Marshall's Ronny Dawn, a Newport Central Catholic graduate, has big shoes to fill. Photo courtesy Marshall University

1. Miami

(See Miami preview)

2. Akron

Coach: Dan Hipsher (99-122, ninth season; 128-156, 11th overall)

Key player: Derrick Tarver (Sr., G)

Outlook: Five starters return for the Zips, including Tarver, who averaged 20.6 points a game last season. Two Cincinnati products, senior guard Johnny Hollingsworth and junior forward Darryl Peterson, also start for Akron.

3. Kent State

Coach: Jim Christian (22-9, second season; same overall)

Key player: Eric Haut (Sr., G)

Outlook: Haut, the team's top returning scorer (14.1 ppg), will have to step it up a notch after Kent State lost 6-foot-9 junior center Nate Gerwig to season-ending knee surgery. The Golden Flashes must replace the leadership lost by the departure of Antonio Gates.

4. Marshall

Coach: Ron Jirsa (first season; 35-30, third overall)

Key player: Ronny Dawn (Jr., G)

Outlook: Jirsa, who succeeded Tubby Smith at Georgia when Smith took the Kentucky job, is the new Thundering Herd coach. Marvin Black (11.6 ppg) is the only returning player to average in double figures last season. Dawn, a Newport Central Catholic product, is the likely replacement at shooting guard for Ronnie Blackshear, who left for the NBA.

5. Ohio

Coach: Tim O'Shea (31-27, third season; same overall)

Key player: Jaivon Harris (Sr., G)

Outlook: The Bobcats lost three 1,000-point scorers to graduation, but Harris leads a group of three returning starters. Three transfer students are expected to play major roles, including 6-11 junior center Clay McGowen.

6. Buffalo

Coach: Reggie Witherspoon (24-85, fifth season; 68-108, seventh overall)

Key player: Turner Battle (Jr., G)

Outlook: Battle was sidelined in February with season-ending injuries to his finger, but he still led the Bulls in scoring, assists and steals. Battle is one of five returning starters.

WEST DIVISION

1. Bowling Green

Coach: Dan Dakich (102-73, seventh season; same overall)

Key player: Kevin Netter (Sr., C)

Outlook: The 6-10 Netter anchors a potent Falcons attack that was fortified by the addition of sophomore guard Steven Wright, a non-qualifier last season. The Falcons feel they have something to prove after underachieving last season.

2. Northern Illinois

Coach: Rob Judson (29-30, third season; same overall)

Key player: Marcus Smallwood (Sr., F)

Outlook: Smallwood is the only returning MAC player who was first-team all-conference last season, when he averaged a double-double. Senior guard P.J. Smith actually outscored Smallwood last season.

3. Western Michigan

Coach: Steve Hawkins (first season; 137-111, 10th overall)

Key player: Anthony Kann (Sr., F-C)

Outlook: The Broncos' job is Hawkins' first in Division I. He previously coached at Division II Quincy. Continued improvement by former MAC Freshman of the Year Ben Reed in his return from knee surgery would help take the load off Kann, WMU's top returning scorer.

4. Ball State

Coach: Tim Buckley (54-41, fourth season; 104-93, eighth overall)

Key player: Cameron Echols (Sr., F)

Outlook: The Cardinals had been looking forward to the return of 6-8 forward Theron Smith, who missed last season with a knee injury. Instead, he declared for the NBA draft, which will put more of the frontcourt load on the 6-8 Echols.

5. Toledo

Coach: Stan Joplin (116-89, eighth season; same overall)

Key player: Keith Triplett (Sr., G)

Outlook: Triplett and sophomore guard Sammy Villegas are the top returning scorers. Joplin is hoping 6-9 freshman Allen Pinson can shore up the inside attack.

6. Central Michigan

Coach: Jay Smith (75-94, seventh season; 98-100, eighth overall)

Key player: Steve Harris (Jr., C-F)

Outlook: The 6-8 Harris, a junior-college transfer, might be asked to fill the shoes left by 7-footer Chris Kaman, the MAC Player of the Year who left early for the NBA. Senior guard T.J. Meerman should help ease the transition.

7. Eastern Michigan

Coach: Jim Boone (23-63, fourth season; 296-200, 18th overall)

Key player: Ricky Cottrill (Sr., G)

Outlook: The 6-3 Cottrill's scoring average dropped from 19.4 points as a starting sophomore to 6.9 while coming off the bench last season. A return to form would help make up for a questionable frontcourt.

Mark Schmetzer