1 WASHINGTON
The Huskies play three guards, Nate Robinson, Tre Simmons and Will Conroy. They run every chance they get, with their man-to-man defense forcing turnovers and quick shots. Washington gives up 73.3 points a game and allows opponents to shoot 45 percent, both in the bottom third of the Pac-10 Conference and Division I. The 5-foot-9 Robinson is the emotional leader. He averages 16.8 points and 4.7 assists and makes 46 percent of his shots. Conroy had a preseason meeting with Coach Lorenzo Romar and asked, "Do you think I can lead the Pac-10 in assists?" Conroy answered his own question, leading the conference with 6.7 assists a game.

2 WAKE FOREST
Point guard Chris Paul made nearly half of his 3-pointers and averaged 14.9 points and 6.6 assists, which led the A.C.C. Guard Justin Gray and center Eric Williams both average 16 points. The Demon Deacons' weak spot is defense. They have lost four of the five games in which they have given up more than 90 points.

3 GONZAGA
This is the seventh consecutive season the Bulldogs have played in the tournament. They have size and power inside, with the 6-10, 249-pound forward Ronny Turiaf (16.1 points and 9.3 rebounds) and the 6-9, 269-pound center J. P. Batista (12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds). Adam Morrison (18.5 points), a 6-8 scorer who can shoot 3-pointers and drive the lane, is difficult to cover.

4 LOUISVILLE
The Cardinals have won 18 of their last 19 games. Louisville spreads the perimeter with four players who can make 3-pointers, led by Francisco Garcia's 15.4 points a game. The Cardinals led Conference USA in 3-point shooting (39 percent). But their tallest starter is 6-8.

5 GEORGIA TECH
Guards Will Bynum, Jarrett Jack and B. J. Elder led the Yellow Jackets to the N.C.A.A. championship game last season, but until reaching the A.C.C. tournament final, the Jackets had not won or lost two games in a row since Jan. 22. 6 TEXAS TECH The Red Raiders, who reached the Big 12 tournament final, have balanced scoring (four players in double figures), led by Ronald Ross (16.6 points).

7 WEST VIRGINIA
The Mountaineers missed more 3-pointers (498) than Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Boston College and Syracuse attempted.

8 PACIFIC
The Tigers have power inside with Guillaume Yango (6-9, 250 pounds) and Tyler Newton (6-10, 225).

9 PITTSBURGH
The physical Panthers were second in the Big East in rebounding margin (plus-9) . Point guard Carl Krauser (15.6 points) takes the big shots in close games.

10 CREIGHTON
Expect the Bluejays to run a lot of motion on offense, but they will run set plays to get the ball to Nate Funk (17.6 points).

11 U.C.L.A.
Forward Dijon Thompson (18.3 points, 8 rebounds) is the only senior starter. Jordan Farmar, a freshman point guard, averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 assists.

12 GEORGE WASHINGTON
Guard T. J. Thompson and forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu lead the Colonials, who on Saturday won their first Atlantic-10 tournament.

13 LOUISIANA
Coach Robert Lee likes to play a fast-paced game for the small Ragin' Cajuns, who are making their second straight appearance in the tournament.

14 WINTHROP
The 6-6 guard James Shuler (12.1 points) was the Big South player of the year.

15 TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA
The Moccasins emphasize defense and rebounding; they were second in the nation in rebounding margin (plus-11.3).

16 MONTANA
The Grizzlies were first in rebounding and second in field-goal shooting in the Big Sky Conference.

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New York Times