1. Creighton

Preseason poll: 1st

Southern Illinois has loads of talent. But Creighton can match the Salukis in skill and surpass them in experience.

The comparisons don't stop there, either. Both teams are loaded at guard and thin inside. Both teams also have very good senior leaders at the point and are always expected to be near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.

But the Bluejays are favored to win the conference championship – can you bet against Dana Altman? He's certainly won with less talent.

The most electric player for Creighton has to be guard P'Allen Stinnett (6'3" So.). He plays with some of the brashness that Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge does, but he can usually back up his attitude. Stinnett shot 45 percent from the floor and hit nearly 80 percent of his free throws during his freshman season (12.6 ppg).

Guard Josh Dotzler (6'1" Sr.) will be the man who will be serving up the ball to the talented back court players of Creighton. He's steady at carrying the ball and won't hurt the Bluejays.

The other two guards, Booker Woodfox (6'1" Sr.)and Cavel Witter (5'11" Jr.), are the players who make Creighton a special team. Woodfox's scoring exploded during conference play last year, tossing in double figures in each of the Bluejays last 11 games of the regular season.

Witter, on the other hand, didn't score big in every game. But when he gets hot, he can be nearly unstoppable. His signature game was a memorable one against Bradley last season, where he made 13 field goals en route to a 42-point game and a thrilling 111-110 double overtime win .

Like SIU's Tony Boyle, center Kenny Lawson Jr. (6'9" So.) will need to be a major contributor in the paint. Creighton doesn't have a ton of size and must count on Lawson and junior Chad Millard (6'8" Jr.) to grab some rebounds.

Millard has more of an outside game, though. Creighton hopes to get something from transfer guard/forward Justin Carter (6'4" Jr.). Though slightly undersized, Carter is known for inside game and will certainly be able to contribute against many of the smaller lineups that some Valley teams put on the floor.

Creighton certainly isn't a lock to win the title (see: Drake, 2007-08) but surely looks to have the best combination of talent, experience and coaching to take the crown.