1. Rick Morrissey, Oklahoma State
Very few people knew who Tony Allen was when he came out of Crane. But now he’s the best player on a great Oklahoma State team. Duke is about to find out how great.
2. Mike Downey, Oklahoma State
You like UConn? I don’t blame you. Me too. Best team in the U.S., probably. But I smell upset. Cowboys in an ambush. Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim finally got his championship last year. Eddie Sutton gets his this year.
3. Skip Myslenski, Oklahoma State
Cowboys over Duke was the pick when the madness of March started and there’s no reason to back off it now. The Cowboys are more athletic, experienced and rugged than the Blue Devils, and in Eddie Sutton they have a coach who can match wits and tricks with Mike Krzyzewski.
4. Marlen Garcia, Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have excellent perimeter defense and appear quicker and tougher than Duke in transition. Oklahoma State guards John Lucas III and Tony Allen will be tough to beat.
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5. Avani Patel, Oklahoma State
Connecticut has speed, strength and defensive tenacity, all matched by the Cowboys. But this ragtag Cowboys bunch–four of OSU’s five starters are transfers– have developed a chemistry and a rhythm that will be hard for anyone to stop. Coach Eddie Sutton will finally win his first national championship and lead his alma mater to its first title since 1946, when it was known as Oklahoma A&M.
6. Fred Mitchell, Connecticut
I like the Huskies to win it all against Oklahoma State in the championship game. But the most competitive contest will be Duke vs. UConn in Saturday’s semifinal. With their size, quickness and shooting ability, the Huskies would give the Bulls and a few other NBA teams a run for their money.