1. North Carolina- You remember Tyler Hansbrough’s bloody nose. You remember how easily Ty Lawson got to the hole. Do you remember the looks on Tar Heel faces after the tourney loss to Georgetown? They do, and they won’t be revisited.
2. Memphis- The Tigers, preseason No. 1 in most publications, should roar to their third straight Conference USA title. Chris Douglas-Rogers and freshman Derrick Rose will do all they can to prove those other publications right.
3. Tennessee- Coach Bruce Pearl isn’t the loose cannon many out there paint him to be. Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith, on the other hand, are exactly the all-around scoring nightmare SEC foes think they are.
4. Indiana- If your friend says he knows a better inside/outside combination than frosh guard Eric Gordon and senior forward D.J. White, he’s lying. We’re saying these Hoosiers could be up to something special this year.
5. Kansas- Slashers Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur and Russell Robinson are more than capable of holding things down until point guard Brandon Rush is able to stand back up on his own right knee.
6. Texas- Now completely out from Kevin Durant’s shadow, guard D.J. Augustin can tell the world that he averaged 14.4 points and nearly seven assists per game. All the other Longhorns will tell the masses they’re for real by winning.
7. Duke- This much we know: Freshmen Nolan Smith and Kyle Singer can flat-out play. What’s vexing to all, even Coach Mike Krzyzewski, is finding a player capable of replacing giant Josh McRoberts in the paint.
8. Michigan State- Forget the brutal Big Ten schedule, just look at the non-conference sked (Texas, NC State, BYU) the Spartans must contend with. Drew Neitzel, we hope you have enough 18-footers in your arsenal for all of that.
9. Oregon- Most have already forgotten that these same Ducks (four starters return) made it to the NCAA regional final a season ago. Malik Hairston and Bryce Taylor start refreshing memories from the three-point line really soon.
10. Georgetown- The Hoyas play in D.C., so it’s only fitting that big man Roy Hibbert’s nickname is “The Governor.” If he can lead G’town to another Final Four showing, the 7-2 NBA prospect could run for mayor and get plenty of votes.
11. Ohio State- Former Mr. Ohio Jamar Butler has been the centerpiece of many teams before. With three Buckeye teammates defected to the NBA, the senior point will again be called upon to shoot, steal and scold the incoming class.
12. Florida- Though they return only 15% of their scoring from last year’s title team, there’s enough talent (freshman Jai Lucas) and coaching (Billy “Screw the Orlando Magic” Donovan) to keep Gator fans from chomping at the bit.
13. UCLA- Kevin Love, the Bruins’ mushed over top recruit, has an uncle who was a founding member of the Beach Boys. If the forward comes in and makes the splash most expect, it’ll be fun, fun, fun ‘round Pauley Pavilion this winter.
14. Kansas State- Durant took the college world by storm by winning every major individual accolade, Big 12 or not. Incoming Wildcat Michael Beasley, who’ll be running things with Billy Walker, is gifted enough to do the same thing.
15. Southern Illinois- Far outgrown of the “Cinderella” tag, these Randal Falker-led Salukis are more like the Big Bad Wolf: You notice the fangs and menacing eyes but you don’t realize the complete threat till you’re down 20 at halftime.
16. Washington State- Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver. You won’t find two better guards at FAO Schwartz on the Friday after Thanksgiving. They’re quick. They’re heady. They’re exactly what’ll be needed to slow down USC and UCLA.
17. Kentucky- Tubby Smith’s coaching replacement, Bill Gillespie, takes over a team that’s stacked with guards (Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford) and lacks with giants. Bigs Jared Carter and Perry Stevenson must attack the basket.
18. Louisville- The top seven scorers (including Edgar Sosa and Terrence Williams) from a Cardinals flock that won 24 games are back. Doing the quick math, that equates to serious problems for the Big East.
19. North Carolina State- The frontcourt is nothing but agile pine trees (Brandon Carson, Gavin Grant). It’s the greatly untested backcourt that needs to come up roses if the Wolfpack are to blossom into true ACC contenders.
20. West Virginia- Bob Huggins returns to coach at his alma mater. This Hollywood story could have a sensational ending if guard Darris Nichols keeps making those sweet passes and Da’Sean Butler works on that sweet shooting stroke.
21. USC- California and O.J. just go together. But unlike the other O.J. who insists on making headlines with his stupidity, this one with the Trojans (last name Mayo) has earned them with his amazingly mature game since middle school.
22. Butler- New Bulldogs coach Brad Stevens, 30, is the second-youngest in the NCAA. If players like all-conference first-teamer A.J. Graves and newcomer of the year Mike Green stay around his program, he won’t wrinkle for some time.
23. Marquette- We love the fact that exciting guard Dominic James spurned the NBA for one more year of college seasoning. We hate the fact that he was a meager 38.4% behind the arc a season ago.
24. Davidson- Stephen Curry can put up points in bunches, exactly like his no-frills pop Dell did in the NBA back in the 90s. Hopefully, pop has some tips saved up, as the Wildcats still have UCLA, NC State and Duke all before Christmas.
25. Clemson- Good news: Four of last year’s starting Tigers are back for another March run. Bad news: That fifth guy, Vernon Hamilton, was the point guard and second leading scorer. James Mays and K.C. Rivers highlights? Old news.
26-30: Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico State, Vanderbilt and Xavier (OH)
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