Preseason Top 25: #15-#11

#15 - Duke

Sure Josh McRoberts is gone after his sophomore year, leaving the Blue Devils without a proven big man in the ACC, but their backcourt will have enough talent to keep them near the top of the conference. Demarcus Nelson, Greg Paulus and John Scheyer are all back after averaging 12 points or better each. They key will be Paulus, who after having a stellar freshman season at point guard, took a step back during his sophomore campaign. Freshman Gerald Henderson, Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas also showed some promise during their first season in Durham.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski has done another fine job with recruiting, bringing in the nation's #8 class this fall. The top prospect in Duke's '07-'08 class is small forward Kyle Singler.

#14 - Connecticut

What's not to like about UConn next season? Sure they finished towards the bottom of the Big East, but few teams last season can say they had as much young, raw talent. Here's the really intruiging part; all that talent is back. Jeff Adrien should emerge as a true force in the conference after posting 13.1 points and 9.7 rebounds as a sophomore; Jerome Dyson (13.8 ppg) and A.J. Price (9.4 ppg) will provide a talented scoring trio for the Huskies. Of course it doesn't hurt that 7'3" shot blocking machine Hasheem Thabeet finally made the decision to come back another year either. Thabeet was drawing potential looks as a lottery pick and could be the most dominant big man in the Big East next year if a certain 7-footer from Georgetown doesn't come back.

#13 - Stanford

Many felt that at 18-13 Stanford was undeserving of a spot in the NCAA Tournament this year; dont expect that to be the case next season. Sophomore guard Anthony Goods will bring his 12.8 ppg back, but the real story will be with the big men. Standout forward Lawrence Hill (15.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and twin 7-footers Brook Lopez (12.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Robin Lopez (7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg) will form the best frontcourt in the Pac-10. Look for Stanford to be right near the top of the conference.

#12 - Washington State

Last year's surprise team will prove that its success was not a fluke in '07-'08. The Cougars lose athletic forward Ivory Clark, but return everyone else from a team that went 26-8 and nearly got to the Sweet 16.

Derek Low (13.7 ppg) and Kyle Weaver (11.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.6 apg) will make for a very steady senior backcourt in a conference stacked with guards. Daven Harmeling and Robbie Cowgill will provide nice third and fourth scoring options on offense. Of course the real strength of Washington State is its defense. The Cougars led the Pac-10 in scoring defense last season, and with nearly the entire team back, look out for them to do more of the same next year.

#11 - Arizona

When are the Wildcats ever not in the preseason picture? Chase Budinger's decision to return for his sophomore year makes Arizona a real threat out west. The super athletic forward made an immediate impact in the Pac-10, averaging 15.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. Yes, losing Marcus Williams to the NBA Draft and seniors Ivan Radenovic and Mustafa Shakur to graduation hurts, but a top five recruiting class should fill some of the voids. Head coach Lute Olson will be welcoming shooting guard Jerryd Bayless and small forward Jamelle Horne to campus in the fall. Both players are ranked in the top five at their position by Scout.com. If UCLA should falter Arizona will be in line to win the Pac-10.

Preseason Top 25: #20-#16

#20 - Texas
Anytime you lose a player of the Kevin Durant's caliber it stings. However with the amount of talent back next season for the Longhorns, things won't sting as much. D.J. Augustin is one of the best young point guards in the country and should be the top floor general in the Big 12 next season. A.J. Abrams (15.5 ppg) should see his scoring numbers go up next year with Durant gone, and is a threat to go off with the ball on any given night.
The real keys for Texas will be two other freshman from this year's team: Damion James and Justin Mason. Mason (7.6 ppg) if he continues to develop will be a nice third wheel in the backcourt with Augustin and Abrams. James will be the real player to watch though. The 6'7" swingman posted solid numbers (7.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg), and if he steps up his game, the Longhorns will have three viable scoring options on offense.

#19 - Georgetown
This pick hinges a lot on whether or not Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert turn pro or not. Both players have declared, but neither has signed with an agent yet. If even one of these guys is back, throw the Hoyas into the top 10. Assuming neither is back though there is still enough talent to keep Georgetown ranked. Jonathan Wallace, Jessie Sapp and Dajuan Summers all averaged right around double figures last season, and all should expect those numbers to go up next season. Wallace in particular is a threat with his 49% shooting from beyond the arc.
The Hoyas will be welcoming even more fire power to the backcourt with the signings of point guard Chris Wright and shooting guard Austin Freeman, both of whom are ranked in the top 6 at their position by Scout.com.

#18 - Oregon
The Ducks had five players average double figures last year; they return four of them. Granted top scorer and assist man Aaron Brooks graduates, but there is more than enough offense coming back to pick up the slack. Bryce Taylor and Malik Hairston flirted with the NBA but are returning, and stellar freshman Tajuan Porter is back as well, giving Oregon a three headed scoring attack that will create loads of problems for opponents.
Keep in mind, this is a team that came within one game of making the Final Four, losing a hard fought game to eventual champ Florida.

#17 - Syracuse
There is plenty of reason for fans in upstate New York to be excited for the 2007-08 season. Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris will be entering their second season of playing together, and the two should really start to mesh well. Devendorf (14.8 ppg) emerged as a nice scoring option for Jim Boeheim, and though Harris didn't explode onto the Big East scene like he was expected to his 8.6 ppg and 7.1 rpg still gave glimpses of a future star.
Of course the real excitement for Orange fans is the '07-'08 recruiting class which is ranked #3 nationally. Donte Greene, one of the nation's top forwards, is the crown jewel of the class. Other top recruits joining Greene will be guards Johnny Flynn and Antonio Jardine, and center Rick Jackson; all three players are ranked in the top 20 nationally at their position by Scout.com.

#16 - North Carolina State
The Wolfpack will have the size and talent to compete for a spot in the upper half of the ACC next season. Redshirt freshman Brandon Costner (16.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg) is a stud and his partner down low Ben McCauley (14.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) is no slouch either. Swingman Gavin Grant and guard Courtney Fells each averaged double figures last year as well and will bring the backcourt scoring punch necessary to compete in an elite conference.
NC State will get even stronger and deeper down low next season, as they bring in one of the country's top centers J.J. Hickson, and Tracy Smith a top-15 power forward recruit out of Mount Zion Academy.

Look for team's 15-11 on Thursday night.

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.