FanNation - The Republic of Sport

 Originally from my College Basketball 24/7 blog (www.collegebasketball247.blogspot.com)

 1. UNC- The return of national POY Tyler Hansbrough, as well as Ty Lawson, Danny Green, and Wayne Ellington makes this the most talented squad in the nation. They will be carrying a huge target on their back with such a talented team. UNC could go undefeated in the regular season but, it only takes one bad game in march.
2. Memphis- Derrick Rose will be sorely missed but John Calipari has another stud freshman in Tyreke Evans to lead the tigers. The competition will be better in C-USA this year but, there is no way 8the tigers lose more than 2 games.
3. UCLA- Darren Collison Returns for a senior year and the addition of Jrue Holiday makes this the top back court in the nation, stealing J'Mison Morgan from LSU helps too.
4. Louisville- With Derrick Character gone and star freshman Senardo Samuels stepping in the Cardinals seem headed to a strong march, unless Rick Potino pulls out that white suit.
5. Duke- With almost everyone back for last years under achieving team the Dukies have an experienced team thats hungry to do damage in march.
6. Tennessee- Bruce Pearl lost Chris Lofton and Juan Smith to graduation and Ramar Smith & Duke Crews to team violations. Yet still has them in national contention, now if they can just find a point guard...
7. Arizona St.- Preseason front runner for Pac-10 POY James Harden returns along with Jeff Pendergraft to give the devils a powerful inside-outside combo and Herb Sendek can coach as well as anyone.
8. Gonzaga- With the return of Jeremy Pargo, the Zags have a great back court loaded with 3-Point specialists. Defense is still an issue, they will need to play better Defense to avoid being upset early in March.
9. Notre Dame- Luke Harangody returns as reigning Big East POY and the solid back court of Mcalarney and Jackson make the Irish a legit threat.
10. UCONN- Hashem Tabeet is the most dominant defensive presence north of Jarvis Varnardo and Jerome Dyson and AJ Price make a scoring back court that can keep up with anyone on the offensive end.
11. Marquette- The return of Dominic James, Jereal McNeal, and Wes Mathews gives the golden eagles a top back court but this group of now seniors have not made the sweet 16 yet, and they will need an inside presence to do so.
12. Pitt- Dejuan Blair returns along with Sam Young to anchor the front court add in Levance Fields and you have one of the best floor leaders in America. Jamie Dixon's teams will always play great D, another sweet 16 banner seams likely.
13. Purdue- Last years Big 10 surprise the boilermakers return almost all of their core players, save Scott Martin (Transfered to Notre Dame).
14. Florida- A more experienced Gator team figures to do a lot better this time around even though they only have 1 senior (Walter Hodge).
15. Wake Forest- The Demon Deacons have a very talented young team and one of the nations bright young coaches in Dino Guadio.
16. Oklahoma- The Sooners will have one of the top draft picks in Blake Griffin and enough decent players around him to have a Big 12 Contender.
17. West Virginia- The Loss of Joe Alexander erases any title hopes but UWV always has enough in the tank to make it to March.
18. Ohio St.- With BJ Mullens in the middle and the emergence of David Lighty the buckeyes won't be in the NIT this year.
19. Davidson- With the return Stephen Curry and coach Bob McKillop and enough size in the front court to where they could pull a couple early season upsets and so ones in March as well.
20. Texas- AJ Abrams gives the longhorns one of the nations best 3-point specialists, but some of their role players must step up and assume a larger role. Gary Johnson is the player to watch.
21. Baylor- If this team can hold their own against the Big-12's elite post players then they should get an invite in march, other than that they have the best scoring back court in the Big 12.
22. UNLV- Coming off back to back strong march performances this might be the best UNLV we've seen since the early 90's.
23. Xavier- With freakishly athletic SF/PF Derrick brown and the best recruiting class in the schools history, highlighted by huge center Kenny Frease (6'11" 263) the musketeers will again be the A-10's best, and with Sean Miller there until 2010-2011 it looks like they will be for years to come.
24. Miami- Jack Mclinton is the early favorite to lead the ACC in scoring and the 'Canes have their first stud freshman (Dequan Jones) in what feels like 20 years. There not a lock to make the NCAA's, but this is still the most talented Miami team ever.
25. Wisconsin- With ever prominent Badger coach Bo Ryan on the sideline, it never seems to matter how many good players the Badgers lose.