Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 8 Mater Dei

8. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Last year: 31-2
Coach: Gary McKnight
Top players: G Gary Franklin (6-3, Sr.); G Tyler Lamb (6-5, Sr.); G Keala King (6-6, Sr.); G Max Hooper (6-5, Sr.)
Top games: Jan. 18 vs. Simeon (Ill.) at HoopHall Classic (Springfield, Mass.); Feb. 6 vs. Bishop Gorman (Nev.)
Notable: McKnight, who begins the season only 16 wins away from becoming California’s winningest coach, has a senior-dominated team filled with outstanding scorers. Guard play should be exceptional with a trio of Pac-10 recruits in the back court with Franklin (California), Lamb (UCLA) and Dominguez transfer King (Arizona St.).