2007-08 College Basketball Preview
Preseason Basketball Top 25
By Jason Smith

1. Memphis - The Tigers have not lost any of their core team from their Elite Eight run last season. The addition of Derrick Rose, one of the top incoming players in the nation, coupled with one-two punch of Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey make John Calipari's team a force this year.

2. North Carolina - The Tar Heels may have lost Brandan Wright, but Deon Thompson and Alex Stephenson should have outstanding years. Wayne Ellington and Tywon Lawson give the Heels a solid backcourt, and O Yea… they still have Tyler Hansbrough who has shown leadership and toughness even when injured.

3. UCLA - The Bruins did lose Arron Afflalo, but you cannot ignore the impact of Kevin Love on this team. He could very well be the best low post player in the West. Along with Darren Collison's afterburner speed at the point, the Bruins should come out of the West and make their third straight Final Four appearance.

4. Kansas - The Jayhawks are coming off an Elite Eight appearance last year and assuming Brandon Rush has a normal recovery from an ACL injury the sky is the limit. Darrell Arthur and a host of guards lead by Sherron Collins and Russell Robinson are hungry to win.

5. Louisville - This all hinges on if Derrick Caracter is just fine after spring knee surgery. If so this gives the Cardinals one of the toughest frontcourts in all of the land. Edgar Sosa gives this team speed, while Earl Clark, David Padgett, and Juan Palacios give Rick Pitino options.

6. Georgetown - Roy Hibbert is one of the premier low post men in basketball this year and not many teams will have an answer for him. The Hoyas did lose Jeff Green, but both of the guards are back, Dajuan Summers and Vernon Macklin, and should put up bigger numbers than last year.

7. Tennessee - With the addition of Iowa transfer Tyler Smith the Vols filled a glaring front court need, but we must not forget this is essentially the same team that beat Memphis by 18 points last year.

8. Washington State - Derrick Low and Bobby Cowgill lead this team, and with a core group of players back lookout.

9. Marquette - Dominic James decided to return for the Golden Eagles leaving the exact same team from last year in tact which made it to the NCAA Tournament.

10. Michigan State - Drew Neitzel really makes this team go and Larry Izzo has filled in the pieces of the puzzle around him. The Spartans should play solid defense and win close games.

11. Indiana - No longer are the Hoosiers irrelevant. With D.J. White deciding to stay and the coming of Eric Gordon will make this team solid inside and out.

12. Duke - Another solid recruiting class coupled with the team the Blue Devils return make them the second best team in the ACC.

13. Oregon - The Ducks return with team intact minus Aaron Brooks. This team will still score in bunches and as long as they can produce and defend the low post, their impact will be felt in the Pac-10.

14. USC - The Trojans bring in the top recruiting class in the nation led by O.J. Mayo. USC may have lost two first round NBA draft picks, but have reloaded well, and still have explosive talent Taj Gibson.

15. Gonzaga - With Josh Heytvelt returning to the Zags team which brought in a loaded recruiting class this WCC team will surely dance again.

16. Kentucky - Billie Gillspie will run a guard heavy offense this season and with the addition of local talent Patrick Patterson, this team should be interesting to watch.

17. Texas A&M - The Aggies lost Acie Law and their coach Billie Gillspie, but Mark Turgeon will succeed with this team. The addition of DeAndre Jordan, coupled with the return of Joseph Jones and Josh Carter make this team dangerous

18. Texas - OK, OK, I know the Longhorns lost Kevin Durant, but D.J. Augustine and A.J. Abrams are arguably one of the best guard combinations in the nation. They will pick up where this Longhorn team left off last season/

19. Pittsburgh - The Panthers lose Gray and Kendall this year, but brought in Dejuan Blair. Pitt's core wing and perimeter players are back and Jamie Dixon always finds a way.

20. Arizona - The Cats did lose some big name players, but return Chase Budinger, Jawann McClellan, and Jordan Hill. Add to that guard Jarryd Bayless who they brought in and I like Lute Olson's chances.

21. Stanford - This Cardinal team returns almost completely intact, and with the Lopez twins controlling the low-post Stanford should be tough again this year.

22. Xavier - Sean Miller year in and year out continues to keep his Musketeer team at the top of the A-10 conference. Last year they almost upset Ohio State in the NCAA Tourney, expect them to make some noise again this year.

23. Wisconsin - Bo Ryan just does not lose a lot of games. The Badgers will win because of there system, they'll have more balance and defend better this year.

24. Davidson - Stephen Curry is a hidden weapon and Coach Bob McKillop gets zero publicity. This team should win lost of games this year and make the dance.

25. Arkansas - Hogs guard Patrick Beverly had an outstanding summer for Team USA Basketball, which should spillover into this upcoming season. Lookout for this team in the SEC.