Thursday, March 13, 1997
NO. 1 SEED * Kentucky (30-4)The defending champions lost guard
Derek Anderson to injury a few weeks ago, but have not lost any
steam due to the play of Ray Mercer (18.5 ppg). The Wildcats will
play 40 minutes of full-court defense and are one of the most
athletic teams in that nation. They have outscored opponents by an
average of 21.6 points per game.
DARKHORSE * Pacific (25-4)The 13th-seeded Tigers raised some
eyebrows early in the season with a 16-game winning streak, but
have somewhat struggled of late. Defense is the name of the game in
Stockton, as they hold opponents to 59.6 points/game. The Sweet 16
is a realistic goal, considering St. Joseph’s and Boston College
are very beatable.
PAC-10 HOPES * Stanford (20-7) The Cardinal received a very
favorable draw. They open in Tucson, a very familiar site, and
match up well with would-be second-round opponent Wake Forest. With
the regional finals being played in San Jose, it would not be a
shock for Stanfordto win three games. Final Four? Not with Kentucky
in the region.
THE DAILY BRUIN SAYS…
Kentucky should emerge as the regional champion, especially if
Wake Forest doesn’t get out of its current funk…The matchup of
future NBA stars Utah’s Keith Van Horn and Wake’s Tim Duncan could
be one of the most intriguing individual duels in the tourney, if
the Deamon Deacons guards can get past Brevin Knight and Stanford
in the second round…Watch out for Bryce Drew and his Valparaiso
teammates to upset Boston College.
1. Kentucky * 2. Utah * 3. Wake Forest * 4. St. Joseph’s * 5.
Boston College * 6. Stanford *
7. UNC Charlotte * 8. Iowa * 9. Virginia * 10. Georgetown * 11.
Oklahoma * 12. Valparaiso *
13. Pacific * 14. St. Mary’s * 15. Navy * 16. Montana