No. 1 Duke Blue Devils
If the first three games are any indication, the 'Cameron Crazies' will have plenty to cheer about this year. The Blue Devils, who enter the 2005-'06 season ranked No. 1 in both national polls, earned early season victories against Boston University and Davidson, and also posted a 93-40 romp over Seton Hall.
Seniors J.J. Redick and Sheldon Williams will lead a talented Duke squad hungry to prove itself after falling to Michigan State in last year's NCAA tournament. A deadly 3-point shooter with incredible range, Redick tallied 20 or more points in 21 games in 2004-'05 and was named the National Player of the Year. Williams, the returning National Defensive Player of the Year, will provide a solid post presence for the Blue Devils.
While the road through the ACC is never easy, Coach Mike Krzyzewski should sharpen his scissors because he could be cutting down the nets this April.
No. 2 Texas Longhorns
With only two seniors, head coach Rick Barnes will look for a bunch of young guns to lead his No. 2 Texas team this season. Sophomore point guard Daniel Gibson returns after leading the Longhorns in scoring as a freshman with 14.2 points per game.
When not driving to the hoop himself, Gibson can dish the ball off to one of the nation's top front court tandems. Forward P.J. Tucker averaged 13.7 points and eight rebounds last season before he was sidelined due to academic ineligibility, and senior captain Brad Buckman will also be an inside force for the Horns in 2005-'06.
The Longhorns have made it to the NCAA tournament in each of coach Barnes' seven seasons in Austin. While the Big 12 is stacked with talent, Texas has a good shot to win the conference and make it eight for eight.
No. 3 UConn Huskies
Watch out, these Huskies are hungry! With a second round NCAA tournament loss to North Carolina State still fresh in their heads, Jim Calhoun's squad looks to claim their 10th regular season Big East title in 20 years.
UConn is lead by arguably the best front court in the nation. Forwards Rudy Gay Jr., Josh Boone, Denham Brown and Rashad Anderson all averaged double-digit point totals last season. Thus despite the loss of Charlie Villaneuva to the NBA, UConn will be right in the thick of March Madness.
With five teams from Conference USA, including perennial powerhouses Louisville and Cincinnati, joining the Big East, UConn will have a murderous conference schedule. Nevertheless, the Huskies will vie for a top seed in this year's NCAA tournament.
No. 4 Villanova Wildcats
Villa-who? While Syracuse, Pittsburgh and UConn consistently bask in the national spotlight, the Wildcats remained in virtual obscurity. Everything changed last year when Villanova developed the habit of knocking off top 25 teams. Wins over No. 2 Kansas, No. 3 Boston College, No. 17 Pittsburgh and No. 21 West Virginia proved to the nation that the Cats were back.
Villanova, who enters the 2005-'06 campaign ranked No. 5 in the AP poll, is lead by a trio of top guards. Senior Allan Ray posted 16.2 points per game last season while Randy Foye and Mike Nardi contributed 15.5 and 8.2 points respectively.
Coach Jay Wright's team almost shocked the college basketball world before they fell to North Carolina 67-66 in the third round of the NCAA tournament. This season a Villanova Final Four appearance would be anything but surprising.
No. 5 Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Zags have moved up the ranks through the years, and the mid-major program can now be considered a college basketball powerhouse. A year ago their national championship hopes were lost in March to Texas Tech, but that was a very young team that over achieved all year.
6'8'' junior Adam Morrison is a pre-season first team All-American, and is joined by junior Derek Raivio who has developed into one of the best point guards in the nation. J.P. Batista learned a lot from the departed Ronny Turiaf, and is ready to take over in the front court.
The one thing Gonzaga doesn't have is a lot of height, but Morrison has shown that he can play bigger than his 6'8'' frame. His athleticism allows him to shoot over big guys, while guards have to be worried about his deadly three-point stroke. He isn't the only Zag who can shoot either. Raivio is unstoppable from beyond the arc when he gets hot, while freshman Jeremy Pargo and junior Sean Mallon can step back too. The three-point shooting will be important, but the Bulldogs will only be a legitimate title-contending team if Morrison stays healthy.
