Tampa subregional

East Tennessee State

LOCATION: Johnson City, Tenn.

ENROLLMENT: 11,500.

CONFERENCE: Southern.

TOURNAMENT BID: Automatic berth.

EAST REGION SEED: No. 15.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Won the Southern Conference tournament by defeating Chattanooga 97-90 in championship at Charleston, S.C. Also beat College of Charleston 64-55 and Wofford 80-75.

SWEET 16 APPEARANCES: Five, with the last appearance in 1992.

STRENGTHS: The Buccaneers are pumped, using their 11-year hiatus from the NCAA Tournament as a motivator. They're definitely an underdog, though they're capable of damage if they can fine-tune their defense and keep their nerves under control. With Zakee Wadood and Jerald Fields on the court, the Buccaneers have the strongest inside game in the Southern Conference and some of the best shot blocking in the nation. Though relatively young, East Tennessee State's freshmen are some of the bright spots for the Bucs, especially speedy Tim Smith. The Bucs are second in the nation in steals with 11.4 per game. Smith has been on a roll, winning the Southern Conference tournament's most outstanding player after leading the Bucs with 25 points. On the bench, senior guard Ryan Lawson has the best free-throw percentage in East Tennessee State history, and he also has led in scoring in two games this season.

WEAKNESSES: On the downside, the Bucs have allowed a lot of 3-point shots, which has been a huge factor in their losses this season. They have the sixth-best scoring offense in the nation, but they rated poorly in scoring defense. They also need to watch the turnovers, which are a soft spot.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The biggest question facing the Bucs as they enter the first round against Wake Forest is whether they can compete with the big boys. Though hungry to prove they can be contenders, many of the starters have a couple more years to prove it. Though they have a shot at advancing past the first round, they're not expected to make it much further.

HE SAID IT: "It's extremely important to have your guys confident going into an NCAA Tournament game. We'll use everything we can think of to keep their confidence level where it needs to be. In the same sense, we're playing a great basketball team. We're going to have to play extremely well." -- East Tennessee State coach Ed DeChellis.

"Ed has done a great job here, and he's had some tough times. I think the fact he was able to keep his team focused through it all just validates everything he's done. It makes people appreciate his work all the more." -- East Tennessee State athletic director Dave Mullins.

-- Compiled by Emily Nipps.

The starters and coach

Tim Smith

GUARD, 5-9 FRESHMAN

15.1 ppg, 3.7 apg

The Southern Conference freshman of the year comes up big in pressure with his 3-pointers. He leads in scoring, but his speed and smarts are his playmakers.

Zakee Wadood

FORWARD, 6-5 JUNIOR

14.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg

Wadood is one of the strongest outside shooters on the team. He broke the school record for blocks (65) and is third in the nation with 3.2 steals per game.

Jerald Fields

FORWARD, 6-7 JUNIOR

12.7 ppg. 6.5 rpg

Son of ex-Gator football star Wayne Fields, his 260-pound frame makes for awkward movement, but he is quick for his size and is an intimidating defender.

Ben Rhoda

GUARD, 6-4 FRESHMAN

8.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg

Rhoda is cool and collected on the floor. His athleticism and control of inside play earned him a starting spot, but his defense is a work in progress.

James Anthony

GUARD, 6-2 SOPHOMORE

6.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg

The Armwood graduate was a 2001 Times All-Suncoast first-teamer. Anthony likes to take the ball to the basket off the dribble and is a strong 3-point shooter.

Coach: Ed DeChellis

RECORD: 105-92, seventh season

This is DeChellis' first NCAA appearance. The back-to-back SoCon Coach of the Year has revived the Buccaneers with three straight North Division championships and a tourney title.

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