The Gators have lost a few transfers in recent years but none of those players (like Oklahoma State's Mario Boggan) are eligible to return. So poor Florida will have to make due with frontcourt stars Joakim Noah and Al Horford and guards Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey. And don't forget about Corey Brewer, a defensive hawk with the ability to drain threes and drive to the hoop. Coach Billy Donovan's team steamrolled through its SEC schedule before losing three out of four games late in the season, a similar scenario to what happened in 2006. And we all know how that story ended. --Nick Zaccardi

The Wildcats' talent is often overlooked in a state known for its ACC powerhouses. Davidson (29-4) has perhaps,one of the top backcourts in the league with guards Stephen Curry and Jason Richards. Curry, the son of former NBA star Dell Curry averages 21.2 ppg and 3.5 three-pointers per game. And he's only a freshman. Richards, a junior, is second in the league in assists (7.3) and contributes a quality 13.6 points. But as the leading team in the Southern Conference, Davidson's efforts didn't pan out on Selection Sunday as it was slapped with a No. 13 seed and a first-round game against Maryland -- a matchup that could come back to haunt the Wildcats, who lost to the Terps 78-63 in the NIT two seasons ago after leading by 16 points in the first half. Switching from midmajor competition to ACC competition could be tough, but if the Wildcats find a way to maintain the speed they're known for they will put up a tough fight. --Nicki Jhabvala

Considering nobody has seen Ebi play basketball in months, if at all, we can't really say how much he would've meant to the Wildcats this season. If he brought any consistency, however, he'd be a valuable asset. Explain how the ‘Cats can win at then-No. 15 Oregon on Feb. 2, then lose to the Ducks by 19 a little more than a month later in the Pac-10 tournament? If Arizona had an ounce of reliability, it might be more than a No. 8-seed. As it stands, the team's steadiest scorers are sophomore Marcus Williams and freshman Chase Budinger -- not exactly the kind of experience you want come tourney time. -- Jon Gold

It was mostly a disappointing season for Skip Prosser's team, which finished the season at .500 after beginning the non-conference part of the schedule with six straight wins. Wake Forest suffered particularly bad losses to Air Force (94-58), Duke (62-40), North Carolina (88-60, 104-67), and Virginia Tech (71-52). Center Kyle Visser, one of the only two seniors on the young squad, has carried the Demon Deacons alone, starting in all 31 games and averaging 17 points and 7.4 rebounds, the highest on the team by far. However, the addition of senior point guard Chris Paul would make it a completely different story. The 2005 All-American's athleticism, quickness and ability to shoot or penetrate would do major damage to opponents and simultaneously draw them away from Visser, freeing the big man up for open looks. Watch out, it'd be quite a one-two punch. Now if only Tim Duncan would come back… -- Steffi Chan

The Bulldogs started the season on a tear, winning their first 11 games with victories over tournament-bound Indiana, Tennessee and Gonzaga on their way to the a Preseason NIT championship. But after starting the season 24-2, Butler dropped four of its final eight games including the Horizon League championship game. The Bulldogs need gritty guards A.J. Graves (17 ppg) and Mike Green (14.1 ppg) to step up for a deep run in the tournament. --Dakota Rubin

Old Dominion relied on their perimeter shooting this season, mostly because they are very thin on the inside. The Monarchs live and die by mid-range jumpers and three-point shots. When it's clicking, ODU is a difficult team to defeat. But one average shooting performance could make for a quick plane ride back to Norfolk. --Jay St. Pierre

Despite being ousted by last-place Miami in the first round of the ACC tournament, the Terrapins still enter the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the nation, beating Duke twice and North Carolina in winning seven of their last eight games. After two uncharacteristic appearances in the NIT, the Terps are eager to play in games during late March that actually mean something. D.J. Strawberry anchors the Terps' tight defense while fiery freshman point guard Greivis Vazquez has a wealth of options to distribute the ball to. The entire starting lineup, filled out by James Gist, Ekene Ibekwe, and Mike Jones, averages double-digits -- Mark Selig

Tommy Amaker is desperate for some postseason wins, even if they do come in our What If Tournament. The Wolverines hope to do some damage this season, since they will be graduating their top four scorers at the end of the year. Seniors Dion Harris (13.5 ppg), Courtney Sims (11.7), Lester Abram (8.9) and Brent Petway (6.9) are all hungry after being forced to feast in the NIT. Michigan will have to be careful with the ball in our tournament (14.8 turnovers a game) in order for its seniors to keep playing. --Matt Dollinger

This is a team made for March with NBA-quality players across the court. Villanueva and Bynum form a dangerous inside tandem. Then there's slashing forward Rudy Gay on the wing and cool-as-ice point guard Marcus Williams. Anything less than a championship would be a disappointment for coach Jim Calhoun. --Dakota Rubin

The Eagles have to be considered one of the best mid-major teams this season. All four of the team's losses came on the road against the nation's best: UNC, Maryland, Wisconsin and Texas A&M. Winthrop completed a regular season sweep with a Big South Tournament title and should be a fairly high seed in the NCAA tournament. Featuring a bevy of experience, Winthrop is led by the backcourt of junior Michael Jenkins (15.3 ppg) and senior Torrell Martin (14.2 ppg). Veteran guard play could help Winthrop make a splash in the NCAAs. --Joshua Mayers

This was finally the year that all the blue-chip talent in Eugene, Oregon, came together. Senior point guard Aaron Brooks (All-Pac-10 first team) and freshman sharpshooter Tajuan Porter (All-Pac-10 freshman team) led the Ducks to the Pac-10 tournament title. Complementing one of the quickest backcourts in the country, juniors Bryce Taylor and Malik Hairston give the UO a multitude of scoring options. --Joshua Mayers

Running a nine-man rotation and getting surprise off-the-bench contributions from freshman Richard Semrau (9 points) and a late-season push from sophomore Jamar Smith (60 points in his last five conference games), the Fighting Illini seem on track to fight for a spot in the Sweet 16. Senior forward Warren Carter, an afterthought in the Dynasty run of Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head, leads the team in scoring with 13.4 points per game. Coach Bruce Weber is leading the Illini to its fourth straight dance since arriving in Champagne. --Mike Donovan

The Rebels of this season bear little resemblance to the Jerry Tarkanian/Larry Johnson-led Runnin' Rebs of the early 90s -- except in winning percentage. With head coach Lon Kruger's son Kevin directing the offense, UNLV returned to winning ways for the first time since Marcus Banks was a star. Kruger was steady at the point and teamed well with Jo'Van "Wink" Adams and Wendell White. The trio contributed more than 42 points per game in leading the Sin City squad to a 28-6 record. -- Jon Gold

The Yellow Jackets (20-11), familiar players in the NCAA tournament, are back in the Big Dance after a one-year absence. That's due to the work of freshman Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young, who both will play in the NBA one day. Both players have averaged nearly 15 points per game this season. Tech's prospects would be better if Lewis Clinch was still around, but the talented sophomore guard was suspended for the season after 14 games. --Amy Brittain

Bo Ryan and the Badgers aren't adding any extra players to their rotation, but they might not need any. Wisconsin already boasts the Big Ten Player of the Year in senior Alando Tucker (20.2 ppg 5.4 rpg). Another reason to like Wisconsin in this tournament is its ability to get to the charity stripe. The Badgers led the Big Ten in free-throw attempts (776) and free throws made (529). --Matt Dollinger

Coach Jeff Bzdelik is legit and has the Falcons primed for a tourney run. Directed by Dan Nwaelele (14.5 points) and Jacob Burtschi (13 points, 6 rebounds), the Princeton offense and tough defense has led to double-digit wins over Texas Tech (67-53), Stanford (79-45) and Wake Forest (94-58). With an RPI in the Top 25 this senior-laden club, ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, could upset some big-name schools. --Mike Donovan