DePaul (2-0): Second-year coach Oliver Purnell has turned around programs at Radford, Old Dominion, Dayton and Clemson, and he has perhaps his biggest challenge yet with the Blue Demons. They went 7-24 last season, including 1-17 in the Big East. They were picked to finish last in the 16-team conference this season. Jeremiah Kelly, a 6-0 senior guard, has had a 2.5-1.0 assist-turnover ratio the last two years.
Indiana State (4-0): Coach Greg Lansing led the Sycamores to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament title last season and an NCAA berth in his first season. They finished 20-14 and return their top three scorers in perimeter players Carl Richard (12.4 this season), Dwayne Lathan (10.5) and Jake Odum (7.5). The league's best 3-point shooter last year, Jordan Printy, also is back. They were picked third in MVC preseason poll.
Texas Tech (3-0): Gone is Pat Knight, replaced by former Kentucky coach Billy Gillespie, who had great success at UTEP but fizzled at UK. The Red Raiders finished 13-19 last season and lost eight of their last 10 games, and Gillespie has much work to do in raising the talent level. They were picked to finish in a tie for ninth in the preseason poll in the 10-team Big 12. Ty Nurse, a junior college transfer, averages 22.0 points.
Minnesota (4-0): The Gophers are coming off a disappointing 17-13 record last season, but they have strength in the middle. Trevor Mbakwe was the Big Ten's top rebounder last year, averaging 10.5 per game. The 6-for-8, 240-pound senior forward is averaging 16.0 points and 9.8 boards this season. Ralph Sampson III, a 6-11 senior center, was second in the conference in blocks last season with 2.0 per game.