Paul Connors / AP

James Harden will lead Arizona State to it first NCAA tournament this year since 2003, writes Mike DeCourcy.

Missouri
Last NCAA trip: 2003. The Tigers are another team that looks just fine in the frontcourt, but will struggle to get DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons the ball in threatening situations. The team's top three playmakers, Stefhon Hannah, Jason Horton and Keon Lawrence, are gone. They had more than half the team's assists.

The Tigers got solid recruits to replace those guys, who won't be missed aside from the fact they were OK at dribbling and passing. But it's too much to expect any of the newcomers to elevate Mizzou to tournament-contender status.

Verdict: Rebuilding is a process, sometimes a long one.

Providence
Last NCAA trip: 2004. One of the reasons it hurt the previous coaching staff so much to be removed is that all of those gentlemen knew there was a team in place that could make it back to the tournament.

Losing point guard Sharaud Curry last season killed what could have been a nice step forward for the Friars. Now, Keno Davis and his assistants will benefit from Curry's return.

PC has scheduled light. Outside of the Anaheim Classic and regional rivals Boston College and Rhode Island, there's not a lot to scare anyone. That means its NCAA future largely will be dependent on its Big East performance. Which, of course, will be a bear in this particular season because there are nine other solid NCAA Tournament contenders in the league.

Verdict: Yes — if the committee can swallow admitting nine or 10 Big East teams.

South Carolina
Last NCAA trip: 2004. Unlike Davis, new South Carolina coach Darrin Horn does not inherit an overflowing roster. He had to put two walk-ons on scholarship simply to reach double figures. There is one sensational player in point guard Devan Downey, one solid scorer in Zam Fredrick and, as became habitual at USC under Dave Odom, several guys who try hard.

Horn's full-court attacking style works best with a full roster of capable players. He hasn't had the time to recruit an NCAA-caliber frontcourt.

But he will. He'll be working on it next March, in fact, while 65 other coaches get ready for the show.

Verdict: Not this soon.

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Jae C. Hong / AP

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