The Four-Year Wonders Here's a team's worth of unsung seniors who could show what they've got
BRETT BLIZZARD, G, UNC WILMINGTON
He's the perfect storm, a 6'4" backcourtman who can shoot (21.3
points per game, 44.7% from three-point range), pass (3.6 assists
per game) and defend (2.2 steals, tops in the Colonial Athletic
Association). Playing for a mid-major, Blizzard is making his
third NCAA tournament appearance. Last year he scored 18 in the
Seahawks' upset of USC.
CHRIS MASSIE, F, Memphis
After eating humble pie when he flirted with turning pro last
summer, the 6'9", 253-pound Massie served up brute force all
winter, averaging 16.5 points (including 66.1% of his foul shots)
and 10.7 rebounds. Massie is especially adept at countering
double teams with passes from the post to the Tigers' cadre of
opportunistic three-point shooters.
ROBERT JACKSON, C, Marquette
The 6'10" pivotman has had to fight foul trouble at times, but as
a pure center who is effective at both ends of the floor, he
gives the Golden Eagles a weapon few other teams can counter.
Jackson was Marquette's leading rebounder (7.4 a game) and
second-leading scorer (15.8), and his .563 field goal percentage
was sixth in Conference USA.
JOE SHIPP, F, Cal
The Golden Bears' small forward once relied on his long-range
shooting, but he is a complete player now. Shipp led the Pac-10
in scoring (20.3 points a game) and was 11th in rebounding (6.2)
and 14th in field goal percentage (.522). At a chiseled 6'5", 220
pounds, Shipp can overpower guards down low, and on the perimeter
he can outfox big men.
QUANNAS WHITE, G, Oklahoma
The Sooners point guard has been an effective setup man for
backcourtmate Hollis Price since they played together at St.
Augustine High in New Orleans. This season White emerged as a
deep threat (a Big 12--leading 48.0% from beyond the arc). His
2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranked second in the
conference, was an astounding 3.8 in Sooners wins.
COLOR PHOTO: GREG WOLF/WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS/AP
COLOR PHOTO: LANCE MURPHEY/MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL
COLOR PHOTO: MANNY MILLAN
COLOR PHOTO: SCOTT WATCHER/ICON SMI
COLOR PHOTO: MANNY MILLAN
COLOR PHOTO: MANNY MILLAN And Don't Discount ... JULIUS BARNES Stanford point man is a catalyst at both ends.
COLOR PHOTO: DAVID STLUKA [See caption above] KIRK PENNEY Wisconsin bomber can heat up in a hurry.
COLOR PHOTO: BOB ROSATO [See caption above] DREW NICHOLAS Maryland is best when guard looks for his shot.
