As the fourth month of the season begins, competition grows fiercer and rankings become more important than ever in the NCAA. But as soon as February turns into March, the empty NCAA men's basketball brackets will be filled.
Atlantic Coast Conference
The No.1 team in the nation, the Duke Blue Devils, lead the pack in the ACC with a 7-0 record in conference play and an 18-1 record overall. Sophomore guard J.J. Reddick (16.6 points per game) and freshman forward Luol Deng have contributed to the team as the Blue Devils won convincing games against No. 15 Georgia Tech and No. 16 Wake Forest. Senior guard Chris Duhon provides the Blue Devils with the much needed on-court leadership with 6.9 assists per game. Georgia Tech, however, has lost heartbreaking games in conference play, against rival Duke and No. 17 North Carolina. The Tar Heels have been extremely impressive under new Head Coach Roy Williams, but their lack of experience has hurt them, going 2-4 on the road. Sophomore guard Rashad McCants averages 18.9 ppg. for the Tar Heels as a leader for the young team.
South Eastern Conference
The conference that has had the most surprising teams thus far has been the SEC. No. 9 Kentucky has had impressive victories against North Carolina and No. 7 Mississippi State. Senior guard Gerald Fitch leads the team with 16.3 ppg. to tally a 4-2 record in conference play and a 14-3 record overall. The Gamecocks of South Carolina are off to their best start in 34 years with an 18-3 record, due in large part to their tenacious defense. No. 21 Florida has flourished on offense with four starters averaging more than 10 ppg, but suffered losses in three of its first seven conference games. A bright spot on the Gator team is leading scorer sophomore guard Anthony Roberson, who averages 16.7 ppg.
Big East
Big East basketball has always been intense over the years, including last year's national champion No. 18 Syracuse. But there have been four teams in the Big East conference that have proved to be among the most exciting teams in the nation. The UConn Huskies have one of the best players in the country in senior center Emeka Okefor, who averages 18.9 ppg and 11.5 rebounds per game. His presence propelled the Huskies to a 17-3 record overall and a 5-1 record in the conference. The No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers hold the Big East lead with a 6-1 conference record and a 20-1 record overall. After suffering their only loss to the Huskies, the Panthers rebounded with a key win against Syracuse. The surprise team in the Big East has been No. 23 Providence. After losing to No. 11 Texas in overtime, the Friars beat the Huskies by 10 points.
Big 12
The Big 12 has had an unlikely three months, with teams like Oklahoma and Missouri being unsuccessful in conference play and No. 13 Oklahoma State thriving. A three-way tie for the conference lead is taking place between No. 20 Kansas, No. 11 Texas and Oklahoma State. Under new Head Coach Bill Self, Kansas holds a 5-1 conference record. Oklahoma State has been a surprise with a 5-1 conference record with big conference wins versus No. 22 Oklahoma, Texas and No. 19 Texas Tech. The Texas Longhorns have won big games versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Providence and Wake Forest en route to the top of the Big 12. Bobby Knight's Red Raiders show vast improvement over the past year. The Oklahoma Sooners have been a disappointment in conference play; after starting 10-1 in non-conference games, the Sooners hold a 3-3 conference record.
Conference USA
Conference USA holds two Top 10 teams in No. 6 Louisville and No. 10 Cincinnati. Under Coach Rick Pitino, the Cardinals hold a 16-2 record overall and won convincing games against Florida, Kentucky and Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats have seen success while holding a 15-2 record, but have not proved themselves against the elite teams, having played only one current Top 25 team.
Pacific-10
The Pac-10 has also produced two Top 10 teams, the No. 2 Stanford Cardinals and the No. 12 Arizona Wildcats. Stanford is one of two teams still undefeated, owning an 18-0 record. They have seen consistent offense with all five starters averaging double-digits in points. Arizona has struggled in conference play, possessing a 5-3 conference record. But leading scorer sophomore guard Hassan Adams has provided needed help for the Wildcats in a key victory against No. 16 Texas.
Cinderella teams
The prototypical \Cinderella"" team, the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs, hold a commanding lead in the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs have a 7-0 conference record, and a 17-2 record overall. Their bright star has been senior guard Blake Stepp, who averages a conference high 7.3 assists per game along with 14.8 ppg. Their only two losses were to No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 Saint Joseph's, both within seven points. The biggest surprise thus far this season has been the Saint Joseph's Red Hawks. They have the best record in the nation, with an astounding 18-0 mark and a significant lead in the Atlantic 10 East division. Senior guard Jameer Nelson has taken Philly by storm, averaging 20.3 ppg., and along with junior guard Delonte West and his 18.7 ppg. form one of the most dangerous backcourts in the nation. This team can be dangerous in March.
The past three months of the regular season has been very exciting. The usual powerhouses have seen prominence once again, but also have unexpected teams breathing down their necks, which should make for an exhilarating final month leading toMarch Madness.
