[muns]

Had to break in down into 2 separate threads it was so big

Mountain State (Conference Rank: 6)
1)Utah 2)Utah State 3)BYU
Sleeper: Wyoming
Preseason Player of the Year: G Luther Riley, Wyoming
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Robert Peeler, Utah
Best Backcourt: Utah State
Best Frontcourt: Wyoming
Best Offense: Utah
Best Defense: BYU
Best Bench: Utah State
Best Scorer: G Luther Riley, Wyoming
Best Passer: G Robert Peeler, Utah
Best Rebounder: C Ramon Morrison, Utah
Best Defender: C Felix Shaughnessy, Utah State
Best Sixth Man: C Waylon Wille, BYU
NCAA Teams: Utah, Utah State
NIT Teams: BYU, Wyoming
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Angel Swinton, BYU, So
G: Robert Peeler, Utah, Fr
F: Luther Riley, Wyoming, Sr
F: Daniel Paine, Wyoming, Jr
C: Kai Kammel, BYU, Sr

Synopsis: Four teams can win this conference. BYU and Wyoming may not have quite the level of talent as what you find in the state of Utah, but they are very good units worthy of the title "contender". The Cougars, in particular, have players with very high potential. If they play to that level, they can beat any team on any given night. Our writers had lively discussions as to who should win this conference, Utah or Utah State. The Redskins got the nod on the basis of their guard, Peeler, and center, Morrison. The combination of those two, the most key positions on the floor, should see them past a team like Utah State, who is somewhat lacking in those spots. Granted, the Aggies have talent equal to that of Utah; it is just in positions that are not as consequential as the one handling the ball, or the one working in the post area. This will be one of the hotbeds of rivalry in the country, however.


Ohio Valley (Conference Rank: 8)
1)Murray State 2)Western Kentucky 3)Morehead State
Sleeper: None
Preseason Player of the Year: G Tony Chau, Murray State
Preseason Freshman of the Year: C Merv Short, Morehead State
Best Backcourt: Murray State
Best Frontcourt: Murray State
Best Offense: Murray State
Best Defense: Murray State
Best Bench: Murray State
Best Scorer: G Bill Gleeson, Murray State
Best Passer: G Grant Kunkel, Western Kentucky
Best Rebounder: G Alonzo Coleman, Murray State
Best Defender: F Randy Chisholm, Murray State
Best Sixth Man: G Danny Vaughn, Murray State
NCAA Teams: Murray State
NIT Teams: Western Kentucky
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Tony Chau, Murray State, Sr
G: Bill Gleeson, Murray State, Sr*
F: Alonzo Coleman, Murray State, Sr*
F: Guy Berg, Western Kentucky, Jr
C: Trenton Edgerton, Murray State, Jr*

Synopsis: This conference gets their ranking on Murray State and WKU, alone. The games played between these two teams will be discussed for years. The Racers have a team that could contend for the best the conference could offer, even decades from now. The Hilltoppers have excellent guard play and enough size to potentially slow down the Racers. The rest of the conference will be looking up at these two. If they aren't careful, they may put themselves in a position where it takes a long, long time to catch them...if they ever do.


Pacific Coast (Conference Rank: 1)
1)California 2)Washington 3)Oregon State
Sleeper: Oregon
Preseason Player of the Year: G Tommy Guess, UCLA
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Tyron Crandall, Cal
Best Backcourt: Washington
Best Frontcourt: California
Best Offense: UCLA
Best Defense: California
Best Bench: Washington
Best Scorer: G Chris Zimmerman, Washington State
Best Passer: G Tommy Guess, UCLA
Best Rebounder: F Charlie McMullen, Southern Cal
Best Defender: C Murray Hughes, Washington
Best Sixth Man: F Vaughn Bynum, Oregon
NCAA Teams: Oregon, Washington, Oregon State, Oregon
NIT Teams: UCLA, Southern Cal, Stanford
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Tommy Guess, UCLA, Sr*
G: Ricky Hoekstra, Washington, Sr
F: Timothy Mathis, California, Sr
F: Dick Allgood, Oregon State, Sr
C: Kraig Levy, Oregon, Sr

Synopsis: The strength of college basketball, in plurality, lies out west. Several teams are strong in the PCC, from the top dogs, Cal and Washington, down to Stanford and even UCLA. This conference will make the headlines all season long, as the coaches are considered among the top in their profession, ones the players flock to play for. There should be a marquee game every night the conference takes the floor. Sure, the headlines may not come in until the afternoon edition of the paper, but they will be worth the read.


Southeastern (Conference Rank: 5)
1)Kentucky 2)Mississippi State 3)LSU
Sleeper: Tennessee
Preseason Player of the Year: G Murray Dodd, Kentucky
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Ernie Clack, Tennessee
Best Backcourt: Kentucky
Best Frontcourt: LSU
Best Offense: Kentucky
Best Defense: Kentucky
Best Bench: Kentucky
Best Scorer: G Murray Dodd, Kentucky
Best Passer: G Dominick Evans, Alabama Poly
Best Rebounder: F Austin Rogers, LSU/C Jerry Young, Kentucky
Best Defender: C Jerry Young, Kentucky
Best Sixth Man: G Enoch Chong, Mississippi State
NCAA Teams: Kentucky, Mississippi State, LSU
NIT Teams: Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Florida
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Murray Dodd, Kentucky, Jr*
G: Casey Williams, Mississippi State, Jr*
F: Austin Rogers, LSU, Sr
F: Coleman Dixon, Tennessee, Sr*
C: Jerry Young, Kentucky, Sr

Synopsis: There are talented teams spread out throughout the conference, definitely. Several different teams are capable of beating the top teams in this conference, and while Kentucky and Mississippi State are the bigwigs in the SEC, they are, by no means, infallible. Only Tulane could be considered a pushover in the league. That is considerable, and will make the SEC a powerhouse to be reckoned with. The Wildcats and Rebels are capable of beating any team in the country, and Kentucky is a favorite pick to win the national championship.


Southern (Conference Rank: 10)
1)West Virginia 2)George Washington 3)Virginia Tech
Sleeper: None
Preseason Player of the Year: G Gerard Williams, WVU
Preseason Freshman of the Year: C Len Weinstein, Virginia Tech
Best Backcourt: Georgetown
Best Frontcourt: West Virginia
Best Offense: West Virginia
Best Defense: West Virginia
Best Bench: West Virginia
Best Scorer: G Charlie Armstead, Virginia Tech
Best Passer: G Charlie Barth, Virginia Tech
Best Rebounder: F Thomas Kean, Richmond
Best Defender: F Clay Metcalf, West Virginia
Best Sixth Man: F Joseph Lucero, West Virginia
NCAA Teams: West VIrginia
NIT Teams: George Washington
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Gerard Williams, West Virginia, Sr
G: Emmanuel Moorer, George Wasighngton, Sr
F: Clay Metcalf, West Virginia, Jr
F: Jack Skipper, William & Mary, Sr*
C: Major Ambrose, West Virginia, Sr

Synopsis: This is West Virginia's roost to rule. Honestly? That's it. George Washington will be a nice team to watch...but this is effectively owned by the Mountaineers. They are one of the best teams in the nation, and it will be a surprise if they are even challenged in this conference.


Southwest (Conference Rank: 9)
1)SMU 2)TCU 3)Baylor
Sleeper: Texas Ag
Preseason Player of the Year: G Blake Hynes, SMU
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Charlie Garay, SMU
Best Backcourt: SMU
Best Frontcourt: Baylor
Best Offense: Texas
Best Defense: SMU
Best Bench: SMU
Best Scorer: G Charlie Garay, SMU
Best Passer: G Art Freeman, SMU
Best Rebounder: C David Shepard, Texas Ag
Best Defender: F Brad Tweedy, TCU
Best Sixth Man: G Art Freeman, SMU
NCAA Teams: SMU
NIT Teams: TCU, Baylor, Texas Ag
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Blake Hynes, SMU, So
G: Mitchell Hargrave, Texas Ag, Jr
F: Brad Tweety, TCU, Sr
F: Brady Diep, SMU, Sr
C: David Shepard, Texas Ag, Sr

Synopsis: One of the more intriguing conferences; they don't have the frontline talent of teams in other conferences, but there are some very intriguing situations developing. The Mustangs could be one of the nation's rising giants, if they recruit right. The kid, Blake Hynes, is the real deal at the guard spot. TCU has some intriguing pieces too. And the Agricultural school has a lot of money, and a lot of untapped potential. They could be the biggest program in the entire region by the end of the decade. This is a conference to stash away a bit, watch for the future.


West Coast (Conference Rank: 11)
1)San Francisco 2)Saint Mary's 3)Santa Clara
Sleeper: None
Preseason Player of the Year: G Gary Campell, Saint Mary's
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Steve Ferrari, San Francisco
Best Backcourt: San Francisco
Best Frontcourt: San Francisco
Best Offense: Santa Clara
Best Defense: San Francisco
Best Bench: San Francisco
Best Scorer: G Gary Campbell, Saint Mary's
Best Passer: G Steve Ferrari, San Francisco
Best Rebounder: Cornell/Wilson/Goodwin, San Francisco
Best Defender: C Perry Wilson, San Francisco
Best Sixth Man: C Perry Wilson, San Francisco
NCAA Teams: San Francisco, St. Mary's
NIT Teams: Santa Clara
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Gary Campbell, St. Mary's, Sr
G: Steve Ferrari, San Francisco, Fr
F: Kelvin Hedgepeth, St. Mary's, Sr
F: Frank Cornell, San Francisco, Sr
C: Armando Goodwin, San Francisco, Sr

Synopsis: The teams at the top, San Francisco and St. Mary's, as well as Santa Clara, will be competitive. The rest is mediocre, at best. But the Dons are a top group, and the Gaels and Broncos will give them everything they can handle. The Dons are ranked in the AP (16th), while just missing our poll. The others are not far behind.


WNY3 (Conference Rank: 17)
1)Niagara 2)St. Bonaventure 3)Canisius
Sleeper: No other teams
Preseason Player of the Year: F Kurt Williams, St. Bonaventure
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Curt To, Niagara
Best Backcourt: Niagara
Best Frontcourt: St. Bonaventure
Best Offense: Niagara
Best Defense: St. Bonaventure
Best Bench: Niagara
Best Scorer: F Kurt Williams, St. Bonaventure
Best Passer: G Ben Perez, Niagara
Best Rebounder: F Kurt Williams, St. Bonaventure
Best Defender: F Kurt Williams, St. Bonaventure
Best Sixth Man: G Charlie Gulick, Niagara
NCAA Teams: Niagara
NIT Teams: St. Bonaventure
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Ben Perez, Niagara, So
G: Aubrey Trout, Niagara, Sr*
F: Curt To, Niagara, Fr
F: Kurt Williams, St. Bonaventure, Sr
C: Percy Mandel, St. Bonaventure, So

Synopsis: There are three teams, in western New York state.


Yankee Conference (Conference Rank: 15)
1) Connecticut 2) Rhode Island 3) Vermont
Preseason Player of the Year: G Cody Nottingham, Connecticut
Preseason Freshman of the Year: G Jessie Calvert, Connecticut
Best Backcourt: Connecticut
Best Frontcourt: Connecticut
Best Offense: Connecticut
Best Defense: Vermont
Best Bench: Connecticut
Best Scorer: G Jim Lee, Rhode Island
Best Passer: G Jim Lee, Rhode Island
Best Rebounder: F Sean Brazil, Massachusetts
Best Defender: F Michael Purser, Vermont
Best Sixth Man: G Jessie Calvert, Connecticut
NCAA Teams: Connecticut
NIT Teams: Rhode Island
Preseason All-Conference Team
G: Cody Nottingham, Connecticut, Sr
G: Jim Lee, Rhode Island, Jr
F: Robert Cleaves, Connecticut, Sr
F: Sean Brazil, Massachusetts, Sr*
C: Charlie Burgess, New Hampshire, Jr

Synopsis: Unless Jim Lee can beat the Huskies by himself, this is Connecticut's conference to lose. This should be an intriguing place to watch basketball in a few years. But right now, there are a lot of teams that are not that competitive. Even the Huskies will not be a part of the continental conversation.


Independents
1) Bradley 2) Duquesne 3) Holy Cross
Preseason Player of the Year:
G Antonia Dabney, Bradley/G William Bailey, Louisville
Preseason Freshman of the Year:
G Chauncey Hinkley, Duquesne/G Gregory Wyman, Seattle
Best Backcourt: Louisville/Bradley/Holy Cross
Best Frontcourt: Bradley/Duquesne/Louisville
Best Offense: Holy Cross/Bradley/Duquesne
Best Defense: Bradley/La Salle/Notre Dame
Best Bench: Bradley/Duquesne/Louisville
Best Scorer: G William Bradley, Louisville/F Robert Ventura, Holy Cross
Best Passer: G Gerald Robertson, Oklahoma City/G Andrew Coleman, Dayton
Best Rebounder: F Kenny Stinnett, Louisville/F Steven Duque, Duquesne
Best Defender: G Kurtis Richardson, Bradley/G Andrew Moreno, La Salle
NCAA Teams:
Bradley, Duquesne, Holy Cross, Louisville,
Notre Dame, Idaho State, La Salle, Seattle
NIT Teams:
Dayton, St. John's, Oklahoma City, Siena,
Temple, Villanova, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Players To Watch:
G: William Bailey, Louisville, Sr
G: Antonia Dabney, Bradley, Jr
G: Andrew Coleman, Dayton, Sr*
G: Chauncey Hinkley, Duquesne, Fr
G: Robin Revell, Idaho State, Jr
G: Gerald Olson, Notre Dame, Sr
G: Gerald Robertson, Oklahoma City, Sr*
G: Coy Wilson, St. Joe's, Sr
F: Robert Ventura, Holy Cross, Jr
F: Steven Duque, Duquesne, Sr*
C: Graham Nance, Bradley, So
C: Timmy McSwain, La Salle, So
C: Justin Priddy, Seattle, Sr*
C: Jimmy Callaway, Temple, So*
C: Xu Feng, Villanova, Jr

Synopsis: There are too many independent teams to really comb this through, but Bradley and Duquesne are the cream of this crop. Louisville doesn't have enough off the bench, and while Holy Cross is a very good offensive team, they do not have much defense. Notre Dame, La Salle, and Dayton have to build more. Idaho State and Seattle are sneaky teams to watch. They are going to fly under the national radar; but make no mistake, they are teams that should not be taken lightly, despite their off-the-radar locales

NCAA Tournament Prediction

1 Indiana  NC State 1 
8 Columbia  Murray State 8 
     
5 La Salle  Notre Dame 5 
4 Holy Cross  Louisville 4 

 East  South  

3 Duquesne  Kentucky 3 
6 St. John's  Iowa 6 
     
7 Niagara  Connecticut 7 
2 Duke  West Virginia 2 
     
1 Kansas State  Kansas 1 
8 Toledo  SMU 8 
     
5 Oklahoma A&M  Seattle 5 
4 Mississippi St  Oregon State 4 

 Midwest  West  

3 Washington  Illinois 3 
6 Utah  Idaho State 6 
     
7 Texas Tech  San Francisco 7 
2 Bradley  California 2 

At the end, the NCAA Tournament is not where the cream just rises to the top. Matchups matter, and therefore, the top seeds are not guaranteed a spot in the national semifinals. Based on the selections made, here is our projection for those final four schools:


East: Duke over Indiana
Midwest: Bradley over Kansas State
South: Kentucky over Louisville
West: Kansas over California


National semifinals:
Bradley over Duke
Kansas over Kentucky


National Championship:
Kansas over Bradley