Dates and site: Pepperdine University will host the championship December 2 and 3 at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

Field: The championship features a four-team, single-elimination format. One team each from the Collegiate Water Polo Association, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and the Western Water Polo Association automatically qualify. The remaining team is selected at large without geographical restriction.

Selection date: November 26.

1999 champion: UCLA

Contending teams: UCLA, Southern California, UC Irvine, California.

Players to watch: Sean Kern, Adam Wright and Brandon Brooks (UCLA).

Fact -- The championship will be played without the two-point shot for the first time since 1992.