Rivals.com 2008-09 Preseason Top 25:
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It looks like the Big East Monster is still growing. This year may boast the best overall conference in college basketball history. (I know it's a stretch) 7! out of the 16 teams ranked in Rivals top 13.
1. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'Connecticut');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://connecticut.rivals.com/"> Connecticut
Hasheem Thabeet's surprising decision to stay in school means the Huskies return every key player from a 24-win team. The big question is the health of point guard A.J. Price, who tore an ACL in the NCAA Tournament. Kansas' Brandon Rush tore an ACL in late May and returned to the court in mid-November. If Price follows a similar recovery path, he will be ready for the start of preseason practice.
2. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'pittsburgh');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://pittsburgh.rivals.com/"> Pittsburgh
There are three big reasons to believe in the Panthers – point guard Levance Fields, small forward Sam Young and center DeJuan Blair. That may be the best trio on one team in college basketball next season. Sprinkle in some of Pitt's traditional hard-nosed defense and some solid role players, and you have a legit contender for the national title.
3. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'purdue');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://purdue.rivals.com/"> Purdue
How can the Boilermakers be this high? Much of the answer lies with the theory that players improve most between their freshman and sophomore years. Three freshmen played significant roles on a Purdue team that finished second in the Big Ten and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. If each member of that trio improves, especially raw big man JaJuan Johnson, then the "Baby Boilers" are going to be better – way better.
4. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'notredame');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://notredame.rivals.com/"> Notre Dame
The Irish are used to facing mild expectations (they've been picked 11th and ninth in the past two league preseason polls). Next season, they will learn what it's like to be on the national radar well before the league schedule starts. They return the Big East's leading scorer, its best shooter and its leading assist man – Luke Harangody averaged 20.4 points, Kyle McAlarney made a league-high 108 3-pointers and Tory Jackson dished out 5.8 assists per game.
5. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'northcarolina');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://northcarolina.rivals.com/"> North Carolina
When you have Tyler Hansbrough, do you really need much else? Apparently our panel doesn't think so. Despite three of Hansbrough's teammates (guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington and small forward Danny Green) having declared for the draft, the Tar Heels were in the top 10 on every ballot. If Hansbrough can carry a depleted supporting cast back to the Final Four, he undoubtedly will win national player of the year honors again.
6. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'duke');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://duke.rivals.com/"> Duke
7. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'oklahoma');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://oklahoma.rivals.com/"> Oklahoma
8. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'louisville');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://louisville.rivals.com/"> Louisville
9. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'Tennessee');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://tennessee.rivals.com/"> Tennessee
10. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'Wakeforest');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://wakeforest.rivals.com/"> Wake Forest
11. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'georgetown');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://georgetown.rivals.com/"> Georgetown
12. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'michiganstate');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://michiganstate.rivals.com/"> Michigan State
13. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'villanova');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://villanova.rivals.com/"> Villanova
14. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'Florida');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://florida.rivals.com/"> Florida
15. <a class="ContentDbAnchor" onmouseover="javscript:startDisplayTimer(event, 'ucla');" onmouseout="startHideTimer();" href="http://ucla.rivals.com/"> UCLA
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