THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2002
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 7A
e)
Advertisement
WINTHROP EARLY PICK IN POLLS
1 WINTHROP
3 KANSAS
2 ARIZONA
5 TEXAS
4 OKLAHOMA
7 DUKE
8 GEORGIA
6 PITTSBURGH
9 KENTUCKY
10 VIRGINIA
11 UCLA
12 MICHIGAN STATE
13 XAVIER
14 ALABAMA
15 MISS. STATE
17 VILLANOVA
16 OREGON
18 FLORIDA
19 UCONN
20 MARQUETTE
21 INDIANA
22 GONZAGA
23 MARYLAND
24 MISSOURI
25 USC
Sweet Sixteen. Elite Eight. Final Four. And now the Talented Twenty-Five. Will Kansas be at the center of this year's bracket? Will the girl in the mail room pick the NCAA champion? Read on for everything you ever wanted to know (but were afraid to ask) about college basketball.
1 WINTHROP
Okay, so they went 19-12 last year. And they are from the Big South Conference. But trust us, the Eagles can definitely hoop. Besides, these guys are made up of 4,500 polygons, just like any other team.
2 ARIZONA
What's the 411 on the 'Cats? Not only do they have all five of their starters returning, but they also have what most consider to be the best front-court in college basketball. Can you say Dynasty Mode?
3 KANSAS
PITTSBURGH
4 OKLAHOMA
Despite losing a key player to the NBA, look for the Jayhawks to return to the Final Four this year. We've seen what they have been doing in Practice Mode, and, trust us, we are thoroughly convinced.
Another team we predict to be returning to the Final Four in 2003. Not only do they return with 70 new player models, they look good doing it, too.
Look for what could be the most exciting duo in college basketball to rate high in the on-screen player ratings.
7 DUKE
5 TEXAS
Add the slick job done in recruiting to the usual Blue Devil talent pool, and you get a team that is bound to make some noise. Get ready to hear Billy Packer and Eddie Doucette saying, "And the Blue Devils win again," a lot this season.
8 GEORGIA
They say everything is bigger in Texas, but what we notice on this team are the little guys. The backcourt is the cream of the crop. End of discussion. Obviously, somebody did their homework before this year's recruiting.
The Dawgs' poll position could change in October, depending on their front-court production. If they produce, prepare for this team to move a little higher in the polls.
KENTUCKY
Should come down to the wire between them and Georgia for the SEC crown. Use the over 30 new dunks (including reverses, follow-ups and 360-degree jams) and this Wildcat team might overtake that other Wildcat team.
11 UCLA
10 VIRGINIA
The Cavs are not happy with last season's late collapse that landed them out of the tournament. Don't let that fool you; they've got the talent. Not a pushover computer opponent. Not in the least.
No, it's not the 1970s Bruins, but this team ain't bad, either. Besides, the digital cheerleaders are really easy on the eyes. Definitely easy on the eyes.
12 MICHIGAN STATE
This year their most famous alumnus will make it into the NBA Hall of Fame. That just might spark the Spartans to play at an elevated level.
13 XAVIER
"Who?" That's right. Xavier. Get used to seeing this school in the polls. The Musketeers are clearly the class of the A-10. How does a team go from unranked to number 13? Practice Mode, Practice Mode, Practice Mode.
14 ALABAMA
With the return of some key players, the Tide possesses one of the best inside-outside combos in the league. If you are attending a Tuscaloosa fish fry this year, expect to see some happy basketball fans.
15 MISS. STATE
The Bulldogs, coming off a Southeastern Conference tournament championship, have a tough schedule, playing both Xavier and Oklahoma this year. Said one player, "Hey, I'm all for just selecting Tournament Mode, and just get right to the tourney."
16 OREGON
Enjoying its first league championship in 63 years and one of the last eight teams standing in last year's tourney, Oregon's picked second by us in the Pac-10, behind No. 1 Arizona. Expect a long stay in the NCAA tournament this year for the Ducks.
17 VILLANOVA
The pressure is really on to produce and get the Wildcats back into the tournament after a three-year absence. In addition to all the new faces on the team, there will also be new duds for the 'Cats as Villanova debuts a new digital uniform.
18 FLORIDA
UCONN
How about that SEC? Yet another entry from a very tough conference. Tough conference or not, the Gators hold their own against some of the NCAA's best.
Expect the Huskies again to be strong in the backcourt. Use the right analog stick control to perform spin moves and dropsteps out of the post to put the solid backcourt to good use.
20 MARQUETTE
21 INDIANA
The Golden Eagles open against Villanova, marking the first time the two teams have met since the 1980 NCAA tournament. Can this young team hold its own in an upcoming Conference USA? We think so.
Can they get the support they need inside? If not, the Hoosiers could be off-balance even with what should be an extremely productive perimeter.
22 GONZAGA
Can the Bulldogs get the top scorer they need to emerge? Time spent in recruiting will be time well spent. Everything else is in place for another banner season on the left coast.
23 MARYLAND
We're considering these champs an outside shot at defending the title after losing four starters. Terps get a new arena this year. Unfortunately, they are also getting a mostly new team, as well.
24 MISSOURI
Mizzou's run to the Elite Eight last year was the Tigers' longest stint in the tourney in eight years. And this should be another promising year.
25 USC
A long shot to win the title. Let's face it, they are no Winthrop. But don't count them totally out, either.
The "OPERATICly Licensed Collegiate Problems" label is the exclusive property of the Collegiate Licensing Company. The "Collegiate Licensed Products" label is the property of the Independent Labeling Group, All team logos, team names and mascot associated with the NCAA, universities and conferences are the exclusive property of the respective institutions. Designed and developed by Killer Game. **2002 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Copyright 2002 by STATS, Inc. Any commercial use or distribution of the Licensed Materials without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited. The Sony Computer Entertainment logo is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Sports and the 997 Sports logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc." **Photography and