During ESPN.com's 2002-03 Season Preview, the results of a national survey of Division I coaches and players (more than 170 responses) will be unveiled. The graphs below are broken down into three categories: Players, Coaches and Overall results. The comments were made with the assurance no names would be used, allowing those who must deal with the toughest elements this season to express their true feelings entering the 2002-03 season.

Toughest Big Man in 2002-03?

Overall Survey    Nick Collison, Kansas (29%)    Chris Marcus, Western Kentucky (16%)    David West, Xavier (15%)    Michael Sweetney, Georgetown (10%)    Mario Austin, Mississippi State (3%)

Why?

"Runs the floor well, great inside-outside game, and very experienced." ----------- "Tough and smart, always a good combination." ----------------------------------- "So strong and can do so many things so well." ----------------------------------- "Combines big body and strength with the touch to score inside and out."

"Has a great combination of size and skill, along with experience. Coming off an injury last year will just increase his toughness this season." ----------------------------------- "Just a difficult matchup every night." ----------------------------------- "A possible lottery pick returns to college. ... the NBA awaits Marcus."

"Can score in the post, rebounds and defends three positions." --------- "That guy up at Xavier is awesome. He's like Chris Webber when Webber was in college ... just a man." ----------------------------------- "He's just mean on both ends of the court. ... a grinder who gets it done every night." ----------------------------------- "Nice combination of offense, defense with a competitive spirit."

Toughest Big Man in 2002-03?

Coaches Survey    David West, Xavier (26%)    Nick Collison, Kansas (21%)    Erwin Dudley, Alabama (11%)    Chris Marcus, Western Kentucky (9%)    James Thomas, Texas (7%)    Michael Sweetney, Georgetown (6%)

Why?

"Multi-talented offensive player and excellent rebounder and defender." ----------- "Big, strong and showed everyone last year that he can put up big numbers." ----------------------------------- "Has it all: power moves, athletic ability and scoring power." ----------------------------------- "Long and athletic, a double-double guy every night."

"Converts every play, whether he's posting up or facing the basket." ----------- "Tenacious rebounder who also provides points in the paint and runs the floor extremely well."

"Great size and athleticism, combined with his toughness in the paint and his touch to 15 feet, make him better than rest." ----------------------------------- "Returning SEC player of the year is just a tough big body in the paint, who works hard." ----------------------------------- "Tough, talented and gets results."

Toughest Big Man in 2002-03?

Players Survey    Nick Collison (33%)    Chris Marcus, Western Kentucky (20%)    Michael Sweetney, Georgetown (13%)    David West, Xavier (8%)    Mario Austin, Mississippi State (3%)    Jason Maxiell, Cincinnati (3%)

Why?

"Solid low-post game with people around him who know how to get him the ball." ----------------------------------- "Plays so hard and he has been through it all." ----------------------------------- "A great inside presence." ----------------------------------- "A leader for Kansas, who leaves everything out on the floor."

"Injuries were the only thing that slowed him down last year. ... He's just so damn big!" ----------------------------------- "Simply the biggest human being in college hoops."

"Watch him get the tough baskets, just like Lonny Baxter did for Maryland last season." ----------------------------------- "The total package. ... a good body, and he knows how to use it. Has a high awareness on both ends of the court."