1. Michigan State. Even without PG Kalin Lucas, the Spartans were within a single 3-pointer of the title game. He'll be back, and freshman C Adreian Payne could provide shot-blocking.
2. Duke. Circle Wednesday, Dec. 1: Our No. 1 Spartans visit most everyone else's No. 1 Blue Devils.
3. Purdue. A healthy Robbie Hummel would have helped Purdue pursue the 2010 title. Can he stay in one piece this time?
4. Kansas. The Morris twins and Tyshawn Taylor are still around.
5. Ohio State. The Buckeyes might need to be creative (again) at point guard, but finding a solution could make them champs. If William Buford improves his decision-making, he has the skills.
6. Kansas State. If there's a point guard, this team is a title threat. Jacob Pullen probably will want the first shot, and may be the best choice, but he was very good playing with a score-first mentality.
7. Syracuse. The Orange will miss Andy Rautins' leadership, but this is still a big, talented team. To be this good, they'll need an instant impact from freshman Dion Waiters.
8. Villanova. The Wildcats have to find a principal scorer.
9. Kentucky. Evidence suggests Enes Kanter is not a pro—but will be one, soon. Kanter is underrated by some analysts—or not rated all—because he played at a prep school and was not on the summer circuit. Those who saw him dominate the Hoop Summit recognized he is the kind of special talent who can keep UK relevant.
10. Pitt. The Panthers need their youngest players to score. They relied too heavily on Ashton Gibbs last season and won more games than most anyone—Louisville, WVU, Providence—that could have gone either way. If sophomore Dante Taylor and some of the team's freshmen can improve the offense, they might not need to win as many close games.
11. Memphis. The more one considers the Tigers, the more they look like a team with top-five potential. They have no one, though, who has been consistently good over the course of a Division I season. Yet.
12. Missouri. Because the system does not promote the development of stars, Mizzou is easy to overlook. This will be Mike Anderson's most talented team yet.
13. North Carolina. Without the Wear twins, will the Tar Heels wear down? Amazing they could go so rapidly from a team with too many power players to one that has almost none.
14. Gonzaga. The Zags might need to become a defense-first team. That sounds strange, but it starts with point guard Demetri Goodson, and that's what he does best.
15. Illinois. The question for the Illini is whether they can mix their talented, athletic young players with their experienced, capable veterans. It didn't always work last season.
16. BYU. Jimmer Fredette's return gives BYU a shot at its best season since the Danny Ainge days.
Baylor. The Bears lost three of their most important players but could ride freshman Perry Jones and veteran scorer LaceDarius Dunn to another spectacular season.
18. Georgetown. Without Greg Monroe, the Hoyas won't be as big or talented. But they'll probably be tougher.
19. Wisconsin. The Badgers will need new sources of perimeter shooting, but Bo Ryan has filled bigger holes than those confronting him now.
20. Washington. UW might still be the toughest team to figure, because Terrence Jones hasn't seemed so committed to his commitment.
21. Butler. Losing Gordon Hayward to the draft might prevent a national title run, but not another big season.
22. Florida. Not many teams have five starters returning. It's not the same as having Joakim Noah, Al Horford and that bunch, but it's something.
23. Virginia Tech. No more bubble for these guys. They should be playing for seeding this time.
24. Tennessee. Remember the name: Tobias Harris. He might not be national freshman of the year, and maybe not even in the SEC, but no first-year player will mean more to his team.
25. Wichita State. Can the Shockers be 2011's Northern Iowa? And would they, given their recent competition with UNI, consider that question insulting?
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-basketball/article/2010-05-12/2010-11-rosters-set-michigan-state-looks-top-team
2. Duke. Circle Wednesday, Dec. 1: Our No. 1 Spartans visit most everyone else's No. 1 Blue Devils.
3. Purdue. A healthy Robbie Hummel would have helped Purdue pursue the 2010 title. Can he stay in one piece this time?
4. Kansas. The Morris twins and Tyshawn Taylor are still around.
5. Ohio State. The Buckeyes might need to be creative (again) at point guard, but finding a solution could make them champs. If William Buford improves his decision-making, he has the skills.
6. Kansas State. If there's a point guard, this team is a title threat. Jacob Pullen probably will want the first shot, and may be the best choice, but he was very good playing with a score-first mentality.
7. Syracuse. The Orange will miss Andy Rautins' leadership, but this is still a big, talented team. To be this good, they'll need an instant impact from freshman Dion Waiters.
8. Villanova. The Wildcats have to find a principal scorer.
9. Kentucky. Evidence suggests Enes Kanter is not a pro—but will be one, soon. Kanter is underrated by some analysts—or not rated all—because he played at a prep school and was not on the summer circuit. Those who saw him dominate the Hoop Summit recognized he is the kind of special talent who can keep UK relevant.
10. Pitt. The Panthers need their youngest players to score. They relied too heavily on Ashton Gibbs last season and won more games than most anyone—Louisville, WVU, Providence—that could have gone either way. If sophomore Dante Taylor and some of the team's freshmen can improve the offense, they might not need to win as many close games.
11. Memphis. The more one considers the Tigers, the more they look like a team with top-five potential. They have no one, though, who has been consistently good over the course of a Division I season. Yet.
12. Missouri. Because the system does not promote the development of stars, Mizzou is easy to overlook. This will be Mike Anderson's most talented team yet.
13. North Carolina. Without the Wear twins, will the Tar Heels wear down? Amazing they could go so rapidly from a team with too many power players to one that has almost none.
14. Gonzaga. The Zags might need to become a defense-first team. That sounds strange, but it starts with point guard Demetri Goodson, and that's what he does best.
15. Illinois. The question for the Illini is whether they can mix their talented, athletic young players with their experienced, capable veterans. It didn't always work last season.
16. BYU. Jimmer Fredette's return gives BYU a shot at its best season since the Danny Ainge days.
Baylor. The Bears lost three of their most important players but could ride freshman Perry Jones and veteran scorer LaceDarius Dunn to another spectacular season.
18. Georgetown. Without Greg Monroe, the Hoyas won't be as big or talented. But they'll probably be tougher.
19. Wisconsin. The Badgers will need new sources of perimeter shooting, but Bo Ryan has filled bigger holes than those confronting him now.
20. Washington. UW might still be the toughest team to figure, because Terrence Jones hasn't seemed so committed to his commitment.
21. Butler. Losing Gordon Hayward to the draft might prevent a national title run, but not another big season.
22. Florida. Not many teams have five starters returning. It's not the same as having Joakim Noah, Al Horford and that bunch, but it's something.
23. Virginia Tech. No more bubble for these guys. They should be playing for seeding this time.
24. Tennessee. Remember the name: Tobias Harris. He might not be national freshman of the year, and maybe not even in the SEC, but no first-year player will mean more to his team.
25. Wichita State. Can the Shockers be 2011's Northern Iowa? And would they, given their recent competition with UNI, consider that question insulting?
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-basketball/article/2010-05-12/2010-11-rosters-set-michigan-state-looks-top-team
