Preseason Top 25 - AthlonSports.com

No. 1 – North Carolina

This season, Roy Williams returns six of his top seven scorers and adds six freshmen who comprise the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. The days of the free pass are over, and it’s time to compete for the NCAA title again.

No. 2 – Florida

Coach Billy Donovan faces a new challenge — motivating players who have already reached the pinnacle of their sport. Florida returns all five starters and two of its top three reserves. The Gators also welcome four freshmen who should push the veterans hard enough to eliminate any sense of complacency.

No. 3 – Kansas

Kansas’ string of postseason disappointments seems destined to end in 2006-07. The Jayhawks return all five starters from a team that shared last year’s Big 12 title with Texas. Mix in a pair of freshman McDonald’s All-Americans, and it’s tough to find a squad as deep and talented as KU.

No. 4 – Alabama

Both point guard Ronald Steele and big man Jermareo Davidson elected to return to school in the offseason but the Tide will not be a two-man show. Toss in forward Richard Hendrix and swingman Alonzo Gee and Alabama should be able to match firepower with some of the top teams in the nation.

No. 5 – Pittsburgh

Coach Jamie Dixon enters the upcoming season with a recently signed contract extension, a future NBA first-round draft pick in center Aaron Gray and the return of three starters and nine letterwinners from a team that finished 25–8 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

No. 6 – UCLA

The Bruins have talent in Arron Afflalo, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Josh Shipp, and highly regarded incoming freshman James Keefe. But what UCLA doesn’t have is a senior.

No. 7 – Arizona

Arizona won’t pause to miss last year’s leading scorer, Hassan Adams, or its defensive stopper, Chris Rodgers as coach Lute Olson is eager to move past the most turbulent season of his Arizona career and most back among the NCAA elite.

No. 8 – LSU

LSU made its first appearance in the national semifinals since 1986 last season, and despite losing Darrel Mitchell and Tyrus Thomas, Glen "Big Baby" Davis returns to help the Tigers make it two Final Fours in a row.

No. 9 – Ohio State

Greg Oden is perhaps the most ballyhooed basketball player to enter the collegiate ranks in a lifetime, and will help Ohio State defend its regular season Big Ten title this season.

No. 10 – Georgetown

Only three of the 21 players who received either first- or second-team All-Big East honors are back this season. Two play for the Georgetown Hoyas — juniors Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert – and they will be a big reason why the Hoyas will challenge Pitt for the Big East title.

2008 Preseason Top 25 Countdown Begins May 1st.

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