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DID YOU KNOW …
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No. 12 Utah State is an unknown away from home
Give it a home crowd at the 10,270 Smith Spectrum — one of the most unheralded, hostile arenas in the nation — and Utah State is virtually unbeatable, winning all 17 home games this season by an average of 19 points. But the Aggies (30-3) were soundly beaten at Verizon Center by Georgetown in December and lost a close game on the road at BYU early in the season. Utah State’s lone good win was a 75-65 victory at Saint Mary’s — a team that just missed the NCAA tournament, losing to Gonzaga in the West Coast title game.
KEY FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP
No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Michigan State
After a disappointing season a year ago and a frustrating start this season, the Bruins have recovered by winning 19 of their last 25 games. But few would want to face Michigan State early in the tournament. The Spartans have been a disappointment, but they were a Final Four team last season. Injuries, inconsistent play and the dismissal of a key player derailed their regular season. The key for Michigan State will be limiting the inside presence of sophomore forwards Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt. But the Bruins must control experienced point guard Kalin Lucas.
THE FAVORITE
No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers
To focus on leading scorer Ashton Gibbs (16.7 ppg) would be to misunderstand the combined abilities that have made the defensive-minded and rebounding-blessed Panthers a force all season. Watch Brad Wanamaker (12.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.1 apg) complement Gibbs and Gilbert Brown (10.9 ppg) knock down 3s and watch Jamie Dixon take another crack at getting Pitt back to the Final Four for the first time since 1941. The Panthers made an early exit from the Big East tournament but were a top-five team all season.
THE CONTENDER
No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats
Remember those early polls, when the Wildcats were getting some votes for No. 1 in the nation? Four months later, Kansas State’s the same long, quick, talented team. But now it’s finally playing to its potential thanks to some addition by subtraction (Wally Judge) and the better-late-than-never resurgence of point guard Jacob Pullen. Since Valentine’s Day, the Wildcats have beaten Kansas, Texas and Missouri.
ONE AND DONE
No. 6 St. John’s Red Storm
Few teams in the tournament were as Jekyll and Hyde as the Red Storm depending on where the game was played. A first-round matchup with Gonzaga, which has won nine straight, doesn’t bode well for St. John’s, especially considering the game is in Denver, a comfortable venue for the Bulldogs. The Red Storm also will be without top rebounder D.J. Kennedy (torn ACL).
CINDERELLA
No. 9 Old Dominion Monarchs
No mid-major passes the eye test like ODU. The Monarchs have Frank Hassell (6-foot-9, 255) and Chris Cooper (6-9, 230) up front and 6-5 veterans Kent Bazemore and Ben Finney on the perimeter. This is the best rebounding team in the nation (plus-12.2 pg). Beware Big East. ODU’s NCAA wins have come over West Virginia, Villanova and Notre Dame (last year). The Monarchs are tough enough to hang with the big boys.
THE EXAMINER PREDICTS …
No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats
No region is as wide open as the Southeast. All of the top five teams enter with questions after losses to lower-seeded teams in conference tournaments. One of those squads, however, No. 5 Kansas State, is finally fulfilling the promise it held in November. The Wildcats have the backcourt to control games, the defense to give teams fits on the perimeter and the veteran leadership to make a deep run.
