1. UCLA: Last season they were 30-6, and they have reached the final four the last two years. Thet lost key starter Arron Afflalo, who is now in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons. They do have the addition of one of the top prospects in the country in Kevin Love, and he should make an immediate impact. They also have key return players with Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, L.R. Mbah a Moute, and Lorenzo Mata-Real.
2. Memphis: They were 33-4 last season and made the elite 8. Memphis has a good veteran squad returning with Joey Dorsey, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Antonio Anderson, and Robert Dozier. They also have one of the top freshman prospects coming in, Derrick Rose. He can step in right away and blend with this veteran team and them contend for a title.
3. Kansas: The Jayhawks went 33-5 last season, and made it to the elite 8. They have a good team returning despite losing key player Julian Wright to the draft. Their success could depend on how Brandon Rush recovers from his ACL injury. They have a good shot at making atleast the elite 8 again this season.
4. Georgetown: The Hoyas went 30-7 last season, but lost key player Jeff Green to the draft. They still have the other four starters returning led by center Roy Hibbert. DaJuan Summers, Vernon Macklin, Jessie Sapp, and Jonathan Wallace form a solid unit. Add senior Patrick Ewing Jr, and freshman Chris Wright and Austin Freeman in the mix, and the Hoyas have a legit shot at reaching the final four.
5. Louisville: Coach Pinto’s Cardinals were 24-10 last season, and were three points from making the sweet 16. He has a good squad returning with Terrance Williams, Edgar Sosa, David Padgett, Juan Palacios, Derrick Caracter, Earl Clark, Andre McGee, and Jerry Smith. I believe if these guys are playing to their potential, they can make it atleast to the elite 8.
6. North Carolina: The Tar Heels went 31-7 last season, they lost key players Reyshawn Terry and Brandan Wright to the draft. But they still have key return players with Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Deon Thompson, and look for Danny Green to make big contributions as well. They have the talent to make some noise in the tournament.
7. Washington State: They went 26-8 last season and also got a high seed in the tournament. They have great key players returning with Kyle Weaver, Derrick Low, Robbie Cowgill, Daven Harmeling, and Chris Henry should be a key contributor as well. I think this team can have a repeat of last season.
8. Duke: The Blue Devils went 22-11 last season. Sure the Blue Devils aren’t the pretty pick this year, with losing Josh McRoberts to the draft, and Duke’s upset in the tournament. But Coach K has a talented squad that can do some damage if teams aren’t careful. Veteran players like Greg Paulus and DeMarcus Nelson will probably step up their leadership. Add Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer, Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, and Taylor King into the mix, there will be enough contributors to be a legit team.
9. Tennessee: They went 24-11 last season, coach Bruce Pearl has turned this program into a legit contender. With top player Chris Lofton returning, also with Iowa transfer Tyler Smith and a few other key role players, this team should have another 20+ win season, and atleast make it back to the sweet 16.
10. Michigan State: The Spartans went 23-12 last season and made it to the 2nd round in the tournament. They have key players returning led by Drew Neitzel. Add my boy Travis Walton who some call an Eric Snow clone (playing wise), Raymar Morgan, Drew Naymick, and possibly freshman Durrell Summers in the mix and, this team should be at the top in the Big Ten Conference.
11. Kentucky: They went 22-12 last season. Long time Head Coach Tubby Smith left for Minnesota, and Billy Gillispie takes over. He has a talented team with veteran players Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley. Add the youngsters Patrick Patterson, Jodie Meeks, Derrick Jasper, and Alex Legion, and this team should be real competitive.
12. Stanford: The Cardinal went 18-13 last season. They have one of the top frontcourts in college hoops with the Lopez twins (Robin and Brook), along with Lawrence Hill. Guard Anthony Goods should have another promising year as well. This team was up and down last season, if they have more consistency this year, this team could advance in the tournament.
13. Indiana: They were 21-11 last season. Senior D.J. White will lead the way with one of the top freshman in the country Eric Gordon. Add role players like AJ Ratliff, Lance Stemler, Armon Bassett, and JC transfer JaMarcus Ellis. Coach Sampson could do wonders with this team.
14. USC: The Trojans were 25-12 last season, and made the sweet 16. Despite losing backcourt starters Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt to the draft, this team still has good talent. The trio of Taj Gibson, O.J. Mayo, and Davon Jefferson will fun to watch. Daniel Hackett will definitely make some noise as well. If coach Floyd can get everyone on the same page, this team could make a final four run.
15. Kansas State: The Coach Huggins era ended quickly, he led them to a 23-13 record last season, and just barely missed the NCAA tournament. They should still have even more success this season with the trio of David Hoskins, Bill Walker, and top freshman prospect Michael Beasley.
16. Florida: Yes of course they lost the top six players for their championship teams, but I’m not going to sleep on these bac-to-back champs. It may look like a rebuilding year for Coach Donovan, but I think if this team plays to it’s potential fairly early, they can still be a top 20 team. They have the nations #1 recruiting class coming in, and they have quality returning players. The Gators will be interesting to watch and see how well this team does.
17. Arizona: The Wildcats went 20-11 last season. They lost three key players, but still have some talent led by second year guard Chase Budinger, and freshman Jerryd Bayless. Coach Olsen always finds a way to get his teams to do well young and old, good or bad, and this season should be no different.
18. Ohio State: The Buckeyes were 35-4 last season, and lost in the NCAA championship. They lost their three top freshman to the draft. But they still have young quality players that can compete with David Lighty, Kyle Madsen, Othella Hunter, Kosta Koufos, Dallas Lauderdale, Jon Diebler, and veteran Jamar Butler. Coach Matta has one of the bigger teams in college basketball and the guards are pretty athletic. This combo will be an asset for this team.
19. Texas: The Longhorns went 25-10 last season, of course led by the best player in college hoops last season Kevin Durant. He left for the NBA, so Texas will need a good season from DJ Augustin, and other players like A.J. Abrams, Damion James, Connor Atchley, and Justin Mason. Coach Barnes has a talented young squad that can still win 18+ games this season.
20. Gonzaga: The Bulldogs were 23-11 last season. They have a young but talented team led by Matt Bouldin, and Jeremy Pargo. They are pretty balanced all around at each position. I expect them to run through their conference again.
21. Xavier: The Musketeers were 25-9, and gave Ohio State a challenge in the tournament last season. Coach Sean Miller has a good team returning, and they are capable of making another run. With key players like Stanley Burrell, Josh Duncan, Drew Lavender, B.J. Raymond, and Andrew Taylor. The Atlantic 10 conference better watch out.
22. North Carolina State: Went 20-16 last season. I started pulling for them late last season, I enjoyed watching them and wanted them to succeed. Coach Lowe has four returning starters and also adding McDonald’s all-american JJ Hickson should help advance this team to the NCAA tournament.
23. Davidson: Went 29-5 last season. They have all five starters returning. Stephen Curry, Thomas Sander, Jason Richards, Boris Meno, and Max Paulhus Gosselin will led the way for Davidson to have another successful season.
24. Marquette: Went 24-10 last season. They have every player returning. They will be led by Dominic James, who made the right decision to come back. There is no reason why they shouldn’t have another 20+ win season this year.
25. Purdue: Went 22-12 last season, and made it to the 2nd round in the NCAA tournament. Although they lost Carl Landry and David Teague, they still have three returning starters, and a bunch of top prospects. Chris Karmer, Keaton Grant, Tarrance Crump will led the way. Along with JuJuan Johnson, Robbie Hummel, E’Twuan Moore, and Scott Martin in the mix, and the boilermakers should have another good season.
