1. North Carolina

Expectations are high in Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels start off another season as a favorite to win it all. The return of forwards Tyler Hansbrough and Reshawn Terry gives North Carolina a solid nucleus to build around. Highly touted freshmen Ty Lawson, Brendan Wright, Alex Stepheson, Deon Thompson, and Wayne Ellington should contribute right away. Expect North Carolina to make another run to the Final Four and maybe the National Championship.

2. Florida

Head Coach Billy Donovan returns all five starters from last year’s National Championship team. Joakim Noah and Al Horford should be one of the best inside combinations in all of college basketball. Forward Cory Brewer and guard Taurean Green proved to be big time playmakers for the Gators in last year’s NCAA Tournament, but depth could be a problem for the Gators. Senior Chris Richard, along with freshmen Dan Werner and Marreesse Speights hope to provide quality minutes off the bench for the Gators.

3. Kansas

The recruiting efforts of Bill Self may pay off for the Jayhawks this season. The sophomore trio of Julian Wright, Mario Chalmers, and Brandon Rush could be enough to carry the Jayhawks all the way to the Final Four. Juniors C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun had successful seasons last year, but they must step up their play even more to help the trio of Wright, Chalmers, and Rush. Freshman forward Darrell Authur and guard Sherron Collins will add speed and skill off the bench for Kansas. If everything goes as planned for Kansas, a deep tournament run is a real possibility.

4. UCLA

While some may believe this is too high for the Bruins, Ben Howland has UCLA poised for another Final Four appearance. Point guard Darren Collison will look to use his speed and passing to fill the void created by the departure of Jordan Farmar to the NBA. Junior forward Aaron Affalo will look to bounce back from a tough NCAA Tournament and provide the Bruins with a much needed outside scoring threat. The emerging star of this team could be sophomore forward Luc Richard Mbah a Mounte. Mbah a Moute only averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds per game during the regular season, but he became one of the Bruin's best players in their Final Four run last season.

5. Alabama

The Tide will be led by one of the best inside outside combinations in all of college basketball in point guard Ronald Steele and center Jarmareo Davidson. Davidson teams up wtih sophomore forward Richard Hendrix to provide Alabama with two scoring options on the inside. The key for the Tide could be the play of swingman Alonzo Gee. Gee provides the quickness and size on the perimeter that could free up Hendrix and Davidson for easy baskets on the inside.

6. Georgetown

In two short years, John Thompson III has managed to restore the pride in the program that his father built. While the loss of Brandon Bowman could hamper the Hoya's early in the season, Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, and superstar recruit Vernon Macklin will provide Georgetown with the best frontcourt in the Big East. Junior guard Jonathon Wallace, the only returning starter in the backcourt, leads the Hoya attack and will be Georgetown's main perimeter threat.

7. LSU

The early exit of forward Tyrus Thomas keeps the Tigers from being the top team in the country. The exit of Thomas will be eased by "Big Baby" Glen Davis and sophomore Magnum Rolle. Davis, the top player in the SEC, has lost 60+ lbs over the summer and is ready to lead LSU to the Final Four. Super sophomore Tasmin Mitchell will provide scoring and rebounding for the Tigers, while the return of guard Tack Minor adds lightning speed and passing to the LSU attack.

8. Duke

It wouldn't be a top ten if Coach K and Duke weren't in it. When Josh McRoberts turned down millions of dollars in the NBA, and returned to college, the Blue Devils vaulted back into the top ten. McRoberts, along with fellow sophomore Greg Paulus, gained valuable experience last year and should lead Duke this year. Duke will depend very heavily on incoming freshmen Lance Thomas, Gerald Henderson, Brian Zoubek, and Jon Scheyer to provide scoring help for McRoberts and Paulus.

9. Pittsburgh

Jamie Dixon has had no problems continuing the tradition of tough, defensive, physical, and strong rebounding Pittsburgh teams since his arrival. Point guard Ronald Ramon is now ready to lead the Panthers after learning the position from Carl Krauser for two years. Ramon isn't the one on one threat Krauser was, but he has the outside shot Krauser lacked. Frontline players Levon Kendall and Aaron Gray will provide the physical presence on offense and defense that the Panthers are known for.

10. Arizona

This Arizona team could be the best head coach Lute Olson has had for a while. While the perimeter is lacking the high flying Hassan Adams this year, guards Mustafa Shakur and Marcus Williams are as good as any in the Pac-10. Jawann McClellan, J.P. Prince, and Williams are all significant threats from beyond the arc. While senior forward Kirk Walters is the Wildcats only proven interior scorer, Fendi Onobun and Chase Budinger are both extremely talented and could provide a more athletic look for the Arizona frontline.