Kentucky
It's not hard to see why the University of Kentucky was eager to hire John Calipari. Mere weeks after being handed the job, Cal brought in an epic haul of talent, led by center DeMarcus Cousins and point guards John Wall and Eric Bledsoe. With them and center Daniel Orton (who committed to the 'Cats before Calipari took over) Kentucky will be very deep and talented inside and out.Kentucky's class also includes small forward Jon Hood, and juco transfer Darnell Dodson -- also a wing.
North Carolina
Seems like Roy Williams' teams make this list every year. Though the champs lost a lot of talent to graduation and the NBA, they should finish the season in their usual top-ten ranking thanks to another stellar class.As usual, Carolina's incoming class is chock-full of McDonald's All-Americans. Power forward Jon Henson is 6'10" but has the skill of a wing player. Guard Dexter Strickland could become the next great Carolina backcourt scorer. And the Wear twins -- David and Travis -- give the 'Heels a pair of 6'9" bangers who can play the four or the five, play defense, and hit a mid-range jumper.
The fifth member of Williams' class is sweet-shooting guard Leslie McDonald.
Villanova
Some fans will argue that a Big East schism is inevitable, that the non-football schools can't compete with the BCS crew. Villanova continues to be the best argument against that line of thinking. Jay Wright brings in another excellent class, led by McDonald's All-American guards Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns and power forwards Mouphtaou Yarou and Isaiah Armwood. The Wildcats should be in the mix for a Big East title this season.Kansas
John Calipari's job change paid big dividends at Kentucky... and at Kansas. When Cal left Memphis, guard Xavier Henry -- considered the top scoring wing in the class of 2009 -- left the Tigers for the Jayhawks. He brings along big brother C.J., a New York Yankee farmhand who was a walk-on with the Tigers last season but never got into a game.Bill Self's 2009 class also features point guard Elijah Johnson, power forward Thomas Robinson, and center Jeff Withey, a transfer from Arizona.
Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets are coming off a dreadful season, with just two conference wins on their 2008-09 resume. But Paul Hewitt's 2009 class of freshmen should help them bounce back in a big way. The marquee name is Derrick Favors, a hometown kid and absolute beast of a power forward and likely top pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.The Jackets also add point guard Mfon Udofia, power forward Kammeon Holsey, center Daniel Miller and shooter Glen Rice, Jr. -- son of the Michigan Wolverines and NBA star of the same name. All five are products of Georgia high schools.
The sixth member of Hewitt's class is Brian Oliver, a 6'6" small forward from Delaware.
