1. Martin Luther:

Last season: 13-3, RPI 12, NT Round 2

Returnees: 10

Top returner: G Freddie Glasper (16.7 PPG, 43% 3PT, CCIW POY)

X-Factor: SG Chad Brown

Verdict: Veteran supporting cast surrounds a star in Glasper. A legitimate championship contender.

2. North Park:

Last season: 12-4, RPI 21, NT Round 1

Returnees: 9

Top returner: SG William Green (12.2 PPG, 43% 3PT, 3^rd team all-CCIW)

X-Factor: C David Johnston

Verdict: Deep and talented - possibly bpolesel’s best team yet. Final Four darkhorse.

3. Carthage:

Last season: 12-4, RPI 35, NT Round 1

Returnees: 10

Top returner: SF Aaron Brown (10.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1^st team all-CCIW)

X-Factor: SG Bradford Nagel

Verdict: Easy NT qualifier, and good enough to win a game or two once they get there.

4. Millikin:

Last season: 11-5, RPI 39, NT Round 2

Returnees: 7

Top returner: C Ronald Brennan (9.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 53% FG)

X-Factor: SG Joshua Roberson

Verdict: Not a vintage shaf squad, but enough defense and rebounding to lock up an NT berth.

5. Milwaukee Engineering:

Last season: 7-9, RPI 88, PIT Round 2

Returnees: 10

Top returner: C Tommy Peoples (12.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 52% FG)

X-Factor: SG Ernie Zuehlke

Verdict: Great down low but inexperienced in the backcourt. Another bubble team for branchel, but this time he sneaks in.

6. North Central

Last season: 4-12, RPI 148

Returnees: 9

Top returner: SG Robert Richard (15.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

X-Factor: C Timothy Hanford

Verdict: Underacheived a year ago. Still a bit weak down low, but talented enough to make the postseason.

7. Illinois Wesleyan

Last season: 5-11, RPI 169

Returnees: 10

Top returner: PG Adrian Hamm (19.9 ppg, 46% 3PT, 3^rd team all-CCIW)

X-Factor: C Herbert Lin

Verdict: Hamm is phenomenal, but how much help will he get? Can’t see him carrying IWU any farther than the PIT.

8. Northland

Last season: 8-8, RPI 83, PIT Round 1

Returnees: 8

Top returner: SG Emery Riddle (5.3 ppg)

X-Factor: SG Henry Rossmiller

Verdict: Some nice talent at the top (assuming Riddle is out of coach Gann’s doghouse), but not enough talent throughout the roster for a postseason return.

9. Elmhurst

Last season: 7-9, RPI 134

Returnees: 8

Top returner: PG Bryan Reese (9.1 ppg, 2.2 apg)

X-Factor:  C Jared Trigg

Verdict: Henderson and Reese keep them competitive, but not enough depth or rebounding to challenge the big boys.

10. Augustana

Last season: 10-6, RPI 73, PIT Runner Up

Returnees: 7

Top returner: SG Keith Lampert (12.7 ppg, 46% 3PT)

X-Factor: C Melvin Rogers

Verdict: Lots of potential in this bunch, but a roster with the same amount of walk-ons as upperclassmen isn’t poised for immediate success.

11. Wheaton

Last season: 2-14, RPI 235

Returnees: 9

Top returner: C James Malloy (8.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

X-Factor:  SG Curtis Rutz

Verdict: No postseason hope for this bunch, but there's enough here to pull an upset or two over the mid-table teams.

12. Wisconsin Lutheran

Last season: 5-11, RPI 181

Returnees: 9

Top returner: SG Dennis Greenwood (27.6 ppg, 1^st team all-CCIW)

X-Factor:  C Marvin Simmons

Verdict: Very solid starting backcourt, but not much else.