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Thursday, October 31
 
National Toughness Survey: Players to Replace

ESPN.com

During ESPN.com's 2002-03 Season Preview, the results of a national survey of Division I coaches and players (more than 170 responses) will be unveiled. The graphs below are broken down into three categories: Players, Coaches and Overall results. The comments were made with the assurance no names would be used, allowing those who must deal with the toughest elements this season to express their true feelings entering the 2002-03 season.

  Toughest Player to Replace?

  Overall Survey


   Jay Williams, Duke (30%)
   Juan Dixon, Maryland (28%)
   Steve Logan, Cincinnati (7%)
   Mike Dunleavy, Duke (6%)
   Caron Butler, Connecticut (4%)
   Jared Jeffries, Indiana (3%)


Why?
"Was the best player in college basketball last year and was also a true team leader."
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"He just brought so much to the table."
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"He was Mr. All-Everything." -----------------------------------
"A fearless leader."
"In addition to his on-the-court presence, he did all the intangibles."
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"The ultimate program team player who willed his team to win and provided great leadership."
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"Just a superb college basketball player."
"Logan was straight for Cincinnati. He just took care of business. Nobody else really scared you down the stretch of games, but if he was in there, you had to know he would hit the big shot."
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"He was the reason why the Bearcats were a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament."

  Toughest Player to Replace?

  Coaches Survey


   Juan Dixon, Maryland (40%)
   Jay Williams, Duke (24%)
   Steve Logan, Cincinnati (16%)
   Mike Dunleavy, Duke (7%)
   Jared Jeffries, Indiana (5%)


Why?
"You just can't replace his heart and desire to win."
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"For three years he led the Terps in scoring, while being their best defender. A team leader, on and off the court."
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"The heart and soul of a national champion."
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"A four-year guy who won it all through determination and guts."
"So tough, took the big shots and created for others. He knew the Duke system and how to win."
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"The national player of the year -- that speaks for itself."
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"Always answered the bell for Duke."
"Controlled the game for Cincy and put the team on his back."
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"Cincy wouldn't have had near the season it did in 2001-02 without him. Took all the big shots and delivered."
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"He was the heart and soul of the Bearcats for four years."

  Toughest Player to Replace?

  Players Survey


   Jay Williams, Duke (34%)
   Juan Dixon, Maryland (22%)
   Caron Butler, Cincinnati (9%)
   Drew Gooden, Kansas (8%)
   Mike Dunleavy, Duke (6%)
   Dan Dickau, Gonzaga (5%)
   Jared Jeffries, Indiana (4%)


Why?
"His leadership, as well as his strength, quickness, shooting ability and experience won't be replaced by any returning Duke player -- or any of those freshmen."
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"Duke's go-to guy and focal point is gone."
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"Always hard to replace the national player of the year!"
"He gave Maryland leadership, toughness, scoring and defense. What more can one player do?"
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"He could get a score, or a stop. Just what a champion needs." -----------------------------------
"A great scorer and defender, who was also a true leader who left as a champion."
"He led his team to the Elite Eight, while also giving Maryland its toughest game of the tournament."
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"He was hard ... and there is not too many players you can bring in to replace him because of his all-around game."
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"He was the backbone of UConn last season."







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