is starting really soon. Heres the top 25, hopefully it doesn't get messed up....
Points: 770 (27 first-place
votes). Final 2008-09 ranking: 10.
Outlook: Jayhawks should
make a serious run at their second national title in three years, with the return
of C Cole Aldrich and Gs Sherron Collins and Tyshawn Taylor, who is recovering
from a thumb injury. The additions of freshman Gs Xavier Henry and C.J. Henry
should make them even more potent. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Hofstra.
Points: 732 (3). Final
2008-09 ranking: 2.
Outlook: After a national runner-up finish
last season, the Spartans lost post player Goran Suton, but Big Ten player of
the year Kalin Lucas returns to the backcourt along with Chris Allen and Durrell
Summers. Returning up front are Fs Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe. Opens: Nov. 13
vs. Florida Gulf Coast.
Points: 676. Final 2008-09
ranking: 23.
Outlook: Longhorns figure to be right there with
Kansas in the Big 12 and should contend nationally with the return of wing Damion
James, C Dexter Pittman, G Justin Mason and F Gary Johnson. Freshman wing Jordan
Hamilton is one to watch, and Florida transfer Jai Lucas should be a valuable
backcourt addition when he becomes eligible in December. Opens: Nov. 15 vs. UC-Irvine
in CBE Classic (ESPNU, 2).
Points: 653 (1). Final
2008-09 ranking: 1.
Outlook: Defending national champ doesn't
look much like last season's team. Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and Danny Green
gone, but Fs Deon Thomson, Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller are back. The backcourt has
some question marks, but the Heels should again be among the ACC's best. Opens:
Nov. 9 vs. Florida International in 2K Sports Classic (ESPNU, 7).
Points: 635. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Coach John Calipari's arrival in
Lexington has already paid dividends with a standout recruiting class, led by
backcourt prodigy John Wall and post player DeMarcus Cousins, although Wall's
eligibility for the start of the season is in question. F Patrick Patterson is
back to pace the veterans. There should be no NIT talk around the Bluegrass State
this season. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Morehead State (ESPNU, 6:30).
Points: 620. Final 2008-09
ranking: 4.
Outlook: After an apperance in the Final Four, this
could be the best team in the Big East, as the Wildcats return veteran Gs Scottie
Reynolds, Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes. Frontcourt stalwart Dante Cunningham
is gone, but coach Jay Wright is bringing in a top-notch recrutiting class that
includes 6-10 Mouphtaou Yarou. Thre's enough talent here for another deep tournament
trip. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.
Points: 586. Final 2008-09
ranking: 14.
Outlook: This could be the Boilermakers' year to
rule the Big Ten behind F Robbie Hummel, Gs E'Twaun Moore and Chris Kramer and
C JaJuan Johnson. This is a veteran team with a deep bench and could be primed
for a deep postseason run. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Cal State-Northridge.
Points: 528. Final 2008-09
ranking: 11.
Outlook: Blue Devils haven't had a great deal of
postseason success recently and must replace Gs Gerald Henderson and Elliot Williams.
Guards Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith return with Fs Kyle Singler and Lance Thomas
and C Brian Zoubek. This team should be solid in the ACC, but do the Devils have
enough to make some real noise in March? Opens: Nov. 13 vs. North Carolina-Greensboro.
Points: 501. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Bob Huggins continues to recruit
well, and the Mountaineers could be poised to take a big jump in the Big East.
Forwards Da'Sean Butler, Devin Ebanks and Wellington Smith provide strength up
front. Truck Bryant and Joe Mazzulla lend experience to the backcourt. Opens:
Nov. 15 vs. Loyola (Md.).
Points: 408. Final 2008-09
ranking: 25.
Outlook: Bulldogs have loads of talent back and
could be poised to make noise nationally. Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard pace
the frontcourt with Shelvin Mack and Willie Veasley providing a veteran backcourt
punch. Bulldogs' non-league games include Minnesota, Georgetown, Ohio State and
Xavier. Opens: Nov. 14 vs. Davidson.
Points: 406. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: After a subpar record and an early
NCAA tournament ouster, the Volunteers hope to bounce back behind F Tyler Smith,
Gs J.P. Prince, Scotty Hopson and Bobby Maze and C Wayne Chism. There's a lot
of experience, and the Vols should at least challenge for SEC supremacy. Opens:
Nov. 13 vs. Austin Peay.
Points: 370. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Golden Bears looking to rise in
Pacific-10, and they can be tough to handle when they're hitting from three-point
range behind Gs Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher and F Theo Robertson. Jamal
Boykin paces the post players. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Murray State in 2K Sports Classic
(ESPNU, 11).
Points: 364. Final 2008-09
ranking: 16.
Outlook: Frontcourt star Jon Brockman has departed,
but the Huskies return enough talent to stay near the top of the Pacific-10. G
Isaiah Thomas is back along with wing Quincy Pondexter and F Darnell Gant. G Abdul
Gaddy, one of the top recruits in the nation, is expected to make an immediate
impact. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Wright State in Athletes in Action Classic.
Points: 361. Final 2008-09
ranking: 3.
Outlook: Following appearance in Final Four, the
Huskies lost C Hasheem Thabeet, G A.J. Price and F Jeff Adrien. Gs Kemba Walker
and Jerome Dyson, who is coming off a serious knee injury, return with F Stanley
Robinson. Watch for highly touted F Ater Majok, who becomes eligible in mid-December.
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. William & Mary.
Points: 279. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Hasn't taken coach John Beilein
long to return program to respectability, and now Wolverines are looking for more.
Combination of G Manny Harris and F DeShawn Sims provides a solid inside-outside
duo, complemented by Gs Zack Novak, Stu Douglass and Laval Lucas-Perry. Opens:
Nov. 14 vs. Northern Michigan (Big Ten Network, 7).
Points: 244. Final 2008-09
ranking: 7.
Outlook: With All-American Blake Griffin and his
brother Taylor gone, the Sooners will look to Gs Willie Warren and Tony Crocker
to keep them in contention in a tough Big 12. Two freshmen, F Keith "Tiny"
Gallon and G Tommy Mason-Griffin, are expected to make big splashes. Opens: Nov.
14 vs. Mount St. Mary's.
Points: 241. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Big man B.J. Mullens has departed,
but the Buckeyes have some experience and will lean on wings Evan Turner and David
Lighty and Gs William Buford and Jon Diebler to contend in Big Ten. Opens: Nov.
9 vs. Alcorn State in 2K Sports Classic (Big Ten Network, 7).
Points: 151. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Gophers could make big noise in
the Big Ten with tons of veterans returning for coach Tubby Smith, including G
Al Nolen, Lawrence Westbrook and Blake Hoffarber, F Damian Johnson and post players
Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Tennessee Tech.
Points: 149. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: If freshman F Renardo Sidney has
his eligibility issues cleared up, Bulldogs could have one of the most formidable
frontlines in the nation, with the return of shot-blocking standout Jarvis Varnado
and arrival of freshman C John Riek. Barry Stewart and Ravern Johnson return to
the backcourt. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Rider.
Points: 136. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Yellow Jackets are hoping to rise
in ACC with the return of Fs Gani Lawal and Zachery Peacock. Look for freshman
F Derrick Favors, one of the most highly rated high school players ever to enroll
at the school, to have an immediate impact. Opens: Nov. 14 vs. Florida A&M.
Points: 134. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: Hoyas are coming off a year in
which they settled for an NIT bid. Quality depth could be an issue. But they have
some veterans to call on as they try to climb in the Big East, including C Greg
Monroe, who could be ready for a big year, and veteran Gs Austin Freeman and Chris
Wright. Opens: Nov. 13 at Tulane.
Points: 130. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: After a trip to the second round
of the NCAA tournament, the Flyers will once again likely rely on their stingy
defense, along with F Chris Wright, one of the Atlantic 10's best, Gs Rob Lowery
and Marcus Johnson and F Chris Johnson. Opens: Nov. 14 vs. Creighton.
Points: 123. Final 2008-09
ranking: 5.
Outlook: After a Big East title, a trip to the elite
eight and a tumultuous offseason for coach Rick Pitino, the Cardinals hope to
show they haven't slipped. Strong up front behind Samardo Samuels, the Cards will
also look to G Jerry Smith, Edgar Sosa, Preston Knowles and Manhattan transfer
Chris Smith to help keep them near the top of the Big East. Opens: Nov. 17 vs.
Arkansas in Hall of Fame Showcase at St. Louis (ESPN2, 7:30).
Points: 114. Final 2008-09
ranking: not ranked.
Outlook: After consecutive trips to the
NCAA tournament, the Tigers look to contend in the ACC with the return of Fs Trevor
Booker, David Potter and Jerai Grant and Gs Demontez Stitt, Andre Young and Tanner
Smith. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Presbyterian.
Points: 111. Final 2008-09
ranking: 12.
Outlook: Orange will have different look following
the departure of several mainstays, including star point guard Jonny Flynn. Wing
Andy Rautins is back with F Rick Jackson and C Arinze Onuaku. F Wes Johnson, an
Iowa State transfer, is expected to be a big contributor. Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Albany
in 2K Sports Classic (ESPNU, 9).
