Midnight Madness is still months away... but here's an early look at how the top teams of 2009-10 stack up in the eyes of your intrepid guide to basketball.
Bill Self brings back all his key players from last year's squad and adds an excellent recruiting class. That's the same formula that North Carolina used last year... and look how that worked out.
2. Kentucky
Patrick Patterson and an epic recruiting class should return the Wildcats to the top of the SEC. If Jodie Meeks returned to school, I'd call Kentucky the favorite to win it all.3. Michigan State
Last year's runner up returns more-or-less intact, but could face a challenge in the Big 10 from Purdue.4. Purdue
The Boilermakers bring back all five starters. If Robbie Hummel can stay healthy, this team should challenge the Spartans for the Big 10 title.5. Villanova
The loss of Dante Cunningham hurts, but Scottie Reynolds is coming back and Jay Wright's incoming class is excellent.6. Texas
Few teams will be able to match up with the Longhorns Damion James/Dexter Pittman/Gary Johnson frontcourt.The champs lose Ty Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green -- but Ed Davis stayed in school, and Roy Williams' incoming class is very strong.
8. Washington
Primed to end UCLA's run atop the Pac 10? Isaiah Thomas and incoming freshman Abdul Gaddy will pair in one of the nation's most entertaining backcourts.9. West Virginia
The tandem of Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler could put the Mountaineers in the mix for the Big East title.This may be too much respect for a team that loses starters Hasheem Thabeet, A.J. Price and Jeff Adrien -- but I'm an enormous fan of Kemba Walker.
