[DJay23]

I see UNC as vastly overrated (not just hating on Roy, I think they've got chemistry problems combined with lack of big game experience).

Georgia Tech is for real, and I think they have a great shot at getting back to the final 4.

Wake will be solid, but I think a bit overrated as well. They'll make noise in March, but not as much as so many people are predicting. No doubt that the ACC is head and shoulders above every other conference in the country. Chris Paul is fantastic, but they seem a little inconsistent underneath him.

I also think NC State will end the year in the top 5. I just have a feeling, and don't count out Maryland. Duke is due for a down year.

I think Illinois is well above the fray in the Big Ten. Michigan State filled the holes it was missing last year, but that means youth at key leadership positions, which more often than not means growing pains. At least they don't have a schedule that looks like a tour of college basketball powerhouses. Wisconsin lost Devin Harris and has a lot of ifs as far as recovery from injuries. They've always been solid but not spectacular which I think Illinois will be. I like Michigan to push both the Badgers and Spartans for number 2 in the conference.

In the Big East I think 'Cuse and UConn will battle it out for the title. Notre Dame may figure in if Thomas can play consistently during conference season. I don't think UConn is as good a returning champ as some publications I've seen have them. They lost a lot of leadership. Sure they still have some horses, but some of the glue is lost from that team.

In the Big XII, of course (and I'm biased) KU should take the conference, but if Okie State can win in the Phog, I like them to repeat this year. I think Texas lost too much with their seniors last year. It's awfully hard to expect a top 10 finish when you throw that many freshmen into key roles. They will be tough as always because of how deep they are. OU will probably push Texas for that 3 spot. I think Iowa State comes in next. I really like Stinson and Blalock in the back court. They scare me the most out of all of the North teams. After that I think there is a huge drop off. Mizzou has tons of talent, but when have they ever delivered on it under Snyder (well I'll give you the Elite 8 a couple years ago. Where was that all year?) I think Nebraska could be strong this year and give fits to the big dogs. They had a good year for their program last year.

The Pac 10 is down this year, I think. Arizona is the best team there, and then maybe Washington, though I wonder if last year was over achievement and they'll fall back a bit this year. Stanford is usually strong, but losing Childress and Montgomery won't be easy to overcome. I'd expect UCLA to make a move this year or next.

The SEC will be a dog fight between Kentucky and Florida in the East. The Gators return a lot of talent, none of which has produced much. Kentucky will be down a bit because they're reloading right now, but I think they're good enough to push Florida. After that I can't think of anyone who's very good in the East. Vanderbilt had a decent year last year. Missisippi State is the best team in the conference in my opinion, but they don't do much with their talent either, like Florida. Alabama will be solid but nothing anyone should be too scared of. Too inconsistent when the pressure's not on, pretty good when it heats up.

As far as other teams, I've always felt that Gonzaga is just an underdog small school that gets overhyped. They've got a good team returning, but they'll never make it past the Elite Eight. All they're good for is weakening the Pac 10 by stealing a few blue chip recruits now and then.

Conference USA is interesting to me. Louisville should be strong, but they seem to lose at least a couple of games a year that make you scratch your head and then win some in the same way. Memphis is scary at times, maybe sweet 16. I like what Calipari has done there. They've got a good chance of beating out Louisville for top honors. Under them, Cincy has really fallen off. UAB had an impressive run in the tourney last year, but they lost a lot of leadership. Something like 5 seniors including that Mo Finley guy.

So anyway, as you can see, I can't wait for hoops to get going. These are all my opinions of course and what I can recall from all the reading up I've done.