Preseason Top 25: #25-#21

#25 - Ohio State
Even with Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook all having declared for the draft, the Buckeyes will still be in good shape next season. Assuming all three players stay in the draft, there is still plenty of talent coming back. Othello Hunter, who proved to be a solid back up post player, will see his numbers (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) increase tremendously, and freshman David Lighty really came on at the end of the season and in the NCAA Tournament, so look for big things from him next season. Thad Matta continues his string of stellar recruiting classes, getting commitments from four 4-star recruits and the nations #2 center Kosta Koufos. So despite losing a tremendous amount of talent, Ohio State will still be near the top of the Big Ten next season.

#24 - Alabama
It was a tough season for the Crimson Tide, especially for sophomore guard Ronald Steele who was slowed with knee problems. Plenty of other players stepped up though to provide solid production. Richard Hendrix, Alonzo Gee and Mykal Riley all averaged better than 12 points and 4 rebounds this season. If Steele can bounce back this season and return to familiar form from his freshman season then 'Bama should improve on this year's 20-12 record.
Top recruits Rico Pickett and Senario Hillman will be joining the Tide in the fall as well, making the backcourt even deeper for next season.

#23 - Southern Illinois
Sure, Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Jamaal Tatum is gone, as is Tony Young, but that doesn't mean the Salukis won't be the favorite to win the MVC again next season. Forwards Randal Falker (12.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Matt Shaw (11.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg) are both back, as well as sophomore guard Bryan Mullins who led the team in assists at 3.5. Of course don't forget that Southern Illinois managed to keep head coach Chris Lowery as well, which will prove to be a tremendous boost for the team keeping a man of his abilities on the bench.

#22 - Mississippi State
Does a birth in the NIT Final Four spell success for the Bulldogs in '07-'08? You bet. Sophomore swingman Jamont Gordon withdrew his name from the early entry list much to the delight of his team. Mississippi State would be perfectly fine if Gordon was to repeat his performance from this season; his 16 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists all led the team. Charles Rhodes will also be back to man things in the post. Rhodes had a very productive junior year, posting 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Four-star recruits Kodi Augustus and Ravern Johnson will be joining the team next season, adding more youth and depth to a team that will have only two seniors.

#21 - Pittsburgh
How does a team go about replacing Aaron Gray and Levon Kendall. It isn't easy. At 7'0 270 and 6'10 225 respectively, Gray and Kendall dwarfed pretty much all opponents in the paint. Sophomore Tyrell Biggs (6'8" 245) will be the most experienced returning big man, but saw only 11 minutes per game last season. Junior College transfer Cassin Diggs will bring some size with his 6'10" 265-pound frame, but has little to no experience.
The key for the Panthers will be backcourt play. Antonio Graves, Levance Fields and Ronaldo Ramon are all back after averaging around 9 points each last year. Ramon in particular could have a breakout year with his deadly 3-point shooting abilities.

That's all for segment one, check back soon for teams 20-16.