Spring Break
Hansbrough Leads Country's Best
NCAA Basketball
Rajiv Leventhal
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Sports
October is here, the leaves are falling and football is the prime sport of choice. But that doesn't mean we can't indulge into a little college basketball, now that the first practices are coming around the corner. Last season, the defending champion Florida Gators started off as the No. 1 team in the nation and they backed it up with a another title. But this year, with all five starters gone, don't look for Billy Donovan and crew to be in contention for any net cutting. With that, here is an early look at the top 10 teams in the country.
1. North Carolina - The Tar Heels certainly got fortunate when both Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson decided to return for another season. Losing Brandon Wright to the NBA hurts, but guard Wayne Ellington returns to form the most talented team in the nation. Look for Roy Williams to be in the Final Four competing for their second championship in four years.
2. Memphis - The Tigers have reached the Elite Eight two straight seasons, and this year should be no different. Leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts returns and freshman phenom, point guard Derrick Rose will get significant minutes in John Calipari's system. Expect Memphis to boast another gaudy record in the weak Conference USA.
3. UCLA - Losing junior and top player Arron Afflalo will certainly hurt, but the Bruins have more than enough talent to rebound from last year's Final Four loss. Darren Collison will step in nicely for Afflalo as lead guard and forward Josh Shipp brings back his 13 points per game. They also have the No. 1 ranked high school center coming to campus in Kevin Love.
4. Kansas -- Last year's Kansas team might have had the most talent in the nation on paper, but something was clearly missing on the court. Star forward Julian Wright went pro, but everyone else returns including wingman Brandon Rush who decided to pull out of the NBA draft. Darrell Arthur will be a rebounding beast this year for Bill Self, who needs to prove he can coach as well as he recruits.
1. North Carolina - The Tar Heels certainly got fortunate when both Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson decided to return for another season. Losing Brandon Wright to the NBA hurts, but guard Wayne Ellington returns to form the most talented team in the nation. Look for Roy Williams to be in the Final Four competing for their second championship in four years.
2. Memphis - The Tigers have reached the Elite Eight two straight seasons, and this year should be no different. Leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts returns and freshman phenom, point guard Derrick Rose will get significant minutes in John Calipari's system. Expect Memphis to boast another gaudy record in the weak Conference USA.
3. UCLA - Losing junior and top player Arron Afflalo will certainly hurt, but the Bruins have more than enough talent to rebound from last year's Final Four loss. Darren Collison will step in nicely for Afflalo as lead guard and forward Josh Shipp brings back his 13 points per game. They also have the No. 1 ranked high school center coming to campus in Kevin Love.
4. Kansas -- Last year's Kansas team might have had the most talent in the nation on paper, but something was clearly missing on the court. Star forward Julian Wright went pro, but everyone else returns including wingman Brandon Rush who decided to pull out of the NBA draft. Darrell Arthur will be a rebounding beast this year for Bill Self, who needs to prove he can coach as well as he recruits.
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