The possession organizer

Dallin Hall frees Falslev

Hall averaged 4.4 assists while starting every game at Virginia. If he handles the first action cleanly, Utah State can send Mason Falslev into the second action against a defense already moving.

Protection at the rim

Jerquarius Stanback protects Boise's pressure

Stanback blocked 65 shots at Alabama State and won SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. His reach gives Boise's guards room to pressure the ball, but he must balance helping at the rim with finishing possessions on the glass against bigger Pac-12 frontcourts.

The second-side scorer

Jackson Rasmussen punishes the help

Rasmussen started 35 games and averaged 13.5 points at Idaho. Oregon State needs him to turn catches after a guard's penetration into immediate drives or finishes, especially when opponents load up on its backcourt.

The offensive initiator

Chance Gladden gets the Aztecs moving

Gladden produced 150 assists as a Boston University freshman. San Diego State needs him to draw a second defender in ball screens, find Cherry on the roll and deliver cleaner catches to Sy. That would give the Aztecs more ways to score when transition chances disappear.

An upset accelerant

Ross Candelino stretches the favorite

Candelino's 42.6 percent three-point shooting at Lipscomb gives Fresno State a credible weapon against defenses that collapse on penetration. His movement shooting can turn a competitive half into a genuine upset threat.

More than a minutes bump

Davis Fogle becomes a second creator

Fogle's 51.6 percent shooting provides a useful starting point. The next step is attacking a closeout and making the following pass, a responsibility that becomes more available as Gonzaga replaces departed perimeter starters.

Finishes become possessions

Tae Simmons earns a larger diet

Simmons made 64.7 percent of his shots in a reserve role. Starting minutes should give him more screening and offensive-rebounding chances; developing quick decisions after a short roll would make that promotion more than extra playing time.

A vacancy at forward

Spencer Ahrens graduates from stretches

Ahrens averaged 4.9 points in 13 minutes and made 35.5 percent of his threes. Boise State's departed frontcourt scorers leave room for him to become a pick-and-pop option rather than an occasional reserve shooter.

The harder shots arrive

Elzie Harrington attacks the closeout

Harrington's 43.6 percent three-point shooting came on only 39 attempts. Defenders should respect the catch more now, creating a chance to use his passing on drives instead of relying on that percentage to hold at greater volume.

A cleaner shot menu

Isiah Harwell finds simpler offense

Harwell shot 28.1 percent at Houston, so reputation alone cannot establish his scoring case. Gonzaga can offer cuts behind post doubles and transition finishes, letting him rebuild efficiency before expanding his perimeter responsibilities.