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9. N.C. STATE (15-16, 4-12)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Brandon Costner, Jr., F; Ben McCauley, Sr., F; Courtney Fells, Sr., W; Julius Mays, Fr., G; Farnold Degand, Jr., G.

If J.J. Hickson pulls out of the draft, the entire offensive equation will change. But unless that happens, the Wolfpack has to hope Costner reverts to the productive scoring ways (16.8 ppg) of 2006-07. Either way, the addition of the 6-2 Mays should improve team quickness and provide more perimeter scoring punch. The bench could be a plus, if Dennis Horner, Tracy Smith and Trevor Ferguson just make average offseason improvements.

OVERVIEW: The pressure is beginning to mount on Sidney Lowe as he enters his third season, and there's no question that a healthy Degand is the key to the Pack's progress.

10. BOSTON COLLEGE (14-17, 4-12)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Tyler Roche, Jr., F; Joe Trapani, So., F; Rakim Sanders, So., W; Corey Raji, So., W; Tyrese Rice, Sr., G

Trapani, a 6-8 transfer from Vermont, will provide some additional size, but the Eagles will still be at a significant height disadvantage against almost every team in the league. Roche (6-7) and Raji (6-5) are active and eager, but Shamari Spears' decision to transfer leaves Al Skinner without his best rebounder of 2008.

OVERVIEW: While Rice's offensive ingenuity will keep BC close in some games and there's a good chance the team's overall depth will increase, everything points to another struggle.

11. FLORIDA STATE (19-15, 7-9)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Uche Echefu, Sr. F; Ryan Reid, Jr., F; Solomon Alabi, So., F; Toney Douglas, Sr., G.; Derwin Kitchen, Jr., G

Duke, Maryland and Boston College could use some of the size that Leonard Hamilton has gradually stockpiled. This could be one of the biggest, and slowest, teams in the country. But Hamilton has few options to downsize in hopes of finding more quickness. Kitchen (6-4) has bounced from school to school but does project as a decent playmaker.

OVERVIEW: Other than Douglas, who produces points?

12. VIRGINIA (5-11, 17-16)

PROJECTED STARTERS: Laurynas Mikalauskas, Sr., F; Mike Scott, So., F; Jeff Jones, So., W; Mamadi Diane, Sr., W; Sam Zeglinski, So., G

Zeglinski was injured almost all of last season and likely will be reclassified as a redshirt freshman before October. A 6-foot speedster when healthy, he's the leader to take over the role Sean Singletary played, seemingly forever. But it's a mile-long stretch to assume this team can match last season's 76.8 scoring average. Diane averaged 11.8 points, but a lot of those were the result of defensive double-teaming on Singletary.

OVERVIEW: For all of Dave Leitao's energy and optimism, the Cavaliers are drifting off course at a time when there doesn't seem to be a Singletary or J.R. Reynolds on the horizon.

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