Filling The Brackets

40 VCU // CAA // 3 //
The Rams were fourth in the nation in field goal percentage defense; now, can the offense, led by Eric Maynor (17.9 points and 5.5 assists a game), keep up?

41 OKLAHOMA STATE // BIG 12 // 4 //
Travis Ford brings an up-tempo attack from UMass to a team heavy on shooters but weak inside. Look for a Big 12 rarity—a four-guard lineup.

42 CREIGHTON // MISSOURI VALLEY // 3 //
Five Bluejays won at least one MVC newcomer of the week award last year. One—6'3" guard P'Allen Stinnett—is league POY candidate.

43 TULSA // C-USA // 3 //
Potent inside-out duo of 7-footer Jerome Jordan (3.7 blocks a game) and Ben Uzoh (15.6 ppg), and tough schedule, will earn Golden Hurricane at-large bid.

44 OHIO STATE // BIG TEN // 2 //
Buckeyes backcourt is strong, but they need latest star freshman big man—7'1" B.J. Mullens—to be more Greg Oden than Kosta Koufos.

45 SAN DIEGO // WCC // 5 //
Five starters, led by Gyno Pomare and Brandon Johnson, return for a team that beat Kentucky, St. Mary's and Gonzaga, and then upset UConn in the NCAAs.

46 WASHINGTON // PAC-10 // 3 //
Rebounding machine Jon Brockman gets lift from addition of flashy freshman guard Isaiah Thomas (so named because his dad says he lost a bet).

47 BYU // MWC // 2 //
League co--player of the year Lee Cummard leads a program that has the nation's longest home-court winning streak (47) but 0--5 record in NCAAs since 1993.

48 MINNESOTA // BIG TEN // 2 //
Tubby Smith has landed a talented recruiting class in his second season in Minneapolis, headlined by Ralph Sampson III.

49 OLE MISS // SEC // 3 //
Sub-6-foot guard Chris Warren led the Rebels in scoring, assists and minutes as a freshman and will get Ole Miss back to NCAAs after two straight NITs.