Think it's too soon to talk about the Final Four? You're not thinking hard enough. Conference games won today lead to precious RPI points tomorrow, which lead to favorable seeds in March -- no small thing when the line between contender and pretender is so fine. The road to New Orleans starts here. Sure, we've still got more questions than answers: Are UConn and Creighton really this good? Are Western Kentucky and Gonzaga really this bad? But here's an early traffic report.

FOURMOST

Arizona: Defends well and seems to have solved its rebounding woes. PG Jason Gardner is this year's Jason Williams -- a fearless money-shot artist.

Alabama: Rolls inside (F's Erwin Dudley and Kenny Walker) and out (PG Mo Williams). If the wings are hot, watch out.

	The road to New Orleans goes through Jason Gardner.

Mississippi State: Plays the toughest D in the nation behind the ball-hawking duo of PG Derrick Zimmerman and SG Timmy Bowers. PF Mario Austin is a man on a mission after missing six games with eligibility issues.

Notre Dame: Has the perimeter guns in PG Chris Thomas, SG Matt Carroll and SF Danny Miller, and a double-double post machine in PF Torin Francis.

ONLY IF

Kansas ... if F Jeff Graves steps up in Wayne Simien's absence (dislocated right shoulder) and becomes an able sidekick to Nick Collison.

Duke … if PF Shavlik Randolph and C Shelden Williams assert themselves on a more consistent basis.

Indiana … if PF Sean Kline develops into another post threat behind C George Leach.

Pittsburgh … if the Panthers discover a decent third option after G's Brandin Knight and Julius Page.

AS IF

Marquette: Doesn't play well in hostile environments (road losses at Notre Dame, East Carolina and Dayton).

Missouri: Lacks experience and grit in the backcourt (see loss to Illinois), leaving PF Arthur Johnson to carry too much of the load.

Oregon: Isn't cleaning the glass (Zona outboarded the Ducks 50-28). That keeps the two Lukes -- PG Ridnour and F Jackson -- from getting out and running the floor.

Xavier: Can't find high gear. G Romain Sato and F David West combined for just 19 points vs. Mississippi State. Now PG Lionel Chalmers is out for a month (broken right foot).

SPEED BUMPS

Butler: Loves to defend. In a tight game, G Darnell Archey (100% FT) could make all the difference.

BYU: Has balance, a stingy D and one of the West's most underrated coaches in Steve Cleveland.

Kent State: Boasts do-everything F Antonio Gates, who's doing it every night (22.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.4 apg).

Saint Joseph's: Stops 'em cold on the perimeter by trapping and running four guards out. At the other end, PG Jameer Nelson has emerged as a star.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.