College Basketball Power Rankings

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.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

11. Pittsburgh

Jamie Dixon loses Gibert Brown and Brad Wanamaker, but returns leading scorer Ashton Gibbs. Is this the year the Panthers finally break through for a deep March run?

12. Wisconsin

Badger point guard Jordan Taylor is one of Division I's most anonymous superstars. Bo Ryan needs someone to step up to replace shooter Jon Diebler.

13. UCLA

The Bruins lost Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee to the NBA Draft, but have outstanding size in the frontcourt with UNC transfers David and Travis Wear set to join Josh Smith and Reeves Nelson.

14. Baylor

Quincy Miller and Perry Jones are likely NBA lottery picks, but the Bears will go as far as JUCO point guard Pierre Jackson can take them. That may be a long way; Jackson could be a better fit for this team than shoot-first guard LaceDarius Dunn.

15. Kansas

Bill Self's squad loses the Morris brothers and Josh Selby but returns Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson, which should be enough to compete for yet another Big 12 title.

16. Xavier

Guard Tu Holloway is one of the nation's best, and the Musketeers also return their second and third-leading scorers from last year's 24-8 club.

17. Marquette

Coach Buzz Williams returns most of last year's Sweet Sixteen squad.

18. Texas A&M

Coach Mark Turgeon departed for Maryland, but left behind a talented roster anchored by future NBA wing Khris Middleton.

19. Alabama

The Crimson Tide just missed the NCAA Tournament last season after posting a 25-12 overall record (12-4 in the SEC), but rallied to reach the NIT Final. Look for Anthony Grant's club to reach the Big Dance this year.

20. Michigan

The Wolverines would have ranked much higher if Darius Morris returned to school. Tim Hardaway Jr., will need to step up to replace him if Michigan is going to challenge Ohio State and Wisconsin for a top spot in the Big Ten.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

21. Arizona

Derrick Williams' departure leaves a major hole in Sean Miller's rotation, but the Wildcats return most of last year's Elite Eight squad.

22. Cincinnati

The Bearcats bring back the top four scorers from a team that reached the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

23. Missouri

The Tigers have the talent to be competitive this season, but they'll have to deal with controversy, as new coach Frank Haith may have been aware of improper benefits given some of his players at his last stop - the University of Miami.

24. Butler

The losses of Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard will obviously hurt, but I'm not about to bet against the team that has reached the last two NCAA title games.

25. Gonzaga

Elias Harris and Robert Sacre make for a very imposing frontcourt... if the 'Zags can get consistent point guard play, they should do well.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

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.

View the original article here