Thursday, March 13, 1997
NO. 1 SEED * North CarolinaThe Tar Heels ended the season with a
12-game winning streak, culminating in the ACC tournament
championship. Led by forward Antawn Jamison (19.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg),
UNC’s front court game is strong. Playing the first two games in
nearby Winston-Salem should help Carolina avoid any early
upsets.
DARKHORSE * Texas (16-11)Texas is one of the most difficult
teams to read in the tourney. Its record is weak, but its schedule
was one of the most difficult in the nation. An imposing two-guard
tandem of Reggie Freeman and Kris Clack and a favorable draw could
land UT in the Elite Eight.
PAC-10 HOPES * California (21-8)The Golden Bears really miss
Pac-10 player of the year Ed Grey, but did they showed promise with
a victory over Arizona to conclude the regular season. A
first-round matchup with Princeton is a tough one, and it would be
surprise if Cal advanced beyond the second round.
THE DAILY BRUIN SAYS…The Tar Heels will stomp all over the
weakest bracket in the tourney…Texas will steer South Carolina
out of the tourney in the second round…New Mexico will fall
because they will be playing away from the Pit…Without
Hall-of-Fame coach Pete Carril, Princeton won’t be able to pull of
its second upset of a Pac-10 team in as many years, but…the
nation’s leading scorer, Charles Jones will lead Long Island to
victory over ‘Nova.
1. North Carolina * 2. South Carolina * 3. New Mexico *
4. Villanova * 5. California * 6. Louisville * 7. Wisconsin
*
8. Indiana * 9. Colorado * 10. Texas * 11. Massachusetts *
12. Princeton * 13. Long Island Univ. * 14. Old Dominion *
15. Coppin State * 16. Fairfield