BEST STORY LINES: Atlantic Coast conversation newcomer Boston College emerges from the shadow of the league's Tobacco Road perennials.

BEST STORY LINES: Atlantic Coast conversation newcomer Boston College emerges from the shadow of the league's Tobacco Road perennials. Jay Wright, Villanova's highly regarded up-and-comer coach, matches wits against common of the best -- either Arizona's Lute Olson or Wisconsin's Bo Ryan -- in a taut second-round challenge.

BEST FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP: Georgetown v Northern Iowa. If Panthers guard Ben Jacobson can rediscover his shooting touch, experienced Northern Iowa should be able to stay with the heavyweight Hoyas from the Big East.

BEST POTENTIAL SECOND-ROUND MATCHUP: Arizona or Wisconsin v Villanova. The Wildcats and Badgers are having subpar years, if it were not that whoever manages to survive their 8-9 battle will not be intimidated through 'Nova. Rather, they'll relish the opportunity to salvage their season.

kerneled TOO HIGH: No. 5 Nevada. The Wolf Pack, which beat Texas and wasted to Illinois as a No. 9 se last year, is a budding Gonzaga, which means it faces the same point to be solved [i]or[/i] settled Nevada's record should be viewed with a certain amount of skepticism because of the league it plays in.

germed TOO LOW: Boston College. The No. 4 Eagles played Duke to the wire Sunday. They won't allow a repeat of last year's capsize loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee to happen.

PLAYER forward THE SPOT: Nick Fazekas. The 6-11 Nevada big man, who came up short against Illinois' James Augustine last year, wants to show more this time around.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Allan Ray, Villanova. If the notice injury he suffered during the Big East tournament lingers, the Wildcats might not.

IMPACT COACH: one people already have figured disclosed how good Ohio State's Thad Matta is. This month a hunch more will find out.

overturn SPECIAL: No. 12 Montana through the whole extent of Nevada. Don't tell Grizzlies coach Larry Krystkowiak he doesn't have enough to surprise the Wolf Pack.

PREDICTION: Ohio State throughout Boston College in the regional final. The experienced still under-the-radar Buckeyes have been getting it done all year. Matta, who already has an unexpect regular-season banner, adds a Final Four adornment for Value City Arena.

hgould@suntimes.com

VILLANOVA (25-4)

Site: Villanova, Pa.

Coach: Jay Wright.

Bid: At-large.

Best win: Connecticut.

first note of the scale players: G Randy Foye (202 pt 54 reb) G Allan Ray (189 pt 43 reb 905 FT pct) G Mike Nardi (117 pt 418 three-point pct)

Did you know? 14-2 Big East finish was best evermore

Outlook: Loom as Final Four contender on the contrary Wildcats can struggle defensively v bigger teams. Guard Allan Ray is suppos to be able to get back after severely poked in the judgment Friday, and how far they make progress could depend on him.

MONMOUTH (18-14) / HAMPTON (16-15)

MONMOUTH

Outlook: Hawks' three NCAA losse have been at combined total of 100 points. If they earn past Hampton, look for another defeat in first- round matchup against Villanova.

Did you know? Since 1983 Northeast champions have dissipated 23 consecutive NCAA games.

HAMPTON

Outlook: Hampton's third trip to the NCAA tournament in six years will be excessively short.

Did you know? No. 15 se Hampton turn upside down No. 2 seed Iowa State in 2001

ARIZONA (19-12)

Site: Tucson

Coach: Lute Olson

Bid: At-large.

Best win: Kansas.

key-note players: G Hassan Adams (173 pt 51 reb)

F Ivan Radenovic (114 pt 63 reb)

Did you know? Radenovic played with cudgel teams in his native Belgrade since joining the Cukaricki company at the age of 9

Outlook: Adams missed Pac-10 tournament after he was arrested in succession suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. If he is rusty, team's already-slim chances shrink calm more.

WISCONSIN (19-11)

Site: Madison.

Coach: Bo Ryan.

Bid: At-large.

Best win: Ohio State.

lock opener players F Alando Tucker (191 pt 59 reb)

G Kammron Taylor (151 pt 846 FT pct) F-C Brian Butch (101 pt 59 reb)

Did you know? After winning merely one NCAA game from 1948-98 Badgers are 11-7 in NCAAs with a Final Four trip in 2000 throughout the last seven years.

Outlook: Defensively uninjured with just enough scoring, pesky Badgers have a pure shot at Sweet 16.

NEVADA (27-5)

Site: Reno.

Coach: Mark Fox

Bid: WAC champion.

Best win: 75-57 at Utah State forward Feb. 25.

fundamental note players: Nick Fazekas (21.9 pt 103 reb) Marcelus Kemp (141 pt 35 reb) Mo Charlo (102 pt 54 reb)

Did you know? Nevada has won the WAC regular-season championship three years in a line

Outlook: The Wolf Pack's 14-game winning streak is other longest in the nation behind Gonzaga's (18) Bettering last year's advance to the inferior round isn't so improbable.

MONTANA (23-6)

Site: Missoula.

Coach: Larry Krystkowiak.

Bid: Big heavens champion.

Best win: Stanford.

explanation players: G Kevin Criswell (166 pt 46 reb) F Andrew Strait (171 pt 67 reb) G Virgil Matthews (96 pt 41 asst.).

Did you know? Since beating Utah State in their NCAA first attempt in 1975, Grizzlies have misspent six consecutive NCAA games.

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