The Top 5
1. Connecticut (Big East)
This is the year the Connecticut Huskies are in the Final Four. Khalid El-Amin and Richard Hamilton, make up the best backcourt in the country. El-Amin, the playmaker, is perhaps the best and most creative point guard in the country. Richard Hamilton, on the other hand, is the best shooting guard, and perhaps the best player in the country. Ricky Moore is an outstanding defender, and Rashmael Jones, Albert Mouring, and Beau Archibald look to create a spark off the bench. In the frontcourt, the underrated Kevin Freeman can put up big numbers every game without getting too much attention. Although potential star Ajou Ajou Deng failed to meet academic requirements, center Jake Voshkuhl can step up his play and become the offensive force that he can be. Add the long-awaited Edmund Saunders, Souleymane Wane, Antric Klaiber, and 7'0" Justin Brown, and the Huskies have a formidable lineup which could put them on top of the pack.
2. Duke (ACC)
For the Killer B's (Elton Brand, Shane Battier, and Chris Burgess) and Duke, it looks to be a breeze to St. Petersburg. Elton Brand is the best center in the country, period. Along with Battier and Burgess, this is the most formidable front line in the NCAA. On the bench, the depth is unbelievable. They have two All-Americans on the bench, and even talented Chris Carrawell may not start. Unfortunately, after point guard William Avery and star Trajan Langdon, they don't have much of a backcourt. This may stop them from being No. 1. But look for them to be in Florida in March, playing the best in the Tropicana Dome.
3. Stanford (Pac-10)
This is the team with the brains and the brawn. Arthur Lee is an exceptional guard, as is Kris Weems. Tim Young, the 7'1" center, is a hard-working player who can make big plays. Mark Madsen is an excellent post-player who has plenty of experience down low. It looks to be another good year for the Cardinal, but returning to the Final Four could be tough for this team, considering the lack of speed of the forwards. This team will also have to play in the best division in the country, the Pac-10, where elite teams such as UCLA, Arizona, California, and Washington are looking to stand out from the crowd. Stanford will have to use its outstanding guards and experience to return to the Big Dance.
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