Then again, there are some who don't have the banger body type and have to make up for it with attitude. Consider that two members of our group would have to look up to talk to some of the guards in other leagues.

And then there are the skinny skyscrapers who aren't big on contact but who can't shoot a lick past 10 feet and are stuck inside as a result. Even if they don't mix it up like a conventional banger, so long as they get similar results, they've got a chance in our rankings.

Basically, we expect a banger to clean up on the boards, convert with machine-like consistency from close range, block shots and occasionally knock that pesky slasher on his backside. The more he gives beyond that, the higher up the list you'll find him.

1. Chris Mihm, Texas
Mihm is as good a shot-blocker and rebounder as any player in the nation, which makes him the logical choice for our top banger. He doesn't score a lot (13.7 ppg), which isn't a terrible thing since that's not necessarily at the top of the list of priorities at this position. What concerns us is mihm's inexcusable field goal shooting percentage (.449). If a 7-footer who never roams more than 12 feet from the hoop can't hit half his shots, there's something wrong. He's too good in other areas to drop him below his challengers, but that doesn't mean mihm can't be leapfrogged by someone else in the top five who's filed down his rough edges.

2. Brendan Haywood, North Carolina
Speaking of rough edges, Haywood looked raw last season and got a little too big for his britches during those stretches when things clicked. If he woofs a little less and works a little more, he'll dominate. As it was, he averaged 12 points on .648 shooting and 6.9 rebounds last season. With such an agile 7-0 body and a huge wingspan, Haywood could be blocking even more shots, though (he had 60 in '98-99). Once he learns all the nuances of post play -- and that depends on if he's willing to work his hardest -- he'll move into the top spot.

3. Eric Chenowith, Kansas
Chenowith is the wild card in the top five. He is big, athletic and smart enough to become college basketball's best center. But he isn't the most instinctive player, and he still buckles like Shawn Bradley every so often when he gets a good shove. But over his first two years in Lawrence, Chenowith has gotten stronger and more at ease on the court. He's even got a bit of an edge now. If he puts it all together this season, bringing his offense up to the level of his rebounding (9.1 rpg) and shot-blocking (2.4 bpg), Chenowith will slide up to no. 1.

4. Alvin Jones, Georgia Tech
As a rebounder and a shot-blocker, Jones is near Mihm's equal. He averaged 9.7 rpg and 3.5 bpg last season and generally made life difficult for any Tech opponent inside. Jones isn't much of a threat on offense, though. He rarely tries to do more than his ability will allow him to, and he has improved as a passer, but he has to add something more to his scoring arsenal to make a move in our rankings.

5. Etan Thomas, Syracuse
Thomas and Jones have similar games, and Thomas may be even more agile than Jones. But Thomas, who ranked second in the nation in blocks a game (4.0), seems to limit himself offensively. He converts from the field at a high rate (.617) but only scores 12.0 ppg and often disappears for long stretches. He's also in a class below the top four bangers.

Newcomers to watch: Carlos Boozer, Duke; Donnell Harvey, Florida; Josh Moore, Rutgers; Ron Slay, Tennessee; Tajudeen Soyoye, Missouri; Marvin Stone, Kentucky.