Oct. 16
The basketballs are bouncing all over America! Coaches are screaming out offensive and defensive sets as practice is under way. Players battle for playing time, and we'll soon find out which teams are for real.

These five teams could be diamonds in the rough.

Division I teams are getting ready for the season opener. I can't wait for the Coaches vs. Cancer event in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8-9, with Maryland, Florida, Temple and Arizona in action!

When I look at the national college basketball picture, I sing the praises of the top teams: Duke, Maryland, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA and Florida. What about other dangerous teams that can sneak up on people, even though you don't hear much about them in the preseason?

Here are five sleeper schools that can make some noise on the national landscape:

WYOMING
Let's start in the Mountain West. Immediately people think about a school like Utah, and the Utes will be better with the return of Rick Majerus to the sidelines. Also, Fran Fraschilla's New Mexico Lobos and Steve Fisher's San Diego State Aztecs are improved.

But watch out for Wyoming! Coach Steve McClain has done a solid job in a tough basketball conference. The Cowboys have a dynamite, seasoned group returning, led by 6-foot-8 forward Josh Davis and 6-5 guard Marcus Bailey. The key could be 6-8 forward/center Ugo Udezue, who has been bothered by knee problems. If he can return to the form he displayed as a sophomore in 1998-99, averaging more than 20 points per game, watch out.

MISSISSIPPI
In the SEC, we hear all about Kentucky and Florida. Arkansas is always scrappy, and Auburn also has a dangerous team. The league is very tough from top to bottom. But we don't hear enough about the Rebels.

Coach Rod Barnes' team shocked the nation last season, one of the biggest surprises in America. This year, they can make some more noise. Super soph Justin Reed, a 6-8 forward, can get it done on both ends of the court. Mississippi enjoyed a solid recruiting class, and Barnes' ability to teach defense makes this team a real threat.

MINNESOTA
When you talk about the Big Ten, you immediately think about the likes of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State and Iowa. But Minnesota will be tough, too.

Minnesota coach Dan Monson did a fabulous job at Gonzaga, and now he has some size up front. The addition of diaper dandy Rick Rickert and juco transfer Jerry Holman will help add depth.

The Golden Gophers have an unsung point guard in Kevin Burleson. He took over the starting assignment last season and he should have more confidence entering this year.

SETON HALL
Former Pirates coach Tommy Amaker left for the Midwest, heading for Michigan. Louis Orr takes over, and the cupboard is not bare.

Orr learned a lot during his playing days at Syracuse under Jim Boeheim. The Orangemen enjoyed the Louie and Bouie show (Orr with center Roosevelt Bouie).

The Pirates have a nice nucleus, especially on the perimeter. Andre Barrett is going to become a big-time point guard. His penetration skills, defensive ability and tenacity will make a difference as a catalyst. Darius Lane has experience and outside shooting talent; he helped Seton Hall to the Sweet 16 two years ago. The addition of John Allen is another plus.

If Seton Hall can get anything done on the interior, this could be a surprise team in the Big East.

CHARLOTTE
Bobby Lutz is one of the most underrated coaches in America. He gets little publicity, yet he is one of the brightest basketball minds in the country.

His peers know Lutz can flat-out coach. Conference USA has some mega-names on the sidelines, like Rick Pitino at Louisville, John Calipari at Memphis and Bob Huggins at Cincinnati.

Watch out for Charlotte. The return of Jobey Thomas on the perimeter is a positive. Yes, the 49ers will miss the dynamite ability of Rodney White, who plays for the Detroit Pistons now. But there is enough returning talent to make them a threat.

These five teams could be diamonds in the rough. They may not be getting much PR, but they are capable of making noise this season.