nERD: 21.14

This Cincinnati Bearcats team, coached by Bob Huggins, went 29-4 overall and a perfect 16-0 in Conference USA play. They were a very well-balanced team, in more ways than one.

Three players averaged at least 12.6 points while five averaged at least 9.2 points per game. Senior Pete Mickeal produced 13.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, and freshman DerMarr Johnson averaged 12.6 points while tallying .218 win shares per 40 minutes.

But, Kenyon Martin was the unquestioned leader. The senior forward averaged 18.9 points per game and .398 win shares per 40 minutes. Due to his team's success and his individual production, he won both the Naismith Award and AP Player of the Year.

Martin's Bearcats were top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency and allowed just 61.5 points per game. That season, they led all teams in nERD by a slim margin, but they disappointed in the NCAA tournament by falling to Tulsa in the second round.