Cornell has a veteran team full of players who were part of their Ivy League championship teams the past two seasons. Yet their path to winning a third will largely include something that may surprise some people.

Drexel has been known for its defense under Bruiser Flint, but the offense at times has been hard to come by. Thus far, the offensive numbers aren’t pretty for the Dragons this year, but they showed that it’s not for a lack of ability on Sunday.

Toledo has a very young roster, and it shows on the court. Second-year head coach Gene Cross is trying to get them to grow up as basketball players in the intangible areas.

St. John’s went to Philadelphia and picked up two big wins to move to 5-0 for the first time in Norm Roberts’ tenure. It looks as if the Red Storm are poised to turn the corner, and after all the coach and the core of this team have been through, they will sure appreciate it.

Delaware entered the season looking like a team facing an uphill battle after a key injury. But they gave Virginia Tech all they could handle on Saturday, indicative of a team that isn’t about to stop competing.

The importance of point guard Ronald Moore to Siena can’t be understated, no matter how deep they are. A look at their games on Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia is a good case study.

After Friday’s win over Connecticut, Duke has to be looked at as a team that can make a deep run in the month of March. The way they won this game to take home the NIT Season Tip-Off is an indicator of what this team can be.

Arizona State has a different look this season, as the two players who put them back on the basketball map are gone. But there is one thing that is the same on the court, an unlikely floor leader who is helping them continue to win.