A look at the teams in the West region of the 2009 NCAA tournament.

1. Connecticut

Nickname: Huskies. Location: Storrs.

Record: 27-4, 15-3. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 42-27 in 28 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to San Diego in first round

Coach: Jim Calhoun 41-18 in 20 appearances.

Overview: Huskies are experienced and battle-tested. Hasheem Thabeet is one of the nation's top big men. Aggressive man-to-man defense and solid rebounding are the Huskies' calling cards as they held foes to a 37.7% shooting and outrebounded opponents by better than eight a game. However, the loss in mid-February of guard Jerome Dyson (knee) has cut into UConn's depth, and it remains to be seen if a group that hasn't done much lately in the postseason can push through six games to win the school's third national title in a decade.

Best wins: Villanova, Louisville, Syracuse

Starters: F Jeff Adrien, 6-7, Sr. (13.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 50.5 FG%); F Stanley Robinson, 6-9, Jr. (6.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 45.2 FG%); C Hasheem Thabeet, 7-3, Jr. (13.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 4.5 bpg, 64.1 FG%); G A.J. Price, 6-2, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 4.6 apg, 42.3 FG%, 42.2 3FG%); G Craig Austrie, 6-3, Sr. (7.2ppg, 2.0 apg).

Reserves: G Kemba Walker, 6-1, Fr. (8.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 48.1 FG%); F Gavin Edwards, 6-9, Jr. (3.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 61.8FG%).

2. Memphis

Nickname: Tigers. Location: Memphis.

Record: 31-3, 16-0. Bid: Conference USA champ.

NCAA history: 30-21 in 21 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Kansas in national title game.

Coach: John Calipari, 23-10 in 10 appearances.

Overview: The Tigers carry the nation's longest acitvet winning streak, 25 games, and are the first Division I program to post four consecutive seasons of at least 30 wins. But they lost three of their five toughest games this season, to Georgetown, Xavier and Syracuse, before going unbeaten in C-USA play for a third consecutive year. Memphis ranks first nationally in field goal defense (36.6%) and is in the top 10 in scoring defense (57.7 a game), blocks (6.1 a game) and scoring margin (+16.7 a game).

Best wins: Gonzaga, Tennessee.

Starters: G Tyreke Evans, 6-6, Fr. (16.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.1 spg); G Antonio Anderson 6-6, Sr. (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.2 apg, 75.8 FT%); G Doneal Mack, 6-5, Jr. (8.9 ppg); F Shawn Taggart, 6-10, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 76.5 FT%); F Robert Dozier, 6-9, Sr. (12.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 52.0 FG%).

Reserves: G Roburt Sallie, 6-5, So. (4.7 ppg, 44.0 3FG%, 82.4 FT%); F Pierre Henderson-Niles, 6-8, Jr. (2.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), F-G Wesley Witherspoon, 6-8, Fr. (4.4 ppg).

3. Missouri

Nickname: Tigers. Location: Columbia.

Record: 28-6, 12-4 . Bid: Big 12 champ.

NCAA history: 18-21 in 21 appearances. Last: 2003, lost to Marquette in OT in second round.

Coach: Mike Anderson, 3-3 in three NCAA appearances.

Overview: Buckle up. Mizzou's frenetic attack — pressing, trapping, constantly pushing the ball — can knock you on your heels. There are no superstars, but DeMarre Carroll is hard-working and productive inside and Leo Lyons is a matchup challenge — a guy with size and perimeter touch. Tigers feed their style with a six-deep bench, and opponents tend to wear down in the second half. They've been far better at home this season, but ought to be good for one win in the tournament. Maybe a couple.

Best wins: California, at Oklahoma State, at Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma.

Starters: F DeMarre Carroll, 6-8, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 steals, 39.4 3FG%); F Leo Lyons, 6-9, Sr. (14.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 45.5 3FG%); G Kim English, 6-6, Fr. (6.4 ppg, 1.2 apg, 37.5 3FG%); G Zaire Taylor, 6-4, Jr. (6.0 ppg, 3.5 apg, 1.6 steals, 33.9 3FG%); G J.T. Tiller, 6-3, Jr. (7.8 ppg, 3.6 apg, 1.8 steals).

Reserves: G Matt Lawrence, 6-7, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 41.7 3FG%); F Laurence Bowers, 6-8, Fr. (3.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg); G Marcus Denmon, 6-3, Fr. (6.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.5 apg); F Keith Ramsey, 6-9, Jr. (3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 33.3 FT%); G Miguel Paul, 6-1, Fr. (3.3 ppg, 1.6 apg); F Justin Safford, 6-8, So. (3.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 66.7 3FG%, 42.4 FT%).

4. Washington

Nickname: Huskies. Location: Seattle.

Record: 25-8, 14-4. Bid: Pacific-10 at-large.

NCAA history: 14-14 in 13 appearances. Last: 2006, lost to Connecticut in regional semifinals.

Coach: Lorenzo Romar, 4-4 in 4 appearances.

Overview: Expected to be a second-division team, the Huskies won the regular-season title behind the inside-outside combo of diminutive guards — Isaiah Thomas, the league's freshman of the year, and Justin Dentmon, the league's most improved player — plus bulky Jon Brockman, unofficial league leader in bruises delivered. The Huskies led the league at 79.2 points a game. But they also gave up more points than any team in the Pac-10 except woeful Oregon. Thomas is often compared to former UW little big man Nate Robinson.

Best wins: UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona.

Starters: G Isaiah Thomas, 5-8, Fr. (15.4 ppg); G Justin Dentmon, 5-11, Sr. (15.3 ppg, 43.2 3FG%); F Jon Brockman, 6-7, Sr. (14.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 52.1 FG%); F Quincy Pondexter, 6-6, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 52.2 FG%); F Darnell Gant, 6-8, Fr. (3.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg).

Reserves: F Matthew Bryan-Amaning, 6-9, So. (6.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg); G Venoy Overton, 5-11, So. (5.9 ppg).

5. Purdue

Nickname: Boilermakers. Location: West Lafayette, Ind.

Record: 25-9, 11-7. Bid: Big Ten champion.

NCAA history: 29-22 in 22 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Xavier in second round.

Coach: Matt Painter, 2-3 in three NCAA appearances.

Overview: Forward Robbie Hummel finally is feeling better after struggling with a lower back injury. His size and versatility make him a tough matchup on the perimeter. Center JaJuan Johnson,'s improvement since last season has been pivotal. a back-up most of last season, Johnson is the team's second-leading scorer and was named first-team all-Big Ten. The Boilermakers take pride in stingy man-to-man defense that gave up an average 59 points and forced opponents to shoot 38.8% from the field, tied for 10th lowest in Division I. Guard Chris Kramer is the heart of the defense, averaging 2.1 steals.

Best wins: Michigan State, Illinois, Ohio State.

Starters: F Robbie Hummel, 6-8, So. (12.3 ppg., 6.6 rpg., 44.2 FG%, 37.4 3FG%); C JaJuan Johnson, 6-10, So. (13.2 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 2.23 blocks, 55.8 FG%); G Chris Kramer, 6-3, Jr. (4.9 ppg., 2.8 rpg.); G Lewis Jackson, 5-9, Fr. (5.7 ppg., 3.4 apg., 45.2 FG%); G E'Twaun Moore, 6-4, So. (14.0 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 42.7 FG%, 33.1 3FG%).

Reserves: F Nemanja Calasan, 6-9, Sr. (6.7 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 48.8 FG%); G Marcus Green, 6-6, Sr. (4.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg.).F Nemanja Calasan, 6-9, Sr. (6.7 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 48.8 FG%); G Marcus Green, 6-6, Sr. (4.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg.).

6. Marquette

Nickname: Golden Eagles. Location: Milwaukee.

Record: 24-9, 12-6. Bid: Big East at-large.

NCAA history: 33-27 in 26 appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Stanford in second round

Coach: Buzz Williams, first appearance.

Overview: One of the most experienced teams in the nation, the Golden Eagles start three seniors and two juniors. Marquette hadn't missed a beat in Williams' first year — he replaced Tom Crean — until standout guard Dominic James was lost in late February with a broken foot. The Golden Eagles then dropped five of six. The Eagles average 76.6 points and shoot 45.5%. Lazar Hayward is a consistent point producer and rebounder. This is a good passing team with pesky defenders who average 7.9 steals.

Best wins: Villanova, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Starters: F Lazar Hayward, 6-6, Jr. (15.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 46.2 FG%, 36.0 3FG%); G Jerel McNeal, 6-3, Sr. (19.3 ppg, 3.8 apg, 44.5 FG%, 40.6 3FG%); G Wesley Matthews, 6-5, Sr. (17.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 49.0 FG%); G Maurice Acker, 5-8, Jr. (2.7 ppg, 1.8 apg); F Dwight Burke, 6-8, Sr. (2.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg).

Reserves: G Jimmy Butler, 6-6, So. (5.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 50.0 FG%); G David Cubillan, 6-0, Jr. (1.5 ppg, 0.8 apg).

7. California

Nickname: Golden Bears. Location: Berkeley.

Record: 22-10, 11-7. Bid: Pacific-10 at-large.

NCAA history: 18-14 in 14 appearances. Last: 2006, lost to North Carolina State in first round.

Coach: Mike Montgomery, 16-12 in 12 appearances.

Overview: Montgomery, who built a power at Stanford before trying the NBA, came back and set up shop across San Francisco Bay. The Bears' best player is Jerome Randle, who led the Pac-10 in assists and was third in scoring and set a school season record for three-pointers. The Bears lead the nation in three-point percentage (43.8). Tough? The Bears beat regular-season champ Washington on the road in three overtimes.

Best wins: Arizona State, Arizona, Washington.

Starters: F Jamal Boykin, 6-8, Jr. (9.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 54.0 FG%, 50.0 3FG%); F Theo Robertson, 6-6, Jr. (12.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 49.5 3FG%); C Jordan Wilkes, 7-0, Sr. (4.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 51.0 FG%, 79.0 FT%); G Jerome Randle, 5-10, Jr. (18.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 50.3 FG%, 46.7% 3FG%, 87.2 FT%, 5.0 apg); G Patrick Christopher, 6-5, Jr. (14.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 82.0 FT%).

Reserves: G Jorge Gutierrez, 6-3, Fr. (4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg); F Harper Kamp, 6-8, So. (4.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg).

8. Brigham Young

Nickname: Cougars. Location: Provo, Utah.

Record: 25-7, 12-4. Bid: Mountain West at-large.

NCAA history: 11-26 in 23 apperances. Last: 2008, lost to Texas A&M in first round.

Coach: Dave Rose, 0-2 in two appearances.

Overview: The Cougars shared the Mountain West regular-season title with Utah and New Mexico by winning nine of their last 10 MWC games before falling to San Diego State in the tournament semifinals. Scoring is one of BYU's strong suits with three players averaging at least 16 points. The Cougars shoot 49% from the field, ranking them fifth in the country, and are among the national leaders in scoring average, scoring margin and assists a game.

Best wins: Utah, Utah State, San Diego State.

Starters: G Lee Cummard, 6-7, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 52.6 FG%, 40.0 3FG%, 85.7 FT%); G-F Jonathan Tavernari, 6-6, Jr. (16.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 75.5 FT%); F-C Chris Miles, 6-11, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 58.1 FG%); G Jimmer Fredette, 6-2, So. (16.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg); G Jackson Emery, 6-3, So. (8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 78.0 FT%).

Reserves: G Lamont Morgan, 5-10, Jr. (3.7 ppg, 43.3 3FG%); F Noah Hartsock, 6-8, Fr. (2.0 ppg, 54.5 FG%); G-F Charles Abouo, 6-5, Fr. (3.1 ppg, 40.0 3FG%).

9. Texas A&M

Nickname: Aggies. Location: College Station, Texas.

Record: 23-9, 9-7. Bid: Big 12 at-large.

NCAA history: 7-10 in nine appearances. Last: 2008, lost to UCLA in second round.

Coach: Mark Turgeon, 3-2 in two appearances.

Overview: The Aggies came on after a 3-7 league start and play much the way their coach did when he manned the point at Kansas in the mid-1980s — grit, guts, no quit. Chinemelu Elonu, Bryan Davis and freshman backup David Loubeau are a nice collection of big men, maybe the best in the Big 12, and Josh Carter and freshman B.J. Holmes provide an outside complement. A lot of these guys played into the NCAA tournament's second round a year ago.

Best wins: Arizona, LSU, Texas, Missouri.

Starters: F Josh Carter, 6-7, Sr. (14.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 40.9 3FG%, 85.7 FT%); F Bryan Davis, 6-9, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.3 blocks); C Chinemelu Elonu, 6-10, Jr. (10.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 blocks, 66.7 FG%); G Donald Sloan, 6-3, Jr. (11.7 ppg, 3.0 apg, 38.1 FG%, 34.9 3FG%); G Derrick Roland, 6-4, Jr. (6.2 ppg, 1.8 apg, 40.5 FG%).

Reserves: G B.J. Holmes, 6-0, So. (8.8 ppg, 1.4 apg, 36.8 FG%, 42.5 3FG%, 83.5 FT%); F David Loubeau, 6-9, Fr. (4.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 50.8 FT%); G Dash Harris, 6-1, Fr. (1.7 ppg, 1.9 apg, 27.3 FG%, 48.5 FT%); F Nathan Walkup, 6-7, So. (3.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 40.7 FG%).

10. Maryland

Nickname: Terrapins. Location: College Park.

Record: 20-13, 7-9. Bid: Atlantic Coast at-large.

NCAA history: 36-21 in 22 appearances. Last: 2007, lost to Butler in second round.

Coach: Gary Williams, 27-14 in 15 appearances.

Overview: Season was saved with a late turnaround that included beating North Carolina and Wake Forest. Those plus an early victory vs. Michigan State went a long way toward a bid. This is a workmanlike team without real stars except for guard Greivis Vasquez. While a good foul-shooting team, the Terps shoot just 42% from the field. Their lack of inside strength was a big factor in being outrebounded for the season. Williams has squeezed a lot out of this group. How much do they have left?

Best wins: North Carolina, Michigan State, Wake Forest.

Starters: F Landon Milbourne, 6-7, Jr. (12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 50.9 FG%, 85.4 FT%); F Dave Neal, 6-7, Sr. (8.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 43.5 FG%); G Sean Mosley, 6-4, Fr. (5.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg); G Greivis Vasquez, 6-6, Jr. (17.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 88.2 FT%); G Adrian Bowie, 6-2, So. (9.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg).

Reserves: G Eric Hayes, 6-4, Jr. (9.5 ppg, 3.4 apg, 86.0 FT%); G-F Cliff Tucker, 6-6, So. (5.0 ppg); F Dino Gregory, 6-7, So. (2.4 ppg).

11. Utah State

Nickname: Aggies. Location: Logan.

Record: 30-4, 14-2. Bid: Western Athletic champ.

NCAA history: 6-19 in 17 appearances. Last: 2006, lost to Washington in first round.

Coach: Stew Morrill, 1-6 in six appearances.

Overview: The Aggies played nobody from the six BCS conferences, so schedule strength isn't the best. But that doesn't make them any less dangerous as a first-round opponent. What the Aggies can do is shoot, hovering around 50% and near the top of the NCAA rankings in field-goal accuracy all season. Morrill has a playbook as thick as that of many football coaches, and his team passes and runs sets extremely well. A disruptive, pressure defense might get the Aggies out of sync.

Best wins: Utah, Weber State, Nevada.

Starters: F Gary Wilkinson, 6-9, Sr. (16.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 59.1 FG%, 83.6 FT%); F Tai Wesley, 6-7, So. (12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 60.3 FG%); G Jared Quayle, 6-1, Jr. (12.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.8 apg);G Tyler Newbold, 6-4, So. (9.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg); G Pooh Williams, 6-3, So. (5.6 ppg).

Reserves: G Stavon Williams, 6-3, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 87.5 FT%); G Jaxon Myaer, 5-9, Fr. (3.7 ppg); F Matt Formisano, 6-8, So. (3.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

12. Northern Iowa

Nickname: Panthers. Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Record: 23-10, 14-4. Bid: Missouri Valley champion.

NCAA history: 1-4 in four appearances. Last: 2006, lost to Georgetown in first round.

Coach: Ben Jacobson, first appearance.

Overview: Ghanaian guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe leads an evenly distributed offense with three players scoring in double digits. Northern Iowa enters the tournament after an overtime victory over against Illinois State in the MVC final. The Panthers racked up victories against the dregs of the MVC but have to be worried after losing by 30 points against Marquette in their only matchup against a ranked opponent.

Best wins: Creighton, Auburn, Illinois State.

Starters: G Ali Farokhmanesh, 6-0, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 40.6 FG%, 38.0 3FG%, 78.3 FT%); G Johnny Moran, 6-1, Fr. (8.4 ppg, 37.7 FG%, 32.4 3FG%, 74.6 FT%); G Kwadzo Ahelegbe, 6-2, So. (11.8 ppg, 41.2 FG%, 77.6 FT%); F Adam Koch, 6-8, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 50.4 FG%, 32.5 3FG%, 77.1 FG%); C Jordan Eglseder, 7-1, Jr. (10.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 58.8 FG%, 65.2 FT%).

Reserves: F Lucas O'Rear, 6-6, So. (5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 62.9 FG%, 37.5 3FG%, 73.2 FT%); G Travis Brown, 6-3, Sr. (5.2 ppg, 37.2 3FG%, 84.4 FT%).

13. Mississippi State

Nickname: Bulldogs. Location: Starksville, Miss.

Record: 22-12, 9-7 Bid: SEC champ

NCAA history: 11-9 in nine appearances.

Coach: Rick Stansbury, 4-5 in five appearances.

Overview: Defense is the name of the game for the Bulldogs as they rank second in the nation in blocked shots with over seven a game. JarvisVarnardo averaged nearly five of those blocks and anchors a squad that allows opponents to shoot just 40.0% from the field. The junior big man also offers an offensive presence in the paint, but when things collapse down low he has an outlet in Ravern Johnson from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs make 8.5 three-pointers a game. The team plays its best with the lead, going 16-2 when holding a halftime edge — and just 4-10 when trailing at the intermission.

Best wins: LSU, Western Kentucky.

Starters: F/C Jarvis Varnado, 6-9, Jr. (13.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.6 bpg, 55.5 FG%); G/F Ravern Johnson, 6-7, So. (12.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 41.5 3FG%, 84.8 FT%); G Barry Stewart, 6-2, Jr. (12.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 spg); G Dee Bost, 6-2, Fr. (11.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.4 apg); G Phil Turner, 6-3, So. (8.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg).

Reserves: F Kodi Augustus, 6-8, So. (6.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 50.0 FG%); F Romero Osby, 6-8, Fr. (4.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg); F/C Elgin Bailey, 6-8, So. (3.9 ppg).

14. Cornell

Nickname: Big Red. Location: Ithaca, N.Y.

Record: 21-9, 11-3. Bid: Ivy League champion.

NCAA history: 0-4 in three appearances. Last: 2008, lost to Stanford in first round

Coach: Steve Donahue, 0-1.

Overview: The preseason Ivy League favorite, Cornell earned its second consecutive Ivy championship and has won 16 of its last 19 games (they have no league tournament). Led by junior forward Ryan Wittman, Cornell went undefeated at home this season. Six players averaged at least 6.7 points a game, a contributing factor to the Big Red's league-leading 74.1 points a game. The Big Red play tenacious defense and held opponents to 64.3 points a game on 41.3% shooting.

Best wins: South Dakota, La Salle, Yale.

Starters: F Ryan Wittman, 6-6, Jr. (18.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.7 apg, 45.3 FG%, 81.8 FT%, 41.9 3FG%); G Louis Dale, 5-11, Jr (13.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.6apg, 48.3 FG%, 83.5 FT%); C Jeff Foote, 7-0, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 53.4 FG%); G Geoff Reeves, 6-4, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 44.0 FG%, 95.7 FT%); F-C Alex Tyler, 6-7, Jr. (6.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 49.4 FG%, 71.7 FT%).

Reserves: G Chris Wroblewski, 6-0, Fr. (6.7 ppg, 44.9 3FG%); F Brian Kreefer, 6-7, Sr. (3.8 ppg, 57.0 FG%); F Adam Wire, 6-5, So. (3.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

15. Cal State-Northridge

Nickname: Matadors. Location: Northridge, Calif.

Record: 17-13, 11-5. Bid: Big West champion.

NCAA history: 0-1 in one appearance. Last: 2001, lost to Kansas in first round.

Coach: Bobby Braswell, 0-1 in one appearance.

Overview: The Matadors won the regular season and conference tournament championship without the services of leading-scorer Deon Tresvant,. because of legal issues, and point guard Josh Jenkins, who missed the final seven games after being injured in a car accident. Led by point guard Mark Hill and senior forward Tremaine Townsend, the Matadors boast a swarming defense that sets up a high-speed transition offense.

Best wins: Long Beach State, UC Santa Barbara, Pacific.

Starters: F Willie Galick, 6-8, Jr. (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg); F Tremaine Townsend, 6-9, Sr. (10.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1 bpg); F Kenny Daniels, (8.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.3 spg); G Mark Hill, 5-10, Jr. (7.9 ppg, 2.7 apg, 1.4 spg); G Rob Haynes, 6-4, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 42.3 3FG%).

Reserves: G Rodrigue Mels, 6-3, Sr. (8.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 spg); F Vincent Cordell, 6-6, Jr. (3.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg).

16. Chattanooga

Nickname: Mocs. Location: Chattanooga, Tenn.

Record: 18-16, 11-9. Bid: Southern Conference champion.

NCAA history: 3-9 in nine appearances. Last: 2005, lost to Wake Forest in first round.

Coach: John Shulman, 0-1.

Overview: The college basketball world expected a Stephen to lead the Southern Conference champion to the tournament. Few thought it would be Stephen McDowell of Chattanooga. Despite going 2-8 in their first 10 games and going into the league tournament one game over .500, the Mocs advanced. Their inability to stop foes on the defensive end is worrisome. They lost to all four ranked opponents they faced by an average of 20.7 points.

Best wins: Niagara, The Citadel, Charleston.

Starters: G Stephen McDowell, 5-11, Sr. (18.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 44.5 FG%, 43.4% 3FG%); F Kevin Goffney, 6-5, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg); G Keyron Sheard, 6-2, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 33.3 3FG%); F Nicchaeus Doaks, 6-7, Sr. (13.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 51.8 FG%); F Khalil Hartwell, 6-8, Sr. (9.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 56.8 FG%).

Reserves: G Ty Patterson, 6-6, Jr. (8.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 34.8 3FG%) G Jasper Williams, 6-2, Fr. (2.2 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.6 apg) F Dante Harvey, 6-6, Fr. (1.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg) F Chris Early, 6-7, Fr. (2.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg).