May 9, 2009

Rivals.com
Rivals.com College Basketball Staff

Here is our first revised preseason top 25 for the 2009-10 season ? the post-underclassmen declaration day version.

For this version of the top 25, the "ground rules," so to speak, were that those underclassmen who have declared for the draft are going to stay in the draft.

We know that assumption is wrong, so we'll update this top 25 in late June, after the deadline to pull out of the draft passes.

1. Kansas
The buzz: Kansas returns everyone who played at least 2.5 minutes per game for the team that reached a 2009 regional semifinal. The Jayhawks may not follow North Carolina's lead by becoming a unanimous No. 1 pick in the preseason poll. But it's hard to imagine anyone else getting more than a handful of votes.
2. Michigan State
The buzz: The reigning NCAA runners-up have a legitimate shot to get back in the title game now that point guard Kalin Lucas has decided to stay in school. Remember that Michigan State made it to the championship game without having Raymar Morgan healthy for a full season.
3. Purdue
The buzz: Two Big Ten teams in the top three? Why not? Purdue returns six of its top seven scorers from this season and should benefit from having Robbie Hummel healthy all season. Hummel, E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson give the Boilermakers quite a potent trio.
4. Texas
The buzz: The Longhorns could climb a spot or two if Damion James pulls his name out of draft consideration. Even if James doesn't come back, the return of Dexter Pittman and the arrival of Avery Bradley ? the No. 4 prospect in the nation ? should make the Longhorns legitimate Final Four contenders.
5. Villanova
The buzz: Villanova still is waiting to hear whether Scottie Reynolds stays in the draft, but the Wildcats are loaded in the backcourt with or without him. The Wildcats also are bringing in three of the top 30 prospects in the 2009 recruiting class.
6. Duke
The buzz: The potential loss of Gerald Henderson is a major concern, but Duke returns just about everyone else from the team that reached the Sweet 16. The Blue Devils' lack of an elite point guard and center keeps us from ranking them higher.
7. North Carolina
The buzz: The losses of Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington were expected, but they still could hamper the Tar Heels' chances of defending their title. The Tar Heels' hopes of getting back to the Final Four could depend on whether sophomore Ed Davis makes the leap to stardom and how Larry Drew II adjusts to a starting role.
8. Connecticut
The buzz: Connecticut loses quite a bit with the departures of Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien and A.J. Price. But the Huskies also could see huge improvements from Kemba Walker and Stanley Roberts. Connecticut's chances of living up to this ranking could hinge on how Jerome Dyson fares as he comes back from a knee injury.
9. California
The buzz: The Bears got the biggest boost in this poll, and they should stay highly ranked. Patrick Christopher put his name in the draft early, but he was the first to take his name out. That means coach Mike Montgomery will return four starters and his top reserves for his second season in Berkeley.
10. Butler
The buzz: The Bulldogs are poised for a gaudy record in the Horizon League after returning every major contributor from this past season's 26-6 team. Three starters ? Shelvin Mack, Gordon Hayward and Ronald Nored ? can be expected to make strong strides from their freshman to sophomore seasons.
11. West Virginia
The buzz: Big East foes Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Villanova got hit with early entries. West Virginia's lone loss was Alex Ruoff to graduation. Devin Ebanks and Da'Sean Butler will be one of the conference's best frontcourt duos.
12. Oklahoma
The buzz: Blake Griffin is gone, but Willie Warren stayed in school. The incoming freshman class, which includes Keith Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin, should keep the Sooners among the Big 12 elite.
13. Ohio State
The buzz: The Buckeyes are another reason the Big Ten is the most balanced conference in the country. Recruiting one-and-dones has hurt Ohio State's APR and caused the Buckeyes to lose two scholarships. Will Thad Matta back off from those type of players?
14. Michigan
The buzz: John Beilein's second season was a major success. His third could be even better after guard Manny Harris and forward DeShawn Sims elected to stay in school.
15. Washington
The buzz: The Huskies will miss Jon Brockman and Justin Dentmon, but they're rebuilding around guard Isaiah Thomas. Five-star guard Abdul Gaddy will join the team in the fall.
16. Georgetown
The buzz: The Hoyas won't miss DeJuan Summers as much as you'd think. Keeping center Greg Monroe in school should return Georgetown to the top tier of the Big East.
17. Kansas State
The buzz: The Wildcats scuffled a bit at times this past season, not surprising considering they lost Michael Beasley after one year. But a return to the NCAA tournament next season looks extremely likely. Four starters return, and touted recruit Wally Judge should fit in nicely in the frontcourt.
18. Siena
The buzz: The Saints have a chance to become a perennial mid-major power. They have been to the second round of the NCAA tournament in each of the past two seasons, and four starters will be back next season.
19. Tennessee
The buzz: If Tyler Smith decides to stay in school, this ranking gets better. Even if he doesn't return, this is an NCAA tournament team.
20. Minnesota
The buzz: The Golden Gophers frequently were painful to watch on offense this past season. But Tubby Smith gets his top eight players back, and those guys sure know how to play defense. If the offense improves, the Golden Gophers become a sleeper Big Ten contender.
21. Louisville
The buzz: The Cardinals are losing two big-timers in Earl Clark and Terrence Williams, but Samardo Samuels should become a star and there is enough talent on hand to keep Rick Pitino's team near the top of the Big East standings.
22. Illinois
The buzz: The Fighting Illini were a pleasant surprise this past season, getting back to the NCAAs a season ahead of schedule. Next season, they'll be expected to play well. Defense and a strong frontcourt should carry the Illini.
23. Dayton
The buzz: The Flyers return 11 of their top 12 scorers off an incredibly deep team that reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. Dayton plays lockdown defense, but the Flyers need to improve their offensive consistency. Still, Dayton should be the preseason favorite in the Atlantic 10.
24. Clemson
The buzz: Three starters and seven of the top nine scorers will be back. Plus, the ACC likely won't be as strong next season. The question for Clemson is can it follow what is sure to be a fast start with a strong finish?
25. Kentucky
The buzz: This ranking could zoom up if Jodie Meeks stays in school ? and if John Wall, the nation's No. 1 recruit, signs with John Calipari's team. The freshman class is strong even without Wall, and that's why the Wildcats are at No. 25.
OTHERS CONSIDERED (listed alphabetically): Florida State, Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Tulsa, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest.