A look at the teams in the Midwest region in the 2009 NCAA tournament:

1. Louisville

Nickname: Cardinals. Location: Louisville, Ky.

Record: 28-5, 16-2. Bid: Big East champ.

NCAA history: 57-36 in 34 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to North Carolina in regional final.

Coach: Rick Pitino, 35-12 in 13 appearances.

Overview: After coming close to a Final Four berth a year ago, the Cardinals were expected to be one of the nation's top teams this season and haven't disappointed. Veterans Earl Clark, Terrence Williams, Jerry Smith and Edgar Sosa have combined with freshman Samardo Samuels to give Louisville a deep and balanced attack. While playing Pitino's trademark aggressive, trapping defense, the Cards held opponents to 61.9 points a game and 39.5% field-goal accuracy, including 31% on three-pointers. They sometimes will switch to a 2-3 zone. Free-throw shooting (64.4%) can sometimes be a problem, however, as four regulars shot worse than 68%.

Best wins: Pittsburgh, Villanova, Syracuse.

Starters: G-F Earl Clark, 6-9, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.1 apg ); F Terrence Williams, 6-6, Sr. (12.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 37.7 3FG%); F Samardo Samuels, 6-8, Fr. (11.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 58.4 FG%); G Jerry Smith, 6-1, Jr. (7.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 39.6 3FG%); G Andre McGeee, 5-10, Sr. (5.3 ppg, 1.6 apg);

Reserves: G Preston Knowles, 6-1, So. (6.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 46.0 FG% ); F Terrence Jennings, 6-10, Fr. (4.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg); G Edgar Sosa, 6-1, Jr. (7.5 ppg, 3.3 apg).

2. Michigan State

Nickname: Spartans. Location: East Lansing.

Record: 26-6, 15-3. Bid: Big Ten at-large.

NCAA history: 43-21 in 22 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Memphis in Sweet 16.

Coach: Tom Izzo, 26-10 in 11 appearances.

Overview: It's a good thing Izzo has a deep bench. He needed it as illness and injuries hit the team hard. Forward Raymar Morgan struggled with illness; center Goran Suton had knee injuries and freshman forward Delvon Roe arrived with knee problems. Still, the Spartans were far and away the best Big Ten team in the regular season. MSU has the league's best defender in guard Travis Walton. The offense goes through Kalin Lucas, the Big Ten's player of the year. The Spartans can run or play a slower pace but need to stay healthy.

Best wins: Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma State.

Starters: F Delvon Roe, 6-8, Fr. (6.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 55.9 FG%, 44.0 FT%); F Raymar Morgan, 6-8, Jr. (11.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 56.1 FG%, 65.8 FT%); C Goran Suton, 6-10, Sr. (9.9 ppg., 7.8 rpg, 51.8 FG%); G Travis Walton, 6-2, Sr. (5.2 ppg, 43.4 FG%); G Kalin Lucas, 6-0, So. (14.8 ppg, 4.6 apg, 39.5 FG%, 81.2 FT%).

Reserves: G Chris Allen, 6-3, So. (8.8 ppg); G Durrell Summers, 6-4, So. (8.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 43.0 FG%); F Marquise Gray, 6-8, So. (3.3 ppg, 3.1rpg).

3. Kansas

Nickname: Jayhawks. Location: Lawrence, Kan.

Record: 25-7, 14-2. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

NCAA history: 82-36 in 37 appearances. Last: 2008, beat Memphis in overtime for national title.

Coach: Bill Self, 22-9 in 10 NCAA appearances.

Overview: The Jayhawks have the talent to get back to the Final Four, but is this year too soon? Self, a national coach-of-the-year candidate, has done a remarkable job of replacing five NBA draft picks and seven of the top nine players overall from the team that won it all last April. Sherron Collins, a bulldog at the point, and Cole Aldrich inside are the cornerstones. There's terrific, if young, complementary talent around them. Fear this team on any given night, but it might be too unseasoned.

Best wins: Washington, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas.

Starters: F Marcus Morris, 6-8, Fr. (7.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg); C Cole Aldrich, 6-11, So. (14.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.4 blocks, 60.1% FG); G Sherron Collins, 5-11, Jr. (18.3 ppg, 5.0 apg, 37.9 3FG%); G Brad Morningstar, 6-3, So. (6.7 ppg, 2.8 apg, 43.6 3FG%); G Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, Fr. (10.0 ppg, 3.1 apg, 38.1 3FG%).

Reserves: G Tyrel Reed, 6-3, So. (6.7 ppg, 39.8 3FG%, 80.9 FT%); F Markieff Morris, 6-9, Fr. (4.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg); G Mario Little, 6-5, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg).

4. Wake Forest

Nickname: Demon Deacons. Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.

Record: 24-6, 11-5. Bid: Atlantic Coast Conference at-large.

NCAA history: 27-20 in 20 appearances. Last: 2005, lost to West Virginia in second round.

Coach: Dino Gaudio, first appearance.

Overview: A young team boasting balance and inside-outside strength. Point guard Jeff Teague makes the offense go, and the huge front line of freshman Al-Farouq Amino, James Johnson and Chas McFarland can create matchup problems. Outside of Teague, the perimeter shooting can be shaky, but they go inside frequently and outrebounded opponents by better than six a game. Concern: no postseason experience.

Best wins: North Carolina, Duke, Clemson.

Starters: G Jeff Teague, 6-2, So. (19.4 ppg, 3.4 apg, 49.3 FG%, 46.9 3FG%); F James Johnson, 6-9, So. (14.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 54.1 FG%) F Al-Farouq Aminu, 6-9, Fr. (13.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 52.7 FG%); G L.D. Williams, 6-4, Jr. (8.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 47.9 FG%); C Chas McFarland, 7-0, Jr. (9.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 53.5 FG%).

Reserves: G Ishmael Smith, 6-0, Jr. (6.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 43.9 FG%); G Harvey Hale, 6-3, Sr. (4.2 ppg, 1.4 apg).

5. Utah

Nickname: Utes. Location: Salt Lake City.

Record: 24-9, 12-4. Bid: Mountain West champ.

NCAA history: 35-29 in 26 appearances. Last: 2005, lost to Kentucky in regional semifinals.

Coach: Jim Boylen, first appearance.

Overview: The Utes finished strong with 12 wins in 14 games, including a three-game run to the Mountain West tournament title. Luke Nevill, the Mountain West Player of the Year, can dominate on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. The bench sports double-figure scorers Tyler Kepkay and Shaun Green. The Utes will be tough at crunch time as they shoot 78% from the free-throw line, though the team ranks near the bottom of the country in turnover margin and steals.

Best wins: Gonzaga, LSU, Brigham Young.

Starters: G Lawrence Borha, 6-3, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 46.2 FG%, 42.2 3FG%, 84.9 FT%); G Carlon Brown, 6-5, So. (9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.4 apg, 46.4 FG%, 67.8 FT%); G Luka Drca, 6-5, Jr. (7.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 48.5 FG%, 43.8 3FG%, 79.1 FT%); C Luke Nevill, 7-2, Sr. (16.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 60.5 FG%, 79.3 FT%); F Kim Tillie, 6-10, Jr. (3.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 39.4 FG%, 85.0 FT%)

Reserves: G Tyler Kepkay, 6-0, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 34.7 3FG%, 85.0 FT%); F Shaun Green, 6-8, Sr. (10.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 47.3 FG%, 40.4 3FG%).

6. West Virginia

Nickname: Mountaineers. Location: Morgantown.

Record: 23-11, 10-8. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 20-21 in 21 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Xavier in regional semifinals.

Coach: Bob Huggins 22-16 in 16 appearances.

Overview: In his second year at his alma mater, Huggins has a nice blend of youth and experience that more than held its own in the difficult Big East. The Mountaineers lost guard Joe Mazzulla early but freshman Darryl Bryant has proved valuable. WVU is solid at defending the perimeter, holding opponents to a 29.7% conversion rate from three-point range but has struggled at times from the foul line (68.5%). They do a good job on the glass, outrebounding foes by almost six a game.

Best wins: Villanova, Ohio State, Pittsburgh.

Starters: F Da'Sean Butler, 6-7, Jr. (17.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 43.5 FG%, 74.4 FT%); F Devin Ebanks, 6-9, Fr. (9.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 47.1 FG%); F Wellington Smith, 6-7, Jr. (5.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Alex Ruoff, 6-6, Sr. (15.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 43.0 FG%, 37.6 3FG%, 80.4 FT%); G Darryl Bryant, 6-2, Fr. (9.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 2.6 apg).

Reserves: F Kevin Jones, 6-8, Fr. (6.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 53.4 FG%), F John Flowers, 6-7, So. (4.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 45.7 FG%).

7. Boston College

Nickname: Eagles. Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Record: 22-11, 9-7. Bid: Atlantic Coast at-large.

NCAA history: 22-18 in 17 appearances. Last: 2007, lost to Georgetown in second round.

Coach: Al Skinner, 7-8 in eight appearances.

Overview: After a subpar season a year ago, the Eagles rebounded behind standout veteran guard Tyrese Rice and some young players who came into their own. The Eagles feature balanced scoring with four players at 9.8 points a game or better. Strong perimeter defense (opponents shot 31.8% from the arc) helped them win nine games by six or fewer points. They knocked off then-No. 1 UNC, but a loss to Harvard in the next game started a four-game losing streak. The Eagles won nine of the next 13.

Best wins: North Carolina, Duke, Florida State.

Starters: G Tyrese Rice, 6-1, Sr. (17.4 ppg, 5.4 apg, 42.2 FG%, 86.0 FT%); F Joe Trapani, 6-8, So. (13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 44.3 FG%, 36.6 3FG%);G-F Rakim Sanders, 6-5, So. (12.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 46.3 FG%); F Corey Raji, 6-8, So. (9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 51.0 FG%) C Josh Southern, 6-10, So. (5.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 49.3 FG%).

Reserves: G Reggie Jackson, 6-3, Fr. (7.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 45.2 FG%); G Biko Paris, 6-1, So. (3.2 ppg, 1.8 apg); F Tyler Roche, 6-7, Jr. (3.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg).

8. Ohio State

Nickname: Buckeyes. Location: Columbus.

Record: 22-10, 10-8. Bid: Big Ten at-large.

NCAA history: 37-19 in 20 appearances. Last: 2006, lost to Florida in title game.

Coach: Thad Matta, 12-6 in six appearances.

Overview: The Buckeyes have depended on a match-up zone defense to bring along a young team. They have missed 6-5 junior forward David Lighty, gone after just seven games because of a foot injury. They have been an inconsistent bunch, going 3-4 in their last seven heading into the Big Ten tournament. Opponents scored just 61.4 points against the Buckeyes, one of the best defensive marks in Division I. Evan Turner went from averaging 8.5 points last season to 16.8. Reserve B.J. Mullens has the potential to be a force.

Best wins: Butler, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan.

Starters: F Evan Turner, 6-7, So. (16.8 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 51.6 FG%, 40.9 3FG%); C Dallas Lauderdale, 6-8, So. (4.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg); G P.J. Hill, 6-1, Jr. (2.8 ppg., 1.4 rpg); G Jon Diebler, 6-6, So. (11.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 43.5 FG%, 42.1 3FG%); G William Buford, 6-5, Fr. (11.1 ppg., 3.5 rpg., 44.3FG%).

Reserves: C B.J. Mullens, 7-0, Fr. (9.1 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 64.5 FG%); G Jeremie Simmons, 6-2, Jr. (6.9 ppg.).

9. Siena

Nickname: Saints. Location: Loudonville, N.Y.

Record: 26-7, 16-2. Bid: Metro Atlantic champion.

NCAA history: 3-4 in four appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Villanova in second round.

Coach: Fran McCaffery, 1-3 in three appearances.

Overview: The Saints return five starters from last season's 13th-seeded that upset No. 4 Vanderbilt. Siena played a tough nonconference schedule with losses to the likes of Pittsburgh, Kansas and Tennessee. The Saints have great balance in their scoring: four starters score 14.8, 14.6, 13.6 and 10.0 points a game, and the other is just shy of 9.0 points.

Best wins: Cornell, Niagara, Northern Iowa.

Starters: G Ronald Moore, 6-0, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 37.8 FG%, 35.8 3FG%, 65.6 FT%, 6.3 apg); G Kenny Hasbrouck, 6-3, Sr. (14.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 41.9 FG%, 2.9 apg); C Ryan Rossiter, 6-9, So. (10.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 63.0 FG%, 77.9 FT%, 1.9 bpg); F Alex Franklin, 6-5, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 57.1 FG%); F Edwin Ubiles, 6-6, Jr. (14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 49.2 FG%, 63.3 FT%, 2.2 apg).

Reserves: G Clarence Jackson, 6-3, So. (8.3 ppg, 43.7 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 61.7 FT%); G Kyle Downey, 6-2, Fr. (3.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 43.8 FG%, 26.2 3FG%, 71.8 FT%); F Josh Duell, 6-7, Sr. (2.3 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 40.0 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 81.8 FT%).

10. Southern California

Nickname: Trojans. Location: Los Angeles.

Record: 21-12, 9-9. Bid: Pacific-10 champ.

NCAA history: 11-16 in 14 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Kansas State in the first round.

Coach: Tim Floyd, 6-7 in 7 appearances.

Overview: The Trojans were hard to figure. They started well, and nearly beat Oklahoma on the road, and jumped to 6-3 in league. Then they lost six out of seven in February, pretty much assuring themselves they'd have to win the Pac-10 tourney to make it to the big dance. The late-season insertion of guard Marcus Simmons ignited their defense. DeMar DeRozan went from freshman phenom before the season began to ho-hum much of the season but finished strong.

Best wins: Arizona State, UCLA, California, Arizona.

Starters: G Daniel Hackett, 6-5, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.8 apg); G Dwight Lewis, 6-5, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); G Marcus Simmons, 6-6, So. (2.1 ppg); F DeMar DeRozan, 6-7, Fr. (12.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 51.8 FG%); ; F Taj Gibson, 6-9, Jr. (14.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 58.8 FG%, 2.9 bpg).

Reserves: F Marcus Johnson, 6-6, Sr. (4.2 ppg); F Keith Wilkinson, 6-10, Sr. (2.9 ppg); F Leonard Washington, 6-7, Fr. (6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 51.3 FG%).

11. Dayton

Nickname: Flyers. Location: Dayton, Ohio.

Record: 26-7, 11-5. Bid: Atlantic 10 at-large.

NCAA history: 13-15 in 13 appearances. Last: 2004, lost to DePaul in first round.

Coach: Brian Gregory, 0-1 in one appearance

Overview: As Chris Wright goes, so go the Flyers. He leads the team in eight statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding and double-doubles (five). The team's offense runs better in a fast-paced game and they went 7-1 this season when putting more than 75 on the board. The Flyers' boast experience with a senior and three juniors starting, and it shows as they are 11-1 in games decided by five points or less. On the defensive end, the Flyers hold opponents to less than 40% shooting from the field and just 31.4% from beyond the arc

Best wins: Xavier, Marquette, Temple.

Starters: F Chris Wright, 6-8, So. (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 48.0 FG%); G Marcus Johnson, 6-3, Jr. (12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg); F Charles Little, 6-6, Sr. (7.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Kurt Huelsman, 6-10, Jr. (3.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg).

Reserves: G Chris Johnson, 6-5, Fr. (6.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg); F-C Devin Searcy, 6-10, So. (3.0 ppg, 50.8 FG%); G Mickey Perry, 6-2, Jr. (4.2 ppg).

12. Arizona

Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Tucson.

Record: 19-13, 9-9. Bid: Pacific-10 at-large.

NCAA history: 41-26 in 27 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to West Virginia in first round.

Coach: Russ Pennell, first appearance.

Overview: Arizona is not very deep, but a trio of starters can give opponents fits. Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger and Nic Wise give the Wildcats more than 50 points and nearly 20 rebounds a game. As such, those three must be on the floor — and out of foul trouble — for Arizona to be successful. The team doesn't shoot a ton of three-pointers, but it shoots a good percentage (39.5%). The defense certainly wouldn't be considered stout, allowing nearly 44% shooting from the field and more than 68 points a game.

Best wins: Kansas, Gonzaga, Washington, UCLA.

Starters: F Jordan Hill, 6-10, Jr. (18.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 54.8 FG%); F Chase Budinger, 6-7, Jr. (18.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 41.0 3FG%); G Nic Wise, 5-10, Jr. (15.0 ppg, 4.6 apg, 42.4 3FG%, 83.6 FT%); F Jamelle Horne, 6-6, So. (6.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg); G Kyle Fogg, 6-2, Fr. (6.2 ppg).

Reserves: G Zane Johnson, 6-5, So. (4.9 ppg, 40.0 3FG%); G Garland Judkins, 6-3, Fr. (2.4 ppg).

13. Cleveland State

Nickname: Vikings. Location: Cleveland.

Record: 25-10, 12-6. Bid: Horizon champ.

NCAA history: 2-1 in 1 appearance. Last: 1986, lost to Navy in regional semifinals.

Coach: Gary Waters, 1-2 in two appearances.

Overview: The Vikings are not the most efficient offensive team, but what they lack on one end of the floor they make up for on the other. The Vikings are 14th in the nation in scoring defense at slightly less than 60 points a game. They also average slightly more than nine steals. J'Nathan Bullock is a reliable scorer in the paint, which the team needs as it shoots just 31.1% beyond the arc. CSU adjusted quickly to the loss of D'Aundray Brown (knee) and his 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds a game after he was hurt at the start of the league tournament.

Best wins: Syracuse, Butler.

Starters: F J'Nathan Bullock, 6-5, Sr. (15.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg); G Norris Cole, 6-1, So. (12.5 ppg); G Cedric Jackson, 6-3, Sr. (9.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.4 apg, 3.0 spg); G Trevon Harmon, 6-0, Fr. (5.2 ppg, 85.3 FT%); C Chris Moore, 6-9, Sr. (5.7 ppg).

Reserves: F George Tandy, 6-8, Sr. (5.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg); G Jeremy Montgomery, 6-2, Fr. (3.9 ppg).

14. North Dakota State

Nickname: Bison. Location: Fargo.

Record: 26-6, 16-2. Bid: Summit League champion.

NCAA history: First appearance.

Coach: Saul Phillips, first appearance.

Overview: North Dakota State won its first conference title after winning 15 of its last 16 regular-season games. The Bison were led by Summit League Player of the Year Ben Woodside, who led the conference in scoring and ranked second in assists. Four players averaged more than nine points. The team led the conference in scoring (81.3 points a game). The Bison hold opponents to 68.5 points a game and 44.2% shooting. Phillips, in his second season, was the league coach of the year.

Best wins: Oakland (Mich.), Oral Roberts, Milwaukee.

Starters: G Ben Woodside, 5-11, Sr. (22.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.3 apg, 45.9 FG%, 84.2 FT%, 42.7 3FG%); F Brett Winkelman, 6-6, Sr. (18.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 50.5 FG%, 80.9 FT%, 38.2 3FG%); G Mike Nelson, 6-4, Sr. (11.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 48.8 FG%, 63.8 FT%, 39.9 3FG%); F Michael Tveidt, 6-7, So. (9.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.8 apg, 56.7 FG%, 59.4 FT%, 45.8 3FG%); C Lucas Moormann, 6-10, Sr. (4.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 54.2 FG%, 43.3 FT%)

Reserves: F DeJuan Flowers, 6-7, Jr. (3.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 55.1 FG%); G Josh Vaughan, 6-4, Jr. (2.8 ppg, 43.4 3FG%).

15. Robert Morris

Nickname: Colonials. Location: Moon Township, Pa.

Record: 24-10, 15-3. Bid: Northeast champion.

NCAA history: 1-5 in five appearances. Last: 1992, lost to UCLA in first round.

Coach: Mike Rice, first appearance.

Overview: The Colonials won their second consecutive Northeast Conference regular-season title and ended a 17-year NCAA drought. Senior guard Jeremy Chappell, conference player of the year, leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. They rank among the nation's leaders in field-goal and three-point percentage but have no player taller than 6-8 and were outrebounded by double figures vs. Pittsburgh and Xavier.

Best wins: Mount St. Mary's, Sacred Heart.

Starters: G Jeremy Chappell, 6-3, Sr. (16.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 85.1 FT%, 40.6 3FG%); G Jimmy Langhurst, 5-11, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 45.8 FG%, 85.0 FT%, 42.6 3FG%); G Bateko Francisco, 6-1, Sr. (7.4 ppg, 2.2 apg, 44.6 FG%, 73.3 FT%, 35.9% 3FG); F Rob Robinson, 6-8, Jr. (11.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 52.7 FG%, 50.5% FT%); F Dallas Green, 6-8, Jr. (6.7 ppg. 4.7 rpg, 56.1 FG%, 72.3 FT%).

Reserves: G Mezie Nwigwe, 6-4, Jr. (6.4 ppg, 2.5 apg); G Gary Wallace, 6-3, So. (5.8 ppg, 49.2 3FG%); F Josiah Whitehead, 6-6, Jr. (4.2 ppg, 45.2 FG%).

16. Alabama State

Nickname: Hornets. Location: Montgomery.

Record: 22-9, 16-2. Bid: Southwestern Athletic champ.

NCAA history: 0-2 in two appearances. Last: 2004, lost to Duke in first round.

Coach: Lewis Jackson, first appearance.

Overview: Alabama State closed the regular season by winning 10 of 11 and then beat second seed Jackson State for the tournament title. The starting lineup has experience, boasting four seniors and a junior. Guard Brandon Brooks is the do-everything player and the SWAC player of the year. Andrew Hayles is a dangerous sharpshooter. The Hornets play a man-to-man defense that limited opponents to 40% shooting. However, they have trouble with physical teams and are prone to turnovers.

Best wins: Jackson State, Prairie View.

Starters: G Brandon Brooks, 6-2, Sr. (14.2 ppg, 7.0 apg, 51.3 FG%); G Andrew Hayles, 6-5, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg); C Chief Kickingstallionsims, 7-1, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 61.0 FG%, 2.8 bpg); F Wesley Jones, 6-7, Jr. (9.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg); G-F Rashad Provitt, 6-7, Sr. (6.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg).

Reserves: F Roland Fitch, 6-7, So. (9.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 56.9 FG%); G Ivory White, 6-4, Fr. (5.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg).

16. Morehead State

Nickname: Eagles. Location: Morehead, Ky.

Record: 19-15, 12-6. Bid: Ohio Valley champion.

NCAA history: 4-6 in five appearances. Last: 1984, lost to Louisville in first round.

Coach: Donnie Tyndall, first appearance.

Overview: The Eagles began the regular season with six losses and ended with a four-game slide but managed to rebound in the conference tournament. A double-overtime win vs. Austin Peay in the OVC final sent them the NCAAs for the first time since 1984. Forward Leon Buchanan is the leading scorer while center Kenneth Faried, tournament MVP, is a force inside. The Eagles play man-to-man defense but are prone to turnovers. Bad omen: An OVC team last won a tournament game in 1989.

Best wins: Austin Peay, Tennessee-Martin.

Starters: F Leon Buchanan, 6-5, Sr. (15.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 52.4 FG%, 80.3 FT%); F/C Kenneth Faried, 6-8, So. (13.9 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 56.6 FG%, 1.9 bpg); G Demonte Harper, 6-4, So. (10.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, 35.7 3FG%, 77.5 FT%, 1.2 spg); G Maze Stallworth, 6-4, Jr. (12.1 ppg, 37.7 3FG%, 78.2 FT%), G Brandon Shingles, 6-3, Jr. (50.6 FG%, 77.5 FT%, 3.9 apg).

Reserves: G Robert Murry, 5-10, Jr. (8.3 ppg, 75.5 FT%); G Terrance Hill, 6-1, Fr. (4.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg); F Derick Echols, 6-5, Fr. (50.0 FG%).