Murray St

Continuing with the Early 2012-13 Ranking, here are teams 31 to 45. 

 

(3) Marquette vs. (6) Murray State: West Region

 

Records

It's stated all the time this season. Guard play makes all the difference in the NCAA tournament, and to be honest it's hard to argue with that statement. So who are some of the top guard groups in this year's field? Here are 12 below along with a few superlatives. Not all of the usual suspects make the list, but try not to automatically dismiss the less heralded names either. 

South Region 

(6) Murray St vs. (11) Colorado St: West Region

 

Records

Creighton (8 Seed)

Florida (7 seed)

Memphis (8 seed)

Murray St (6 seed)

VCU (12 seed)

Player of the Year Anthony Davis, only a freshman, highlights CollegeHoops.net's 2012 All-America Team. Davis, the nation's leading shot-blocker, led Kentucky to a 30-1 regular season record. Davis is joined on the First Team by Thomas Robinson of Kansas, Draymond Green of Michigan State, Doug McDermott of Creighton, and Isaiah Canaan of Murray State.

 

Player of the Year Isaiah Canaan of Murray State highlights CollegeHoops.net's 2012 All Mid-Major Team. Canaan, a junior guard, led Murray State to an impressive 30-1 season.

 

Canaan is joined on the First Team by fellow guards Scott Machado of Iona and Damian Lillard of Weber St. A pair of senior forwards round out the squad in Dominique Morrison of Oral Roberts and Ryan Pearson of George Mason.

CHN writer Jon Teitel was able to catch up with Murray State head coach Steve Prohm as part of his NCAA Tournament interview series, following up on the Racers' OVC tournament title and automatic bid. Prohm's Racers are 30-1 in his first season at the helm, and this veteran group has the potential to go a long way in the Big Dance.

Jon Teitel: You spent five years as an assistant to Billy Kennedy at Murray State. What makes Kennedy such a good coach, and what is the most important thing you ever learned from him?