Seth Davis's Three-Pointer

1 Wisconsin is sliding toward the NIT. The Badgers have made 10 straight NCAA tournaments, but last Saturday's 64--57 loss at Illinois was their fourth in a row and dropped them to 3--4 in the Big Ten (and to 12--7 overall).

2 Villanova needs a quality win. The Wildcats were 15--4 (3--3 in the Big East) through Sunday and are ranked No. 21, but with losses to Texas, Marquette, Louisville and Connecticut, they have only one win over a team in the RPI top 50.

3 Washington's Isaiah Thomas (above) is the best freshman in the Pac-10. The 5'8" guard is averaging 16.3 points, and he scored 24 in Saturday's upset of then No. 13 UCLA.

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GEORGE HOLLAND/CAL SPORT MEDIA (THOMAS)