Trio of one: unparalleled parity makes this season as wide-open as ever, with three teams��Oklahoma, Arizona, and Kansas��the cream of the crop - thanks, mid-majors - Men's Top 25

Tom Kertes

EVEN THOUGH COLLEGE HOOPS shall always survive--indeed, thrive--on its own unique merits, the powers that be are panicking bigtime at the sight of the annual avalanche of talent tumbling into the NBA.

Thus one of the sorriest ideas in the history of college basketball--no, in the history of sports--is gathering some surprising force behind the scenes these days. Unbelievably enough, a powerful group of coaches, college presidents, and other potentates feel that every single Division I team should make the NCAA Tournament field.

Yes, all 321 of them. Including such stalwarts as Sacred Heart, High Point, IUPUI-Fort Wayne, and maybe the FBI, CIA, and AFL-CIO, too. Talk about March Madness: Imagine the Culinary Institute of Cholesterol State and Podunk State Podiatry College hooking up with Duke and Arizona to play for the title.

The true motives behind such a moronic notion are obvious: it's part money (everyone will share in the NCAA pie), part job security (you no longer get fired for not making the NCAA Tournament), part sheer arrogance. But the idea smells so very rancid because it would take away what's best in college hoops: the immense importance of each regular season contest. For anyone to think that college players will put out 100% for 30-plus games over an esoteric concept such as "a better seeding in March" is just plain silly. Making, or missing, the NCAA Tournament--now that's something to play for.

So the idea is not that more teams should make the field. It's just that the right teams should. In this era of ever-increasing parity--the big teams' big players leave early, the mid-major guys stay all four years--it is no longer valid for the selection committee to ignore outstanding middies such as Butler (25-5, including a win over national runner-up Indiana), or Ball State (22-9 with wins over Final Four contender Kansas and Sweet 16 crasher UCLA). And the seedings given to Gonzaga (29-3 at No. 6) and Western Kentucky (No. 9, at 28-3, an 18-game win streak, and a road win over Kentucky) last March were a joke.

Look, we're all for the idea of the very best teams fighting it out for the national championship. But no one who was watching Boston College or Michigan State would have shed a single tear if they were absent from the fray. Last year at least, they were just not that good.

So we welcome "Bracket Buster Sunday," a February 22 event on ESPN aimed to give wider exposure to the best mid-major teams. And we are calling for the abolition--or, at least serious amendment--of the infamous RPI system that gives thrice the importance of who you play over how you play. Has anyone ever figured out what a "good loss" is, anyway?

If you want to fix what's wrong with college hoops, bring out the three-point shot to some reasonable distance (22 feet or longer). When post play is becoming an endangered part of the game--and when nearly 40% of all shots are taken from trey land--something stinks in Denmark.

As it surely did in Indianapolis, where the trey-happy but post-poor U.S. professionals proved to be the sixth greatest basketball power in the universe.

However, even that Titanic disaster can not quite emit the pungency of putting every team in the NCAA Tournament. We all know how ideas, no matter how idiotic, can take on lives of their own and become reality. Let's bench this brain-belch before it gets too late in the game.

That way we can enjoy an outstanding season of unparalleled parity in the NCAAs, and find out who among our top contenders--and Oklahoma, Arizona, and Kansas are the at the tops of the top--will make 2002-03 another year to remember.

1. OKLAHOMA

Brainlock. It happens to the very best coaches sometimes. Too close to the action to see the forest for the trees, there's that one game where, all of a sudden, they blank on their "essence," the one thing that, more than anything else, made their great team great.

It happened to Kelvin Sampson against Indiana in the Final Four last year. His highflying hitters got there by tiding a neonasty in-your-shirt D, based on their extreme quickness and strength. So who was that masked team playing a passive zone against the Hoosiers?

Who knows. "In this game, you either get fat from success," says Sampson, the well-deserving 2001-02 Coach of the Year in many circles, "or it makes you even hungrier." We're betting the Sooners are starved.

See, Sampson pieced this squad together last season with the chewing gum-adhesive tape-safety pin guys of college basketball (juco transfers). In most cases these players are not highly rated high school All-Americans--what would they be doing in junior college?--so the coach's accomplishment (31-5, Final Four) bordered on the historic.

Every starter except star insider Aaron McGhee is back. And his loss could be more than made up for by rookies Kevin Bookout and 6'11" Larry Turner. Redshirt Johnnie Gilbert is a gifted 6'8" with a seven-foot wingspan. Center Jahbari Brown, a willowy 6'10" rejector with a world of potential, became a more confident offensive player down the stretch.

While they love to run a reverse on you with all kinds of talk about "winning ugly," in reality Oklahoma is a beautifully-balanced group. Unique two-way speedsters such as Hollis Price (16.5 ppg on 45.5% shooting) and Ebi Ere (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) elevate the Sooners to peerless levels both on the perimeter and on the defensive end.

According to Sampson, there are "10 to 15 teams out there with a realistic chance to win the national championship. And we are one of them." Maybe the one, coach.

2. ARIZONA

We love Lute. And Luke. We're addled by Arizona's talent, impressed by the Wildcats' intensity, and downright dipsy-doodled by their depth. Still, there's just this one little thing that's keeping us from zooming 'Zona all the way to No. 1 (as pretty much everyone else has): Oklahoma 88, Arizona 67, in last year's Sweet 16. That was not a game--it was an execution, especially in the second half.

While both teams bring back almost the same rosters, Olson has done anything but stand still, adding three state high school players of the year to a squad already overflowing with talent and depth.

In fact, Olson may have to bench 6'9" power forward Rick Anderson, a senior NBA-hopeful who averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. And the 'Cats have more topnotch guards than half the NBA, almost inspiring star sophomore Will Bynum to transfer over the summer.

And therein lies the rub: will last year's terrific togetherness, the main factor that carried carrying this rookie-laden bunch to entirely unexpected heights (24-10, with victories over national champion Maryland, Florida, UCLA et. al.), be torn apart at the seams by all these unseemly riches? Not while Lute is The Man. Not while Jason Gardner (20.4 ppg, 4.6 apg) is The Point. And not while 6'8" Luke Walton (15.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, a Pac-10 leading 6.3 apg), the single greatest chemistry major in college, is The Catalyst.

3. KANSAS

Could the Jayhawks be this year's Maryland? Like Maryland, they've excelled for the longest time but remained forever frustrated Final Four-wise. Like Maryland two years ago, they finally broke through that, probably largely psychological, barrier last season. And like Maryland, they've managed to keep most of their top talent away from the pros' greedy clutches.

Of course, we all know what Maryland did last year. And yes, Kansas could take that same final step into championship paradise if a few things break just right.

Wayne Simien, an awesome insider as a freshman last year, must become an even more awesome, and better-rounded, sophomore. Nick Collison, a likely 2003 NBA lottery pick, must play like an NBA lottery pick. Pass-first frosh quickster Aaron Miles must become a pass-first soph quickster, Kirk Hinrich must play like the Kirk Hinrich who led all guards in the nation in shooting percentage last season, and Roy Williams must keep on coaching like the guy who's won 80.7% of his games (tops among active coaches).

4. PITTSBURGH

Talentwise, the Panthers don't measure up to the three top teams. But, depending on exactly how much intangibles such as togetherness, chemistry, and defensive toughness mean, Pittsburgh may be the best team anywhere.

It all starts with Master Builder Ben Howland, the coach who came (to downtrodden Pittsburgh from tiny Northern Arizona just three years ago), saw (what needed to be done), and conquered. "No, it all starts with the players," he laughs. "If they don't buy into what we're trying to do, I'm outta here."

Chubby chance of that. If he so wishes, Howland can sign a 30-year contract after last year's 29-6, Sweet 16 performance. Which, by the way, would have been even sweeter if crucial quarterback Brandin Knight (15.6 ppg, 7.2 apg, 4.8 rpg, and 2.3 spg) didn't hurt his knee in the Big East Tournament. Now Knight's back--and so's every other major contributor, including jumping jack 2-guard Julius Page (12.2 ppg), bulky board-crasher Ontario Lett (a team-leading 57% from the floor), and 6'7" power player Chevon Troutman.

5. MARYLAND

Can you go right back to the Final Four after losing the likes of Chris Wilcox, Juan Dixon, and Lonny Baxter? The defending champ Terrapins might just accomplish that seemingly too-tall task.

Yes, the impossible becomes doable when you have the Next Dixon (senior sniper Drew Nicholas), an almost-Wilcox (willowy center Tahj Holden), and a near-Baxter (agile bulkster Ryan Randle) on your roster. If anyone can step in, and step up, it's those guys.

They'll have finely calibrated chemical aid from pass-first point Steve Blake (his 7.9 apg led the ACC) and an incredible incoming rookie group that might be able to fill all the gaps. Six-nine juco genius Jamar Smith is an immediate double-double threat, with big frosh Travis Garrison not far behind. Then there's Nik Caner-Medley, an electric 6'7" leaper who averaged 36.5 ppg in high school; 6'4" Chris McCray, a local tailgunner who can shoot with the best of them; and two-time Virginia Player of the Year John Gilchrist.

6. CONNECTICUT

Fans who eat, sleep, and drink college basketball--and the hoop-crazed state of Connecticut has plenty of those--should love the taste this dishy Husky edition. UConn has the attack to crack you open like a nut, the defense to chew you up--it led the nation in defensive field-goal percentage last season--and, if all else fails, there's shoteating center Emeka Okafor to block incoming missiles like no one in college hoops has since Patrick and Hakeem.

Okafor, a mere sophomore, was a 6'9" obscurity from Houston every prep guru somehow managed to ignore last year. But he outplayed just about every far more touted center by notching 4.1 bpg (6.7 against ranked opponents). Okafor's a monster on the boards, too (9.0 rpg).

He'll be backed by one of the nation's finest backcourts, led by another second-year sleeper, swing guard Ben Gordon (12.6 ppg and 62 treys in just 24 mpg). This 6'3" smoothie may not even start--he has terrific veterans ahead of him at both spots--but, once he's finished with college basketball, he'll have NBA teams lined up with lottery tickets.

7. DUKE

The departure of Player of the Year Jason Williams and two other NBA draft choices won't stop the Duke Dynasty from rollin' on. Not with a six-deep incoming recruiting class that might be able to contend in the ACC all by itself.

Yes, The Kids Are (more than) All Right--and they'll get veteran leadership from takeover point guard Chris Duhon, extraathletic swinger Dahntay Jones, and underrated 2-guard Daniel Ewing. All three own NBA futures--and, after last year's Sweet 16 disappointment, are ready to rumble. The Dukies are hurtin', which means the rest of the nation better get ready for some serious pain.

This team, with big rookies Shelden Williams and Michael Thompson both natural paint options, will feature far better balance than last year's. And the perimeter game should be equally good with Ewing, Duhon, and can't miss 6'4" rook J.J. Reddick, who made hamburgers out of his hapless defenders at the McDonald's All-America game (26 points, MVP). The only possible chinks in the armor are inexperience.

8. GEORGETOWN

Welcome to Sleeper City. The Hoyas, just 19-11 last year, missed the NCAA Tournament (and refused the NIT). They even jeopardized well-liked coach Craig Esherick's job in the process, because, as he says, "we failed to do the little things."

Indeed, when was the last time a Hoya team shot this well from the are (34.7%, fourth in the Big East) or the charity stripe (72.5%, third)? However, Georgetown stunk in those down-to-earth intangibles they used to excel at, such as boxing out, forcing opponents into bad shots, and making the extra dish.

The reasons ranged from selfishness--point guard Kevin Braswell was malting his NBA run--to inexperience. But those gifted freshman guards are now sophomores and ... well, you know the rest.

The frontcourt is the best in the land, with mooseman Mike Sweemey (19.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg) dominating eight feet and in and 6'11" center Wesley Wilson (12.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg in just 25 mpg), he of the million moves and superglue hands, coming on like gangbusters.

9. WESTERN KENTUCKY

The moment center Chris Marcus announced that he'd return to school for a fifth year, the Hilltoppers became major national contenders. And if he's fully healthy--Marcus played only 15 hobbled games last season due to a recurring stress fracture in his left foot--WKU even may become the best mid-major ever.

They beat Kentucky on the road last year--and won 15 in a row at one point without the nation's lone legitimate life-size center. "We're not a one-man team," coach Dennis Felton insists. But the 7'11" Marcus, who managed 15.9 ppg and 8.9 rpg on one leg, does make things a tad easier for the other outstanding Toppers.

Six-eight David Boyden has versatility (11.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) that gives Western an almost nonpareil frontcourt. Soph swing guard Patrick Sparks (10.2 ppg and 3.7 apg in 23 mpg, with freshman records in assists, steals, and treys) gives you John Stockton flashbacks with his cleverly efficient play. Senior sniper Mike Wells explodes off the bench--8.9 ppg in 21 mpg--and a couple of big East Europeans, 6'4" Filip Videnov and 6'9" Todor Pandov, bring a touch of tough to Western's well-balanced equation.

10. XAVIER

The Musketeers hovered on the edge of greatness last season, when they went 26-6 before giving Final Four-bound Oklahoma a terrific tussle in the NCAA Tournament's second round. Without a doubt, with four returning starters, this could be the team to bring the struggling Atlantic 10 back to prominence.

Big man David West (18.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg) is back after a brief NBA flirtation. Deepshooting 6'5" guard Romain Sato (16.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg), excels at taking advantage of the opportunities the double teams on West present. Six-foot senior Lionel Chalmers, is developing into a topnotch point. Impact addition Will Candle--the 6'10" power player redshirted last year--could move into the pivot, moving West to his natural power forward spot. Four more talented big bodies will make Xavier deep and experienced up front, a claim they could not have made a year back.

All these goodies should indeed make this the best Xavier team in history.

11. GONZAGA

With Dan Dickau gone, the point is no longer the focal point of the 'Zags. The spotlight will move inside, where one of the nation's finest frontcourts lines up no less than four players who could start, and star, on any team in the country.

The two veterans, wily 6'8" bookends Zach Gourde and Cory Violette, carried Gonzaga to a nation-leading rebound margin last year. But the new kids on the blocks--6'9" French force Rony Turiaf and 6'11" Colorado transfer Richard Fox--may have an even higher ceiling. Turiaf bounced people all over the place at the Euro Under-20 championship this summer. And "I've played against Fox in practices and pickup games," Dickau says. "He was killing us."

If healthy, junior smarty Blake Stepp won't be that big a step down from the very dandy Dan at the quarterback spot. But six-foot Winston Brooks, a point in the truest sense of the word, may be an even better option, moving Stepp to the 2-spot and giving traditionally guard-rich Gonzaga another million-dollar backcourt.

12 TEXAS

The Longhorns are one of those rare ranked teams that returns all five starters (Arizona and Pittsburgh are the others). And, ordinarily, this would be a very good thing. Except Texas was too small and soft to match up with the really big guys last year. The 'Horns went 0-4 against Kansas and Oklahoma, then lost a close one to Oregon in the NCAA Sweet 16, mainly due to the fact that 6'8" James Thomas (10.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg) was not much more than a highflying rebounder with few offensive moves. And 6'8" Brian Boddicker is a good shooter who shies away from contact.

That's where 6'9" rook Brad Buckman comes in. The McDonald's All-American is not only every bit the hardnosed pounder Boddicker isn't, but could also be the scorer Thomas is hoping to become.

As the backcourt play is already excellent--soph T.J. Ford is the No. 1 assist-ant in the country--this additional dimension could elevate Texas to an entirely new level. The 'Horns could be balanced and deep with swingmen Brandon Mouton and Royal Ivey and forward Deginald Erskin returning as leading scorers who are also in-your-shirt defenders.

13. CINCINNATI

Year after year, the Bearcats keep on losing tremendous talent. Then, just as you become inclined to ignore them, they go mid win themselves another CUSA title.

That sizzling streak stands at an unbelievable seven in a row now. Coach Bob Huggins' hardnosed hitters also won more than 25 games each of those seasons, a skein unmatched by any other team in the country.

The No. 1 reason behind such excellence is file consistent--as well as highly-pressurized and forever in-your-face--Cincy "D" that always manages to irritate opponents into sulking submission. "You hear footsteps," Memphis coach John Calipari says. "You flinch. You flail. You're never allowed an open look at the basket."

And this year the Bearcats' talent appears to be pretty sharp-clawed as well. The leading light is Leonard Stokes, a 6'6" senior 2-guard who is coming off of a 39-point, 10-rebound NCAA extravaganza against UCLA. Powerhouse 6'7" soph Jason Maxiell, who finished up last season with a trio of double-doubles, owns unquestioned superstar potential as well.

14. FLORIDA

Alleged Final Four candidate Florida veered wildly between impressive and underachieving in 2001-02. For reasons behind such unexpected unpredictability, there's no need to look further than star guard's Brett Nelson's perfs: 15 ppg on 41.5% shooting in the 22 wins--and 33.9% shooting and three or fewer assists in the nine losses. Nelson then ended his strangely-streaked season with a 4-of-19 floor-al disgrace in Florida's astonishing upset at the hands of 12-seed Creighton in the NCAA's first round. Compare this to Nelson's 51% shooting from trey range over the last 11 games (to go with 29 assists and only 13 turnovers) two years ago. When, not at all coincidentally, the Gators went to the NCAA title game.

The arrival of outstanding first-year point Anthony Roberson should steady things and allow Nelson to move full-time to the shooter's spot. Up front, 6'10" Matt Bonner (15.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg) is topnotch but the departed Udonis Haslem will still be much-missed. Donovan is actually toying with the idea of playing ridiculously skilled 6'9" Danish rookie Christian Drejer at the 4 in order to generate mismatches.

15. UNLV

If highly-rated 6'8" juco newcomers J.K Edwards and James Peters can provide power at the major college level--and all signs point that they can--the once-prominent Running Rebs should sprint fight back into the national picture.

The chemical pluses could be immeasurable: a legit inside game would allow willowy 6'10" forward Dalron Johnson (17.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), an NBA-plus talent, to move back into his more comfy "all-around genius" role. And mercurial point Marcus Banks (15.8 ppg on 47.0% from the floor), the league's Defensive Player of the Year who was simply dominant down the stretch last season, could take even more gambles with those invisible hands.

Directing is 63-year-old Charlie Spoonhour, known for an effective-but-stodgy style at previous stops, surprised everyone when UNLV led the Mountain West in scoring during his first season. "If there's one thing I've learned through all these years of coaching," he says, "is that you play with what you've got. And if you've got a guy like Banks, you run."

16. GEORGIA

This season, the word around Athens is "short." The Bulldogs are short both heightwise (no player taller than 6'8" and, after four of five members of an outrageously gifted recruiting class failed to qualify, numberswise as well.

Coach Jim Harrick's hustlers were much better than that last year when this selfsame group went 22-10 and tied for tops in the SEC East Division. The Dawgs managed all that while woefully short on perimeter prowess (32.1% on treys, usually a killer for a small team) because they were extremely long on defense.

Six-six swingman Jarvis Hayes (18.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), an NBA-caliber inside-outsider, might be the league's best player. Not far behind is 6'4" guard Ezra Williams (16.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and hardworking center Steven Thomas (8.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg). The lone addition is huge, but also hugely risky: 6'6" N.C. State transfer Damien Wilkins is a superbathlete who can do it all, including how to undo team unity by acting like a head case.

17. OREGON

Head Duck Ernie Kent is nothing if not timely. Arriving armed with a five-year plan at Oregon five years ago, he took this downtrodden program--the team hadn't won a conference title since 1945 or an NCAA game since 1960--both to the top of the Pac-10 and to the NCAA Elite Eight in his fifth year.

Not surprisingly, Oregon's onetime "Kamikaze Kid" has developed a style that could put Paul Westhead's crazed Loyola Marymount teams to shame. Basically, if Oregon doesn't score within four or five seconds of a possession, something stinks in Eugene.

Things, of course, won't smell quite the as rosy this time around sans first round NBA pick Freddie Jones and 7'3" pivot Chris Christoffersen. But Kent's program has reached the "not rebuilding but reloading" level. Two Lukes, cool handed point guard Ridnour (15.5 ppg, 5.0 apg) and solid swingman Jackson (16.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg), are among the nation's best at their positions.

18. INDIANA

In college hoops, no surprise success ever goes unpunished. Big Ten MVP Jared Jeffries' NBA departure was an unexpected blow--but there's still plenty of talent remaining in Bloomington to prove that last March's NCAA Finals march was more than just a superblytimed hot run.

The backcourt remains exceptional, with point guard Tom Coverdale tough as nails, swingman A.J. Moye an athletic puncher, and shooter Kyle Hornsby refusing to miss. And it's a good thing, too: "Basically, we win with guards," coach Mike Davis says. "Sure, we had Jeffries last year. But it was our guards that got us over the hump." Even better, good as these vets may be, 6'3" frosh Bracey Wright--a sizzling shooter and a shutdown defender--is even better. He might start immediately..

19. MARQUETTE

Without a doubt, the incomparable Dwayne Wade (17.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.46 spg, and 1.1 bpg) is by far the most talented two-way talent in the nation. In fact, the only thing missing from his rangy repertoire last season was a teammate who could put some points on the scoreboard. As a result, the 26-7 Golden Eagles were warriors on defense, but the team was offensively unbalanced, too perimeter-tilted, and way too Wade-centered, resulting in an infuriating first-round loss in the NCAAs.

Help, however, is on the way. Mississippi State transfer Robert Jackson, a load and a half in practice last season at 6'9", 255 pounds, should be able to take over inside. In 2000-01, he provided 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game---not to mention a ton of terrific 'tude--in the far tougher SEC, hitting nearly 60% of his shots. New point starter Travis Diener may be another sleeper, and the cannily clever can't-miss shooter will be backed by another sharpshooter, 5'11" freshman Karon Bradley.

20. PENN

No, this is not a misprint. If they can avoid the natural boredom that comes from playing a bunch of intramural microbiology majors and freelance physicists a majority of the time, this could be the greatest team in Ivy League history.

It's certainly the most talented: The Quakers have, count 'em, three NBA prospects in refined forwards Ugonna Onyekwe (6'8", 17.5 ppg on 55.0% shooting and 6.0 rpg) and Koko Archibong (6'9", 14.2 ppg on 51% shooting and 5.7 rpg). The Big Two also blocked 75 shots and pilfered the seed 68 times. The third phenom is quarterback Andrew Toole (13.9 ppg) who, at 6'4", simply overpowers most opposing point guards. Led by this terrific trio, Penn committed just 13 turnovers per game while beating a slew of outstanding major conference teams, such as Villanova, Georgia Tech, St. Joseph's, Iowa State, and Temple.

Now everyone on the roster's back--and starving for payback following a first round NCAA Tournament loss to Cal. "I hope that stayed in the players' guts," fiery mentor Fran Dunphy fumes. "If it didn't, I'll be sure to remind them. We all know that we are capable of far more than that."

21. PEPPERDINE

The Waves were not that far behind Gonzaga last year (a six-point loss in the WCC Tournament final) and proved superior to some of the best teams in the touted Pac-10. Now five of the top six scorers from the 22-9 team that beat UCLA and USC and nearly scared the uniforms off No. 5 Oregon in the NCAA Tournament in a hardfought 81-75 loss are back.

The returning starters include 6'6" NBA prospect Jimmy Miggins (14.9 ppg on 48.1% shooting and 7.5 rpg) and outstanding fellow forward Boomer Brazzle (11.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg). Shooting guard Terrance Johnson (12.8 ppg) was named the league's Freshman of the Year while point guard Devin Montgomery, the ideal complement to this gregarious group of randy run-'n-stunners, is a fast-improving glue.

22. LSU

Watching the all-perimeter, yet still 19-15, Tigers last year, it was obvious that the moment they acquire a post presence, they should be one heckuva team.

Well, say hello to 6'9" Panamanian Stallion Jaimie Lloreda, the No. 1 big man in juco ranks last season (20.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg for the National JC champs). Shawnson Johnson, a 6'9, 240-pound bruiser who sat out last season (marks), is another welcome add. The Lloreda-Johnson duo should also bring plenty of chemistry well by allowing everyone on the roster to play their own positions for a change. This should make superstar forward Ronald Dupree (16.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg) that much more super, and 6'4" point Torris Bright (39.8% from the arc) even brighter.

23. MICHIGAN STATE

Last year's so-so season (19-12 and a first-round crushing in the NCAAs) only proved one point: Even the best coach in the country--and Tom Izzo may be just that--can't win big without big talent. The Spartans were hardworking and superbly schooled--but also painfully limited. The biggest pain was 2-guard Kelvin Torbert, a freshman who came in with Michael Jordan potential and served up a Vernon Jordan year.

Even if Torbert remains Vernon-esque, help is on the way. The incredible recruiting class includes 6'10" Paul Davis--perhaps the best big rookie in the land--and sizzling 6'4" scorer Manrice Agar who, after drawing some Morris Peterson comparisons in high school, thoroughly dominated summer pickup games.

24. ALABAMA

In recent years, the always-talented Tide's offense has often reminded observers of a random drive-by. But Maurice Williams, an outstanding freshman point guard last year (10.4 ppg, 4.9 apg), has served as something of a settling influence on this heretofore too-hectic team.

The Crimson Tide has most everyone back, including rugged center (and SEC MVP) Erwin Dudley (15.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and solid 6'9" frontcourter Kenny Walker (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg). In addition, sweet-shooting 6'7" freshman Kennedy Winston--Alabama's prep player of the year averaged 33.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists last season--should arouse the slumbering perimeter game (dead last in the SEC at 30.9%, with the top three guards all shooting below 40% from the floor overall).

25. NOTRE DAME

Torin Francis, at 6'10", is such an educated all-around force that Irish fans will barely feel the loss of first-round pick Ryan Humphrey. Even better, Maryland transfer Danny Miller gives the Irish an unprecedented three McDonald All-Americans on the roster. Soph point guard Chris Thomas (15.6 ppg, 7.6 apg) who will form one of the nation's premiere backcourts with pureshooting Matt Carroll (14.1 ppg on 46.9% shooting, 40.2% on treys, and 82.6% from the stripe).

"We've been off of the basketball map too long," coach Mike Brey ponders. "Yup, it was off-the-charts time there for a while. But getting these players here shows how far along we've managed to come--and in such a short time."

THE NEXT TEN

26. MISSOURI: The Tigers, decimated by defections, are about as profound pinewise as a Danielle Steel potboiler. What has remained, however, is hot: Explosive Ricky Paulding (11.9 ppg, 18.3 in the NCAAs, 60.796 shooting in the last 10 games) could be another Kareem Rush--but with a better handle. Center Arthur Johnson (12.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, and a school-record 2.2 bpg) is a surprisingly mobile bulkster.

27. MISSISSIPPI STATE: Hardworking

and defensively devastating, the Bulldogs gained extra bite by the unexpected return (after flirting with the NBA) of massive center-piece Mario Austin (16.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg). Athletic point guard Derrick Zimmerman, another potential great, led the SEC in assists (6.0 apg) and ranked third in steals.

28. LOUISVILLE: It took Rick Pitino exactly one year to bring the Cards back into the shuffle. Now, with 6'6" swinger Reece Gaines (21.0 ppg, 3.6 apg) on the perimeter and newcomers Kendall Dartez (lithe 6'10" JCer) and Marvin Stone (moosey 6'10" Kentucky transfer) doing their inside thing, Slick Rick's kids should be national factors.

29. WISCONSIN: Can this Bo Ryan guy coach, or what? The first-year Badger mentor took a slow-as-you-go bunch decimated by illness and injury Oust eight scholarship players), put in his smartly calibrated signature swing offense and, voila, won a share of the Big Ten title after a 14 start. Now, led by Kirk Penney (15.1 ppg, 4.7 apg) and an exceptional recruiting group, the talent's on the improve.

30. KENTUCKY: Three years of turmoil, defections, and suspensions are finally taking their toll on this storied program. Still, juco superduper Antwain Barbour is a major catch. But can he carry this poor-shooting team (31.7% treys and 67.6% from the line) while playing out of position at point guard?

31. GEORGIA TECH: The long-struggling Yellow Jackets are ready to jump back into the thick of things--perhaps all the way to the top of the suddenly too-young ACC. You want potential? Six-seven Ed Nelson and 6'3" B.J. Elder finished first and third in last year's ACC Rookie of the Year race, improving daily as the Techies won seven of nine down the stretch. And incoming rook Chris Bosh, a versatile 6'10" wonder, should be better than either of them.

32. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: The 28-8 Salukis knocked off Texas Tech and Georgia in the NCAAs and bring three starters back. The guard play is fine and 6'8" senior forward Jermaine Dearman (19.7 ppg and 9.3 rpg in the NCAA Tournament) is a real tower of power. Still, somewhere somehow, this team must discover a center.

32. VILLANOVA: If it wasn't for all those turnovers (worst in the Big East), these too-wild 19-12 Wildcats would not have been the highest-RPI team (No. 41) to miss the NCAAs. An outstanding, nationally top-five ranked recruiting class, however, should do wonders for everyone's psyche and might mature by March.

34. CREIGHTON: Florida's NCAA conquerors lose just one major factor (miracle-shot maker Terrell Taylor) and return 6'7" Kyle Korver (15.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, and 1.6 spg), perhaps the finest all-around player in the ever-underrated MVC. The sweetshooting 6'7" swinger has connected on 242 treys and hit 87% of his freebies throughout his career.

38. NORTH CAROLINA STATE: This is another unsung squad that could take the entire enchilada in the wide-open ACC. But that could happen if, and only if, 6'6" sophomore Julius Hodge--a bigtime talent at forward--takes a shine to the point guard spot.

BASKETBALL DIGEST'S
Men's Top 25

 1. Oklahoma
 2. Arizona
 3. Kansas
 4. Pittsburgh
 5. Maryland
 6. Connecticut
 7. Duke
 8. Georgetown
 9. Western Kentucky
10. Xavier
11. Gonzaga
12. Texas
13. Cincinnati
14. Florida
15. UNLV
16. Georgia
17. Oregon
18. Indiana
19. Marquette
20. Penn
21. Pepperdine
22. LSU
23. Michigan State
24. Alabama
25. Notre Dame

Top Five in the Paint                Top Five on the Perimeter

1. GEORGETOWN                        1. OKLAHOMA
Michael Sweetney, Wesley Wilson,     Hollis Price, Quannas White, Jason
Brandon Bowman, Victor Samnick,      Detrick, DeAngelo Alexander, Ebi
Courtland Freeman                    Ere

2. GONZAGA                           2. ARIZONA
Cory Violette, Zach Gourde, Ronny    Jason Gardner, Salim Stoudamire,
Turiaf, Dustin Villepegue,           Will Bynum, Luke Walton, Chris
Richard Fox                          Rodgers, Hassan Adams

3. KANSAS                            3. KANSAS
Nick Collison, Wayne Simien, Jeff    Aaron Miles, Kirk Hinrich, Keith
Graves, Moulaye Niang                Langford, Jeff Hawkins

4. COLORADO                          4. NOTRE DAME
David Harrison, Stephane Pelle,      Chris Thomas, Matt Carroll,
Amadou Doubouya, Chris Copeland      Torrian Jones, Danny Miller

5. WESTERN KENTUCKY                  5. CONNECTICUT
Chris Marcus, David Boyden, Nate     Ben Gordon, Taliek Brown, Tony
Williams, Caleb Holcombe             Robertson, Scott Hazelton, Rashand
                                     Anderson, Denham Brown

Top 10 Impact Freshmen

 1. Carmelo Anthony (6'7" SE Syracuse)
 2. Raymond Felton (6'1" PG, North Carolina)
 3. Chris Bosh (6'11" C, Georgia Tech)
 4. Rashad McCants (6'4" SG, North Carolina)
 5. Torin Francis (6'10" PF, Notre Dame)
 6. Kevin Bookout (6'8" PF, Oklahoma)
 7. Jason Frasier (6'10" C, Vilianova)
 8. Brad Buckman (6'8" PF, Texas)
 9. Paut Davis (6'9" PF, Michigan State)
10. Elijah Ingrain (6'0" PG, St. John's)

To Five Juco Transfers

1. Jaimie Lloreda (6'9" PE LSU)
2. Jamar Smith (6'9" PE Maryland)
3. Antwain Barbour (6'5" G/F, Kentucky)
4. Rashi Johnson (6'2" PG, Michigan State)
5. Jeff Graves (6'9" C, Kansas)

To Five Impact Transfers

1. Demetrius Hunter (Georgetown to UNLV)
2. Todd Billet (Rutgers to Virginia)
3. Danny Miller (Maryland to Notre Dame)
4. John Crispin (Penn State to UCLA)
5. Damien Wilkins (N.C. State to Georgia)

All-Sleeper Team

PG: Derrick Zimmerman (Mississippi State)
SG: Romain Sato (Xavier)
SF: Ricky Paulding (Missouri)
PF: Jason Maxiell (Cincinnati)
C:  Wesley Wilson (Georgetown)

Top Five Additions
By Subtraction

1. Rod Grizzard SF, Alabama
2. Smush Parker PG, Fordham
3. Adrian Walton, SG, Fordham
4. Darius Lane, SG, Seton Hall
5. Tony Stockman, SG, Ciemson

Top Five "Welcome Backs"
(Glad They Stayed)

1. Chris Marcus, C, Western Kentucky
2. Jason Gardner, PG, Arizona
3. David West, PF Xavier
4. Jason Kapono, SF UCLA
5. Brett Nelson, SG, Florida

Top Five Conferences

1. Big 12
2. Big East
3. Pac-10
4. Big Ten
5. ACC

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group