Seth Davis's Three-Pointer

1 The Pac-10 is down. A year after reigning as the nation's best conference, the league has seen its top five teams all fail to win early-season tournaments.

2 Don't lose faith in Michigan State. The Spartans' loss to Maryland was less troubling when you consider that they played without center Goran Suton and that foul trouble limited their best player, Raymar Morgan, to 14 minutes.

3 There won't be many one-and-dones this year. Louisville's Samardo Samuels (above) is one of several talented freshmen, but none look like NBA lottery picks after one season.

PHOTO

ED REINKE/AP (SAMUELS)