Atlanta Regional

J.J. Redick, Duke, 6-4, So., G: He's a 41 percent 3-point shooter who looks to score from long range first.

Jason Maxiell, Cincinnati, 6-7, Jr., F: The Bearcats' leader in points (13.7) and rebounds (6.9), Maxiell is a force inside if given room.

Francisco Garcia, Louisville, 6-7, So., F: Garcia, who averages 16.5 points and 43 percent shooting, is such a capable scorer, his teammates forget to look for their shots.

Romain Sato, Xavier, 6-5, Sr., G/F: Sato has gone from strictly a 3-point shooter to a slasher who averages 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds.

Lawrence Roberts, Mississippi State, 6-9, Jr., F/C: A Baylor transfer who transformed MSU into a national power, Roberts averages 17.0 points and 10.4 rebounds.

Phoenix Regional

Josh Childress, Stanford, 6-8, Jr., F: Childress moves all over the court and shoots 49 percent.

Hakim Warrick, Syracuse, 6-8, Jr., F: Warrick is the Orangemen's main offensive option, averaging 19.6 points.

Matt Freije, Vanderbilt, 6-10, Sr., F/C: The Commodores will go as far as Freije carries them. Fortunately, he's averaging 18.5 points in just 29 minutes a game.

Julius Hodge, North Carolina State, 6-6, Jr., G: He has improved his shooting and can go inside and get rebounds. He's averaging 18.6 points and 6.3 boards a game.

Emeka Okafor, Connecticut, 6-10, Jr., C: If Okafor's back is healthy, he could give UConn the inside strength for a Final Four run. He averages 18.5 points and 11.6 boards.

East Rutherford Regional

Jameer Nelson, Saint Joseph's, 5-11, Sr., G: He'll bring his All-America game: 20.0 points, 5.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds.

Delonte West, Saint Joseph's, 6-4, Jr., G: He's shooting 51 percent from the field and averages 18.8 points a game.

Devin Harris, Wisconsin, 6-3, Jr., G: Harris can spot up for 3-pointers or run the team from the point and averages 19.4 points and 4.4 assists a game.

Tony Allen, Oklahoma State, 6-4, Sr., G/F: Allen averages 16.0 points and 5.3 rebounds.

John Lucas III, Oklahoma State, 5-11, Jr., G: The Baylor transfer has been running the show at OSU. Lucas shoots 48 percent and has a 2.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

St. Louis Regional

Ryan Gomes, Providence, 6-7, Jr., F: He's a big man with a soft touch, shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 86.8 percent from the foul line.

Blake Stepp, Gonzaga, 6-4, Sr., G: The engine of the Bulldogs' efficient offense averages 6.9 assists. He's also the team's second-leading scorer (14.7 ppg).

Craig Smith, Boston College, 6-7, So., F: As he goes, so go the Eagles. Smith averages 17.3 points and 8.4 rebounds, shooting 55.3 percent overall.

Keith Langford, Kansas, 6-4, Jr., G: Another versatile star able to score (16.1 avg.), rebound (4.7) and pass (3.5 assists). He's a slasher who also hits 39 percent from 3-point range.

Gerald Fitch, Kentucky, 6-3, Sr., G: We're thinking ahead here, because the region's MVP always comes from the winning team. Plus, Fitch (15.8 ppg) is a clutch shooter.

Dustin Dow