5 Minute Guide

NEVADA
Four starters are back from a 27--6 club, including 6'11" forward Nick Fazekas, the best mid-major player in the nation.

SAN DIEGO STATE
Guard Brandon Heath (18.4 ppg) leads a lineup that's bolstered by high-flying transfer Lorrenzo Wade.

TOP TRANSFERS

J.R. Giddens | 6'5" | jr. | SG | NEW MEXICO
Acrobatic former McDonald's All-American hit 33.7% of his three-pointers at Kansas.

Drew Lavender | 5'7" | jr. | PG | XAVIER
Wee playmaker who left Oklahoma will create easy transition buckets for veteran teammates.

Micah Downs | 6'8" | soph. | SG | GONZAGA
Rangy sharpshooter never made the rotation at Kansas, but he'll give Zags' attack a sizable lift when he becomes eligible on Dec. 16.

Mike Cook | 6'4" | jr. | G-F | PITT
Began at East Carolina and did the unusual: moved to a higher-profile program. Will make a difference once he learns to play Big East D.

Dameon Mason | 6'5" | jr. | G-F | LSU
Averaged 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds as a Marquette sophomore. Adds size, athleticism to a backcourt that has plenty of both.

MAKE OR BREAK

Joe Crawford | 6'5" | jr. | SG | KENTUCKY
For Wildcats to challenge in the SEC, versatile scorer must have a breakout year.

Malik Hairston | 6'6" | jr. | SG | OREGON
Despite career 14.1-point average, has yet to lead Ducks to the NCAAs--or even the NIT.