The Jayhawks are so loaded with talent the only force that can realistically derail them is the injury bug.
As for the other three teams in the Final Four, we like Villanova, Purdue, and Kansas' Big 12 brethren, Texas.
Those are our Final Four predictions—the best quartet come the month March. Below are our power rankings for the beginning of the 2009-10 college basketball season. These are the 10 best teams in the nation... at least for now.
1. Kansas
Yes, they've had their share of off-the-court distractions (Brady Morningstar's DUI arrest, fights with the KU football team and Tyshawn Taylor's crazy Facebook posts) but the Jayhawks are loaded with talent and have a championship coach in Bill Self. You'll be hard pressed to find a poll, or a power ranking, that doesn't put the Jayhawks at number one. They are clearly the team to beat in 2009-10.
AP Top 25: 1
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 1
Final 2008-09 ranking: 10
Last year's record: 27-8
Stars: Sherron Collins & Cole Aldrich
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Hofstra.
First Big Test: Dec. 6 @ UCLA
2. Michigan State
The national runner-ups return five of their top six scorers as well as Big Ten player of the year and All-American Kalin Lucas. Also back for another run are guards Chris Allen and Durrell Summers, and forwards Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe. Speaking of Roe, he suffered from knee injuries last year but he appears to be healthy. If Roe is anywhere near 100% watch out for Tom Izzo's bunch.
AP Top 25: 2
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 2
Final 2008-09 ranking: 2
Last year's record: 31-7
Stars: Kalin Lucas & Raymar Morgan
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Florida Gulf Coast.
First Big Test: Nov. 17 Gonzaga
3. North Carolina
It's a credit to Roy Williams and his program that UNC can lose Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and still be ranked third by BBC (in the top six by most everyone else). The Tarheels have experience up front and an awesome freshman class (what else is new). We're not sold on Larry Drew at point guard but by the time the tournament rolls around Williams will have him ready.
AP Top 25: 6
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 4
Final 2008-09 ranking: 1
Last year's record: 34-4
Stars: Deon Thomson & Ed Davis,
Opens: Nov. 9 vs. Florida International
First Big Test: Nov 19 @ Ohio State
4. Texas
The Longhorns return winger Damion James, center Dexter Pittman, guard Justin Mason and forward Gary Johnson. They add fabulous freshman Jordan Hamilton and Florida transfer Jai Lucas. The tough and hard working Avery Bradley is replacing A.J. Abram who's now playing in Greece. So far Bradley has impressed Rick Barnes and the rest of the Texas coaching staff with his progress.
AP Top 25: 3
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 3
Final 2008-09 ranking: 23
Last year's record: 23-12
Stars: Damion James & Jordan Hamilton
Opens: Nov. 15 vs. UC-Irvine in CBE Classic
First Big Test: Dec. 19 North Carolina
5. Villanova
Jay Wright led the Wildcats to a Final Four appearance last season, and despite the loss of Dante Cunningham, Dwayne Anderson and Shane Clark, he's poised to do it again. For the 2009-10 campaign he brings back Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, and Reggie Redding. Villanova will have one of the best backcourts in the nation and a strong incoming class, mainly the 6'10" Mouphtaou Yarou, that will bolster the front court.
AP Top 25: 5
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 6
2008-09 ranking: 4
Last year's record: 30-8
Stars: Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher & Corey Stokes
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.
First Big Test: Dec. 6 @ Maryland
6. Duke
Look for the Blue Devils to start fast. They have one road game in 2009. The program returns guards Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith, and forwards Kyle Singler and Lance Thomas, and center Brian Zoubek. Many pundits doubt Coach K has enough to make a serious tournament run but the Blue Devils are always a tough and gritty bunch. We expect the squad to gel and do so at the right time. At least we hope so. Late tournament rounds are much more enjoyable with the Duke Blue Devils.
AP Top 25: 9
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 8
Final 2008-09 ranking: 11
Last year's record: 30-7
Stars: Kyle Singler & Jon Scheyer
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. North Carolina-Greensboro.
First Big Test: Dec. 19 Gonzaga.
7. Kentucky
There are two schools of thought about Kentucky. On one hand, they have coach John Calipari and tons of talent—starting with John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson. On the other hand they were an NIT team last year. We recognize their talent but we also realize Rome wasn't built in a day (even with Calipari as your foreman). A Final Four appearance is still a year away, but a trip to the Elite Eight in 2010 is highly probable.
AP Top 25: 4
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 5
Final 2008-09 ranking: not ranked
Last year's record: 22-14
Stars: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins & Patrick Patterson
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Morehead State
First Big Test: Dec. 12 North Carolina
8. Purdue
This year's Final Four will be held an hour away from Layfette and Purdue would love to be there. Fortunately for them they have a veteran club capable of making the trip. All five starters return from a 27-win, Sweet Sixteen team. You could make the case that if Purdue doesn't make it to the Final Four it will be a major disappointment.
AP Top 25: 7
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 7
Final 2008-09 ranking: 14
Last year's record: 27-10
Stars: Robbie Hummel & E'Twaun Moore.
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. Cal State-Northridge.
First Big Test: Jan 1 West Virginia
9. Connecticut
UConn lost a slew of talent to the NBA but it's hard to pick against Jim Calhoun and his team. Stanley Robinson staying for another year is huge for the Huskies. Look for big years from him and guard Kemba Walker. Alex Oriakhi should also have an impact in the Big East. Jerome Dyson is back to being healthy and ready to go.
AP Top 25: 12
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 14
Final 2008-09 ranking: 3
Last year's record: 31-5
Star: Stanley Robinson & Kemba Walker
Opens: Nov. 13 vs. William & Mary.
First Big Test: Dec. 9 Kentucky
10. West Virginia
Coach Bob Huggins is in his third year at West Virginia and he finally has the talent to compete for a Final Four berth. The Mountaineers have a strong front court and an experienced back court. Another bonus for the Huggins, Joe Mazzula is healthy.
AP Top 25: 8
2009 USA TODAY/ESPN Poll Ranking: 9
Final 2008-09 ranking: not ranked
Last year's record: 23-12
Stars: Devin Ebanks & Da'Sean Butler
Opens: Nov. 15 vs. Loyola (Md.).
First Big Test: Jan 1 @ Purdue
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