1. Arizona---Three stud seniors by the names of Jason Gardner, Luke Walton and Rick Anderson. Last year they won with a young team. This year watch out!
2. Kansas---Lost two big time starters that are replaced with Wayne Simien and Jeff Graves. They also return Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison.
3. Oklahoma---Lost scorer Aaron McGee, but now have Kevin Bookout and DeAngelo Alexander.
4. Texas---Point Guard T.J. Ford is one of the best and James Thomas will be strong under the basket.
5. Pittsburgh---Inside outside combo of Brandon Knight and Ontario Lett is one of the best.
6. Duke---They lost a lot and still have Chris Duhon, Dahntay Jones and Daniel Ewing. Again the class of the ACC.
7. Kentucky---Tubby's got some good incoming by the names of Kelenna Azuike and JUCO Antwain Barbour
8. Virginia---still smarting from last year's year-end collapse they have the talent to get it right.
9. Oregon---It will be Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson who will lead this team and how they respond to pressure defenses will tell how far this team goes.
10. UCLA---With Jason Kapono staying for his senior season and Cedric Bozeman at the point the potential is there.
11. Xavier---David West, David West, David West! His name is on the lips of every A-10 coach. With West inside and super athlete Romain Sato outside, Xavier should go far.
12. Florida---lightly used James White and David Lee should take the Gators a long way.
13. Alabama---Inside/outside combo of Erwin Dudley and Mo Williams will show the SEC how the West was won.
14. Michigan State---Chris Hill will take over at point guard with freshman sharpshooter Paul Davis at forward.
15. Mississippi State---After the scare of losing Mario Austin the Bulldogs are on track for a strong year.
16. Villanova---should be back in the big dance thanks to some decent recruits including Jason Fraser
17. Pepperdine---this picks holds water as long as Devin Montgomery and Glen McGowan are eligible.
18. Marquette---It all begins with Dwayne Wade and continues with the wonders Tom Crean has up his sleeve. The loss of Cordell Henry won't make things any easier.
19. UCONN---another school with a good inside/out combo in Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon.
20. Cincinnati---it is not the players but the system with Bob Huggins that will make them good.
21. Western Kentucky---A healthy Chris Marcus along with point guard Patrick sparks should make thing hot in the Sun Belt Conference.
22. NC State---Herb Sendek's turnaround continues with a young team led by sophomore Julius Hodge.
23. Indiana---Mike Davis needs big years from George Leach and Jeffrey Newton to make some noise.
24. Maryland---Steve Blake and Tahj Holden will get some help JUCO Jamar Smith. Hopefully it will be a lot of hope.
25. Missouri---It will be Ricky Paulding and Arthur Johnson leading this squad.