Friday, March 30, 2001
Men's Final Four team capsules
Michigan St.
Coach: Tom Izzo (sixth season, 176-56).
Road to Minneapolis: Def. No.16 Alabama State 69-35, No.9 Fresno State 81-65, No.12 Gonzaga 77-62, No.11 Temple 69-62.
Starters: G Charlie Bell, 6-3, Sr. (13.8 pg, 5.2 apg); G Jason Richardson, 6-6, So. (15 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 51 percent shooting, 41 percent 3-pointers); F Andre Hutson, 6-8, Sr. (13.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 62 percent shooting); F David Thomas, 6-7, Sr. (5.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg); F Aloysius Anagonye, 6-8, So. (4.9 ppg).
Off the bench: C Zach Randolph, 6-9, Fr. (10.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 59 percent shooting); G Marcus Taylor, 6-3, Fr. (7.4 ppg).
Achilles' heel: Michigan State does not have a true point guard and can struggle from outside, shooting only 33 percent from 3-point range. The bench is not deep, and the top reserves — Randolph and Taylor — are in their first Final Four.
Outlook: The Spartans must receive above-average shooting from Bell and Richardson and inspired work inside from Hutson and Randolph. Defensively, the backcourt must find a way to knock Wildcats guards Gilbert Arenas and Jason Gardner out of rhythm.
Arizona
Coach: Lute Olson (18th season at Arizona, 449-134; 27th overall, 641-226).
Road to Minneapolis: Def. No.15 Eastern Illinois 101-76, No.10 Butler 73-52, No.3 Mississippi 66-56, No.1 Illinois, 87-81.
Starters: G Jason Gardner, 5-10, So. (10.7 ppg, 4.2 apg); G Gilbert Arenas, 6-3, So. (16.5 ppg, 43 percent 3FG); F Michael Wright, 6-7, Jr. (15.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 60 percent FG); F Richard Jefferson, 6-7, Jr. (10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg); C Loren Woods, 7-1 Sr. (13 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 77 blocks).
Off the bench: F Luke Walton, 6-8, So. (5.7 ppg, 4 rpg); F Eugene Edgerson, 6-6, Sr. (4.7 ppg, 4 rpg).
Achilles' heel: The Wildcats have offered little to criticize the last month. But poor perimeter shooting from Gardner and Arenas could fuel Michigan State's rebounding game and allow the Spartans to dominate inside.
Outlook: Arizona has beaten finesse teams and defensive sluggers. If Gardner and Arenas are hot and Arizona plays to its recent form, Michigan State will be hard-pressed to advance.
Duke
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (20th season at Duke, 531-164; 25th overall, 604-223).
Road to Minneapolis: Def. No.16 Monmouth 95-52, No.9 Missouri 94-81, No.4 UCLA 76-63, No.6 USC 79-69.
Starters: G Jason Williams, 6-2, So. (21.7, ppg, 6.2 apg, 44.6 percent 3-PT FG); G Chris Duhon, 6-1, Fr. (7.1 ppg, 4.1 apg); C Casey Sanders, 6-11, So. (2.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg); F Shane Battier, 6-8, Sr. (19.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 42 percent 3FG); F Mike Dunleavy, 6-8, So. (12.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg).
Off the bench: C Carlos Boozer, 6-9, So. (13.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg); F Nate James, 6-6 Sr. (12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg).
Achilles' heel: Can Boozer, who has played only twice since Feb.27, give Duke the inside defensive presence it needs to combat Baxter, who has been prolific in the tournament?
Outlook: The Devils must stay out of foul trouble and shoot better than they did last week. They're obviously familiar with Maryland and know how to defend the Terps, and Krzyzewski's bench experience is invaluable this time of year.
Maryland
Coach: Gary Williams (12th season at Maryland, 242-138; 23rd overall, 449-266).
Road to Minneapolis: Def. No.14 George Mason 83-80, No.11 Georgia State 79-60, No.10 Georgetown 76-66, No.1 Stanford 87-73.
Starters: F Byron Mouton, 6-6, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg); F Terence Morris, 6-9, Sr. (12.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg); C Lonny Baxter, 6-8, Jr. (15.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 57.6 percent FG); G Juan Dixon, 6-3, Jr. (18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 41 percent 3-PT FG); G Steve Blake, 6-3, So. (6.7 ppg, 6.9 apg).
Off the bench: G Drew Nicholas, 6-3, So. (6.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg); F Danny Miller, 6-8, Jr. (4.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg); F Tahj Holden, 6-10, So. (4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg); F Chris Wilcox, 6-10, Fr. (3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg); C Mike Mardesich, 7-0, Sr. (3.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg).
Achilles' heel: Blake has done a good job guarding Jason Williams in the teams' three meetings, but he can't get into foul trouble. When he fouled out late in the Jan.27 game, Williams scored eight points in 14 seconds to lead a Duke rally.
Outlook: The Terps should enter the game confident. They beat Duke once this year and easily could have won the other two. They have enough firepower to win it all.
NCAA Tournament coverage at Cincinnati.com
Enter our weekly "Hoops Madness" contest
Sports Stories
Free agents spurning Bengals
Akili's trial date set
Reds will avoid Maddux, Benson
Boone worried about his bench
Griffey decision may wait till Monday
Harnisch tinkers with mechanics
Sabo could manage Florence team
Prosser, Fogelson to meet
Xavier still drawing attention
|
Men's Final Four team capsules
