Conference Call

At no time is the college basketball landscape altered more dramatically than in the six weeks following the end of the season. That's when the last recruits announce their choice of schools and top college and high school players declare early for the NBA draft. (This year's deadline for early entry was May 14, and as of that date more than 20 players had made that choice, though some could still change their minds and return to school.) The Big East gets an A+ for how well it maintained its balance during these seismic shifts (previous page). Here's how the other big conferences graded out.

BIG THE

Notable losses among players with eligibility: Jamal Crawford, Michigan; Joel Przybilla, Minnesota; Michael Redd, Ohio State

Prominent additions: 6'10" Jared Jeffries, Indiana; 6'9" Zach Randolph, Michigan State; 6'6" Luke Recker, Iowa (transfer); 6'3" Marcus Taylor, Michigan State; 6'8" Glenn Worley, Iowa

Grade: B

ACC
Notable losses: None
Prominent additions: 6'2" Chris Duhon, Duke; 6'8" Jason Parker, North Carolina; 6'3" Scooter Sherrill, N.C. State; 6'10" Chris Wilcox, Maryland
Grade: B-

CONFERENCE USA

Notable losses: DerMarr Johnson, Cincinnati; Quentin Richardson, DePaul

Prominent additions: 6'9" Andre Brown, DePaul; 6'8" Jamaal Davis, Cincinnati; 6'9" Alton Ford, Houston; 6'2" Imari Sawyer, DePaul; 6'6" Luke Whitehead, Louisville

Grade: C