NCAA Tournament Manifesto: Talent

At least four future NBA players worth of talent, to be exact. They were not always from the same graduating class, but from 1994 through 2002 every champ claimed no fewer than four future NBA players. And that’s not all. More than four pros donned the rosters of six of the eight teams from 1994 to 2002.

What about the last two seasons? The 2003 Syracuse team sent Carmelo Anthony to the Denver Nuggets and, if certain mock drafts hold true, Hakim Warrick, Gerry McNamara, and Josh Pace may possibly follow him into the league. Rookie of the Year candidates Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor played on UConn’s 2004 squad and Josh Boone, Rashad Anderson, and Charlie Villanueva could be there shortly.

Professional talent is obviously not the only factor in winning a title, for no team can dance

through the big dance without determination, precise passing, grit, and persistence. But cutting the net and raising the trophy is impossible without a plethora of players worthy of NBA contracts.

Picture it. Less than a minute to play in a regional game and Illinois, down one, pushes the ball upcourt. The defense won’t dare double the point guard who led the Big Ten in assists for the past three seasons, Deron Williams. With clear vision at the top of the key, Williams swings the ball to Dee Brown, possibly the quickest guard in America. Brown’s opponents slide to block his path, yet he notices a wide open Luther Head. Head is the Illini’s leading scorer and a 43% shooter from behind the arc, statistics not lost on the defense. As they converge to the corner, Head hits a slicing James Augustine for a vicious dunk. Illinois advances.

The depth Illinois possesses gives them one advantage over almost anyone they play. Options. With so much talent spread throughout the starters, opponents do not have the luxury of double-teaming the elite.

There are 65 teams who could potentially win a game in this year’s NCAA Tournament, yet only a select few are stacked enough to win it all.

Secrets For NCAA Tournament Success:

Each day leading up to the Big Dance, CHN will be unveiling a different Secret for NCAA Tournament Success. Check the NCAA Tournament Manifesto homepage for more info.

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