Who's in the Big Dance?

**Willie Bee** · 03-06-06, 03:52 PM

Belmont (20-10)
Atlantic Sun Conference

How’d they do it?: Belmont won their first NCAA tourney with a 74-69 win over Lipscomb on Saturday. The two tied for the regular season ASC lead with 15-5 conference records. The Bruins shot 50% in the conference sealer, and were 20-25 from the line.

Top Players: Justin Hare (6-3, So.) averaged 15.9 PPG, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and Boomer Herndon (6-11, Jr.) with 14.9 PPG and 7.5 rebounds.

Top Opponents: Lost 81-59 at then-#5 Oklahoma in late November and fell 85-75 at then-#25 Ohio State in mid-December.

Streaking: Won 12 of last 13, including last six scoring average of 87 per game.

RPI: 0.5264 (#118)

**Willie Bee** · 03-06-06, 03:53 PM

Winthrop (23-7)
Big South Conference

How’d they do it?: The Eagles won their 2nd-straight Big South title Saturday by a 51-50 count over Coastal Carolina thanks for a Craig Bradshaw hook shot with about nine seconds left in the game. Winthrop was ahead by a dozen at one point and shot a lackluster 37% from the floor and even worse from the line (7-19, .368).

Top Players: Torrell Martin (6-5, Jr.) averaged 13.9 PPG and 5.4 rebounds. James Shuler (6-6, Sr.) posted 13.4 PPG, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists).

Top Opponents: Lost at then #18 Alabama 60-57 in December and at then #4 Memphis 73-63 in January. Beat then-unranked Marquette 71-64 at Marquette in November.

Streaking: Won last five and 11 of last 13.

RPI: 0.5594 (#71)

**bigboydan** · 03-06-06, 03:54 PM

SIU from the mvc

**Willie Bee** · 03-06-06, 03:55 PM

Murray State (24-6)
Ohio Valley Conference

How’d they do it?: The Racers earned their lucky 13th NCAA bid Saturday with a 74-57 win over Samford after winning the regular season OVC with a 17-3 mark. Murray State shot 53% from the field and 50% (9-18) from long range. The final 17-point margin in the game was their largest lead of the contest.

Top Players: Shawn Witherspoon (6-5, Jr.) averaged 10.8 per game with almost 8 boards and 3.2 assists. Trey Pearson (6.2, Jr.) added 10 PP, Pearson Griffith (6-10. Sr.) almost 6 rebounds and Keith Jenifer (6-2, Sr.) 3.4 assists.

Top Opponents: Lost 79-75 at Cincinnati in season opener (Nov 19). Lost 64-53 at Tennessee (Nov 30). Fell 57-53 at home on Dec 28 to Southern Illinois.

Streaking: Won last four and 14 of last 15.

RPI: 0.5661 (#62)

**Willie Bee** · 03-06-06, 03:56 PM

Davidson (20-10)
Southern Conference

How’d they do it?: The Wildcats trounced Chattanooga 80-55 in the conference finale when they shot about 51% from the field, 73% from the stripe and knocked down 10 of 28 three’s. Chattanooga fell flat with a 34% field goal percentage and just 8 of 20 from the foul line.

Top Players: Brandon Winters (6-5, Sr.) averaged over 17 per game with 4.7 rebounds, and scored a career-best 33 in the clincher over Chattanooga. Ian Johnson (6-9, Sr.) averaged 15.7 PPG and 6.2 rebounds while Kenny Grant (6-2, Sr.) contributed 6.6 assists per game.

Top Opponents: Lost 84-55 at Duke in season opener on Nov. 19; fell 82-58 at North Carolina (Jan. 3). Lost 90-80 at Syracuse (Dec 18).

Streaking: Won last four and six of last seven.

RPI: 0.5341 (#106)

**Willie Bee** · 03-06-06, 03:58 PM

Southern Illinois (22-6)
Missouri Valley Conference

How’d they do it?: Losers of three of their final four regular season games, the Salukis rallied in the MVC Tournament, capping their first conference title in 11 years with a 59-46 win over Bradley on Saturday (Mar 4). Neither team shot well from the field (about 36% each), with Bradley stone cold from 3-point land. The Salukis were 18-25 from the foul line and out-rebounded Bradley by a 41-26 margin.

Top Players: Jamaal Tatum was the only player to average more than 30 minutes per game, tossing in 15.1 PPG and 3.3 assists. Randal Falker added 8 rebounds per game and Bryan Mullins contributed 3.2 assists each contest.

Top Opponents: Beat Bradley two out of three. Lost 71-63 at Missouri St. (Jan 19) and beat them 66-64 (Feb 7). Won 57-53 at Murray St. (Dec 28). Lost 54-51 at La Tech (Feb 18).

Streaking: Won last four after a 3-game skid near end of regular season.

RPI: 0.5969 (#30)

**Illusion** · 03-06-06, 04:03 PM

Great stuff Willie, keep them coming as they enter the dance.

**Willie Bee** · 03-06-06, 04:04 PM

Aye aye, Cap'n

**onlooker** · 03-06-06, 04:05 PM

Ok, you guys just messed this great thread up by posting in it. So I had to post in it to let you guys know. I should delete this post and your guys post so it can stay going in flow.

**bigboydan** · 03-06-06, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Davidson (20-10)
Southern Conference

How’d they do it?: The Wildcats trounced Chattanooga 80-55 in the conference finale when they shot about 51% from the field, 73% from the stripe and knocked down 10 of 28 three’s. Chattanooga fell flat with a 34% field goal percentage and just 8 of 20 from the foul line.

Top Players: Brandon Winters (6-5, Sr.) averaged over 17 per game with 4.7 rebounds, and scored a career-best 33 in the clincher over Chattanooga. Ian Johnson (6-9, Sr.) averaged 15.7 PPG and 6.2 rebounds while Kenny Grant (6-2, Sr.) contributed 6.6 assists per game.

Top Opponents: Lost 84-55 at Duke in season opener on Nov. 19; fell 82-58 at North Carolina (Jan. 3). Lost 90-80 at Syracuse (Dec 18).

Streaking: Won last four and six of last seven.

RPI: 0.5341 (#106)

this Davidson could be trouble for anyone who faces them in the first round.

**Illusion** · 03-07-06, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by bigboydan

this Davidson could be trouble for anyone who faces them in the first round.

Why's that?

**Willie Bee** · 03-07-06, 10:15 AM

Gonzaga (27-3)
West Coast Conference

How’d they do it?: Call ‘em the Bulldogs or the Zags if you like, but I’ll call ‘em the Cardiac Kids for now after Gonzaga survived their 3rd-straight tight game to win the WCC with a 68-67 triumph over Loyola-Marymount on Monday. Gonzaga came back from a 15-point deficit early in the second half led by JP Batista’s inside play, Jeremy Pargo’s hustle and shooting, and Adam Morrison’s ability to find the open man once Loyola double teams collapsed on him. A missed shot from under the basket by Chris Ayer at the end kept Loyola from pulling the upset off.

Top Players: Morrison (6-8, Jr.) averaged 28.4 points and 5.5 boards per game. Batista (6-9, Sr.) contributed 19.3 points and 9.5 boards.

Top Opponents: Won 88-76 at then-#20 Maryland (Nov 21); beat then-#12 Michigan State 109-106 on the road in a triple-OT thriller (Nov 22); lost 65-63 at home to then-#3 UConn (Nov 30); fell 99-95 at then-#19 Washington (Dec 4); lost 83-72 at then-#4 Memphis (Dec 27), the last time they lost a game this season.

Streaking: Won last 18 games and last 40 home games, both top streaks in the nation.

RPI: 0.6286 (#10)

**Willie Bee** · 03-07-06, 10:16 AM

Iona (23-7)
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

How’d they do it?: The Gaels made their way to their eighth NCAA Tournament with a convincing 80-61 win over St. Peter’s Monday to capture the MAAC title. Steve Burtt dropped 28 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on Iona’s ledger. A big difference in the game was the Gaels’ 20-27 shooting from the stripe compared to an 8-15 showing for St. Peter’s. Keekee Clark, one of the nation’s top scorers, led SP with 25 points.

Top Players: Burtt (6-1, Sr.) averaged over 25 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Ricky Soliver (6-3, Sr.) added 16.2 points, 5.4 boards and 4.4 assists while Kiril Wachsman (6-7, Sr.) scored nearly 12 a game with 8.7 rebounds.

Top Opponents: Beat then-#23 Iowa St 89-72 on the road(Nov 26); lost 79-76 at then-#20 Kentucky (Dec 23); fell 73-59 at Seton Hall (Dec 31); split regular season series with both Marist and St. Peters, winning both road contests and dropping the two home tilts.

Streaking: Won last three and seven of last nine. Won 12 games on the road this season.

RPI: 0.5633 (#68)

**Willie Bee** · 03-07-06, 10:17 AM

UNC-Wilmington (25-7)
Colonial Athletic Conference

How’d they do it?: The Seahawks captured the CAC title with a 78-67 win over a hot Hofstra squad Monday (Mar 6) evening. Tony Carter was the man down the stretch and ended with 23 points and 13 boards. Wilmington shot 45% to Hofstra’s 38%, with the Seahawks owning a 23-point lead in the early minutes of the second half. It’s UNCW’s fourth CAC crown in the last seven seasons.

Top Players: Carter (6-3, Jr.) averaged 13.3 PPG and 4.2 rebounds; John Goldsberry (6-3, Sr.) contributed 11.2 points and 5.1 assists per contests, and Todd Hendley (6-9, So.) added more than 10 per game with a little more than 4 boards.

Top Opponents: Lost 73-54 at Colorado (Nov 18); lost 54-51 at then-#24 Wisconsin (Dec 12); split regular season series with Hofstra, losing 92-87 on the road and winning 77-68 at home before winning the conference title tilt; split regular season match with George Mason, winning 69-63 at home and losing 69-62 on the road.

Streaking: Won last eight, 13 of last 14 and 16 of last 18.

RPI: 0.5912 (#29)

**Willie Bee** · 03-08-06, 09:52 AM

South Alabama (24-6)
Sun Belt Conference

How’d they do it?: The Jaguars pasted Western Kentucky, 95-70, in the Sun Belt title game, building a 45-26 lead at half and shooting almost 68% from the field. Richard Law came off the bench to score 22 for South Alabama and Demetric Bennett also subbed in with 18 points. Anthony Winchester led Western Kentucky with 18 points but managed to hit just 6 of 21 field goals to epitomize the Hilltoppers’ cold night from the floor (33.8%).

Top Players: Mario Jointer (6-2, Sr.) averaged 13.6 per game with 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists; Law (6-6, Jr.) added 10.7 PPG with 4.4 rebounds; Carlos Smith (6-0, Jr.) shot 42% from 3-point land and handed out 2.9 assists per game.

Top Opponents: Beat Samford 55-52 (Dec 3); Beat Houston 66-62 (Dec 17); Lost 87-69 at Tennessee (Jan 4); Lost 74-73 to Western Kentucky in only regular season meeting (Jan 21).

Streaking: Won last eight and 11 of last 12.

RPI: 0.5549 (#76)

**Willie Bee** · 03-08-06, 09:53 AM

Univ. of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (21-8)
Horizon League

How’d they do it?: The Panthers had an easy time in the Horizon League championship, beating Butler by an 87-71 count. Boo Davis scored 18 and grabbed nine rebounds while Adrian Tigert added 14 points, nine boards and five assists for UWM who head to the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The Panthers shot 51.6% from the field and a strong 90.5% from the line on 19-21 shooting. Brandon Polk scored 27 for Butler to lead all scorers in the game.

Top Players: Joah Tucker (6-5, Sr.) scored 16.5 per game with 6.2 rebounds; Davis averaged just over 16 per contest with 4.8 boards; Tigert contributed 12.9 PPG with 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Panthers.

Top Opponents: Lost 79-52 at Memphis in season opener (Nov 15); Lost 74-68 at then-#24 Wisconsin (Dec 15); Split regular season games with Butler with both teams winning on their home courts; Beat Loyola-Chicago twice in regular season and once in the HL Tournament; Fell 72-63 at home in regular season finale to Missouri State.

Streaking: Won last three and nine of last 13.

RPI: 0.5740 (#58)

**Willie Bee** · 03-08-06, 09:54 AM

Oral Roberts (21-11)
Mid Continent Conference

How’d they do it?: Trailing Chicago St. 34-33 at half, the Golden Eagles went on a torrid 18-zip run near the start of the second half to win the MCC title, 85-72, and secure their first NCAA tournament berth since the mid-80s. Ken Tutt led all scorers with 25 points while Caleb Green added 15 and 10 boards. ORU shot better than 58% from the field and held a 25-19 rebounding edge over the Cougars who were paced by David Holston’s 21 points.

Top Players: Caleb Green (6-8, Jr.) scored 21 per game with nearly nine rebounds; Ken Tutt (6-1, Jr.) averaged 13.8 per contest; Larry Owens (6-7, Sr.) contributed 12.1 PPG, 7.9 boards and 3.2 assists during the season.

Top Opponents: Lost 73-70 at home to Marquette (Nov 25); Lost at home 88-76 to Missouri St.; Fell 81-73 at then-#15 Oklahoma (Dec 28); Split season series with IUPUI, both teams winning at home.

Streaking: Won last five and 10 of last 12. Had one rough stretch in December losing five of six.

RPI: 0.5151 (#137)

**bigboydan** · 03-08-06, 11:33 AM

Oral Roberts could be one of those teams that possably could cause problems for someone.

**Willie Bee** · 03-08-06, 01:05 PM

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, Dan. Maybe I might put some money on someone if I can maybe keep my wife from possibly finding out about the possible bet I might make.

**Illusion** · 03-08-06, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, Dan. Maybe I might put some money on someone if I can maybe keep my wife from possibly finding out about the possible bet I might make.

You crack me up Willie.

Willie, of the teams in who do you like?

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Pennsylvania (19-7)
Ivy League

How’d they do it?: The Quakers were down by 8 at halftime Saturday to Brown but forced overtime and eventually came away with a 74-68 win when Ibrahim Jaaber sank five free throws in the last 18 seconds. Eric Osmundson hit five 3-pointers in the game to account for all 15 of his points.

Top Players: Jaaber (6-2, Jr.) pumped in 18.1 PPG with 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Mark Zoller (6-7, Jr.) finished with a 12.7 scoring averave and 7.5 rebounds per contest.

Top Opponents: Lost 78-60 at home to Colorado (Nov 29), 50-46 at home to Temple (Dec 3), 72-59 to then-#1 Duke (Dec 7) and 62-55 to then #3 Villanova (Dec 13).

Streaking: Won last five and 10 of last 11.

RPI: 0.5448 (#93)

I hate this team!!! They have burned me alot!

**Willie Bee** · 03-08-06, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by Illusion

Willie, of the teams in who do you like?

None of them; remember, I'm an Aggie

I guess just looking at the teams from this list already in, you'd have to like Gonzaga. So. Illinois is another team I was liking earlier, but the way they sort of stumbled, fumbled, farted and fell at the end of the regular season, well, maybe they're getting it back together.

Overall, I really like someone from the Big Ten, and hearing me say 'like' and 'Big Ten' in the same sentence is rare

Ohio State and Illinois, I really think one of them will make the Final 4.

And for a little bit of a sleeper, even though they're still top 20 in the latest poll, I'm starting to get a gumby over LSU.

**onlooker** · 03-08-06, 06:19 PM

Lets just hope they dont put Ohio St and Texas in the same region. We dont need them taking each other out, because they very well could beat any of the number ones. It should make things interesting if they get put in different regions.

**imgv94** · 03-08-06, 06:37 PM

I think Illinois is going to beat Ohio St.

**Willie Bee** · 03-09-06, 09:36 AM

Montana (23-6)
Big Sky Conference

How’d they do it?: The Grizzlies secured their 2nd-straight NCAA Tournament bid by knocking off Northern Arizona, 73-60. Montana built a 36-25 halftime advantage and were led by freshman Jordan Hasquet’s 20 points and 13 rebounds. Virgil Matthews also came up big with 21 points. The Grizzlies shot 48% from the field and almost 37% from long range, but were just 10-20 from the foul stripe.

Top Players: Andrew Strait (6-8, So.) average 16.7 per game with 6.6 rebounds. Kevin Criswell (6-2, Sr.) contributed 16.5 PPG and Matthews added 10 points, 4.7 boards and 4.0 assists each contest.

Top Opponents: Beat Stanford 88-69 (Dec 2); Lost 78-74 to Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Dec 30); Beat Oral Roberts 88-74 (Feb 18); Split regular season series with No.Arizona, each winning at home.

Streaking: Won last three and seven of last eight.

RPI: 0.5594 (#72)

**Willie Bee** · 03-09-06, 09:37 AM

Monmouth (18-14)
Northeast Conference

How’d they do it?: The Hawks used a late layup from guard Chris Kenny to complete a 2nd-half comeback over Farleigh-Dickinson, 49-48. Monmouth trailed by nine at the half, 33-24, and Farleigh-Dickinson’s missed free throws, and overall poor field goal percentage in the second half, caught up with them in the end. Neither school could find the net, with the Hawks hitting just 36.5% to the Knights’ 32.1%. Monmouth’s Marques Alston led all scorers on the evening with 14 points while also grabbing 10 boards.

Top Players: Dejan Delic (6-6, Jr.) averaged 12.1 PPG with 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Alston (6-4, Jr.) added 12 points and 5.3 boards per contest.

Top Opponents: Beat So. Illinois 80-68 (Nov 25); Lost 62-54 at Oral Roberts (Nov 26); Fell 61-45 at Seton Hall (Dec 8); Won 41-21 on the road at Princeton (Dec 14); Split regular season matches against Farleigh-Dickinson, both teams winning on their home courts.

Streaking: Won last three and five of last six. Stood just 1-7 after their first eight games.

RPI: 0.5016 (#157)

**Illusion** · 03-09-06, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Willie Bee

Monmouth (18-14)
Northeast Conference

How’d they do it?: The Hawks used a late layup from guard Chris Kenny to complete a 2nd-half comeback over Farleigh-Dickinson, 49-48. Monmouth trailed by nine at the half, 33-24, and Farleigh-Dickinson’s missed free throws, and overall poor field goal percentage in the second half, caught up with them in the end. Neither school could find the net, with the Hawks hitting just 36.5% to the Knights’ 32.1%. Monmouth’s Marques Alston led all scorers on the evening with 14 points while also grabbing 10 boards.

Top Players: Dejan Delic (6-6, Jr.) averaged 12.1 PPG with 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Alston (6-4, Jr.) added 12 points and 5.3 boards per contest.

Top Opponents: Beat So. Illinois 80-68 (Nov 25); Lost 62-54 at Oral Roberts (Nov 26); Fell 61-45 at Seton Hall (Dec 8); Won 41-21 on the road at Princeton (Dec 14); Split regular season matches against Farleigh-Dickinson, both teams winning on their home courts.

Streaking: Won last three and five of last six. Stood just 1-7 after their first eight games.

RPI: 0.5016 (#157)

Most likely they will be in the play-in game.

**Willie Bee** · 03-10-06, 09:06 AM

Happy Friday

Morning, ladies

Just checking my own brain matter on this and looking for someone/anyone to correct me if I'm wrong.

My list currently shows 14 teams with auto bids:
Southern Illinois (22-6) Missouri Valley Conference
Davidson (20-10) Southern Conference
Murray State (24-6) Ohio Valley Conference
Winthrop (23-7) Big South Conference
Belmont (20-10) Atlantic Sun Conference
Pennsylvania (19-7) Ivy League
UNC-Wilmington (25-7) Colonial Athletic Conference
Iona (23-7) Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Gonzaga (27-3) West Coast Conference
Oral Roberts (21-11) Mid Continent Conference
Univ. of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (21-8) Horizon League
South Alabama (24-6) Sun Belt Conference
Monmouth (18-14) Northeast Conference
Montana (23-6) Big Sky Conference

That leaves 17 plus the SWAC to go, correct?
Big Ten
Big 12
Conference USA
Southeastern Conference
Pac-10
ACC
Big East
Atlantic 10
Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference
Big West
America East
Mid American
Mountain West
Patriot League
Southland
Southern
Western Athletic Conference
(SWAC)

If I'm off somewhere, please don't hesitate to let me know.

**ORO1960** · 03-10-06, 10:55 AM

do the swac winner all ways get the 65th rank for the tuornament?

**Willie Bee** · 03-10-06, 09:56 PM

Bucknell (26-4)

How'd they do it? Perfect in conference play, the Bison won the Patriot League automatic bid in deserving fashion, completing it all with a 74-59 win over Holy Cross (20-12). Kevin Bettencourt poured in 23 for Bucknell to lead all scorers, also handing out four assists. The Bison shot 52% from the floor and almost 86% from the free throw line in the win. Kevin Hamilton led the Crusaders with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Top Players: Chris McNaughton (6-11, Jr.) averaged 12.9 PPG and 4.7 rebounds; Charles Lee (6-3, Sr.) was just behind with 12.8 points a game while leading the club with 6.1 rebounds. Bettencourt also averaged over 12 pr contest with nearly three apiece in boards and assists.

Top Opponents: Won at Syrcause 74-69 (Nov 22); Won at DePaul 57-52 (Dec 3); Lost 79-60 to then #4 Villanova (Dec 6); Beat St. Josephs 63-51 (Dec 21); Fell 84-50 at then #1 Duke (Jan 2); Won both regular season matches with Holy Cross; Lost 65-61 at No.Iowa (Feb 18)

Streaking: Won last five and 17 of last 18. Only loss since they were at Duke on Jan 2nd was at Northern Iowa about three weeks ago.

RPI: 0.5816 (#51)

**Willie Bee** · 03-11-06, 05:28 PM

Albany (21-10)
America East Conference

How’d they do it? The Great Danes won their way into a 1st-ever NCAA Tourney spot with a solid 80-67 win over Vermont on Saturday. Albany built a comfortable 18-point lead at the half before coasting to the win over the Catamounts who were trying to win their 4th-consecutive conference title. Jamar Wilson pumped in 29 for Albany to lead all scorers in the game, hitting 10 of 18 from the field and going a perfect 8-8 from the line along with grabbing eight rebounds. Lucious Jordan added 18 for the Great Danes; Mike Trimboli led Vermont with 16 points.

Top Players: Jamar Wilson (6-1, Jr.) averaged over 17 per game with 4.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists; Brent Wilson (6-8, So.) scored 10.7 PPG with 4.5 rebounds.

Top Opponents: Lost 83-64 at Florida (Nov 10); Lost 73-65 at then #17 UCLA (Nov 29); Won both matches with Binghamton; Split regular season series with Vermont, each team winning on their home court.

Streaking: Won last four and 11 of last 13.

RPI: 0.5204 (#128)

**Willie Bee** · 03-11-06, 05:31 PM

Memphis (30-3)
Conference USA

How’d they do it? Even held to their lowest scoring game of the season, Memphis still managed to win their first Conference USA title with room to spare after the Tigers popped UAB, 57-46. Memphis shot just under 34% from the floor but played solid defense and held the Blazers to less than 28% field goal shooting, including a miserable 3-18 from long range. Freshman Shawne Williams tallied 18 for the Tigers to lead all scorers in the game. Joey Dorsey added 10 points along with 12 rebounds. Paul Delaney cae off the bench to score 14 and grab six rebounds to lead UAB.

Top Players: Rodney Carney (6-7, Sr.) averaged 17.8 PPG with 4.3 rebounds; Darius Washington (6-2, So.)scored nearly 14 per game with 3.3 assists; Shawne Williams (6-9, Fr.) contributed 13.3 per contest with 6.3 rebounds.

Top Opponents: Won at Alabama 87-76 (Nov 17); Beat then-#16 UCLA 88-80 (Nov 23); Lost 70-67 at Duke (Nov 25); Won on the road at Cincinnati 91-81 (Dec 3); Beat Gonzaga 83-72 (Dec 27); Lost 69-58 at home to Texas (Jan 2); Beat Tennessee 88-79 (Jan 18); Beat UTEP 66-56 (Feb 22); Split regular season games with UAB, each team winning at home.

Streaking: Won last four and 19 of last 20. Only loss in that stretch was at UAB by 80-74 count on Mar 2nd.

RPI: 0.6469 (#4)

**Willie Bee** · 03-12-06, 10:47 AM

Xavier (21-10)
Atlantic 10 Conference

How’d they do it? The Musketeers used a couple of free throws and some tough defense at the very end of the A-10 title game to nip St. Joseph’s by a 62-61 count. The victory gave Xavier its fourth tournament win in four days, the second time they have done such and the first team in NCAA history to do it twice. Justin Doellman scored seven points, including a pair of free throws with under six seconds left, and blocked three shots. Justin Cage scored 19 on the game to lead the Musketeers, hitting 7-of-8 from the floor to help Xavier shoot 50% as a team. St. Joseph’s shot 24-27 from foul stripe, but just 34% from the field. Chet Stachitas led the Hawks with 23 points.

Top Players: Brian Thornton (6-8, Sr.) averaged over 15 PPG with nearly seven rebounds. Stanley Burrell (6-3, So.) scored 14.1 per game with 3.2 assists. Doellman (6-9, Jr.) added 11 points a contest along with nearly seven boards.

Top Opponents: Lost 56-62 at then-#12 Illinois (Dec 3); Lost 61-59 at Creighton (Dec 18); Beat Cincinnati 73-71 (Jan 19); Fell 81-79 at Temple (Jan 25); Lost 89-85 to then-#10 George Washington; Lost both regular season matches to St. Joseph’s.

Streaking: Won last four in tourney after dropping three of final four and eight of last 13 regular season games.

RPI: 0.5406 (#99)

**Willie Bee** · 03-12-06, 10:49 AM

UCLA (27-6)
Pac-10 Conference

How’d they do it? The Bruins won their first Pac-10 tournament in nearly 20 years with an easy 71-52 win over California. Four players scored in double figures for UCLA, led by Jordan Farmar’s 19. The Bruins shot over 53% from the field compared to Cal’s less than 40%, with UCLA also hitting on 12-15 from the free throw line and dishing out 16 assists t Cal’s four.

Top Players: Arron Afflalo (6-5, So.) averaged 16.6 PPG with 4.3 rebounds. Farmar (6-2, So.) scored 13.6 per game with over five assists. Josh Shipp contributed 11.3 per game along with 4.8 boards.

Top Opponents: Opened season with wins over New Mexico St, Temple and Delaware St before dropping an 88-80 decision at then-#11 Memphis (Nov 23). Beat Albany 73-65 (Nov 29). Beat then-#22 Nevada 67-56 (Dec 10). Won on the road at Michigan 68-61 (Dec 17). Beat Stanford both regular season games. Beat Arizona twice in regular season and once in Pac-10 tourney. Lost both regular season games to Washington. Split regular season games with Cal. Lost 60-56 at home to West Virginia (Jan 21).

Streaking: Won last seven and 12 of last 14. Only losses in that stretch came in back-to-back road games at Washington and USC by combined six points.

RPI: 0.6218 (#13)