The Nation's Top Twenty College Teams

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED picks the best in basketball without regard to conference standings

AUBURN
Southeastern
Coach
Joel Eaves
Rex Frederick
Great stretch run, win over Kentucky marks Tigers strongest in SEC. Ineligible for NCAA. Frederick top scorer, rebounder.

BRADLEY
Missouri Valley
Coach
Chuck Orsborn
Barney Cable
Same team that won NIT last year should win again if invited as expected. Rebounding of Cable, McMillon biggest single factor.

CALIFORNIA
Pacific Coast
Coach
Pete Newell
Earl Robinson
Newell-style ball-control offense quarterbacked by Robinson, plus best defensive record in conference. Weakness is shooting.

CINCINNATI
Missouri Valley
Coach
George Smith
Oscar Robertson
Nation's best floor shooters, second in total offense despite strong schedule. Recent injuries only cloud on tournament hopes.

DAYTON
Independent
Coach
Tom Blackburn
Don Lane
Deliberate offense directed by Lane, fine feeder and playmaker. Good first five, but somewhat untested by mediocre schedule.

DUKE
Atlantic Coast
Coach
Harold Bradley
Jim Newcome
Seasoned, all-veteran club that started poorly, then won 11 in row despite weak bench. Major flaw is so-so rebounding.

KANSAS
Big Eight
Coach
Dick Harp
Wilt Chamberlain
Awesome ability of Chamberlain "in close was not enough to counteract in-and-out floor shooting. Playmaker also sadly missing.

KANSAS STATE
Big Eight
Coach
Tex Winter
Jack Parr
Smart, seasoned, tall and deep Weakness is only fair speed. Not in top 15 in any important category but still perhaps nation's best.

KENTUCKY
Southeastern
Coach
Adolph Rupp
John Crigler
Single-pivot pattern offense, usual strong Kentucky defense. Sound on fundamentals, lack over-all height and floor general.