NO. 1 DUKE VS. NO. 16 ALABAMA STATE: The Blue Devils could have been the tournament's No. 1 overall but lost the ACC tournament finale to Maryland in OT. They shouldn't have trouble against the SWAC tournament champion, especially with a virtual home game. But the Blue Devils have some question marks. Senior PG Chris Duhon, the team leader, bruised his ribs Sunday and will be re-evaluated today, and junior G Daniel Ewing injured a hand. Sophomore G J.J. Redick was not at his best from 3-point range in the ACC tournament; he hit 3-of-17 after going in shooting 40.3 percent.
NO. 8 SETON HALL VS. NO. 9 ARIZONA: The Pirates, back in for the first time since 2000, have ridden the play of senior PG Andre Barrett (17.6 ppg, 5.9 apg). But five players average double figures, which makes them tough to defend. Just ask Pittsburgh, Providence and DePaul. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are one of the most baffling teams in the nation. They can be a juggernaut offensively with sophomore G Hassan Adams (17.3 ppg), junior G Salim Stoudamire (16.5 ppg), junior C Channing Frye (16.0 ppg) and sophomore F Andrew Iguodala (12.7 ppg). Five times they've topped the century mark. But then, they were beaten by Washington three times.
FRIDAY, COLUMBUS, OHIO
NO. 4 CINCINNATI VS. NO. 13 EAST TENNESSEE STATE: The Bearcats won the Conference USA tournament, one of the nation's toughest top-to-bottom leagues. Junior F Jason Maxiell (13.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg) can be dazzling and senior G Tony Bobbitt (13.3 ppg), when he has it going, can take over games with his perimeter shooting. They have essentially a home game, but they'd better not overlook the Southern Conference tournament champion Buccaneers. Former C-USA coach Murry Bartow (from UAB) inherited a team that returned five starters, reached the NCAA Tournament and, in a thrilling game at the St. Pete Times Forum, nearly upset No. 2 Wake Forest, losing 76-73. Look out for sophomore G Tim Smith (17.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg), senior F Zakee Wadood (14.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and former Armwood star junior G James Anthony (9.8 ppg).
NO. 5 ILLINOIS VS. NO. 12 MURRAY STATE: The Fighting Illini won the Big Ten regular-season title led by the dynamic sophomore backcourt, Dee Brown (13.0 ppg) and Deron Williams (13.9 ppg). Don't forget reserve junior C Nick Smith (7.2 ppg), the former Bloomingdale star who can be a force. Before a loss Sunday in the conference tournament finale to Wisconsin, Illinois had won 12 in a row. The Racers won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament thanks to the play of standout senior G/F Victor Cuthbert (14.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg). They have a win over Southern Illinois and, although 1-11 in the NCAA Tournament, have been a tough out historically.
FRIDAY, ORLANDO
NO. 2 MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. NO. 15 MONMOUTH: The Bulldogs won the SEC regular-season title with one of the best inside-outside duos in the nation: senior G Timmy Bowers (15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg) and junior C Lawrence Roberts (17.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg), who wouldn't be here were it not for the troubles at Baylor (the NCAA allowed him to transfer without sitting out a year). Junior F Blake Hamilton (16.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg) led the Hawks to the Northeast Conference tournament title, but it was the unexpected offensive outburst of sophomore PG Tyler Azzarelli, the former Plant High star, that was the difference in the tournament finale. He had a career-high 19 and should have a big following in Orlando.
NO. 7 XAVIER VS. NO. 10 LOUISVILLE: The Musketeers are the team no one wants to see. Their star senior G tandem of Romain Sato (16.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Lionel Chalmers (16.0 ppg) led them to wins in 13 of their last 14. That includes four in four days to win the Atlantic 10 tournament title. That also includes an 87-67 dismantling of then-undefeated Saint Joseph's last week. Louisville had soared to as high as No. 4 in the Associated Press poll before injuries broke its continuity. If sophomore F Francisco Garcia (16.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.6 apg) is healthy, this is a team that can get on a run.
THURSDAY, DENVER
NO. 3 TEXAS VS. NO. 14 PRINCETON: The Longhorns, one year removed from the Final Four, still get it done with defense and trying to push the tempo. Senior F Brandon Mouton (13.4 ppg) has the experience to help his team snap out of a slump (Texas has lost three of its past five). But the Ivy League champ Tigers, riding a nine-game winning streak, likely will dictate a slow, halfcourt pace, as they usually do. Junior C Judson Wallace (15.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and his Tigers shouldn't be intimidated by the big-name opponent. They have played at Duke, at Minnesota and at Rutgers; the latter two they lost by a combined six points.
NO. 6 NORTH CAROLINA VS. NO. 11 AIR FORCE: The Tar Heels boast perhaps the nation's most offensively dangerous starting five, led by a trio of sophomores, G Rashad McCants (20.1 ppg), C Sean May (15.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and PG Raymond Felton (10.3 ppg, 7.2 apg). But the Heels don't play much defense, allowing 75.5 ppg. The Falcons, in the NCAA for the first time since 1962, don't have that kind of firepower. Junior G Tim Keller (11.3 ppg) is their leading scorer. Despite a weak nonconference schedule, they won the Mountain West regular season and will have a home-crowd advantage.
