STEVE ZAZURI, Masuk — The 6-1 Sacred Heart recruit is the only member of last year's Super 15 returning. His smooth play at guard makes Masuk a contender.
ROB HARRIGAN, St. Joseph — Versatile 6-6 forward will be one of the FCIAC's top forwards as St. Joseph looks for its first FCIAC title since 2000.
JOHNNY STOVALL, Harding — After an inconsistent junior year, the 6-5 forward and teammate Cornelius Brown are being counted on to help Charlie Bentley's team win one more title.
ANDRAE BECKFORD, Kolbe Cathedral — Kolbe Cathedral is hoping he can assume the leadership and scoring role vacated by graduated star T.J. Robinson.
GREG MANGANO, Notre Dame-WH — A 6-10 versatile center, the Yale recruit is what makes the Green Knights a dark horse contender to Hillhouse's crown.

Top 5 juniors to watch
DOMINIQUE LANGSTON, Kolbe Cathedral — Lightning-quick 6-3 guard will be counted on to help his team bring the SWC trophy back to Bridgeport.
GREG DESANTIS, Notre Dame Fairfield — Guard took a year off to transfer from St. Joseph to Notre Dame. Lancers will get to see how much they missed him.
MARK HARRISON, Bunnell — Athletic 6-4 forward has already impressed everyone in the SWC. Now it's time for the state to see what he's all about.
TERRELL COWARD, Bunnell — The 6-4 forward should render those Mark Harrison double-teams nonexistent with his frontcourt play.
PHIL GENSICKI, Notre Dame-WH — The 6-5 forward should play a strong supporting role alongside teammate Greg Mangano.

Top 5 sophomores to watch

GREG LANGSTON, St. Joseph — The 6-1 guard primed for a breakout year as a freshman. A knee injury postponed the breakout to this year.
JASON PIERRE, Christian Heritage — A 6-1 guard and Bridgeport native is already drawing serious Division I looks.
RONNIE UNDERWOOD, Kolbe Cathedral — Coach John Pfohl believes this 6-1 guard and newcomer will take the SWC by storm this year.
BRANDON SHERROD, Stratford — A lanky, 6-4 post player has shown promise among young post players in the region.
LAQUAN MENDENHALL, Harding — With Charoy Bentley gone, he suddenly becomes the floor general of Harding's full-court attack.

5 can't miss games

BASSICK at HILLHOUSE, Dec. 27 — The Lions didn't just fill a 20-game schedule, they did it with a road game at the defending Class LL champions.
CENTRAL at HARDING, Jan. 18 — Word is this game will be at Miska Gymnasium and not the Arena at Harbor Yard for the Bridgeport Basketball Classic. Get your tickets early.
HARDING at ST. JOSEPH, Jan. 22 — This could be the last time regional coaching legends Charlie Bentley and Vito Montelli go head-to-head on the same court.
ST. JOSEPH at TRINITY CATHOLIC, Feb. 11 — This has become one of the league's most exciting and intriguing matchups recently. The top FCIAC seed may be on the line.
KOLBE CATHEDRAL at BUNNELL, Feb 15 — The only regular-season meeting between the two potential SWC heavyweights shouldn't be missed.

Top 5 conference favorites

FCIAC: ST. JOSEPH — Armed with legit starters in G/F Rob Harrigan and G Nick Gerrity, a potential sensation in G Greg Langston and a deeper bench than most, coach Vito Montelli could have his best team in years, and Trinity Catholic's prime rival.
SWC: KOLBE CATHEDRAL — Bunnell, Stratford and Masuk will have their say this season, but ultimately Dominique Langston and Andrae Beckford will make Kolbe Cathedral the team to beat.
SCC: HILLHOUSE — Lost two of the state's best players from last year's Class LL championship team. But returns a top senior in Ty Samuels, and a strong junior class led by Hassan Toler, T.J. McKiver and Jeremy Moore
NVL: CROSBY — The Bulldogs return almost everyone, including 6-5 senior B.J. Montiero and guard Anthony Ireland, from last year's semifinalist and is the favorite. But with at least four others hot on their trail, it's a tenuous edge
CSC: BULLARD-HAVENS — The CSC has expanded to 22 teams. But some things never change and with several powers in rebuilding mode, Corderol Williams and the Tigers are favored to win a third straight crown.

— SEAN PATRICK BOWLEY