Five teams hope to get their questions answered in the Diamond Head Classic

The best part about the early season tournaments is that they allow us to get a feel for some of the best teams in the country against real competition.

For these five participants in the Diamond Head Classic, which kicks off at 3:00 pm this afternoon, the Christmas version of the Maui Invitational is a chance to answer some legitimate concerns:

Baylor: The Bears lost to Gonzaga on Saturday in their first loss away from Waco, TX, this season. It also happens to be the only game that Baylor has played away from Waco as well as their only game against real competition unless you consider Arizona State to be real competition. We know about the talent on this team -- from LaceDarius Dunn's golden jump shot to the length of guys like Perry Jones and Quincy Acy -- but if Baylor is truly going to be a contender for things like the Big XII title and the Final Four, they need to prove that they can win away from home.

Butler: The Bulldogs, much like last season, have plenty of doubters in regards to their ability to play against high-major competition. That's what happens when Gordon Hayward graduates and your team struggles against the only three tournament teams on your schedule. We know about how good Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard are, and some of Brad Steven's younger guys have played better in recent weeks. But this is still a team that needs to prove it can hang with the big boys. They should have an opportunity to do just that should they get by Utah in the first round.

Florida State: Florida State could very well be the bet defensive team in the country this season. They have size, they have length, they are athletic, and they have Chris Singleton, who is the best defender in the country. But the Noles can't score. I don't mean they have trouble scoring, I mean that when their offense looks the way that Kansas State's has the last two games, Florida State has played well. Personally, I'll be looking to see how Deividas Dulkys performs this week. He's the Noles second leading scorer right now and could end up being the missing piece.

Mississippi State: The questions the Bulldog's have are not going to be answered this week. Dee Bost doesn't return until the New Year. Renardo Sidney, who has been suspended for today's game against Washington State, is enough of a head case that his true impact on this team will not be known for some time. The question we are all waiting to find out is if this is truly a team that can compete for the top spot in the SEC West (which isn't saying much) and potentially a tournament berth. Don't expect any answers this week.

Washington State: Are the Cougars for real this year? Klay Thompson certainly is, as he has seemingly improved his all-around game to become more than strictly a jump shooter. But what about Faisal Aden? Can he keep this scoring rate up? Is Reggie Moore healthy? Will DeAngelo Casto ever develop into his potential? Does Wazzu really have some front court depth this season? This is an intriguing team, and should they beat Mississippi State today, they will be playing three games in four days against tournament caliber competition. Personally, I'm excited to finally try and get a read on this team.