard Kenny Satterfield averaged 14.3 and reserve guard Leonard Stokes 10.3. No other player averaged double-figures.

--BRIGHAM YOUNG (24-8): The Cougars won the Mountain West tournament to gain the automatic berth but were rewarded with just a No. 12 seed.