College hoops top 25

1. North Carolina

The Tar Heels got off to a slow start last year before moving freshman Kendall Marshall to point guard. With Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller saying no to the NBA to team up with Marshall and James McAdoo, Roy Williams’ squad will be the team to beat in college hoops.

2. Ohio State

Last year, true freshman Jared Sullinger led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title. This season, Sullinger, Aaron Craft and William Buford return to give Thad Matta one of the best core groups of players in America. Ohio State is a near lock to win the conference again, and will compete for the national title.

3. Syracuse

Jim Boeheim keeps doing his thing in western New York. The head coach of the Orange returns for his 36th season and will lead one of his strongest teams. Despite losing big man Rick Jackson, Syracuse returns every other contributor off last year’s team that finished third in the loaded Big East.

4. Vanderbilt

The Commodores have always had a strong program, but have never made the Final Four. This year, that will change. Vandy returns all contributors from last year’s 23-11 NCAA tournament squad and will battle for SEC supremacy with Kentucky. Kevin Stallings’ team will use its veteran leadership to land a berth in the final weekend.

5. Duke

Coach K just keeps on winning. Nolan Smith, Kyrie Irving and Kyle Singler are gone, but Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins and the Plumlee twins join a solid recruiting class to give the Blue Devils their usual elite-level firepower. Duke will finish second to North Carolina in the ACC, but will make another deep run in March.

6. Kentucky

John Calipari will finally have a team with experience returning. And that means trouble for the rest of college basketball. In addition to Terrance Jones, Darius Miller and Doron Lamb, the Wildcats will enjoy the services of college hoops’ top recruiting class as freshmen Michael Gilchrist, Anthony Davis and Marcus Teague will play major roles.

7. Louisville

Rick Pitino has The Ville back in the mix. The Cardinals lose Preston Knowles, but return Kyle Kuric while adding freshmen Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan. After finishing tied with Cuse for third last season, Louisville will challenge for the Big East title as well as the national title in March.

8. Connecticut

The defending national champions lost superstar Kemba Walker, but return ri sing stars Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier and Alex Oriakhi, True freshman DeAndre Daniels could star right away and adds even more talent to a squad stocked full of solid players. A year after finishing ninth in the conference, the Huskies will rise to the top this season.

9. Pittsburgh

Jamie Dixon has accomplished a lot as head coach of the Panthers, but has yet to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Regardless, Pitt will once again be very competitive in the Big East and receive a high seed in the Big Dance. Dixon has to find a way to replace Brad Wannmaker and Gilbert Brown.

10. Memphis

The Tigers have not lost much since former coach John Calipari bolted for Kentucky, and that is mainly due to the efforts of current coach Josh Pastner. The dynamic young coach has kept the pipeline of talent coming to the Pyramid. Memphis will reclaim their spot at the top of Conference USA and will be playing in late March.

11. Kansas

Speaking of consistent programs, the Jayhawks have one of the winningest programs in America in the last 20 years. Bill Self has Kansas cemented at the top of the Big XII and players like Tyshawn Johnson and Elijah Johnson will help keep them there this year for the Jayhawks’ ninth straight conference title.

12. Baylor

If anyone will seriously challenge Kansas in the Big XII, it will be the Bears. Perry Jones and Quincy Miller form one of the most talented duos in the country, while Anthony Jones and Quincy Acy also return from last year’s disappointing squad. The bet here, though, is that Baylor returns to its 2009-2010 form, when the Bears made the Elite Eight.

13. Arizona

Last year’s remarkable run to the Elite Eight was sparked by No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams, but the Cats will not fade away this year. Sean Miller is one of the brightest young coaches in the game and Arizona brought in a talented recruiting class. Arizona will win the new Pac-12 and make the second weekend of the Big Dance.

14. Wisconsin

Head coach Bo Ryan has had the Badgers near the top of the Big Ten standings on a regular basis. With point guard Jordan Taylor leading the way, Wisconsin will be a strong second to Ohio State this year. Mike Bruesewitz will need to effectively replace big man Jon Leuer in the middle.

15. Alabama

The Crimson Tide had a legitimate beef last year with they were left out of the NCAA tournament field despite winning the SEC West. This year, Anthony Grant’s squad will not be overlooked. JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell return at forward to give the Tide a strong presence in the paint.

16. Michigan

The Wolverines announced their arrival back onto the college hoops map with a 75-45 shellacking of Tennessee in the NCAA tournament. However, Michigan lost Darius Morris to the NBA, but return Stu Douglass and Zack Novak. Head coach John Beilein’s troops will take advantage of a down Big Ten and return to the Big Dance.

17. Texas A&M

The Aggies will bring to the table a nice mix of veteran and freshman production. Forwards Khris Middleton and David Loudeau lead the charge down low while incoming freshman Jamal Branch will be counted on to play an important role in the backcourt. Billy Kennedy will take over for former coach Mark Turgeon in College Station.

18. Marquette

Milwaukee’s best have more than held their won since joining the Big East and will have another solid season in 2011-2012. Vander Blue, Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder return to the starting five while freshman Juan Anderson will likely join them. Wing player Jimmy Butler is the only significant loss from the Warriors.

19. Cincinnati

Another Big East team makes the list, and the Bearcats may be one of the most overlooked teams heading into the season. Cincy returns their top four scorers from last year’s NCAA tourney team led by forward Yancy Gates. Head coach Mick Cronin signed a premier recruiting class, including Shaquille Thomas.

20. Florida

Billy Donovan has assembled possibly the nation’s best backcourt with returnees Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker, while incoming transfer Mike Rosario and all-world freshman Brad Beal add a ridiculous amount of depth. But the Gators are thin down low and that could become a glaring weakness.

21. UCLA

The Bruins momentarily disappeared from the national scene and after three consecutive Final Four appearances from 2006-2008, but appear to be back. Malcolm Lee surprisingly joined Tyler Honeycutt by defecting to the NBA, but the Bruins will be loaded down low with Reeves Nelson, Josh Smith and the Wear brothers. Look out Pac-12: the Bruins are back.

22. Gonzaga

BYU joins the WCC, but Gonzaga will still rule the roost. The loss of Steven Gray will hurt a bit, but the Zags will make the NCAA field yet again for head coach Mark Few. Junior guard Marquise Carter could blossom into a star at guard. Head coach Mark Few has one of the most consistent programs in America, making the tournament each year since 2000.

23. Mississippi State

One thing you can rely on in the topsy-turvy world of the SEC West is Rick Stansbury’s program being at or near the top of the division. Led by point guard Dee Bost, this year’s team will be one of the favorites yet again. Renardo Sydney can be a force down low when he’s not punching teammates and will form an athletic frontcourt with transfer Arnett Moultrie.

24. Butler

The Bulldogs continued to defy conventional basketball wisdom by making the NCAA finals for the second year in a row. Brad Stevens has proven that he is one of the best coaches in basketball. His system is not flashy or even pretty, but it produces results. Despite some heavy losses, Butler will cruise through the Horizon League and have another successful season.

25. Utah State

The Aggies went 30-4 last season and dominated the WAC. Brockeith Pane returns from that team and will help Utah State win the WAC again and make the Big Dance. Last year, Stew Morrill’s club fell in the first round to Kansas State, but will win at least one game in this year’s tournament.