Arizona needs Jason Gardner to limit his turnovers.

Gilbert Arenas is back in the starting lineup next to Gardner after missing time because of tardiness for rehab appointments. Close-outs on Arenas are crucial, because he puts it on the floor and takes it to the hoop once the defender rises up. Richard Jefferson needs only to be more assertive in attacking the basket to be an absolute star. The only question mark about him is his commitment to going to the boards on every play, rather than only when the spirit moves him.

Michael Wright is a solid inside presence and a monster rebounder, and he forms a nice inside tandem with Loren Woods, a 7-footer who can put pressure on the Stanford big men by running the floor.

Stanford is a tenacious bunch that has surprised many by being this good this early in the season. The key for Stanford has been the play of the big men, who form the best inside rotation in the nation. Jarron Collins, Jason Collins, Curtis Borchardt and Mark Madsen all can play either center or power forward, and they give Mike Montgomery big bodies to post, screen, box out, rebound and block shots. Make no mistake, though, Madsen is the guts of this team, and his ability to lock down defenders and seal in the post give Stanford a huge edge.

The Cardinal has quicker players this year, with more skills to take defenders one-on-one yet they understand the importance of halfcourt execution. Casey Jacobsen is a big-time scorer -- watch his jumper: He has a pure shot with range with a great release point. Point guard Michael McDonald, who is probably a bit quicker than Arthur Lee, is doing a very nice job running the team. Better yet, he has shown admirable mental toughness. David Moseley can score in bunches, Ryan Mendez has found his stroke and is one of the quickest shooters in the West, and Julius Barnes is an absolute blur with his speed and leaping ability.

Teamed with shot-blocking rebounder Jabari Smith, Swift makes it difficult for opposing teams to get clean looks at the basket inside, although they can get clean looks at their shots flying out of bounds. Smith was second in the SEC in rebounding last year. Lamont Roland was brilliant against Oklahoma State, and freshman point guard Torris Bright had 21 points against Alabama to go along with five steals. Bright, who once scored 70 points in a high school game, has done a nice job of running things from the point. Brian Beshara is a good shooter, passer and defender, and he is willing to play a role. Brady is shorthanded with only nine scholarship players, and due to recent injury problems calls his group the Magnificent Seven. LSU is not a good free-throw shooting team, but they can really pound the offensive glass.

With the injury to Jenis Grindstaff, freshman Jon Higgins has been playing more and has done an admirable job at the point. Harris Walker has ball-handling skills and can use his quickness to be a great defender.

The star of this team is Vincent Yarbrough, a 19-year-old phenom who can do absolutely anything on the court. Yarbrough is the SEC's most versatile player -- he's in the conference's top 15 in six different categories, including scoring (15 ppg), rebounding (6.5) steals (2.5) and blocks (1.5).

Ed Cota, who now stands third all-time in ACC assists, makes Carolina go with his nearly 3:1 assist-turnover ratio. Cota's ability to penetrate coming off screens or out front gets him into scoring position for a variety of runners in the lane. Zoning Carolina to keep Cota out of the lane has proved difficult for teams. The key is to force Cota to a side, stay in front of him and pressure everyone else to make them put the ball on the floor and make plays.

Joseph Forte is an extraordinary scorer, showing as much confidence as any freshman in the nation. Guthridge has been pleased with Forte's tenacity, and thinks he can blossom into a very good defender to go along with his deep shooting range. Jason Capel is back at his natural small forward position now that Kris Lang is healthy enough to start. Capel has been a key performer for the Heels, and when he plays well, Carolina seems to win. Lang has been fighting shin splints and the effects of a virus that sapped his energy and weight early in the season.

Brendan Haywood is automatic inside but has taken a lot of heat for not going to the basket harder or rebounding better. Haywood can be as good as any big man in the ACC, and having Lang back will help. Max Owens is the new sixth man, and if he embraces that role, he can be one of the best in the country.

N.C. State's win over Maryland gave the Pack the big win they needed for confidence. Justin Gainey, the primary ball-handler, is smart and poised, and he can hit the open 3-pointer if given time. Long-armed Anthony Grundy has the ability to put up points and can be a great defender.

After a brief injury, Kenny Inge is back and can give the Wolfpack an athletic and tough inside presence with superior offensive rebounding and finishing capabilities. Inge always gets fired up to play against Carolina, and that energy can give the Pack momentum. Damon Thornton and Ron Kelley are both healthy and playing solid in the paint. Damien Wilkins is a versatile, hard-working freshman who understands how to play but is not a great outside shooter. N.C. State has a near-automatic shooter in Archie Miller when he gets his feet set.

Juan Dixon, an explosive scorer who also rebounds well for a guard, leads the ACC in steals. But the the key to the game will be freshman point guard Steve Blake. Blake is a good passer and leader but has struggled with running the team at times. He turns the ball over too much, as does Maryland as a team, and that could haunt the Terps against Duke.

At the beginning of the season, the Blue Devils had no inside game, got pounded on the glass, and relied only on perimeter shots launched too quickly and from too far out. Mike Krzyzewski has done a remarkable job of blending this team together quickly, but questions still remain.

Freshman point guard Jason Williams is coming along, and his penetration keys Duke's halfcourt game -- he can finish or dish it off to one of several athletic teammates attacking the basket. Shane Battier and Chris Carrawell have given Duke the upper-class leadership and production expected. Carrawell has been tremendous on both ends, leading Duke in scoring, rebounding, and 3-point field goal accuracy. He is also an underrated defender. Battier has become a terrific offensive player with the ability to hit his perimeter shot or drive by a bigger defender.

Carlos Boozer has been the answer inside and has shown a great ability to finish with his left hand. Dunleavy is savvy beyond his years and has been spectacular at times with his ability to read situations.