Espn/USA Today Top25 (preseason version)

[L.T.&YankeeKnicks]

1.

Connecticut

762

Rec:
23-10
Rank:
11

Get used to seeing Connecticut at No. 1 -- at least in the preseason. The women are next. Question remains: Will Storrs celebrate twice as hard in 2004?

2.

Duke

697

Rec:
26-7
Rank:
9

Is Luol Deng this year's Carmelo? He may not have to be to get Blue Devils back on top in April. The Dukies are stocked with blue-chippers.

3.

Michigan St.

677

Rec:
22-13
Rank:
18

Two years without a Final Four appearances is officially a drought under Izzo. Chris Hill and these Spartan shooters should see San Antonio.

4.

Arizona

638

Rec:
28-4
Rank:
5

'Cats one of the few programs that can lose the likes of Walton, Gardner and Anderson and still start next season in the top five.

5.

Kansas

589

Rec:
30-8
Rank:
2

Will there be a third time for a charm? Window remains open, but closed a bit behind those who left Lawrence.

6.

Missouri

560

Rec:
22-11
Rank:
22

Trouble, a national title, or both? Mizzou will win plenty of games on the court, but could lose so much more off it.

7.

Syracuse

533

Rec:
30-5
Rank:
1

Carmelo may ultimately mean more than six spots in the polls. But it's nice to see the coaches give those Orangemen still around the respect they deserve.

8.

Florida

507

Rec:
25-8
Rank:
16

Once again, Donovan has talent in place to return to Final Four. But, first things first, like getting out of the first round?

9.

Kentucky

498

Rec:
32-4
Rank:
4

Bold prediction No. 1: 'Cats will lose a SEC regular season game. Bold prediction No. 2: 'Cats will reach Final Four.

10.

North Carolina

493

Rec:
19-13
Rank:
NR

Talk about instant credibility. Is this ranking more about Roy or his boys? Either way, the Tar Heels have the top talent and coach in place.

11.

Texas

461

Rec:
26-7
Rank:
3

Word around ESPN.com office is Austin is a "basketball town, with a football problem." Sorry, it was just too easy.

12.

Gonzaga

403

Rec:
24-9
Rank:
NR

As you can tell from this ranking, expectations and Zags' talent level have never been higher in Spokane.

13.

Illinois

399

Rec:
25-7
Rank:
T-13

Illini won't miss Self or Villanueva nearly as much if Dee and Deron follow up freshman seasons as expected under Weber.

14.

Wisconsin

392

Rec:
24-8
Rank:
T-13

Bo knows basketball. Two-time Big Ten coach of the year has a group of Badgers who could make it three straight Big Ten titles.

15.

Oklahoma

353

Rec:
27-7
Rank:
7

Without last year's backcourt, nobody's talking Final Four this preseason. But Sooners shouldn't be overlooked.

16.

Louisville

291

Rec:
25-7
Rank:
19

Pitino's players starting to emerge. Expect Cardinals to still make Gaines without Reece around.

17.

Stanford

258

Rec:
24-9
Rank:
20

Injuries once again will dictate Cardinal's final role in Pac-10. If Hernandez stays healthy, Stanford could survive deep into March.

18.

St. Joseph's

244

Rec:
23-7
Rank:
NR

No single player means more to a team on this list than Jameer Nelson. Yes, he makes the Hawks this good.

T19.

Cincinnati

225

Rec:
17-12
Rank:
NR

From JUCO All-American to Cincy to the NBA ... that's the road Robert Whaley (6-10, 260) is currently on.

T19.

Notre Dame

225

Rec:
24-10
Rank:
15

Keeping Chris Thomas in South Bend for another season means another trip to the NCAAs.

21.

Wake Forest

216

Rec:
25-6
Rank:
12

Overlook the Demon Deacons no longer. ACC defending regular season champs remain a threat without Howard.

22.

Pittsburgh

148

Rec:
28-5
Rank:
8

Plenty has changed, but Jamie Dixon knows toughness must remain a Panthers' trait without Howland, Knight, Zavackas or Lett around.

23.

Marquette

78

Rec:
27-6
Rank:
6

Wouldn't be a surprise to see the Golden Eagles in the top 10 by season's end. Wade, or no Wade.

24.

Oklahoma St.

61

Rec:
22-10
Rank:
24

The fifth-best team in their conference is still good enough to be in the top 25. Looks like same old tough Big 12.

25.

Maryland

46

Rec:
21-10
Rank:
10

Last of the 2002 champions are gone. Five freshmen and three sophomores means plenty of room for growth ... and growing pains.

[Redman Walking]

아무도 메릴랜드를 Top25에 안껴주더니 결국 25위군요 ㅋㅋㅋ ㅡ.ㅡ++ 하지만 주전멤버가 4학년 1명 2학년 2명 1학년 2명인걸 생각하면 신기... ;;;

[Nicky]

Connecticut이 1위라니...믿을수없어...