But as far as we're concerned, the ideal slasher is a player who can get up and down the floor in a hurry, makes defenses pay one way or another when he goes to the hoop and whose shot is just a cut below that of a gunner. The top guys doesn't have to get into many scrums, but they usually do their best work around the basket, where at least a few rebounds, tip-ins and blocked shots come with the territory.

There are also the back-to-the-basket slashers, the ones who don't have much use for an outside shot and don't have any business putting the ball on the floor. They're out there, but they have to be even more destructive inside than the typical slasher to crack our top 20.

To us, the best example of a slasher comes in the form of a seven-footer who didn't play a single minute of college ball. Of course, they don't make many like Kevin Garnett. But if you've got a comparable package of size, speed, shooting range and craftiness around the basket, you can bet you're on our list.

1. Terence Morris, Maryland
Morris does all the things a slasher should -- and does them better than any other college player. He'll swat his man's shot, then turn around and stick a 3-pointer in his eye on the other end. His solid averages of 15.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg are sure to swell now that former Terps mates Steve Francis and Laron Profit have moved on, but Morris' excellent all-around shooting (.551 fg pct, .355 3-point fg pct., .825 ft pct.) may suffer a bit with the weight of the team on his shoulders.

2. Michael Redd, Ohio State
Redd was sensational as a freshman, and the only reason you didn't hear even more about him last season was because of the long shadow cast by new teammate Scoonie Penn. Redd's scoring (19.5 ppg) and rebounding (5.6) slipped only slightly last season, and his shooting percentages went up. He isn't the inside force that Morris is, but Redd is still a pain on defense and is a better passer. His biggest weakness: free throw shooting (.614).

3. Pete Mickeal, Cincinnati
His measurables aren't bad (14.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, .583 fg pct.), but Mickeal is as good a leader as there is in college basketball -- which is saying something, since at this time last year he was a newcomer to the program after transferring from junior college. He's a top-notch all-around defender, he finds ways to score around the bucket, and he's a decent passer. Still, Mickeal doesn't stretch a defense the way Morris and Redd can with their shooting range.

4. Morris Peterson, Michigan State
There aren't many collegians more exciting to watch with the ball in their hands. Peterson can stroke the deep ball or go by his man, both of which he'll be asked to do more of as a senior this season. He gets more chances to look good playing with a premier point guard, but he'd get along just fine without Mateen Cleaves. Peterson's aggressive, and he gets to the line often and usually converts (.814).

5. Chris Williams, Virginia
Williams, an unheralded recruit who was named ACC rookie of the year last season, is moving up this list fast. He'll play more small forward this season, but he can play a power game if the Cavaliers need it from him. Williams is a dynamic scorer, a great rebounder and a proficient shot-blocker for a player his size. He's also thought of well enough by now that he played on the U.S. Junior World Championships team over the summer. How he reacts to opponents keying on him every game will determine if he climbs into the top three.

Newcomers to watch: Rod Grizzard, Alabama; Marcus Haislip, Tennessee; Damien Wilkins, North Carolina State; Jason Richardson, Michigan State.