Midnight Madness is still weeks away... but here's an early look at how the top teams of 2011-12 stack up in the eyes of your intrepid guide to basketball.
1. North Carolina
Getty Images / Streeter Lecka
With Harrison Barnes and John Henson opting to stay in school for one more year, the Tar Heels are absolutely stacked this season. The emergence of Kendall Marshall as a legit point guard could be the key to an NCAA title run.
2. Kentucky
Getty Images / Streeter Lecka
Another year, another ridiculously-talented recruiting class for John Calipari's wildcats. Incoming freshmen Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague could be NBA lottery picks. Plus, the wildcats return Terrence Jones from last season's Final Four squad.
3. Ohio State
Getty Images / Andy Lyons
Jared Sullinger would have been a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft. His return gives Thad Matta's Buckeyes a dominant big man to play off a talented backcourt featuring Aaron Craft and William Buford.
4. Duke
Getty Images / Kevin C. Cox
The Dookies lose Kyrie Irving, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, but bring back the Plumlee brothers, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins, and add Austin Rivers - Celtics' coach Doc Rivers' son and one of the top incoming freshmen of 2011-12.
5. Syracuse
Getty Images / Jim McIsaac
Jim Boeheim's 27-8 team returns mostly intact, with Rick Jackson the only loss. His production could be replaced by the continued development of big man Fab Melo.
6. Connecticut
Obviously, the loss of Kemba Walker is huge. But Jeremy Lamb could be Jim Calhoun's next superstar, and most of the champs' supporting cast is back to defend their title.
7. Vanderbilt
Kentucky runs the SEC with a never-ending series of one-and-dones. Vandy has taken a different route - returning every player from last year's 23-11 team - and could wind up competing with the Wildcats for the conference crown.
8. Louisville
Rick Pitino's squad out-performed expectations last season. They'll have a lot more hype this year, thanks to the incoming freshman tandem of Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan.
9. Memphis
Josh Pastner's squad may not reach the same heights as John Calipari's best Tiger teams, but with Adonis Thomas joining a very solid returning core, Memphis should be the class of Conference USA.
10. Florida
Guard play is key in college basketball, and Billy Donovan's club will be knee-deep in talented guards. The Gators return Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker and add Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario and freshman Brad Beal. If they can get anything out of center Patric Young, this team will be very dangerous in March.
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