NCAA Tournament 2000 - East Region: A look at who's left

East Region: A look at who's left
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

An examination of the four teams that have reached the East Regional semifinals at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.:

No. 1 Duke Blue Devils


	Duke freshman Carlos Boozer made several big plays down the stretch against Kansas.

How they got here: Beat No. 16 Lamar 82-55; beat No. 8 Kansas 69-64.

Who they play next: No. 5 Florida on Friday at 7:38 p.m. ET.

What worked: The Blue Devils got their fastbreak going consistently in both games to reach the Sweet 16. They got unsung play from Nate James, giving them the balance they needed. Freshman Carlos Boozer gave them the necessary presence inside, and Shane Battier and Chris Carrawell provided the needed leadership.

What didn't work: The defense gave up too many easy baskets to Kansas and too many 3s to Lamar. That has to change for the Blue Devils to advance. They also took too many 3-pointers.

How can the Blue Devils advance? Keep getting the ball to Boozer inside, ensure Mike Dunleavy Jr. is on from the perimeter and make sure Jason Williams stops the penetration of Florida point guards. The Gators will cause problems if they get inside the lane.

No. 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys
How they got here: Beat No. 14 Hofstra 86-66; beat No. 11 Pepperdine 75-67.

Who they play next: No. 10 Seton Hall on Friday at 9:55 p.m. ET.

What worked: Everything. Few teams have rolled through two rounds as easily as the Cowboys. Fredrik Jonzen became an inside threat again against the Waves, and streaky Joe Adkins and Desmond Mason found their groove. Doug Gottlieb is playing the perfect point, without needing to score, and the defense has been solid.

What didn't work: Ask again? The only thing that didn't work was the first half against Pepperdine when the Cowboys let the Waves get a few transition baskets.

How can the Cowboys advance? Easily. If they play similar defense and get out on the break and Adkins is on from the perimeter, they can beat Seton Hall to get to the Elite Eight.

No. 5 Florida Gators
How they got here: Beat No. 12 Butler 69-68 (OT); beat No. 4 Illinois 93-76.

Who they play next: No. 1 Duke on Friday at 7:38 p.m. ET.

What worked: The Gators' defense was at its designed pitch in round two. If the Gators can cause as many problems for Duke as they did against Illinois, they have a shot. Florida got the necessary production out of Mike Miller, Teddy Dupay and Brett Nelson. They discovered that Miller can be a go-to guy in this tournament.

What didn't work: Intensity in the first half against Butler was a problem. That shouldn't be a factor against Duke. But the Gators have had a tendency to lighten up too often in their losses.

How can the Gators advance? Keep applying the pressure because Duke will run with Florida. If the Gators convert on the fastbreak, get the ball to Miller often enough on the wing and Donnell Harvey can get Boozer in foul trouble, they can win this game.

No. 10 Seton Hall Pirates
How they got here: Beat No. 7 Oregon 72-71 (OT); beat No. 2 Temple 67-65 (OT).

Who they play next: No. 3 Oklahoma State on Friday at 9:55 p.m. ET.

What worked: The Pirates' heart. Seton Hall was the first team since Wake Forest in 1962 to go two overtimes in the first two rounds. The Pirates found their shooting touch with Darius Lane, Ty Shine and Rimas Kaukenas in both rounds. But Shaheen Holloway's heroics (see last second layup) beat Oregon, and Shine's heroism prevailed in the Temple victory.

What didn't work: Not much. This team overachieved. They could use more inside scoring to feel good about advancing. With Holloway's status uncertain, they'll need another scorer or ballhandler to get past the Cowboys.

How can the Pirates advance? On the surface, there doesn't seem to be a chance. No Holloway and no replacement behind Shine doesn't bode well. But if the Pirates are in the game late, why not?

Andy Katz is a senior writer for ESPN.com.


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