REST OF THE BEST

If a dark horse is going to come out of the pack and make the
Final Four, it will be from this group of contenders.

Rank School Skinny

9 Illinois Ashley Berggren, the Big Ten player of the
year, and Tauja Catchings give the Illini
strong one-two punch

10 Vanderbilt While freshman Ashley Smith runs the point,
senior forward Na'Sheema Hillmon will score
points in bunches

11 Florida Lady Gators are in the market for a title
with addition of 6'3" blue-chip freshman
Tamara Stocks

12 Duke Transfers 6'6" Michele Van Gorp and 5'6"
Nicole Erickson from Purdue should fit right
in with the Blue Devils

13 Western Leslie Johnson, the nation's top freshman in
Kentucky '93-94 (also at Purdue), could win further
accolades

14 Arizona The Wildcats made their first NCAAs last
year, and senior forward Adia Barnes figures
to lead them back

15 Virginia 6'2" DeMya Walker, the ACC's shot-block
leader, gets competition--and help--from
6'10" Elena Kravchenko

16 Alabama Star guard Dominique Canty needs support
from 6'2" Tausha Mills, who takes over at
center

17 UCLA Guard Erica Gomez and forward Maylana Martin
give the Bruins a daunting duo

18 Auburn Tigers lost four starters, but heralded juco
transfer Conswella Sparrow will help fill
the void

19 Stephen F. The Ladyjacks, behind guard Katrina Price,
Austin haven't lost a regular-season league game
in two years

20 Purdue New coach Carolyn Peck welcomes a top-five
recruiting class to go along with guard
Stephanie White