TSN's top 25: … and 25 other polls, lists and must-know items to get you ready for the 2002-03 college basketball season

Sporting News, The, Nov 11, 2002 by Mike DeCourcy, Matt Hayes, Kyle Veltrop, Bob Holt, Bruce Pascoe

TSN's PRESEASON TOP 25                                     [check]
                                                          DeCourcy's
                                                            grades

(1) KANSAS

A Big 12 coach ... Kirk Hinrich is one of the most     Star power:   A
improved players I've seen. Wayne Simian looks         Chemistry:    A
great. One of the surprises is Keith Langford;         Depth:        D 
Kansas cant believe how good he is. People talk        Experience:   B 
about their lack of depth, but Roy Williams doesn't    Toughness:    A
play a lot of kids. They might have to play some       Playmaking:   A
with three bigs, maybe in a triangle motion.

(2) ARIZONA

A Pac-10 coach says ... They've got the smartest       Star power:   A
player in Luke Walton. Jason Gardner is more of a      Chemistry:    B
scoring point guard, but he'll set the tone. We        Depth:        A 
broke them down off the dribble; they'll be in a       Experience:   B
better position to handle that with the younger        Toughness:    B
guys, Hassan Adams and Andre Iguodala. Is Will Bynum   Playmaking:   A-
going to accept his role? How about Salim
Stoudamire?

(3) OKLAHOMA

A Big 12 coach says ... Kelvin Sampson can get his     Star power:   B 
kids to play hard. They don't have to score a ton of   Chemistry:    A
points because they play such good defense. I          Depth:        A
thought Ebi Ere got tired, but he's a hard matchup.    Experience:   B
Hollis Price is always positive, active. I think       Toughness:    A 
they're missing a good big player, but they've got     Playmaking:   B
such good guard and wing play.

(4) ALABAMA

An SEC coach says ... Their strength is in their       Star power:   A-
backcourt, having a lot of depth, a lot of speed.      Chemistry:    A-
They probably gained by losing Rod Grizzard. It        Depth:        B
seemed like he had his own agenda. Erwin Dudley is     Experience:   B 
their best player; I don't think Gizzard would         Toughness:    B 
accept that, and sometimes it would hurt them. Mo      Playmaking:   A
Williams can blow by everybody, and he knows how to
play.

(5) XAVIER

An Atlantic 10 coach says ... They played tough,       Star power:   A
guarded you tough and were efficient enough on         Chemistry:    B 
offense. The thing that gave them the must trouble     Depth:        B 
was zone. I've heard Romain Sato improved his          Experience:   B 
shooting; he's going to be the key. David West is a    Toughness:    A-
given. Lionel Chalmers, at times, plays a little       Playmaking:   B-
faster than he's comfortable. They have to manage
all the hype.

(6) TEXAS

A Big 12 coach says ... T.J. Ford is so smart and      Star power:   B 
quick. He almost always makes the right decision.      Chemistry:    A-
Everybody knows his weakness, but the kid worked his   Depth:        A-
butt off on shooting. With Brad Buckman coming in,     Experience:   B
Brian Boddicker can go to the high post; he wants to   Toughness:    A-
be a 3. Outside 8 feet, James Thomas can't drop it     Playmaking:   A 
in the ocean, but he never goes outside 8 feet.

(7) PITTSBURGH

A Big East coach says ... They're going to be the      Star power:   B
same team as last year, which is pretty darned good.   Chemistry:    A 
The obvious strength is point guard; they get great    Depth:        A-
leadership from Brandin Knight. They had a guard       Experience:   A
sitting out, Carl Krauser, who is fabulous. The        Toughness:    A-
pressure is on Ben Howland to keep them together.      Playmaking:   A
The biggest challenge is how they deal with their
success.

(8) FLORIDA

An SEC coach says ... If David Lee and James White     Star power:   B 
play to their potential, they're as good as anybody.   Chemistry:    C
Christian Drejer gives them the option of moving       Depth:        A
guys around. They need to keep Brett Nelson within     Experience:   A-
the framework of the team. Anthony Roberson is         Toughness:    B-
interesting; where does he fit? With him Nelson,       Playmaking:   B-
there may not be enough balls.

(9) DUKE

An ACC coach says ... Chris Duhon is ready for a       Star power:   B 
breakout. He deferred to Jay Williams and Mike         Chemistry:    B 
Dunleavy last year. Along with Daniel Ewing and        Depth:        A-
Dahntay Jones, their backcourt is solid. Can Casey     Experience:   B-
Sanders and Nick Horvath give them enough? The young   Toughness:    B
guys, by the middle of the year, will play often. I    Playmaking:   A
look for Duke to run sets and be more structured.

(10) MICHIGAN STATE

A Big Ten coach says ... If they use Chris Hill at     Star power:   C 
the point, he's a heck of a player, but he's not       Chemistry:    A-
super quick. He couldn't move his feet and wasn't a    Depth:        A-
ballhandler last year. They were so young you could    Experience:   B-
see they weren't a typical Michigan State team.        Toughness:    A
Kelvin Torbert had a tough year, but he's a talent.    Playmaking:   B-
The rest of those guys are going to be better, too.

(11) MISSISSIPPI STATE

An SEC coach says ... They are very physical and can   Star power:   B 
beat people up. They've got a lot of big guards who    Chemistry:    B
can cause matchup problems. There were times when      Depth:        B 
you could question, "Why aren't they getting the       Experience:   B 
ball to Mario Austin? Why are they taking that         Toughness:    A-
shot?" When you've got a kid like Austin, you've       Playmaking:   B 
got to get him the ball.

(12) OREGON

A Pac-10 coach says ... Luke Ridnour is one of the     Star power:   A
best lead guards in the country. Luke Jackson is a     Chemistry:    B 
tough matchup. If you put a smaller guy on him,        Depth:        C 
he'll go down and post him. A bigger guy, and he'll    Experience:   B
go by him. Freddie Jones--it's tough to replace a      Toughness:    B 
guy like that. Ernie Kent always has relied on the     Playmaking:   A
perimeter. We don't mind playing them, put it like
that.

(13) GONZAGA

A West Coast Conference coach says ... Ronny Turiaf    Star power:   C 
is going to be a key--his rebounding, his on-court     Chemistry:    A-
presence. When he comes in, he brings energy.          Depth:        B 
They'll have like seven inside guys. How Blake Stepp   Experience:   B 
handles the point is going to be big. Dan Dickau       Toughness:    A-
took a lot of pressure off them. We tried to keep      Playmaking:   B-
the ball out of Dickau's hands and tried to force
it on Stepp.

(14) MARYLAND

An ACC coach says. ... You start with Steve Blake,     Star power:   C
but I don't know who you look to next. Drew            Chemistry:    B 
Nicholas, can he step up and take a bigger role? I     Depth:        B
don't think so. I don't see anybody at small           Experience:   B
forward. Tahj Holden, Ryan Randle, Travis Garrison     Toughness:    B 
and Jamar Smith--they're good, but they don't          Playmaking:   A
separate themselves from other teams in the league.

(15) WESTERN KENTUCKY

A Sun Belt coach says ... Having the big kid, Chris    Star power:   B 
Marcus, back is a great plus. They shoot it well.      Chemistry:    A-
Their man defense is good because they have good       Depth:        A
size and quickness, and when you've got Marcus in      Experience:   B 
the middle, he can make you alter your shot. They're   Toughness:    B 
strong. They can try to overpower you. It's hard       Playmaking:   B 
to rattle them, but they could have problems with
quickness.

(16) UCLA

A Pac-10 coach says ... Jason Kapono is a great        Star power:   B 
shooter, but it will be interesting to see how much    Chemistry:    C
he improved his game off the dribble. Cedric Bozeman   Depth:        B-
is a tough matchup, but can he run a team? They're     Experience:   B
going to be versatile, and Steve Lavin will be able    Toughness:    C 
to play the way he did two years ago, pressing a       Playmaking:   B-
lot. You never know about their chemistry.

(17) MARQUETTE

A C-USA coach says ... The biggest hole is point       Star power:   A
guard. Travis Diener has been a shooter, and now       Chemistry:    B 
he's going to have to be able to handle pressure and   Depth:        C 
get his team into the offense--and make shots. They    Experience:   B-
match up will, everybody in the country at every       Toughness:    B 
other position. Dwyane Wade is a pro on the wing.      Playmaking:   B
His athleticism--you have to be there to appreciate
it.

(18) MISSOURI

A Big 12 coach says ... Rickey Paulding really came    Star power:   A-
on. He was one of the most improved players in the     Chemistry:    B-
league. But they lost Kareem Rush and Clarence         Depth:        C 
Gilbert, and that was a big part of their team. I      Experience:   B
thought Arthur Johnson looked great this summer. But   Toughness:    B 
But they need good guards. When Ricky Clemons is on,   Playmaking:   C
he's really good. And when he's off, he can kill his
own team.

(19) GEORGIA

An SEC coach says ... They're as talented, as one      Star power:   A-
through seven, as anyone. You need somebody to         Chemistry:    B
give fouls, and they may not have that luxury. A       Depth:        C-
key is how Damien Wilkins fits. People say Jarvis      Experience:   B 
Hayes takes too many shots, but he can hit those.      Toughness:    B
Everyone thinks they're vulnerable. I think            Playmaking:   B 
they'll be fine. Jim Harrick has faced a lot of
adversity in his time.

(20) CONNECTICUT

A Big East coach says ... Ben Gordon gets better       Star power:   A-
everyday. They've got enough player. Leadership is     Chemistry:    B 
an issue, and so is a go-to big guy. Emeka Okafor      Depth:        B
is a shot blocker. It's not like you can throw it      Experience:   B-
to him every time. Justin Brown is a sleeper. I        Toughness:    B
don't think Jim Calhoun likes him, but he's big,       Playmaking:   B
a decent shooter and a good passer. Justin's
problem is confidence.

(21) TULSA

A WAC coach says ... Greg Harrington is a big          Star power:   B-
loss. They'll miss his leadership and his savvy.       Chemistry:    A-
He was a big guard; Antonio Reed is not as             Depth:        B
physical. I look for them to be a little more          Experience:   A
uptempo. From a size standpoint, the three             Toughness:    B
frontcourt positions can be a matchup problem for      Playmaking:   B
them. They might struggle defensively, but
offensively they can push it.

(22) KENTUCKY

An SEC coach says ... The whole deal of being          Star power:   B
Kentucky is starting to get to them. What's            Chemistry:    C-
consistent about them? It isn't Keith Bogans.          Depth:        B 
It could be Gerald Fitch, but was he good              Experience:   B-
because he was                                         Toughness:    C 
second fiddle to Tayshaun Prince? (A lack of           Playmaking:   C
on-court leadership) is why they're not where
they should be. I think that's what's driving
Tubby Smith nuts.

(23) INDIANA

A Big Ten coach says  ... Losing Jared Jeffries        Star power:   C
and Jarrad Odle, they need some help in the            Chemistry:    A-
frontline. Sean Kline is a huge part of the            Depth:        B 
puzzle. Without him, they would be a little soft       Experience:   B 
inside. They have the threats from the perimeter.      Toughness:    B
Can Bracey Wright make an impact? He can create        Playmaking:   B 
his shot and get to the lane. They'll be
different, but they can be as effective.

(24) CREIGHTON

A Missouri Valley coach says ... The departure         Star power:   B
of Terrell Taylor hurts. He could get his own          Chemistry:    A-
shot. Kyle Korver is one of the best player            Depth:        B
nobody knows about. Maybe athleticism is a             Experience:   A-
weakness, but they'll be a better rebounding team      Toughness:    B
with Brody Deren as a junior. If you're soft with      Playmaking:   C
those guys, they'll bust you in the mouth and
won't ask if you're all right.

(25) CINCINNATI

A C-USA coach says ... They have one non-              Star power:   B
question--their coach. Jason Maxiell goes from         Chemistry:    B
a guy who didn't start to somebody they're             Depth:        C
expecting to be a go-to guy. Leonard Stokes will       Experience:   B-
have to deal with the other team's best defender;      Toughness:    B 
that's big difference. I think Bob Huggins will        Playmaking:   C-
use the press. He got into the top 20 and got
conservative.

Ten players about to break through

None of these players averaged double figures
in points last season--but they will this season.

 1. Jason Maxiell, F, Cincinnati
 2. Kelvin Torbert, G, Michigan State
 3. David Lee, F, Florida
 4. Rolando Howell, F, South Carolina
 5. Josh Childress, F, Stanford
 6. Dijon Thompson, G/F, UCLA
 7. Keith Langford, G/F, Kansas
 8. Ed Nelson, F, Georgia Tech
 9. Anthony Richardson, F, Florida State
10. Marco Killingsworth, F, Auburn

The toughest venues to play in
(not named Cameron, Rupp or Allen)

1. McArthur Court, Oregon
2. Breslin Center, Michigan State
3. Williams Arena, Minnesota
4. Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State
5. The Pit, New Mexico
6. Maples Pavilion, Stanford
7. Reilly Center, St. Bonaventure

TSN's mid-major (and beyond) top 12

(National rank in parantheses)

 1. Gonzaga (13)
 2. Western Kentucky (15)
 3. Creighton (24)
 4. Pennsylvania (29)
 5. Southern Illinois (35)
 6. Ohio (37)
 7. Pepperdine (44)
 8. Ball State (62)
 9. Western Michigan (68)
10. Drake (71)
11. Wis.-Milwaukee (76)
12. Bowling Green (78)

Big guys who prove the college
game still has good big guys

6-10 and taller

1. Chris Marcus, 7-1/285, Western Kentucky
2. Rick Rickert, 6-11/2/16, Minnesota
3. David Harrison, 7-0/240, Colorado
4. Matt Bonner, 6-10/237, Florida
5. Channing Frye, 6-10/222, Arizona
6. Uche Nsonwu-Amadi, 6-10/260, Wyoming
7. Earl Barron, 7-0/248, Memphis
8. Chris Bosh, 6-10/210, Georgia Tech

On the rise

Assistants who soon will be head coaches

1. Brian Gregory, Michigan State
2. Dave Dickerson, Maryland
3. Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh
4. Mick Cronin, Louisville
5. Paul Biancardi, Ohio State
6. Anthony Grant, Florida
7. Jim Shaw, Oklahoma
8. Mike Hopkins, Syracuse

The dandy dozen from the Class of 2003

Rk.   Name                 Pos.   Hit./Wt.

 1.   LeBron James         G      6-6/225
 2.   Luol Deng            SF     6-8/217
 3.   Charlie Villanueva   PF     6-10/215
 4.   James Lang           C      6-11/300
 5.   Brian Butch          C      7-0/217
 6.   Kendrick Perkins     C      6-10/260
 7.   Ndudi Ebi            PF     6-10/195
 8.   Kris Humphries       PF     6-8/226
 9.   Ivan Harris          SF     6-7/200
10.   Shannon Brown        PG     6-4/185
11.   Leon Powe            PF     6-8/230
12.   Andrew Lavender      PG     5-7/155

Rk.   School/City

 1.   St. Vincent-St. Mary/Akron, Ohio
 2.   Blair Academy/Blairstown, N.J.
 3.   Blair Academy/Blairstown, N.J.
 4.   Central Park Christian/Birmingham, Ala.
 5.   Appleton West/Appleton, Wis.
 6.   Ozen/Beaumont, Texas
 7.   Westbury Christian/Houston
 8.   Hopkins/Minnetonka, Minn.
 9.   Springfield South/Springfield, Ohio
10.   Proviso East/Maywood, Ill.
11.   Oakland Tech/Oakland
12.   Brookhaven/Columbus, Ohio

Rk.   Schools considers

 1.   NBA
 2.   Duke, Virginia, Missouri, Indiana
 3.   Illinois, Indiana, Seton Hail, Villanova
 4.   Committed to Louisville
 5.   N. Carolina, Marquette, Wisconsin, Kansas
 6.   Committed to Memphis
 7.   Committed to Arizona
 8.   Committed to Duke
 9.   Committed to Ohio State
10.   Committed to Michigan State
11.   Committed to California
12.   Committed to Oklahoma

Note: Commitments are not binding before a player signs a national
letter of intent. The fall signing period runs November 13-20.

--Mike Sullivan, RivalsHoops.com

Top junior college arrivals

Rk.   Player            Pos.   Ht./Wt.   Junior college

 1.   Tim Barnes        PG     6-1/165   Southeastern Illinois
 2.   Nate Johnson      SG     6-1/180   Penn Valley (Mo.)
 3.   Derrick Tarver    SG     6-4/210   San Francisco
 4.   Antwain Barbour   SG     6-5/195   Wabash Valley (Ill.)
 5.   Terrance Thomas   F      6-7/220   Lon Morris (Texas)

Rk.   D-I school   Comment

 1.   Iowa State   Weighs 40 pounds less than Jamaal
                   Tinsley but gives Cyclones a true point guard.
 2.   Nebraska     Comes from a D-II school but has deep 3-point
                   range and should add offense.
 3.   Akron        Strong, determined lefty should terrorize
                   the MAC.
 4.   Kentucky     Former Kentucky prep star returns home; will
                   try to help Wildcats return to prominence.
 5.   Baylor       Has a power forward's body but a small
                   forward's scoring mentality.

--Rick Ball, Ballplayers JC Report

TSN's mid-major (and beyond) All-American teams

First team

Pos.   Player            School              Year   Ht./Wt.

G      David Bailey      Loyola (III.)       Sr.    5-8/165
G      Kent Williams     Southern Illinois   Sr.    6-2/180
F      Kyle Korver       Creighton           Sr.    6-7/210
F      Cory Violette     Gonzaga             Jr.    6-8/250
C      Chris Marcus      Western Kentucky    Sr.    7-1/285

Second team

G      Jason Conley      VMI                 So.    6-5/175
G      Kevin Martin      Western Carolina    So.    6-5/170
F      Henry Domercant   Eastern Illinois    Sr.    6-4/200
F      Theron Smith      Ball State          Sr.    6-8/225
F/C    Brandon Hunter    Ohio                Sr.    6-7/260

Conference rankings

Mid-majors and beyond

Each team's preseason national rank in parentheses. Asterisk denotes
projected NCAA Tournament pick.

1 BIG 12

T.J. Ford

 1. Kansas (National rank: 1) *
 2. Oklahoma (3) *
 3. Texas (6) *
 4. Missouri (18) *
 5. Texas Tech (27) *
 6. Oklahoma State (64)
 7. Baylor (69)
 8. Colorado (73)
 9. Iowa State (83)
10. Nebraska (105)
11. Kansas State (126)
12. Texas A&M (132)

First team
T.J. Ford, G, Texas
Kirk Hinrich, G, Kansas
Hollis Price, G, Oklahoma
Rickey Paulding, F, Missouri
Nick Collison, F/C, Kansas

Player of the year
Kirk Hinrich, G, Kansas

Newcomer of the year
Nate Johnson, G, Nebraska

Best shooter
Jake Sullivan, G, Iowa State

Best playmaker
T.J. Ford, G, Texas

Best rebounder
James Thomas, C, Texas

Best NBA prospect
Rickey Paulding, F, Missouri

2 SEC

Jarvis Hayes

East 1. Florida (8) *
2. Georgia (19) *
3. Kentucky (22) *
4. South Carolina (59)
5. Tennessee (67)
6. Vanderbilt (79)

West: 1. Alabama (4) *
2. Mississippi State (11) *
3. LSU (33) *
4. Mississippi (43) *
5. Auburn (72)
6. Arkansas (102)

First team
Maurice Williams, G, Alabama
Ronald Duprae, F, LSU
Jarvis Hayes, F, Georgia
Erwin Dudley, F, Alabama
Mario Austin, C/F, Miss. State

Player of the year
Jarvis Hayes, F, Georgia

Newcomer of the year
Antwain Barbour, G, Kentucky

Best shooter
Jon Higgins, G, Tennessee

Best playmaker
Maurice Williams, G, Alabama

Best rebounder
Erwin Dudley, F, Alabama

Best NBA prospect
Christian Drejer, F, Florida

3 PAC-10

Luke Ridnour

 1. Arizona (2) *
 2. Oregon (12) *
 3. UCLA (16) *
 4. Southern California (38) *
 5. California (49) *
 6. Arizona State (66)
 7. Stanford (70)
 8. Washington (92)
 9. Oregon State (99)
10. Washington State (131)

First team
Luke Ridnour, G, Oregon
Jason Gardner, G, Arizona
Luke Walton, F, Arizona
Jason Kapono, F, UCLA
Luke Jackson, F, Oregon

Player of the year
Luke Walton, F, Arizona

Newcomer of the year
Brandon Brooks, G, USC

Best shooter
Jason Kapono, F, UCLA

Best playmaker
Luke Ridnour, G, Oregon

Best rebounder
Luke Walton, F, Arizona

Best NBA prospect
Luke Ridnour, G, Oregon

4 ACC

Steve Blake

1. Duke (9) *
2. Maryland (14) *
3. Virginia (28) *
4. Georgia Tech (31) *
5. North Carolina State (36) *
6. North Carolina (52)
7. Wake Forest (53)
8. Clemson (85)
9. Florida State (110)

First team
Chris Duhon, G, Duke
Steve Blake, G, Maryland
Josh Howard, F, Wake Forest
Dahntay Jones, F, Duke
Travis Watson, F/C, Virginia

Player of the year
Chris Duhon, G, Duke

Newcomer of the year
Chris Bosh, F/C, Georgia Tech

Best shooter
Todd Billet, G, Virginia

Best playmaker
Steve Blake, G, Maryland

Best rebounder
Travis Watson, F/C, Virginia

Best NBA prospect
Raymond Felton, G, UNC

5 BIG EAST

Carmelo Anthony

East: 1. Connecticut (20) *
2. Villanova (40) *
3. Boston College (57)
4. St. John's (63)
5. Miami (65)
6. Providence (89)
7. Virginia Tech (162)

West: 1. Pittsburgh (7) *
2. Syracuse (26) *
3. Notre Dame (39) *
4. Georgetown (45) *
5. Rutgers (51)
6. Seton Hall (77)
7. West Virginia (136)

First team
Brandin Knight, G, Pittsburgh
Troy Bell, G, Boston College
Darius Rice, F, Miami
Mike Sweetney, F, Georgetown
Emeka Okafor, F/C, Connecticut

Player of the year
Brandin Knight, G, Pittsburgh

Newcomer of the year
Carmelo Anthony, F, Syracuse

Best shooter
Troy Bell, G, Boston College

Best playmaker
Brandin Knight, G, Pittsburgh

Best rebounder
Mike Swestney, F, Georgetown

Best NBA prospect
Carmelo Anthony, F, Syracuse

6 BIG TEN

LaVell Blanchard

 1. Michigan State (10) *
 2. Indiana (23) *
 3. Minnesota (32) *
 4. Wisconsin (41) *
 5. Ohio State (47) *
 6. Illinois (50)
 7. Michigan (75)
 8. Northwestern (81)
 9. Purdue (95)
10. Iowa (104)
11. Penn State (130)

First team
Tom Coverdale, G, Indiana
Chris Hill, G, Michigan State
Kirk Penney, G/F, Wisconsin
Brian Cook, F, Illinois
Rick Rickert, F, Minnesota

Player of the year
Rick Rickert, F, Minnesota

Newcomer of the year
Bracey Wright, G, Indiana

Best shooter
Sharif Chambliss, G, Penn State

Best playmaker
Tom Coverdale, G, Indiana

Best rebounder
Adam Ballinger, F, Michigan St.

Best NBA prospect
LaVell Blanchard, F, Michigan

7 C-USA

Marque Perry

American: 1. Marquette (17) *
2. Cincinnati (25) *
3. Louisville (34) *
4. Charlotte (74)
5. Saint Louis (115)
6. East Carolina (185)
7. DePaul (188)

National 1. Memphis (55)
2. TCU (84)
3. South Florida (98)
4. Tulane (142)
5. Houston (158)
6. Southern Miss (164)
7. UAB (191)

First team
Junior Blount, G, TCU
Reece Gaines, G, Louisville
Dwyane Wade, G, Marquette
Jason Maxiell, F, Cincinnati
Brandon Brown, F, Tulane

Player of the year
Dwyane Wade, G, Marquette

Newcomer of the year
Robert Jackson, F, Marquette

Best shooter
Reece Gaines, G, Louisville

Best playmaker
Marque Perry, G, Saint Louis

Best rebounder
Louis Truscott, F, Houston

Best NBA prospect
Dwyane Wade, G, Marquette

8 MOUNTAIN WEST

Nick Jacobson

1. Wyoming (30) *
2. UNLV (42) *
3. BYU (56)
4. Utah (60)
5. San Diego State (87)
6. Colorado State (146)
7. New Mexico (151)
8. Air Force (173)

First team
Ruben Douglas, G, New Mexico
Marcus Banks, G, UNLV
Marcus Bailey, G, Wyoming
Britton Johnsen, F, Utah
Dalron Johnson, F, UNLV

Player of the year
Ruben Douglas, G, New Mexico

Newcomer of the year
Demetrius Hunter, G, UNLV

Best shooter
Nick Jacobson, G, Utah

Best playmaker
Ruben Douglas, G, New Mexico

Best rebounder
Uche Nsonwu-Amadi, C,
Wyoming

Best NBA prospect
Dalron Johnson, F, UNLV

9 ATLANTIC 10

Jameer Nelson

East: 1. Temple (46) *
2. Saint Joseph's (58)
3. Massachusetts (106)
4. St. Bonaventure (123)
5. Fordham (153)
6. Rhode Island (196)

West: 1. Xavier (5) *
2. Dayton (54)
3. Richmond (91)
4. La Salle (161)
5. George Washington (181)
6. Duquesne (201)

First team
Jameer Nelson, G, St. Joseph's
Marques Green, G, St. Bonaventure
Chris Monroe, G, G. Washington
Remain Sato, G/F, Xavier
David West, F/C, Xavier

Player of the year
David West, F/C, Xavier

Newcomer of the year
Keith Butler, C, Temple

Best shooter
Romain Sato, G/F, Xavier

Best playmaker
Jameer Nelson, G, St. Joseph's

Best rebounder
David West, F/C, Xavier

Best NBA prospect
Jameer Nelson, G, St. Joseph's

10 WAC

Dante Swanson

 1. Tulsa (21) *
 2. Hawaii (48) *
 3. Louisiana Tech (61)
 4. Fresno State (88)
 5. Nevada (143)
 6. SMU (149)
 7. Rice (178)
 8. UTEP (187)
 9. San Jose State (193)
10. Boise State (200)

First team
Dante Swanson, G, Tulsa
Antonio Reed, G, Tulsa
Carl English, G/F, Hawaii
Kevin Johnson, F, Tulsa
Antonio Meeking, F, La. Tech

Player of the year
Carl English, G/F, Hawaii

Newcomer of the year
Bryan Hopkins, G, SMU

Best shooter
Dante Swanson, G, Tulsa

Best playmaker
Mark Campbell, G, Hawaii

Best rebounder
Michael Harris, F, Rice

Best NBA prospect
Kirk Snyder, F, Nevada

(11) Missouri Valley

 1. Creighton (24) *
 2. Southern Illinois (35) *
 3. Drake (71)
 4. Illinois State (108)
 5. Wichita State (147)
 6. Northern Iowa (168)
 7. Southwest Missouri State (170)
 8. Bradley (172)
 9. Indiana State 1183)
10. Evansville (186)

First team
Luke McDonald, G, Drake
Kent Williams, G, S. Illinois
Kyle Korver, F, Creighton
Jermaine Dearman, F, S. Illinois
Baboucarr Bojang, C, Illinois State

Player of the Year
Kyle Korver, F, Creighton

Top newcomer
Trey Guidrey, G, Illinois State

(12) West Coast

1. Gonzaga (13) *
2. Pepperdine (44) *
3. San Francisco (117)
4. San Diego ((124)
5. Santa Clara (150)
6. Saint Mary's (219)
7. Loyola Marymount (250)
8. Portland (275)

First team
Kyle Bailey, G, Santa Clara
Blake Stepp, G, Gonzaga
Jimmy Miggins, F, Pepperdine
Darrell Tucker, F, San Francisco
Cory Violette, F, Gonzaga

Player of the Year
Cory Violette, F, Gonzaga

Top newcomer
Richard Fox, C, Gonzaga

(13) Mid-American

West Division
1. Ball State (62)
2. Western Michigan (68)
3. Bowling Green (78)
4. Northern Illinois (167)
5. Central Michigan (174)
6. Toledo (179)
7. Eastern Michigan (192)

East Division
1. Ohio (37) *
2. Akron (80)
3. Miami (Ohio) (93)
4. Kent State (133)
5. Marshall (141)
6. Buffalo (203)

First team
Ronald Blackshear, G, Marshall
Hobby Collum, G, Western Michigan
Theron Smith, F, Ball State
Brandon Hunter, F, Ohio
Antonio Gates, F, Kent State

Player of the Year
Theron Smith, F, Ball State

Top newcomer
Cameron Echols, F/G, Ball State

(14) Sun Belt

East Division
1. Western Kentucky (15) *
2. Arkansas-Little Rock (152)
3. Middle Tennessee (157)
4. Arkansas State (189)
5. Florida International (235)

West Division
1. Louisiana-Lafayette (118)
2. New Mexico State (137)
3. New Orleans (177)
4. North Texas (249)
5. South Alabama (251)
6. Denver (274)

First team
Chris Davis, G, North Texas
Nick Zachery, G, Ark.-Little Rock
Hector Romero, F, New Orleans
Michael Southall, C, La.-Lafayette
Chris Marcus, C, Western Kentucky

Player of the Year
Chris Marcus, C, Western Kentucky

Top newcomer
Johnell Smith, G, New Orleans

(15) Southern

North Division
1. East Tennessee State (119) *
2. UNC Greensboro (205)
3. Davidson (210)
4. VMI (239)
5. Western Carolina (259)
6. Appalachian State (267)

South Division
1. Georgia Southern (125)
2. College of Charleston 1190)
3. Furman (221)
4. Chattanooga (236)
5. Wofford (244)
6. The Citadel (203)

First team
Guilherme Da Luz, G, Furman
Jason Conley, G, VMI
Kevin Martin, G/F, Western Carolina
Zakee Waddod, F, East Tenn. State
James Maye, F, UNC Greensboro

Player of the Year
Jason Conley, G, VMI

Top newcomer
Brad Nuckles, F, East Tenn. State

(16) Horizon

1. Wisconsin-Milwaukee (76) *
2. Butler (100)
3. Illinois-Chicago (134)
4. Detroit (140)
5. Loyola (Ill.) (165)
6. Wright State (171)
7. Wisconsin-Green Bay (195)
8. Cleveland State (229)
9. Youngstown State (294)

First team
David Bailey, G, Loyola (Ill.)
Cedric Banks, G, Illinois-Chicago
Brandon Miller, G, Butler
Clay Tucker, G, Wis.-Milwaukee
Seth Doliboa, F, Wright State

Player of the Year
David Bailey, G, Loyola (Ill.)

Top newcomer
Jose Winston, G, Wis.-Milwaukee

(17) Metro Atlantic

 1. Manhattan (116) *
 2. Niagara (184)
 3. Canisius (197)
 4. Iona (202)
 5. Siena (214)
 6. Fairfield (225)
 7. Marist (230)
 8. Rider (282)
 9. St. Peter's (285)
10. Loyola (Md.) (308)

First team
Brian Dux, G, Canisius
Luis Flares, G, Manhattan
Prosper Karangwa, G, Siena
Courtney Fields, F, Iona
James Reaves, F, Niagara

Player of the Year
Luis Floras, G, Manhattan

Top newcomer
Kenny Minor, G, Manhattan

(18) Big West

 1. UC Santa Barbara (82) *
 2. UC Irvine (97)
 3. Utah State (107)
 4. Long Beach State (127)
 5. Cal Poly (163)
 6. UC Riverside (207)
 7. Cal State Northridge (231)
 8. Pacific (246)
 9. Cal State Fullerton (252)
10. Idaho (280)

First team
Demetrius Jackson, G, Pacific
Jason Allen, G, Cal Poly
Mark Hull, F/G, UC Santa Barbara
Desmond Penigar, F, Utah State
Adam Parada, C, UC Irvine

Player of the Year
Desmond Penigar, F, Utah State

Top newcomer
Cecil Brown, G, UC Santa Barbara

(19) Colonist

 1. UNC Wilmington (94) *
 2. Drexel (129)
 3. Virginia Commonwealth (206)
 4. Hofstra (222)
 5. George Mason (226)
 6. Delaware (233)
 7. James Madison (234)
 8. Old Dominion [286)
 9. William & Mary (289)
10. Towson (302)

First team
Brett Blizzard, G, UNC Wilmington
David Fanning, G, James Madison
Domonic Jones, G, VCU
Kenny Adeleke, F, Hofstra
Robert Battle, C, Drexel

Player of the year
Brett Blizzard, G, UNC Wilmington

Top newcomer
Jamaal Gilchrist, G, Towson

(20) Ohio Valley

1. Murray State (86) *
2. Tennessee Tech (90)
3. Morehead State (145)
4. Eastern Illinois (199)
5. Austin Peay (209)
6. Southeast Missouri State (237)
7. Tennessee State (243)
8. Eastern Kentucky (272)
9. Tennessee-Martin (284)

First team
Henry Domercant, G, Eastern Illinois
Ricky Minard, G, Morehead State
Cameron Crisp, G, Tennessee Tech
Cuthbert Victor, G/F, Murray State
Damien Kinloch, C/F, Tennessee Tech

Player of the Year
Henry Domercant, G, Eastern Illinois

Top newcomer
Rick Jones, G, Murray State

(21) Ivy

1. Pennsylvania (29) *
2. Yale (121)
3. Princeton (154)
4. Brown (208)
5. Harvard (216)
6. Columbia (241)
7. Cornell (266)
8. Dartmount (293)

First team
Andrew Toole, G, Pennsylvania
Patrick Harvey, G, Harvard
Earl Hunt, G, Brown
Koko Archibong, F, Pennsylvania
Ugonna Onyekwe, F/C, Pennsylvania

Player of the Year

Player of the Year
Ugonna Onyekwe, F/C, Pennsylvania

Top newcomer
Zach Martin, F, Harvard

(22) Mid-Continent

1. Oral Roberts (96) *
2. Valparaiso (135)
3. IUPUI (144)
4. Missouri-Kansas City (166)
5. Southern Utah 1180)
6. Oakland (194)
7. Western Illinois (240)
8. Chicago State (323)

First team
Tyrone Tiggs, G, Oral Roberts
Mike Helms, G, Oakland
Michael Watson, G, UMKC
Reggie gorges, F, Oral Roberts
Raitis Grafs, C, Valparaiso

Player of the Year
Reggie Gorges, F, Oral Roberts

Top newcomer
Josh Murray, F, IUPUI

(23) Atlantic Sun

North Division
1. Georgia State (101) *
2. Samford (176)
3. Jacksonville State (224)
4. Belmont (255)
5. Campbell (269)
6. Gardner-Webb (314)

South Division
1. Jacksonville (122)
2. Mercer (160)
3. Troy State (213)
4. Florida Atlantic (223)
5. Stetson (262)
6. Central Florida (300)

First team
Lamont McIntosh, G, Georgia State
Poonie Richardson, G, Jacksonville St.
Kevin Sheppard, G, Jacksonville
Scott Emerson, F, Mercer
Adam Sonn, C, Belmont

Player of the Year
Scott Emerson, F, Mercer

Top newcomer
Trello Galloway, F, Georgia State

(24) Big Sky

1. Eastern Washington (103) *
2. Weber State (112)
3. Montana State (120)
4. Idaho State (148)
5. Montana (155)
6. Portland State (232)
7. Northern Arizona (253)
8. Sacramento State (261)

First team
Jason Erickson, G, Montana State
Jermaine Boyette, G, Weber State
Chris Hester, G, Eastern Washington
Jeremy Brown, F, Idaho State
Ryan McDade, F, Northern Arizona

Player of the Year
Chris Hester, G, Eastern Washington

Top newcomer
Slobodan Ocokolijic, F, Weber State

(25) Southland

 1. McNeese State (138) *
 2. Sam Houston State (211)
 3. Lamar (220)
 4. Texas-San Antonio (273)
 5. Louisiana-Monroe (276)
 6. Stephen E Austin (291)
 7. Southeastern Louisiana (296)
 8. Northwestern State (306)
 9. Texas-Arlington (311)
10. Southwest Texas State (313)
11. Nicholls State (315)

First team
Jason Coleman, G, McNeese State
Amir Abdur-Rahim, G, SE Louisiana
Damond Williams, F, McNeese State
Damany Hendrix, F, Lamar
Donald Cole, F, Sam Houston State

Player of the Year
Donald Cole, F, Sam Houston State

Top newcomer
Leroy Hurd, F, Texas-Bun Antonio

(26) MEAC

 1. Hampton (111) *
 2. Howard (175)
 3. Delaware State (217)
 4. South Carolina State (242)
 5. Florida A&M (248)
 6. North Carolina A&T (257)
 7. Maryland-Eastern Shore (264)
 8. Bethune-Cookman (268)
 9. Coppin State (281)
10. Norfolk State (299)
11. Morgan State (303)

First team
Miles Davis, G, Delaware State
Moses Malone Jr., G, South Caro. St.
Devin Green, G/F, Hampton
Kyle Williams, F, Howard
Andre Matthews, F, Delaware State

Player of the Year
Kyle Williams, F, Howard

Top newcomer
Tyrone Green, G, North Carolina A&T

(27) SWAC

 1. Alcom State (139) *
 2. Mississippi Valley State (218)
 3. Alabama A&M (227)
 4. Alabama State (238)
 5. Texas Southern (254)
 6. Grambling State (290)
 7. Jackson State (297)
 8. Southern (312)
 9. Prairie View (318)
10. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (318)

First team
Ra'Kim Hollis, G, Texas Southern
Tim Henderson, G/F, Jackson State
Brian Jackson, F, Alcorn State
Paul Haynes, F, Grambling State
Alvin Pettway, F, Alabama State

Player of the Year
Paul Haynes, F, Grambling State

Top newcomer
Solomon Forbes, F, Mississippi
Valley State

(28) Big South

1. UNC Asheville (113)
2. Winthrop (128)
3. High Point (212)
4. Coastal Carolina (228)
5. Charleston Southern (279)
6. Elon (301)
7. Bedford (305)
8. Liberty (320)

First team
Andre Smith, G, UNC Asheville
Pierre Wooten, G, Winthrop
Tyrone Walker, F, Winthrop
Dustin Van Weerdhuizen, F, High Point
Torrey Butler, F, Coastal Carolina

Player of the Year
Andre Smith, G, UNC Asheville

Top newcomer
Marcus Cooke, F, Winthrop

(29) Patriot

1. Holy Cross (109) *
2. Colgate (204)
3. Bucknell (265)
4. American (271)
5. Navy (295)
6. Lafayette (298)
7. Lehigh (307)
8. Army (317)

First team
Jave Meade, G, Holy Cross
Mark Linebaugh, G, Colgate
Tim Szatko, F, Holy Cross
Matt Logie, F, Lehigh
Boakai Lalugba, F/C, Bucknell

Player of the Year
Tim Szatko, F, Holy Cross

Top newcomer
Neil Fingleton, C, Holy Cross

(30) Northeast

 1. Wagner (156) *
 2. Central Connecticut State (169)
 3. St. Francis (N.Y.) (198)
 4. Quinnipiac (245)
 5. Sacred Heart (256)
 6. Monmouth (258)
 7. St. Francis (Pa.) (270)
 8. Robert Morris (277)
 9. Md.-Baltimore County (292)
10. Long Island (304)
11. Farleigh Dickinson (321)
12. Mount St. Mary's (322)

First team
Damian Battles, G, Central Conn. St.
Antawn Dobie, G, Long Island
Rob Monroe, G, Quinnipiac
Jermaine Hall, F, Wagner
Ricardo Scott, F, Central Conn. St.

Player of the Year
Jermaine Hall, F, Wagner

Top newcomer
Darshan Luckey, G, St. Francis (Pa.)

(31) America East

1. Boston University (114) *
2. Vermont (159)
3. Hartford (182)
4. Maine (247)
5. Northeastern (260)
6. Binghamton (278)
7. Albany (288)
8. Stony Brook (309)
9. New Hampshire (319)

First team
Matt Turner, G, Boston University
T.J. Sorrentine, G, Vermont
Billy Collins, F, Boston University
Taylor Coppenrath, F, Vermont
Justin Rowe, C, Maine

Player of the Year
T.J. Sorrentine, G, Vermont

Top newcomer
Ludmil Hadjisotirov, G, Maine

Independents

Texas-Pan American (215)
Centenary (283)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (287)
Morris Brown (310)

Provisional Division-I team
Birmingham-Southern, IUPU-Fort
Wayne, Lipscomb, Savannah State
(Provisional D-I teams cannot qualify
for the NCAA Tournament.)

-- Conference and team rankings
determined by TSN writers,
editors and correspondents.

* Projected NCAA Tournament bid