Big East

Author:
SI Staff

TOUGHEST PLACE TOPLAY
Pittsburgh ...36%
"The fans get there early to start heckling you. It's like a zoo." ..."They have a nice, new arena. The student section is next to the court, andthe fans there say some creative stuff."

SCARIESTDUNKER
Rudy Gay, UCONN ...73%
"When he gets it on the fast break, you don't want to take a charge on him.The next thing you know you'll be on a poster somewhere." ... "Hisopen-court dunks are tremendous. And he's a high leaper."

STRONGESTPLAYER
Eric Hicks, CINCINNATI ...36%
"He looks like a pro wrestler. His arms are huge." ... "When hegrabs rebounds, he clears the lane out."

BIGGESTTRASH-TALKER
Carl Krauser, PITTSBURGH ...45%
"He tests you to see what's going on inside your head. If he sees he hascontrol, he'll keep talking."

TEAM WITH MOSTRESPECT FOR ITS COACH
UConn ...27%
"When [Jim Calhoun] tells you to do something, you do it or you're comingout of the game." ... "He's a Hall of Famer. They have to listen to himif he's been that successful."

OPPOSING COACHYOU'D MOST LIKE TO PLAY FOR (TIE)
Jay Wright, VILLANOVA ...27%
"He uses the four-guard offense, and I like it when anybody who gets theball can go to the basket." ... "He gives his players a lot offreedom."

Jim Boeheim,SYRACUSE ...27%
"I love the way he talks and the way his teams play. His zone is very, verytough, and he seems like a great person." ... "He's had a lot ofsuccess, but seems pretty relaxed."

OPPOSING COACHYOU'D LEAST LIKE TO PLAY FOR
Jim Calhoun, UCONN ...36%
"His players go out there trying not to make a mistake instead of justplaying. They look immediately to the bench. You have to respect him, but Icouldn't play for him." ... "He criticizes his players toomuch."

BIGGESTCRYBABY
Gerry McNamara, SYRACUSE ...27%
"He's always complaining to the refs."

MOST OVERRATEDPLAYER (TIE)
Rudy Gay, UCONN ...27%
"He gets a lot of credit for stuff that he hasn't done." ... "Withhis talent he could do much more." ... "He has the tools, but he'sguardable and inconsistent."

Gerry McNamara,SYRACUSE ...27%
"People said he'd be the conference player of the year, but he hasn't shownme anything."

BEST FUTURE PRO

Rudy Gay, UCONN
73%
" He's so athletic, and he can do so much. He's 6'9" and can play aguard position." ... "He can shoot, he's a slasher, and he canrebound."

PHOTO

GREG NELSON (GAY)

¬†ON THEUP-AND-UP

Gay's all-around game (15.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game) drawsraves, but some wonder if he's playing up to his potential.

TWO PHOTOS

MANNY MILLAN (MCNAMARA); AL BEHRMAN/AP (HICKS)

March 06, 2006