College Basketball Season Preview

Alright, I know I'm a little late on this one as college basketball started on Monday night but we still haven't seen any marquee matchups so it might as well be preseason.

Top 25
This is what I think the best 25 teams in the country will be at the END of the season.
1. Kansas-Easily the best team in the country led by 2008 title game hero Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor in the backcourt and Cole Aldrich in the frontcourt. Freshman Xavier Henry is going to be a superstar and a lottery pick and other top recruit CJ Henry will have an instant impact as well. This team reminds me of last year's North Carolina team in how they're everyone's favorite to win it all. While I don't think this team is as good as UNC was last year, this is clearly the best combination of talent and experience in the country and they should cut the down the nets in Indianapolis for the 2nd time in 3 years.
2. North Carolina-The defending national champions lost 4 starters from last years team who were all drafted to go to the NBA(3 in the first round) but they are still loaded, especially in the low post. Forward Ed Davis is the best power forward in the country, 7 footer Tyler Zeller is going to get drafted, and Deon Thompson provides some veteran stability. Marcus Ginyard and Will Graves return after being out for most of the season due to injury and suspension, respectively, to provide veteran leadership to a very young but extremely talented backcourt. Sophomore Larry Drew II takes over the point for the now Denver Nugget Ty Lawson. Splitting time with him will be talented freshman Dexter Strickland and also getting time at guard will be freshman Leslie McDonald. 6' 10'' string bean freshman small forward John Henson is going to be a flat out superstar along while the Wear twins, freshmen David and Travis will contribute this season as well. In 2006, after their last national title, UNC lost their top 7 and still beat Duke at Cameron Indoor and received a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. This team is exponentially better than that team and they have the best coach in the country, Roy Williams. They may be young but will grow up fast so don't be surprised to see the Tar Heels in Indianapolis or even cutting down the nets once again.
3. Villanova-Jay Wright's team returns almost everyone from last year's Final Four team save forward Dante Cunningham. 6' 10'' freshman Mouphtaou Yarou should alleviate the loss of Cunningham and 'Nova returns the best backcourt in the country led by Elite Eight hero Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, and Corey Stokes. Everyone says "guards win in March" and while I think you also need a strong low post presence to win a title(find me a team in the last 25 years that's won a title without a great player down low), elite guards can help you reach the Final Four as Reynolds did last year. Expect to see the boys from Philly contend for a repeat appearance in the Final Four but don't expect to see them cutting down the nets unless Yarou can become a force down low.
4. Michigan State-Tom Izzo showed everyone last year why he is the best coach in the country other than Roy Williams in getting Michigan State back to the Final Four for 4th time this decade. The Spartans return Big Ten player of the year Kalin Lucas to go along with Chris Allen and Durell Summers to create a formidable backcourt. Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe form a solid frontcourt but the loss of C Goran Suton will be felt. Michigan State has a lot of experience, which combined with the talent they have creates a national title contender. I think Kansas is better but Tom Izzo should get his 6th Final Four appearance this season.
5. Texas-The Longhorns return all major contributors from last year's squad and add freshman wing player Jordan Hamilton and Florida transfer Jai Lucas who will play a big role in helping replace star shooting guard AJ Abrams. The man who ultimately will replace him though will be monster recruit Avery Bradley. They have one of the best centers in the country in Dexter Pittman who teams up with PF Gary Johnson to form maybe the best frontcourt in the country. Lucas and Hamilton along with star wingman Damion James and guard Justin Mason help create a very strong backcourt to go along with the strong frontcourt. The question for me, though, is how much better has Texas really gotten from last season. The Longhorns struggled against good opponents last year, with their only really good wins coming at home against Villanova and UCLA in December(and UCLA wasn't that great of a win)and at home against an Oklahoma team playing without Blake Griffin. That resulted in them only getting a 7 seed in the tournament and not making it to the second weekend. This team is loaded and if they put it all together could make a run at the national title, but I just don't feel it with this team. Texas will contend for a Final Four appearance.
6. Kentucky-Maybe the most talented team in the country with freshmen PG John Wall and C Demarcus Cousins teaming up with PF Patrick Patterson. Experience will be the issue but the Wildcats should grow up quickly and be the best team in the SEC behind new coach John Calipari and be in the mix for a 1 or 2 seed.
7. Duke-Kyle Singler is a fantastic player but will be forced to play some in the backcourt due to the fact that the Dukies only have 2 true guards. That will definitely hold them back but they are still Duke and Mike Kryzewski is still their coach so they will be in contention for an ACC title and a high tournament seed.
8. West Virginia-Freshman sensation Devin Ebanks returns for an ever improving team under Bob Huggins, who has recruited well. They will fight hard with Villanova for the Big East title and for a good NCAA Tournament seed.
9. Butler-This mid-major is for real. Guards Shelvin Mack and Willie Veasley form a solid backcourt to team up with a good frontcourt led by Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard. This team's resume won't be good enough to get a high seed but they are one of the best in the entire country.
10. Purdue-Robbie Hummel will win Big Ten POY and they have a lot of solid players to combine with Hummel to create the strongest Boilermaker squad in years. While they lack the talent to go to the Final Four, this team should be in the mix for a Big Ten title and a high tournament seed.
11. Tennessee
12. Washington
13. Mississippi State(this hinges on the eligibility of Renardo Sidney)
14. Ohio State
15. UConn
16. Oklahoma
17. Georgetown
18. Clemson
19. Georgia Tech
20. Minnesota
21. California
22. Michigan
23. Maryland
24. Dayton
25. Missouri