I’m going to ahead and give my opinion on which team is the best from each year with the understanding that Bo can overrule me wherever he’s sees fit. I’m going to start at 2008 and work backwards, which means if I choose a team with a certain player in a later year, I will not consider that player as part of any team once I get to the earlier years. I’m not sure if this is how Bo intended it to work, but it’s just easiest for me.

2008- Midwest. Very close because all 3 UCLA players are already very solid NBA players, but I think the perimeter trio of Mayo, Beasley and Chalmers with Hibbert and Arthur inside is slightly bettter.

2007- Midwest. I don’t think this year is all that close. I wish this region had some more guards, but the front line depth is impressive. The South is solid as well, but all of its talent is at PG and C, plus Oden and Conley just haven’t played all that well in the pros.

2005- Syracuse. This region would be terrific if it still had the Florida guys, but even without them, it’s stil the best. A starting five of Lowry/Felton, Foye, Granger, Villanueva and Lee is probably the best I’ve seen so far.

2004- Atlanta. Just a ton of depth in this region, and even though most of it is composed of perimeter players, it still trumps the other options.

2003- Midwest. Harris, Wade, and Mo Williams is by far the best trio yet. The South has more depth but losing Lee knocked it out of contention and the East just doesn’t have enough to go with Carmelo.

2002- East. This region would be by far the best if it still had Wade and Harris. They have backcourt replacements though in Blake and Gordon, and those two paired with a very good frontcourt make it the choice.

2001- Midwest. Not even close.

2000- East. Losing Prince killed any chance the Midwest would have had to sway me.

1999- South. At their peak, a Davis and Francis backcourt would have been dynamic. Throw in Redd and Artest and this becomes a very dangerous squad in more ways than one.

1998- East. This is another one that isn’t very close once you remove the ineligible guys.

1997- Southeast. Bibby, Terry, Pierce and Miller all either were very good players or still are, and fortunately they all fit on the court at the same time, so this is another group that could do damage in the tournament.