Post Early-Entry Deadline Top 25

#1 Kansas: This is a 27 win team that returns everyone significant, including former champions Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, while adding three top 50 recruits, including potential superstar Xavier Henry.

#2 Kentucky: Kentucky is one of the tougher teams to project this year. They are extremely young, and a lot of times it takes a coach a year or two to adapt a program to his system. It is different for Cal, however, as he already has "his guys" on the roster, and the fact of the matter is that UK has three guys that are probably 2010 first-rounders.

#3 Texas: Texas was one of the early entry big winners as they got Damion James back, meaning their dominant front line will remain virtually intact. They also fill in a lot of holes in their back court with Florida transfer Jai Lucas and freshman Jordan Hamilton and Avery Bradley coming into the program.

#4 Michigan State: A lot of times these preseason polls weigh too heavily on freshman (ahem, Kentucky). Michigan State loses a couple key guys in Goran Suton and Travis Walton, but they bring back everyone else, including Kalin Lucas and a healthy Raymar Morgan. Put those two together with the young and talented wings Izzo has (Korie Lucious, Chris Allen, Durrell Summers), and the Spartans look good to win another Big Ten title.

#5 Villanova: The Wildcats bring back a ton of backcourt depth (which you know Jay Wright loves), and adds a loaded recruiting class. With Scottie Reynolds returning, Villanova also keeps their leader and look to be the favorite in a watered down Big East this season.

#6 Purdue: Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore, and JaJuan Johnson will all be juniors this year, and Purdue will also keep Keaton Grant and Chris Kramer for their senior campaigns. If Kramer and Hummel can stay healthy all season, the Boilermakers should be able to contend with MSU for the Big Ten crown.

#7 North Carolina: The Tar Heels will have a loaded front court again this year, as Ed Davis and Deon Thompson return, Tyler Zeller comes back from his wrist injury, and John Hensen and the Wear twins enter the program. This issue is going to be in their back court. Can sophomore Larry Drew and freshman Dexter Strickland adequately replace Ty Lawson?

#8 Butler: The Bulldogs return their entire team from last season. Shelvin Mack and Gordon Hayward will only get better in their sophomore years, Matt Howard is a horse in the paint, and guys like Willie Veasley and Ronald Nored are much better role players than they get credit for. With Xavier, Memphis, and Gonzaga all down this season, the Bulldogs will be the mid-major torch carriers.

#9 West Virginia: The 'Neers got lucky when Devin Ebanks decided to return to school, who combined with Da'Sean Butler will form one of the toughest forward combinations in the country. Joe Mazzulla, who is coming off of a shoulder injury, and Truck Bryant will make up a solid backcourt, and, like any Huggins team, WVU has a ton of athletes along their front line. If someone can step up and replace Alex Ruoff's shooting, WVU looks like they will be the second best team in the league.

#10 Washington: The Huskies return Isaiah Thomas and replace Justin Dentmon with Abdul Gaddy, which will form a dynamic backcourt. Losing Jon Brockman will hurt, but his replacements will be able to get out and run the floor more, something Lorenzo Romar will want to do with his backcourt. They should walk through the Pac-10 this year.

#11 Duke: Duke got Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer back, but lost Gerald Hendrson to the draft. Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee should help shore up the Blue Devils front line. They still have point guard issues, but if Nolan Smith can get better and Elliot Williams can step up and replace Henderson's production, Coach K's team should be headed for another 25-30 win season.

#12 Tennessee: This is a bit of wishful thinking. The Vols got Tyler Smith back which means hey essentially return thier entire core. But unless Bobby Maze becomes a true point guard, and some of Tennessee's young studs (Cam Tatum, Scottie Hopson) mature and learn to play ball, this ranking will look silly at year's end.

#13 Clemson: The Tigers lose a lot, but with Trevor Booker (who should be a monster this year) and Demontez Stitt (one of the most underrated guards int he ACC) returning and a solid recruiting class (including Kenny Hall Trevor Booker's brother), Clemson should have enough to make some noise in the ACC.

#14 Minnesota: The Golden Gophers will be led by seniors Lawrence Westbrook and Damian Johnson, who will be surrounded by a wealth of young talent. They also add Royce White, a top 25 recruit, into the mix. Once again they will be balanced, but I worry about a go-to scorer for this group. When Tubby Smith needs a basket, who does the ball go to?

#15 UConn: The Huskies lose a lot of talent, but they also return a great deal. Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker make up a solid back court and Stanley Robinson could turn into a star this season. The Huskies also add a very good recruiting class, as Calhoun landed three top 75 recruits. The key is going to be whether or not Ater Majok will be eligible. If he is not, then UConn will not haveenough size inside.

#16 Dayton
#17 Oklahoma
#18 Ohio State
#19 Cal
#20 Michigan
#21 Georgetown
#22 Louisville
#23 Oklahoma State
#24 Georgia Tech
#25 Illinois