Coach: Mike Burns, 1st season.

Players to watch: Marc Axton, 6-7, sr., f; Matt Nelson, 6-8, soph., c; Danny Pariseau, 5-11, jr., g; Henry Bekkering, 6-6, fr., f; Kenny "Deuce" Smith, 6-3, jr., g.

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Outlook: Three starters from the school's first Big Sky Conference championship team are gone as well as the 6-foot-10 backup who was Player of the Game in their NCAA Tournament loss to Oklahoma State and the Eagles are picked as the league favorites. "I think it speaks volumes for the respect given to our program based what's been accomplished in the past," Burns said. "It's a great honor and a challenge." Junior college transfers Deuce Smith and Tim Scheffler, sophomore Eric Henkle and redshirt freshman Henry Bekkering have to combine to replace the 33.4 points that Alvin Snow, Brendon Merritt and Josh Bernard provided from the perimeter. That trio also had a ton of assists and steals that must be accounted for as well as tenacious defense that is the Eastern trademark. Axton, a two-time all-league pick, is one of just three all-leaguers to return. There has probably never been a larger influx of talent in the league, making it hard to handicap, but 63 conference wins in the last four years is a good indicator the Eagles will be in the hunt.

Coach: Larry Krystowiak, 1st season

Players to watch: Kamarr Davis, 6-7, sr., f; Kevin Criswell, 6-2, jr., g; John Seyfert, 6-10, jr., c.

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Outlook: One of Montana's all-time greats is now the coach and if the big men, particularly Seyfert, can learn from him, the Grizzlies will be much improved. It would also help if Criswell plays as well as he did as a freshman and not the 38 percent shooter he was last year. After an all-league debut as a JC transfer, Davis has reported in better shape and should be even more of a force. Criswell was an honorable mention pick, but after he and Davis, the Griz lost their next five leading scorers, which means Lake City sophomore Matt Dlouhy could be more of a contributor. The record could be deceiving with preseason games against Gonzaga and Stanford.

Coach: Heath Schroyer, 3rd season, 16-38; 3rd overall

Players to watch: Seamus Boxley, 6-10, sr., f; Blake Walker, 6-5, sr., g-f; Antone Jarrell, 6-6, sr., f; Will Funn, 6-2, sr, g.

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Outlook: From last to first? At least a couple of coaches believe the Vikings could do that. And maybe it's possible with Boxley and Walker among the six seniors on the roster. "Any time you have the seniors that we do there should be some level of expectation," Schroyer said. Boxley, an all-league selection, and Walker, who was honorable mention, were the only double-figure scorers. Actually, the top five scorers from last year's team return but after that the other 10 Vikings are newcomers, including guard Paul Hafford from North Idaho College. In all, PSU has seven JC transfers plus Don Stock a transfer from UTEP. The Vikings also have 14 home games, their most ever.

Coach: Doug Oliver, 7th season, 66-102; 7th overall

Players to watch: David Schroeder, 6-2, jr., g; Jeff Gardiner, 6-2, sr., g; Doug D'Amore, 6-5, sr., f; Jesse Smith, 6-10, sr., f-c.

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Outlook: The return of Schroeder from an ACL should make the Bengals better, if they come up with a point guard to replace Marquis Poole. Jeff Gardiner moves off from off-guard, where he was the third-leading scorer, tops among returnees. Schroeder isn't the only "newcomer" with several big front-line players back from their Mormon mission and Jesse Smith slimmed down to 265 pounds. "We have enough experience to go out and compete so I just have to blend in those kids," Oliver said. Six players return from the team that made the playoffs last year but standout wide receiver Sale' Key is not expected to play after appearing in 15 games a year ago.

Coach: Mike Adras, 5th season, 79-66; 5th overall

Players to watch: Kelly Golob, 6-5, jr., g; Kyle Feuerbach, 6-1, sr., g; Stephen Garnett, 6-4, sr., f.

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Outlook: The team that lost to Eastern in the league tournament finale is looking to start a a pair of true freshmen in guard Cedric Hill and 6-9 Canadian Kyle Landry, who was originally expected to redshirt. They are among the seven new players, five of them freshman. JC transfer DeJuan Stevens could also make an impact and 6-7 sophomore Ruben Boykin steps in to replace leading scorer Aaron Bond. Kelly Golob was the only player to start every game last year and was one of three juniors on the all-league team. "It's been a day-by-day process that we're just trying to figure out how to play with each other," Adras said.

Coach: Jerome Jenkins, 5th season, 39-73; 5th overall

Players to watch: DaShawn Freeman, 5-11, jr., g; Jameel Pugh, 6-5, sr., g-f; Alex Bausley, 6-6, soph., g-f.

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Outlook: The Hornets return six players, including three starters, but none of them scored in double figures. Four freshmen are also going to figure into the mix. "I think we have some new guys that people don't really know about (that) are going to do a great job for us," Jenkins said. On a team full of slashers, Jason Harris, a JC transfer, may be the best, along with Randy Adams. Point guard DaShawn Freeman is going to be expected to carry more of a load. The Hornets also need 6-10 sophomore Justin Ockerman, a transfer from Michigan State, to contribute since 6-9 Zane Beckman is their only listed starter. WSU transfer E.J. Harris started six games last year.

Coach: Joe Cravens, 6th season, 92-55; 10th overall, 147-107

Players to watch: Lance Allred, 6-11, sr., c; Jamaal Jenkins, 6-3, jr., f.

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Outlook: The Wildcats had a ton of turnover and it could take a while to come together but expect big things from David Patten, a transfer from Pepperdine, and Coric Riggs, who originally signed with Louisville. "He's probably the best athlete I've every coached," said Craves, who has had some good ones. Allred and Jenkins started a majority of games but after that seven newcomers are in the mix.

Coach: Mick Durham, 15th season, 15th overall, 217-184.

Players to watch: Nick Dissly, 6-4, soph., f; Matt Towsley, 6-10, sr., c; Frank Brown, 6-2, jr., g.

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Outlook: Another team that has had a ton of turnover with only four players back. That includes Dissly and Brown, the third- and fourth-leading scorers, but they are the only two in the top eight. Six JC transfers and one freshman fill out the roster. Brandon Miller is probably the one that could make the biggest impact after knocking down 90 3-pointers at Colby, Kan., last year. Alioune Beye will get noticed in the middle if he doesn't get beat up. He's a 6-11, 210-pounder out of Senegal. The Bobcats desperately need 6-11 Matt Towsley to come back from back surgery. "We have five junior college guys," Durham said. "When you hear that you cringe, but I really think they are a unique bunch."