ILLINI MAKE NOISE
[ 1 ILLINOIS ] Undefeated Gonzaga might be the only team in the tournament that can claim to be on a bigger roll than the Illini. Illinois has lost only once since Jan. 16.
[ 2 HOUSTON ] The Cougars have the AAC player of the year (Quentin Grimes), defensive player of the year (DeJon Jarreau) and most improved player of the year (Justin Gorham).
[ 3 WEST VIRGINIA ] The Mountaineers have lost three out of their last four, but those losses came against Baylor (a No. 1 seed in the tournament) and Oklahoma State (a No. 4 seed).
[ 4 OKLAHOMA STATE ] The Cowboys possess an impressive resume, ranking second nationally with 10 Quad 1 victories. During one 19-day stretch, they won six games over ranked opponents.
Cinderella search
Looking for a long shot? Why not pick the long shooter? Liberty guard Darius McGhee — all 5-foot-9 of him — has attempted 225 three-pointers this season, the fifth-most in the country. The Flames have won 12 in a row too.
Top players Cade Cunningham, guard, Oklahoma State
The Big 12’s player and freshman of the year, he averaged 19.7 points and 6.3 rebounds. Others to win both Big 12 awards in the same season: Marcus Smart, Michael Beasley and Kevin Durant.
Quentin Grimes, guard, Houston
After a so-so freshman year at Kansas, Grimes has emerged over the last two seasons for coach Kelvin Sampson. He elevated his play of late to push the Cougars to the AAC tournament title.
Ayo Dosunmu, guard, Illinois
Dosunmu is averaging 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists and, since suffering a broken nose last month, has been forced to wear a black, superhero-looking mask that only adds to his presence.
Rim shots
Cleveland State won the Horizon League tournament on Tuesday at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum and remained in Indianapolis. They watched the selection show from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Houston star guard Quentin Grimes has a brother, Tyler Myers, who is in his 12th season in the NHL, playing the last two years for Vancouver. Myers is a 6-foot-8 defenseman. Grimes is 6-5. San Diego State’s 53-6 record over the last two seasons is second in the country to Gonzaga.