Sure, the major conferences get all the attention. But college basketball -- particularly the NCAA Tournament -- wouldn't be nearly as fun without those who toil in the land of mid-majors.

So, who should real hoop fans keep an eye on this season? Which teams besides Gonzaga, Western Kentucky, Creighton and those who survive the MAC figure to make things interesting in March? Is there another Kent State waiting in the wings?

In the land of one bids and conference tournaments meaning so much, ESPN.com breaks down the contenders within the "other" conferences.

AMERICAN EAST | '01-02 Champion: Boston University

Tough Enough? Vermont and Boston University were the class of the league last season, both finishing 13-3 in the regular season. But it was BU who went to the NCAA Tournament when Vermont stumbled on its own court in the conference tournament semifinals, leaving the Terriers and Maine to play for the bid. For BU, it was its first NCAA appearance since 1997, while Vermont was denied its first trip to The Dance in school history. Both figure to battle for the bid again this season, but don't be surprised if Hartford isn't in the mix. The Hawks won 10 conference games after a 4-11 start.

Tough Guy: Last year's conference player of the year T.J. Sorrentine returns for his junior season with the Catamounts after averaging 18.8 points and 4 assists a game. He was also an honorable mention all-American after leading the conference in scoring and assists.

Tourney Tough: After seeings its best season in 102 years of basketball end on a sour note, Vermont gets its first trip to the NCAAs by beating the host Terriers in the conference title game.

ATLANTIC SUN | '01-02 Champion: Florida Atlantic

Tough Enough? This conference just keeps changing. And it's not just at the top. A year after dropping the Trans America Athletic Conference label, the Atlantic Sun welcomes Gardner-Webb to the fold and switches to a two-division format with 12 teams. The league goes back to one division next year when Samford and Jacksonville State leave for the Ohio Valley Conference. As for personnel, perennial favorite Georgia State will be without Thomas Terrell, while surprising Florida Atlantic, which shocked the Panthers in the conference title game to earn the school's first NCAA bid, loses Raheim Brown. While Sidney Green should find a way to keep the Owls near the top in the South Division, it's in the North where the NCAA bid likely lands. Georgia State, which hosts the conference tournament, will have to deal with Samford's defense and Belmont's offense if it's to earn a No. 1 seed.

Tough Guy: It didn't take long for Adam Sonn to make an impression in Belmont's first season in the Atlantic Sun. Undersized a bit for a center at 6-8, all Sonn did was average a double-double (18.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg). Sonn had off-season surgery to correct a stress fracture in his foot, which kept him out of eight games last year. When healthy, all he did was grab 21 rebounds against Central Florida and drop 30 on Stetson.

Tourney Tough: Only eight of the 12 teams will qualify for the conference tournament in Atlanta, but look for the hosts to have to hold off Belmont to get back to the tourney. The Panthers feel victim to FAU in 2002. Don't expect Lefty to be left out of The Dance in 2003.

BIG SKY | '01-02 Champion: Montana

Tough Enough? So, what's more important? Relying on the conference's MVP, or its freshman, newcomer and defensive player of the year? The answer may lead to the NCAA Tournament. Eastern Washington, second the past two years and four points from dancing in losing to Montana State in the conference tournament final, cleaned up at last year's awards banquet and returns two all-conference guards in Chris Hester and Alvin Snow. Hester was the newcomer of the year after averaging 13.5 points on 57.5 percent shooting, while Snow was the Big Sky's top defender (1.79 spg). Also back is freshman of the year Marc Axton (6-7, 220 pounds), who just scratched the surface of his talents by averaging 5.9 points and 2.8 rebounds. The best player in the league is also returning, but for Weber State. Jermaine Boyette, a 6-2 senior, led the conference in both scoring (17.1 ppg) and steals (2.2 spg). He will be the focal point of the Wildcats' offense, but won't do it all with four starters back for coach Joe Cravens. Speaking of Craven, he has to be feeling a little pressure to get to the NCAAs after three failed attempts. Remember, it was Weber State who ruled this conference under Ron Abegglen, not to mentioned knocked of UNC in the '99 Dance.

Tough Guy: Montana stunned EWU in the conference title game, then promptly fired its head coach. Sure, Don Holst didn't exactly pile up wins in Missoula, Mont., but he did get the Grizzlies to the NCAA Tournament -- something his successor couldn't do at DePaul. So, exactly why is Pat Kennedy (yes, that Pat Kennedy) coaching in the Big Sky? Bottom line: Kennedy, who can recruit with the best in the nation, was tired of seeing his blue-chippers leave early for The League; the Blue Demons suffer because of the early defections; and the fallout fall squarely on him. Well, he won't have that problem at Montana. A new coach, new 8,000-seat arena on campus and new expectations should make for an interesting season.

Tourney Tough: Eastern Washington just missed earning its first NCAA bid last year. To get it this season, it'll have to get past the usual suspects in Weber State and last year's regular-season champ Montana State. The Eagles have been so close for so long, and have so much talent to work with, this is the season they finally breaks through.

BIG SOUTH | '01-02 Champion: Winthrop

Tough Enough? Unfortunately, this conference race hasn't been for the automatic NCAA Tournament bid since 2000. Why? That's when the NCAA decided to expand the tournament to 65 teams, forcing the creation of a "play-in game" prior to the 2001 tourney. As a result, Winthrop has been forced to earn its way into the Midwest Region the past two years. So far, it's 1-1. And it looks like the same scenario this season -- but not necessarily for the Golden Eagles. Winthrop was hit hard by graduation this season and its four-year hold on the conference title appears tenuous at best. Gone are eight scholarship players, including conference POY Greg Lewis. Not that Gregg Marshall didn't see this coming, and has brought in some nice JUCO players to fill the gaps. On the flip side, UNC-Ashville returns four starters after tying Winthrop for the regular-season title last year. Those Bulldogs have some extra motivation after giving away the No. 1 seed to Winthrop in the conference tournament with two late-season losses and then completing their collapse with a first-round loss to High Point.

Tough Guy: So, the Big South is a two-team race? Not exactly. Coastal Carolina has the Big South's 2001 player of the year healthy again and wealth of upperclassmen. Torrey Butler's 2001 numbers prove he's legit when healthy (19.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 47% on 3-pointers) and he's the favorite to win the award this year. But those around him managed just eight wins last year. Butler may have to do it all, but he gives the Chanticleers a chance.

Tourney Tough: "Marshall Law" says don't pick against Winthrop. So, until someone breaks the law, we'll keep the peace and pick the Eagles to make it five straight. Whether they get a shot to end the Big South's 10-year streak of first-round NCAA remains to be seen.

BIG WEST | '01-02 Champion: Winthrop

Tough Enough? For those who follow ESPN.com's Cinderella Watch, our affection for the Anteaters is well-chronicled. But after two seasons of heartbreaks both in Irvine and Bristol, we've moved on with Jerry Green. Does that mean we've gone over to the dark side (a.k.a. Utah State)? No, not exactly. The Aggies are once again a safe bet to dance this season, but California has a couple of new partners for the Aggies to deal with in UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Northridge. The Gauchos, one of only two Big West charter members remaining from 1986, shocked both Irvine and Utah State by storming through the Big West tournament for the automatic bid. UCSB returns four starters featuring all-conference forward Mark Hull (15.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg). CS-Northridge's first year in the conference only brought optimism for Year Two. The Matadors finished tied for third at 11-7 and also return four starters. But the lone absentee is leading scorer Markus Carr (16 ppg, 3.6 rpg).

Tough Guy: With Green gone for good, the door is open for Desmond Penigar to claim the title of Big West's best player. Penigar averaged 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds for Utah State as a junior. If he adds leadership to his leading point totals, he could be the edge Utah State needs in a wide-open race.

Tourney Tough: Utah State got into last year's NCAA Tournament on the strength of its season's work, not the final week of the Big West season. The Aggies have averaged 26 wins the past three season, get the automatic bid just to make sure.

COLONIAL | '01-02 Champion: UNC-Wilmington

Tough Enough? Success to the degree UNC-Wilmington enjoyed in 2001-02 comes with a price. That price was losing head coach Jerry Wainwright, who left for Richmond and the A-10. But returning for the Seahawks is CAA player of the year Brett Blizzard, who burst onto the national scene during the NCAA Tournament when he guided UNCW to an upset of USC and put a scare into eventual national runner-up Indiana. Blizzard (17.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg) should help Brad Brownell adjust nicely to his first head coaching assignment after several seasons as the Seahawks' top assistant. Another all-conference returnee, 6-8 center Craig Callahan, makes for a nice inside-out duo at UNCW. Finding the Seahawks' main threat is a tough task, considering all the talent returning in the CAA. The conference's top 12 scorers and nine of 10 all-conference players return this season. Virginia Commonwealth, 21-11 a year ago, has a new coach as well in Mike Krzyzewski-groomed Jeff Capel III and returns its top three scorers of a year ago. George Mason, runner up to UNCW in the regular season, has four starters back, while Drexel returns all five of second-year head coach Bruiser Flint's starters.

Tough Guy: Blizzard simply is the most all-around skilled mid-major player in the business under 7-feet. At 6-3, Blizzard is the only player in Colonial history to be named to the all-conference team his first three seasons. He'll make it four in a row this season as well as back up his POY honor. http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/350.gif

Tourney Tough: It's impossible to pick against UNCW, despite the coaching change and the fact no current member of the Colonial has ever repeated. While the Seahawks remain a strong favorite, keep an eye on Drexel in what should be a fight for the only conference bid.

HORIZON | '01-02 Champion: Illinois-Chicago

Tough Enough? Did Butler's window of opportunity get slammed in its face by the NCAA selection committee last March? It would appear so, but the Bulldogs will have a chance to turn the tables on the conference's favorite Wisconsin-Milwaukee this year. After a school-record 26 wins, the Bulldogs lost in the first round of the Horizon tournament and saw their at-large bid given to a bigger school. Gone from that team is player of the year Rylan Hainje (15.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and point guard Thomas Jackson. Butler has the same coach for the first time in three seasons, but the talent isn't there to expect another special season like 2001-02. That isn't to say the Bulldogs won't be dancing a year later than expected. If the Horizon is one thing, it's unpredictable come March. Wisconsin-Milwaukee is far from a prohibitive favorite. What the Panthers have is experience with five starters returning -- four of whom are seniors. What those players haven't shown, however, is the ability to win on a consistent basis. Wisconsin-Milwaukee hasn't won more than 16 games the past three seasons. Illinois-Chicago's talented group of freshmen showed they could win when it counted most last year, pulling off one shocker after another in winning the conference tourney and automatic bid. In a deep conference, there simply aren't enough bids to go around.

Tough Guy: Once again, it's important to remember that Wisconsin-Milwaukee returns five starters. That's why what Clay Tucker (17.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.0 apg) did last season is so impressive and why he's the preseason player of the year in most Horizon coach's minds. All Parker did was lead the Panthers in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots.

Tourney Tough: Nobody figures to win 26 games this season, and even if they do, will it matter? Without getting into too much detail, the Horizon altered its conference tournament format to give top seeds more home games. But that doesn't take effect until after UWM and Butler host the next two. Bottom line: The Panthers get homecourt as long as they are around this season, which is just the edge we're looking for to make a pick.

IVY LEAGUE | '01-02 Champion: Pennsylvania

Tough Enough? A year ago, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale needed a three-way playoff to separate the best Ivy League team from the rest. This year, it won't be so difficult to distinguish Penn from the two teams it defeated to win the league title. Neither the Quakers or Yale lost a starter, but it was clear by Penn's 77-58 win on the Bulldogs' court that these Quakers play a different brand of basketball. One the Ivy League isn't used to seeing. Ugonna Onyekwe, Koko Archibong and Andy Toole were each preseason all-conference selections and Onyekwe and Archibong will attract NBA scouts to The Palestra to see 'em play.

Tough Guy: Onyekwe was born in Nigeria, grew up in London, prepped at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, signed with Long Beach State, before asking out of his NLI and choosing non-scholarship Penn, is unlike any player the Ivy League has seen. At 6-8, the senior averaged and unselfish 17.5 points shooting 55 percent from the field. Get this, he was chosen to the preseason list of 50 players eligible for the Wooden Award.

Tourney Tough: The last time Penn was this heavy a favorite wasn't too long ago. Following a perfect Ivy run the year before, the 2001-02 Quakers stumbled to a 9-5 conference mark and to just 12 wins overall. Several players were around to go through the disappointing season, a good remedy for any overconfidence.

MAAC | '01-02 Champion: Siena

Tough Enough? Either Iona or Siena has represented the MAAC in the NCAAs the past five years. Taking nothing away from the Saints, they had no business being in the 2002 dance. A sub-.500 record entering the conference tournament, all the Saints did was win four straight to get over .500 and into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999. Playing at home in Albany, N.Y., certainly helped, but it was the first time the host of the tournament won the darn thing. The MAAC tried to take the edge out of hosting by restructuring the format of the tournament, sending the top two seeds into the semifinals and making lower seeds play four games in four days to win it all. Manhattan is the early favorite this year, but the tourney is in Jersey not The City. No matter, Luis Flores can score on any court (19.4 ppg) and the Jaspers, who led the conference in scoring (75 ppg), return four starters. Last year's co-champs during the regular season, Rider, lost POY Mario Porter but still figure to stay in the top half of the league, which is where you'll also find Iona once again.

Tough Guy: The only returning all-conference player is Flores and he's all but a lock to take home all-conference honors again, if not the player of the year hardware. The Rutgers transfer made up for lost time by finishing third in the league in scoring.

Tourney Tough: Manhattan is the safe preseason pick, yet rarely do preseason picks hold true in the MAAC. Still, the Jaspers could wind up leading the conference in scoring and team defense, and without a homecourt tourney bias to worry about, should back up the best regular season with two wins in Jersey.

MAC | '01-02 Champion: Kent State

Tough Enough? It should be written into the NCAA bylaws: The MAC is to receive at least two annual bids to the NCAA Tournament. Handing out a single automatic bid, as was the case last season, is just a joke. Just ask Kansas, UCLA, Mississippi, UNC, Boston College and Michigan ... all of whom lost to MAC teams who failed to convince the selection committee to throw 'em a bone. That's right, add Kent State's NCAA Tournament "upsets" of Oklahoma State, Alabama and Pittsburgh, and the MAC had a right to cry foul over receiving no at-large bids. This year's overall depth may not be as defined in November, but come March don't be surprised if another group of major schools makes the MAC's list of victims. Ball State, who took care of Kansas and UCLA in Maui to open last season, was a top 25 team before the rigors of the MAC left the Cardinals with 11 losses and on the outside looking into the dance. Bowling Green was another 20-win team snubbed by the committee. Kent State could have done its MAC rivals a favor by losing in the conference tournament. But just think of all the fun the NCAA Tournament would have been without if the committee had ignored the Golden Flashes.

Tough Guy: Two players who appeared headed to the NBA are back in the MAC. Ball State's Theron Smith and Ohio University's Brandon Hunter both declared for the draft, but didn't sign with an agent, hence were able to change their minds and return to school. Smith is a 6-8 all-everything forward and double-double waiting to happen (19.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg; 23 double-doubles in MAC last season). Smith makes the Cardinals the favorite to win the West Division crown. Hunter, meanwhile, averaged 17.3 points for an Ohio team that went 17-11. Both will one day play for pay in The League. This year, they'll play for something more elusive in the MAC -- NCAA bids.

Tourney Tough: If it was up to us, we'd give out more than two bids. We can only hope the committee gives at least two. Who'll get 'em? Good question. Ball State is just too good to not get into the dance two years straight, while Kent State lost Trevor Huffman and a little too much else to expect another season worthy of an at-large bid. Bowling Green nearly lost its coach, but Dan Dakich snubbed West Virginia for the chance to get snubbed again. Winning the automatic bid is always a good idea.

MEAC | '01-02 Champion: Hampton

Tough Enough? As much as the rest of the conference would like to see a changing of the guard, all it gets is a changing of the coach at Hampton. Steve Merfeld left for Evansville after two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and the Pirates figure to take new man Bobby Collins to the dance this year. Delaware State is an interesting darkhorse, which has folks talking after 16 wins under the direction of Greg Jackson. But Hampton has four starters returning and despite the loss of conference player of the year Tommy Adams, look poised for a threepeat.

Tough Guy: Howard may not have the stuff to hang with Hampton over 18 games, but it does have a player who could take over come tourney time. Kyle Williams averaged 18.7 points as a junior and lit up Coppin State for 43. Those kinds of numbers make favorites worry in a winner-take-all situation.

Tourney Tough: Those who are still with the Pirates will one day be able to say they were there when: Hampton upset Iowa State in the 2001 NCAA Tournament; Posted 17-1 MEAC record in 2001-02; And won conference titles in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

MID-CONTINENT | '01-02 Champion: Valparaiso

Tough Enough? Father might have known best. Homer Drew's departure after 26 years of coaching, the last 14 at Valpo, and 504 victories, the last 49 over the past two years, and six NCAA bids in seven years comes when the rest of the Mid-Con appears to be catching up with Valparaiso. And if the likes of Oral Roberts, IUPUI or even Oakland manage to wrestle the title away from Valpo, it won't be son Scott Drew's fault. It's just a case of the rest getting better. And dad is still around to bounce off ideas of how to keep the rest at bay. Don't misunderstand, the Crusaders remain the favorites to defend their crown, even with just two starters returning. One of those back is 6-11 center Ratis Grafs (12.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg). The gap is just closing.

Tough Guy: Once he felt comfortable, Reggie Borges made his presence felt in the Mid-Con. Transferring in from Los Angeles Harbor JC, Borges averaged 20.3 points and 8.4 points in conference play. Oh, and that was as a sixth man for Oral Roberts. He's starting this season for a team many feel will be back in the dance for the first time since 1984.

Tourney Tough: "Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis" No, it's not two Big Ten schools playing as one, but rather a collection of local kids who've return home after finding the grass wasn't greener elsewhere. With nine transfers on the roster, look for the Jaguar to come its their own after a .500 season that included an upset of Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Oh, and don't worry, just pencil in "IUPUI" on the NCAA bracket come March.

MISSOURI VALLEY | '01-02 Champion: Creighton

Tough Enough? If you're a fan of The Valley, we've got you covered. ESPN and ESPN2 has jumped at the chance to showcase this up-and-coming conference in 2002-03. League favorites Creighton and Southern Illinois be featured Jan. 18 when they clash for the first time during the regular season on ESPN2; the Salukis and Bluejays will be joined by Northern Iowa and Illinois State in the "Bracket Buster" event Jan. 22, and while matchups haven't been decided outside of Tulsa-Gonzaga, it's a good bet one or two Valley teams will show up on selected games to be shown on ESPN and ESPN2; oh, and The Valley's conference tournament title game will be shown March 10 on ESPN. But enough about exposure, which the MVC got plenty of last March when Creighton knocked off Florida in the first round and SIU reached the Sweet 16 and finished 22nd in the final ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. The MVC should pick up where it left off last season with Creighton and Southern Illinois fighting for the regular-season title, automatic bid and politicking for at-large consideration for whoever falters. The Bluejays return all five starters from a team that lost to SIU twice, but beat the Salukis in the MVC title game. Conference player of the year Kyle Korver (15.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.3 apg) is among those back for the Bluejays. SIU lost big man Rolan Roberts, but returns Jermaine Dearman (12.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and guard Kent Williams (15.8 ppg, 3.0 apg), not to mention plenty of players who enjoyed last year's ride. If a team can break up these two's monopoly on NCAA bids, it might be Illinois State. The Redbirds never recovered from losing Tarise Bryson to a broken wrist 22 minutes into the first game of the season, but could have found a replacement for the school's all-time leader in 3-pointers in N.C. State transfer Trey Guidry, who averaged 26.3 points in the team's final three games of a 14-day tour of Australia this summer.

Tough Guy: At 6-7, Korver may be the most versatile forward in the Valley since, well, that guy from French Lick who played at Indiana State. No, he's not the next Larry Bird, but Korver certainly does it all for the Bluejays -- leading 'em in scoring, rebounds and assists -- while also connecting on 48 percent of his 3s (79 of 184).

Tourney Tough: No reason to think Creighton's string of four straight NCAA appearances will end with all these seniors, who proved as juniors they could continue the tradition of excellence in Omaha. SIU doesn't have the big names on the non-conference schedule like last year, when it knocked off Indiana, Iowa State and put a scare into Illinois, but shouldn't be overlooked in March.

NORTHEAST | '01-02 Champion: Central Connecticut State

Tough Enough? After reeling off 19 straight wins to end the NEC season, Central Connecticut State danced for the second time in three seasons. The Blue Devils finished 53rd in the final RPI rankings -- the highest ever for a NEC team. They return four starters, so why isn't CCSU favored to win its second straight conference title? Corsley Edwards. The "Big Dog" is chained to the Sacramento Kings bench this season, leaving a big hole in the middle and plenty of room for Wagner to make a move toward its first NCAA Tournament appearance. In three seasons since Dereck Whittenburgh (he of the Hail Mary shot/pass to Lorenzo Charles in the '83 title game with N.C. State) arrived, Wagner has gone from 11 wins to 19 last year. This season, the Seahawks must find three new starters, but have Jermaine Hall to rely on all season. Hall averaged 21 points and seven rebounds and was an all-conference selection for the second straight season. With Edwards gone, he's the favorite to win player of the year honors. Wagner may be the favorite as well, just don't expect CCSU, winners of a school-record 27 games in 2001-02, to go quietly. The Blue Devils return a senior backcourt in John Alexander and Damian Battles, along with senior swingman Ricardo Scott, who the Seahawks know all too well after he dropped seven 3-pointers on Monmouth to help CCSU erase a 23-point deficit in the second half last season.

Tough Guy: With Edwards gone, the attention shift to Hall. No, not just in the NEC, but the NBA as well. Seven teams scouted the 6-5 forward last year when he was drawing double and triple teams. Hall is the spark to Wagner's high-octane offense, which averaged nearly 80 points a night.

Tourney Tough: Back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament are tough to come by in the NEC, so we'll go with the team on the rise and maybe a little more hungry. Wagner, which lost to Quinnipiac on its own floor in the conference semifinals last year, gets a chance at redemption with the first two rounds once again played on Staten Island, N.Y. Take care of business during the regular season and the final also could be in their own house.

OHIO VALLEY | '01-02 Champion: Murray State

Tough Enough? The program says the OVC's bid to the dance will be handed out in Nashville, but doesn't the road to the NCAAs always go through Murray State? The Racers have, after all, won or shared 12 of the past 15 league titles. Tennessee Tech appeared to be in the driver's seat last year after going 15-1 in conference play, only to stumble by a single point in the conference title game to, you guessed it, Murray State. It's not that the Racers didn't have a nice squad, and do again this season, it's just that Tech is loaded once again after winning a school record 27 games on its way to the NIT quarterfinals. The fact remains, however, that Tech hasn't reached the NCAAs since 1963 and has little to show for back-to-back regular-season titles. New coach Mike Sutton, who replaces Jeff Lebo who left for Chattanooga, won't lack offense with Cameron Crisp, a healthy Leigh Gayden and Brent Jolly in a three-guard lineup. The Racers return a balanced offense and four starters off a team that turned things around to win 10 of its final 11 conference games.

Tough Guy: It's been 18 seasons since Morehead State won an OVC title, but Ricky Minard will put the Eagles in contention come tournament time. The reason: Minard can score the basketball, averaging 22.3 points a game on nearly 40-percent shooting from behind the 3-point arc.

Tourney Tough: It can't happen three years in a row to Tech, can it? The Golden Eagles should be the class of the league and take care of business in Nashville. Don't be surprised if Murray State is the final hurdle.

PATRIOT | '01-02 Champion: Holy Cross

Tough Enough? There was a point in last year's first round of the NCAA Tournament when Holy Cross was doing the unthinkable -- on its way to upsetting No. 1 seed Kansas. Well, the Crusaders didn't, but it was sure a nice moment in Patriot League basketball history. Come Nov. 19, the two teams square off again in Lawrence, Kan., in the first round of the Preseason NIT. The season gets much easier after that for Holy Cross, once again the favorite in the Patriot. But remember, it was American U., not Holy Cross, which won the regular-season title and had the title game on its own court. This year, look for Bucknell or Colgate to give the Crusaders a struggle. The Bison close historic Davis Gymnasium, their home since 1939, and move into a new 4,000-seat multipurpose arena in January. Boakai Lalugba (14.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and depth give Bucknell a shot at ending Holy Cross' two-year hold on the title. Colgate, meanwhile, will rely on the sharp-shooting Mark Linebaugh, the league's rookie of the year in 2000-01 and 14.1 ppg scorer last year. But to get to the dance, all comers will need to get past Holy Cross, which returns four starters and adds 7-foot North Carolina transfer Neil Fingleton in January. All that does is add height to the league's tallest team of Tim Szatko (6-8; 13.6 ppg), Nate Lufkin (6-11; 7.1 ppg)) and Pat Whearty (6-9; 8.4 ppg).

Tough Guy: Szatko was the player of the year in 2000-01 and his game isn't limited to the paint. His game blossomed down the stretch, when he averaged nearly 20 points in guiding the Crusaders into the tournament. With plenty of beef around him this season, look for his numbers to increase in his senior year.

Tourney Tough: The Crusaders figure to be too big for any Patriot League foe to stop on a consistent basis, but in the conference tournament anything can happen. But Holy Cross has too much inside and enough outside despite the loss of Ryan Serravalle to pick again.

SOUTHERN | '01-02 Champion: Davidson

Tough Enough? Looking for parity? Try the So-Con, where six teams tied for regular-season titles in the two divisions. Nowhere was the title up for grabs more than in the South, where 9-7 got you a piece of the pie. Teams had to go 11-5 to take a share of the title in the North. And when it came time for the conference tournament, Furman reached the title game after a 7-9 conference season. Alas, order was restored when Davidson earned the trip the dance. But it was a mess up until then. This year, those same Paladins who reached the title game, are being talked about as a favorite -- at least in the South Division. In the North, East Tennessee State has proven it can win regular-season conference games (24 over the past two years), but hasn't proven much thereafter (quarterfinal loss to Charleston last year). The Buccaneers should pile up their share of wins again.

Tough Guy: While the conference is a toss up when it comes to picking a favorite, the choice is clear when it comes to its main man. VMI's Jason Conley became the first freshman to lead the country in scoring last year (29.3 ppg). The 6-5, 200-pounder didn't just do his damage against So-Con teams, either. In four games against teams from the SEC (Kentucky), Big East (Virginia Tech, Villanova) and ACC (Virginia), he averaged 28.3 points.

Tourney Tough: Anyone got a hat? Seriously, the So-Con is seldom decided during the regular season. ETSU and Furman are the favorites, but new coaches at the College of Charleston (Tom Herrion) and Chattanooga (Jeff Lebo) could have their teams ready to dance come the conference tournament. We'll go with the Cougars, minus John Kresse for the first time in 23 years, to get back to the NCAAs for the first time since 1999.

SOUTHLAND | '01-02 Champion: McNeese State

Tough Enough? It's Texas' turn at the top in the Southern Conference, with three teams on the verge of good things last year -- Lamar, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin -- replacing the Louisiana schools as favorites. It's a quick turnaround for the trio, as Sam Houston State missed the Southland tournament last year and Lamar goes from one of the youngest teams to one of the league's more seasoned. Stephen F. Austin has four starters returning from a .500 team in conference play, including freshman of the year Stevin Ozier. Lamar also brings back its top three scorers from a year ago, led by Damany Hendrix (17.7 ppg). Sam Houston boasts last season's newcomer of the year in Donald Cole (16.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg), who is the favorite to make it player of the year in 2002-03.

Tough Guy: Cole is a lefty who loves to bang. At 6-8, he ranked fifth nationally in rebounding after transferring in from Navarro (Texas) JC, and could see his 10.3 boards a game improve after a year of Division I experience.

Tourney Tough: Lamar is tough to ignore, especially with all five starters back and 94 percent of its offense returning in 10 players. The Cardinals, however, aren't head and shoulders above their Texas neighbors. But experience, combined with Mike Deane's coaching, should give Lamar the edge come tourney time.

SUN BELT | '01-02 Champion: Western Kentucky

Tough Enough? The Sun Belt has Chris Marcus to thank for recent exposure. This year, there's more to talk about than just the 7-foot future lottery pick out of Western Kentucky. Sure, the Hilltoppers are a legit top 25 teams, but it's due to more than just Marcus patrolling the middle. WKU lost nobody of note and will send out five players on the court every night who have big-game experience, backed up by more talent that will keep WKU in the spotlight well after Marcus leaves for The League. David Boyden, Patrick Sparks, Filip Videnov and Todar Pandov did just fine without Marcus last season while he was rehabing his foot. A healthy Marcus certainly makes WKU not only a favorite in the Sun Belt, but a likely Sweet 16 team come March. As for the rest of the league, 2003 could be the year the Sun Belt sends not just one, but two teams to the NCAA Tournament. It breaks down like this. No host team has won the Sun Belt tournament and with the Hilltoppers welcoming the league to Bowling Green, it could be Louisiana-Lafayette getting the automatic bid. WKU will do enough during the season to get at-large consideration. Hey, it's worth thinking about, at least. Oh, and the Cajuns feature their own NBA prospect in sophomore center Michael Southhall (13.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.1 bpg), who should give Marcus a few good battles this season.

Tough Guy: Marcus is playing for big bucks this season, out to prove that when healthy, he's the real deal. He was limited to just 15 games last season but still led WKU in scoring (15.9 ppg) and grabbed nearly nine boards a night. Each block this season will just add to his school record, which stands at 212 entering the season.

Tourney Tough: With two teams most likely getting to 20 wins -- Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Lafayette -- the Sun Belt is poised to send two teams to the dance. But unless the Hilltoppers falter, don't expect the committee to give Lafayette the benefit of the doubt. And don't expect the Hilltoppers to lose at home come Sun Belt tourney time.

SWAC | '01-02 Champion: Alcorn State

Tough Enough? Why leave when the program you built is still on top? That's what Davey Whitney might have been thinking when he put off retirement for another year. The 72-year-old coach of Alcorn State certainly has a team capable of winning another SWAC title, but it won't be a cakewalk. After running off 14 straight wins on the way to the NCAA Tournament's "play-in" game, which Alcorn State lost to Siena, the Braves return plenty of experience in the backcourt with Jason Cable and Jeff Cammon, but need to find some frontcourt help for Brian Jackson. It could come from a pair of 6-10 players: Lee Cook and JC transfer Rhau-Chavis Landfair. The team having the most fun without winning last year was Mississippi Valley State, which returns all five starters. And all five have the green light to shoot it anytime in a free-wheeling offense that could run all the way to the dance.

Tough Guy: The most talent can be found at Grambling State, but so far it hasn't translated into wins. The best of the Tigers' talent, and for that matter the SWAC, is Paul Haynes. The 6-8 junior swingman led the SWAC in scoring (20.2) and grabbed 8.4 rebounds a game.

Tourney Tough: Alcon State is the favorite, while Mississippi Valley State is the most fun to watch. But the team every SWAC team is cautious about is Grambling. All five starters return from a team that didn't blend well at all last year. If that changes, and Grambling plays just a little defense (the Tigers allowed 90 or more points 12 times last season), it could become a three-team race.

WEST COAST | '01-02 Champion: Gonzaga

Tough Enough? The Big Two of Gonzaga and Pepperdine put on quite a show last season and figure to do the same in 2002-03. Both were disappointed, however, with first-round exits in the NCAA Tournament -- especially the Zags. As for the rest of the conference? It's tough to figure anyone giving either team much of a scare, but upsets do happen in places like San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Diego. The fact remains, however, Gonzaga and Pepperdine are on different level than the rest of the WCC. And for that reason, don't expect either to miss the dance and both to make more noise once they arrive. Gonzaga will need to fill a big hole in the backcourt without Dan Dickau, but has plenty of folks capable for picking up the slack. No one Zag will be asked to make the difference like Dickau did, but Blake Stepp is able to drop 20 on a team any night, and the frontcourt of Cory Violette and Zack Gourde will hold their own against any in the WCC and most outside the conference. Pepperdine also loses one starter, but it's not 6-6 senior do-it-all Jimmy Miggins, which means the Waves could be closer to ending Gonzaga's reign.

Tough Guy: Gonzaga may have more talent than any WCC team top to bottom, but Miggins (14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg) is this year's player most likely to take over a game like Dickau did a year ago. Outside of Spokane and Malibu, the best player in the WCC is San Francisco's Darrel Tucker -- a double-double waiting to happen. Tucker, 6-9, averaged 18.9 points and 10.1 rebounds a game last year.

Tourney Tough: Once again, Gonzaga and Pepperdine will fight it out for the WCC's automatic bid. It would be a major surprise, not to mention major disappointment, for either the Zags or Waves if the other didn't get an at-large bid.