Midwest Regional

Sporting News, The, March 20, 2000

Heavyweight division

With powers like Michigan State, Iowa State, Maryland, Syracuse and Kentucky, this region will offer the toughest path to the Final Four. All but Maryland won at least a share of their league championship, and the Terrapins finished second in the ACC. Creighton, Central Connecticut State, Valparaiso, Samford, Iona, Ball State and Saint Louis all enter the Big Dance on a roll after winning conference tournaments. Auburn and St. Bonaventure reached their league tourney title games, and UCLA finished the season with six straight wins. Only Utah, which went 3-4 down the stretch, limps into the tourney.

Saturday

(1) MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

This is a tough team that doesn't get pushed around, and few squads rebound as relentlessly. The team has won three straight Big Ten regular-season titles with G Mateen Cleaves as the engineer. He's a superb passer who makes those around him better. Chief among the beneficiaries is Morris Peterson, an athletic wing who can shoot and drive. If that isn't enough, Michigan State can turn to a deep bench headed by F Mike Chappell, G/F Jason Richardson and F Adam Ballinger. While Michigan State can get sloppy and has limited inside offensive options aside from F Andre Hutson, it has the experience and talent to return to the Final Four.

Coach: Tom Izzo (6-2 in NCAAs).

Record: 26-7; 13-3 in Big Ten (T 1st).

Last NCAA: Lost in 1999 Final Four to Duke.

(16) VALPARAISO CRUSADERS

No player averages more than 12 points, but Lubos Barton is capable of carrying the offensive load. An athletic 6-8, 223-pound swingman who leads the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, Barton can hit the outside jumper, slash to the basket, post up smaller players and hit the offensive boards. C Raitis Grafs, a 6-10 native of Latvia, has had his moments offensively, but his biggest contributions come on defense. He has good quickness for a big man and anticipates well. The defensive-minded Crusaders will try to keep Michigan State in the low 60s or 50s. If they get into a shootout or a running game, they'll be in trouble.

Coach: Homer Drew (2-4 in NCAAs).

Record: 19-12; 10-6 in Mid-Continent (2nd).

Last NCAA: Lost in 1999 South Regional first round to Maryland.

Thursday

(8) UTAH UTES

If the Utes can bait a team into a slugfest, they don't mind winning ugly. Utah's game is pounding teams inside and slowing ... things ... down. Its success rests in the hands of a strong, deep front line led by senior Hanno Mottola, a low-post scoring threat who also can hit from outside. Utah also has a couple tourney intangibles working in its favor--its best players all have big-game experience and Rick Majerus is the guru of preparation on short notice. But Utah lacks backcourt depth and has struggled all season to find the right point guard. A running team that pressures the ball on the perimeter can cause big problems for the Utes.

Coach: Rick Majerus (16-8 in NCAAs).

Record: 22-8; 10-4 in Mountain West (2nd).

Last NCAA: Lost in 1999 Midwest Regional second round to Miami (Ohio).

(9) SAINT LOUIS BILLIKENS

After struggling down the stretch, Saint Louis bolted to the Conference USA tourney title after entering as a nine seed. Everything begins and ends with G Justin Love, who leads the Billikens in scoring, 3-pointers, assists, steals and free-throw percentage. Saint Louis can be a formidable rebounding team with burly C Chris Heinrich and F Justin Tatum leading the way. The point guard spot hasn't been a strength since freshman Marque Perry was lost for the season with an ankle injury. However, David Fergerson has played admirably. This isn't an athletic team, so to make any noise, Saint Louis must play tough defense and execute on offense.

Coach: Lorenzo Romar (0-0 in NCAAs).

Record: 19-13; 7-9 in C-USA/American (T 5th).

Last NCAA: Lost in 1998 South Regional second round to Kentucky.

(5) KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Tubby Smith has ditched the crowd-pleasing, full-court pressure of predecessor Rick Pitino, but he has gotten results. The Wildcats are daunting in the paint, where C Jamaal Magloire, G/F Tayshaun Prince and F Jules Camara defend and block shots. Playing tough defense is critical because the Wildcats can't shoot. And that problem is made worse because the perimeter players often can't decipher the difference between a good 3-point shot and a bad one. Still, on the occasions when G Keith Bogans, G Saul Smith and Prince knock down shots, the Wildcats are almost unbeatable because their defense and rebounding are constants.

Coach: Tubby Smith (15-5 in NCAAs).

Record: 22-9; 12-4 in SEC East (T 1st).

Last NCAA: Lost in 1999 Midwest Regional final to Michigan State.

(12) ST. BONAVENTURE BONNIES

The Bonnies, led by seniors C Caswell Cyrus and PG Tim Winn, are an experienced group that has seen pretty much everything. Winn isn't the type to take over games from the opening tip. He would rather get everybody involved, collect a bunch of steals and assists and then make the big plays down the stretch. He has excellent patience and knows whose job it is to stand tall at the end. Inconsistent swingman Patricio Prato is another key. When his 3s are falling, it opens things up for everyone else. The Bonnies have struggled away from home, and they won't have any home games in the NCAAs.