Delaware has the most dangerous scorer at the mid-major level in Mike Pegues, an undersized power forward with extraordinary footwork. John Gordon is a throwback who can shoot it from deep and is one of the toughest competitors on the East Coast. The Hens have size, skill and a fine coach in Mike Brey. Their first round opponent in the NCAA's will have a week of sleepless nights.

2. Bradley
Bradley will have a chance to impact the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament because of one thing: team defense. The Braves return all five starters and all are excellent team defenders who combined to hold opponents to just 61 points per game (17th in the nation).

Jim Molinari has the best player in the Missouri Valley Conference in Rob Dye, an outstanding all-around guard with great quickness. Dye can shoot and finish plays, and he is a well-schooled defender. Molinari also has the best perimeter defender in the league in Eric Roberson, and Roberson finishes defensive plays by grabbing the defensive board himself. Bradley has a brutal schedule that includes Illinois, George Washington, Auburn and a trip to the Rainbow Classic, but that will pay dividends in MVC play.

3. Murray State
Murray State is the UCLA of the Ohio Valley Conference, winning the regular season title 11 out of the last 12 years. Although the Racers lost to Ohio State by 14 points in the NCAA Tournament, the game was much closer than the score indicated, and Murray State was not at full strength.

With no player taller than 6-foot-9, tiny little Murray State ranked among the nation's best in team field goal percentage and rebound margin, and they have the mentality to kick your teeth in. The Racers return Isaac Spencer (the preseason OVC Player of the Year), Aubrey Reese (an outstanding point guard in the clutch), top-notch defender and capable shooter Marlon Towns and 6-7 Rod Murray, a gifted player who is the prototype Racer -- a guy who plays bigger than he's listed. Murray State has experience, talent and a group of players who want to prove themselves against the best.

4. Long Beach State
This may be a bit of a surprise with New Mexico State in the same league, but Long Beach State should be ready to bust loose. The 49ers may have underachieved last year, but they have the Big West's best player in Ramel "Rock" Lloyd, and Wayne Morgan is looking to his four returning starters to live up to expectations from the beginning of the season.

Morgan is on the hot seat at the Beach, and Lloyd will help cool it off. Lloyd, a transfer from Syracuse, can score in bunches and has the potential to put up huge numbers. Charles O'Neal can handle the ball and hit his open shot, and teams with Lloyd to form the league's top backcourt. Inside, Long Beach State is athletic but untested. If the big men play up to the level of 6-11 center Mate Milisa, Long Beach State will be a solid threat in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

5. Valparaiso
The naysayers predicted that the Crusaders would fall off the map unless Homer Drew replaced his superstar son Bryce Drew by adopting a top prospect and suiting him up. They were wrong. Drew has created a haven for talented foreigners, and has a gem in 6-7 swingman Lubos Barton.

The multi-skilled Barton is a player on any level. Inside, Drew has 6-10 center Ivan Vujic who can score and block shots. With solid play from Milo Stovall, who can shoot and dish, Valparaiso can win yet another Mid-Continent title and scare the daylights out of any first-round opponent because they can shoot the ball with consistency and play tough defense.