Now, for the final part of the Top 25. Here are the Top 10:
1. North Carolina Tar Heels- The consensus #1 for next year. Hanssbrough appears to be returning, as do Ellington and Lawson. This team looks primed for another final four run. (Now, whether or not that means a title is a whole different strory. Roy has still failed to win the big one with guys he brought to campus. If he can't get it done next year, it may never happen).
2. Memphis Tigers- I may be going out on a limb here, but I think the Evans commitment puts them back just above the fray of title contenders. CDR and Derrick Rose are expected to leave, but Evans and Devin Ebanks are ready to fill those shoes.
3. Texas Longhorns- They are here for one reason and one reason only: I don't think DJ is going to declare. After the way he was eviscerated by Derrick Rose, it would be wise for Augustin to come back, put up numbers, and declare in 09 when he will be the top PG available. With Augustin back, the Longhorns will be more than capable of finally winning the whole thing.
4. West Virginia- The Mountaineers biggest loss is Darris Nichols, but Joe Mazzula appears primed to fill that void.
5. Arizona St. Sun Devils- Herb Sendek's squad retuns every major component from a team that probably should have been in the dance. The Sun Devils also signed Johnny Coy and Taylor Rhode, two players that were not the highest rated, but can contribute right away. Look for ASU to be a popular "sleeper" come March.
6. Pittsburgh Panthers- Another team that returns just about everyone, the Panthers will be the favorites this year in the Big East. I know I have West Virginia ranked ahead, but remember, this is my take on things, and the Pitt Panthers are still going to be the majority pick to win the Big East. With all that being said, they are going to have to figure out a way to get past the Sweet Sixteen, something they haven't been able to do in a long time.
7. Oklahoma Sooners- Blake Griffin coming back is the biggest thing to happen to Oklahoma since, well, Blake Griffin commiting to the Sooners. Despite losing Longar Longar and David Godbold, the Sooners will bring in Willie Warren. Warren is the best player to commit to the Sooners since, you guessed it, Blake Griffin. Throw Willie Warren in with the Griffins, Tony Crocker, and Austin Johnson, and that's a pretty good starting 5.
8. Purdue Boilermakers- Does this one need explaining? They return every key player, with the exception of Scott Martin, to a team that would have won the Big 10 if not for a three point overtime loss at Ohio St. The Boilermakers should finish the job this year.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish- The third Big East team on the list and we haven't even finished the top 10. This team should contend for not only a Big East title, but also a national title.
10. Connecticut Huskies- Is the Big East loaded or what? Four preseason top 10 teams! That's got to be some kind of record. Anyway, Connecticut should bounce back nicely from their first round ousting. I expect Thabeet to be back, and reports are Price will be fully healthy by the time the season starts. Yep, if ever things were looking like a title for the Huskies, this is the year.
