The set-up: Danny Manning's first two seasons at Wake were a bust, as the Demon Deacons went 13-19 and 11-19. Two key players are gone from last year's squad in the 6-9 Devin Thomas (15.6 & 10.2) and guard Miller-McIntyre (9.5-4.5-4.0) but Manning saw potential in this year's group. So far he's been right, as Wake is 5-1, losing to only Villanova, the defending champs who are loaded again this year. Former Duke player and assistant coach Chris Collins led Northwestern to a school record 20 wins last season (but still no "Big Dance" appearance) and the Wildcats have opened 3-2 this year.

Wake Forest: Sophomore Keyshawn Woods is a welcome addition (Charlotte transfer), scoring 13.7 PPG and adding 4.2 RPG. He joins PG Crawford, who is averaging 13.8 PPG and a team-leading 6.3 APG.Two returning big men have shown excellent promise already, as 6-10 sophomore Collins has averaged 18.8 & 8.5 plus 6-10 junior Mitoglou has added 10.0 & 6.7.

Northwestern: Manning knows that the Wildcats won't be pushovers in this first-ever meeting with the Demon Deacons. Tre Demps (15.7) is gone from last year's Northwestern team, as is the 7-0 Olah (11.4 & 5.6) but the 6-7 Law (17.8 & 5.0) and guard Lindsey (15.3 & 5.0) have combined to increase their scoring by 19.8 points per game over last season .PG McIntosh returns and he's added 12.7 PPG and 5.0 APG. Helping to make up for the loss of Olah is the 6-8 Pardon, averaging 7.7 & 7.3.

The pick: Northwestern is just 3-2 but the Wildcats own a win over No. 21 Texas and narrow losses to Butler and Notre Dame, by a total of six points! Northwestern is 3-0 SU at home, outscoring opponents 88.7 to 67.0 PPG. The Wildcats are an 8* play.