Sizing up college basketball season entering the New Year.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Two months down, 68 days until Selection Sunday, here's a look at developments good and bad as conference play arrives.

EARLY SEASON ALL-AMERICANS: Michigan State guard Charlie Bell; Duke guard Jason Williams and forward Shane Battier; North Carolina guard Joseph Forte; and Villanova center Michael Bradley, a transfer from Kentucky. If Williams enters the NBA this spring, he'll be the first guard picked.

BEST NAME: Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo and his wife, Lupe, recently adopted a 6-month-old boy and named him Steven Thomas Mateen Izzo: Mateen for former MSU star Mateen Cleaves; Thomas for Izzo's father; and Steven for Izzo's former college roommate, 49ers Coach Steve Mariucci.

BEST IN-SEASON ADDITIONS: Texas guard Darren Kelly, who returned recently after serving an eight-game academic suspension; Missouri freshman forward Travon Bryant, who became eligible Dec. 21; Georgetown forward Lee Scruggs, who had grade problems; and New Mexico guard Ruben Douglas, who is eligible after transferring from Arizona.

COSTLIEST SUMMER TRIP: USC guard Jeff Trepagnier and Fresno State guard Tito Maddox were suspended eight games each for accepting airplane tickets to Las Vegas from the runner of a sports agent. Maddox is back _ and one of the best guards in the West _ but Trepagnier is not. USC is reportedly investigating his purchase of a car. It might be a while before he returns.

SIX NAMES YOU'LL HEAR MORE OF: South Florida forward B.B. Waldon; Charlotte forward Rodney White; Tennessee forward Ron Slay, perhaps the nation's best sixth man; Virginia guard Donald Hand; Michigan State guard Jason Richardson; and Syracuse guard Preston Shumpert. Richardson is a future lottery pick.

THE BEST CONFERENCE: the Atlantic Coast, by far. With Duke, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and Wake Forest, the ACC has five top 25 teams. Wake Forest might be the best of the bunch (at least until Duke develops frontcourt depth). The Demon Deacons have every starter back from a team that won the NIT last March.