Well, the NBA is done, so we might as well get started with the predictions.
Remember, these rankings mean nothing. No games have been played and no one has proven anything.

1. Kansas
With the return of Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins (although he has put on some pounds), and the additions of Xavier and C.J. Henry, the Jayhawks are a very popular preseason No. 1.
Kansas will have proven leadership and plenty of depth, and Tyshawn Taylor is emerging as a combo guard.

2. Michigan State
Losing Goran Suton will be a setback, but Big 10 Player of the Year Kalin Lucas is still there to run the point for Coach Izzo.
This team didn't blow opponents away last year, so despite having a great record and winning the Big 10 by four games, they were underestimated by many (including myself).
It was their grit and stellar defense that got them to the Final Four last year, and will again be their calling card this season.
In addition, let's not forget that the Spartans have one of the best coaches in the country in Tom Izzo.

3. Texas
Even though Kansas is No. 1, it's quite possible that they won't win the Big 12 outright.
Texas gets an influx of fresh talent to go with returnees Damion James, Dexter Pittman, Justin Mason, and Gary Johnson. Freshman Jordan Hamilton should pair with James to give the Longhorns two very versatile forwards, and Florida transfer Jai Lucas will give them a pure point guard.

4. Kentucky
The addition of point guard prodigy John Wall and highly-touted big man DeMarcus Cousins has transformed Kentucky from an 08-09 NIT squad into a 09-10 championship contender.
If Jodie Meeks had returned it would have been very hard to put Kansas ahead of them.

5. UNC
I doubt the Heels will repeat, but they will be a talented bunch. Deon Thompson is the only returning starter, but Ed Davis has lottery pick written all over him.
In addition, all of the incoming freshmen should contribute immediately.

6. Purdue
Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore, and JaJuan Johnson are as good as any trio in the country and should be the best three in the Big 10 hands down. Role players will be key for the Boilermakers, who have one of the best benches in the country. Chris Kramer, who held Stephen curry to 13 points last season, is as good a defender as anyone in the country.

7. Villanova
'Nova has always had great guards, and this season will be no different. Scottie Reynolds returns with his back-court mate Corey Fisher, and two talented freshmen, Malik Wayns and Dominic Cheek will help fill out possibly the best back court in the country.
While the guards will be great, much of Villanova's success will depend on how much of Dante Cunningham's 16.1 points a game can be replaced by 6'9" freshman big-man Mouphtaou Yarou.

8. Duke
The Blue Devils haven't quite had the postseason success that they would have liked the past few years, but it's almost impossible to put them out of preseason top 10 rankings.
Coach K is arguably the best coach in college basketball, and Duke will remain a powerhouse until he leaves. The big concern for Blue Devil fans has to be the departure of Gerald Henderson (NBA) and Elliot Williams (transferred to Memphis).
This leaves Duke without any true slashers, meaning that they will be even more dependant on outside shooting than they already were.

9. Tennessee
Bruce Pearl is definitely one of the most interesting coaches in the country, but he has also brought success to a basketball program that was much more known for its women's team.
Tyler Smith, JP Prince, and Renaldo Woolridge are three forwards, 6'7" or taller, that can all hit the outside shot, and Allen Iverson look-alike Bobby Maze returns to run the point.

10. Butler
Everyone returns, including up-and-coming coach Brad Stevens, from a team that went 26-6 last season. Rising sophomores Gordan Hayward and Shelvin Mack are both playing for the U.S. U-19 team in the World University Games.
Matt Howard, the team's leading scorer (14.1 per game), also returns, and Willie Veasley gives the Bulldogs an outstanding defender.

11. Michigan
John Belien's 1-3-1 zone gave opponents fits last season, and the inside-outside combo of Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims return. Outside shooting will be key for the Wolverines, as it was for Belien's previous West Virginia teams, which had great success in March.

12. California
Percentage-wise, Cal was the best three-point shooting team in the country last year. Unfortunately, you can't always count on outside shooting, as the Golden Bears found out in the first round of the tournament against Maryland.
For Cal to continue its success, it's going to need some help from its big men, who are tall and athletic, but very raw offensively.

13. Washington
Losing Jon Brockman will leave a big hole in the front court, but the Huskies have the talent in the back court to contend in the Pac-10.
Isaiah Thomas, the Huskies' leading scorer, brings back 15.5 points a game, along with senior Quincy Pondexter, who averaged 12.1 points a game. Abdul Gaddy, one of the top guard prospects in the country, will help form a dynamic back-court trio.

14. Louisville
Starting with Samardo Samuels, Louisville will have six very athletic big men, giving the Cardinal terrific front-court depth. Factor in the additions of point guard Peyton Siva and Manhattan transfer Chris Smith (brother of Nuggets J.R.) and Louisville should have no problem staying atop the Big East.

15. Oklahoma
Losing four starters is a lot to overcome, but with Willie Warren returning, and the additions of freshmen Tommy Mason-Griffin and Keith "Tiny" Gallon, will help patch up those holes.

16. Minnesota
This will be one of the most talented Minnesota teams in recent memory. Everyone important returns to a team that won 22 games last season, and freshman Royce White will give the team a versatile wing, which they missed last season.

17. Ohio State
Evan Turner will be the most complete player of any team next season, but the departure of B.J. Mullens leaves Ohio State somewhat incomplete.
With David Lighty, William Buford, and Jon Diebler returning, it is probable that Turner will see a lot of time at the four, but he could also see time as a point guard, seeing as he led the Buckeyes in assists last season.
In short, Ohio State will have holes at the center and point guard positions, but have great depth at the two and three.

18. Cincinnati
Getting Lance Stephenson is huge for the Bearcats. If he survives all the legal mumbo-jumbo that he still has to go through and becomes eligible, he will give Cincy what they need to compete in the Big East.
Yancy Gates gives the Bearcats an inside punch, and Deonta Vaughn brings 15.5 points a game to the table.

19. Dayton
The Flyers were one of the best defensive teams in the nation last season, giving up only 61.4 points a game. This led them to 27 victories and a first round win over West Virginia.
Chris Wright is probably the favorite for A-10 POY, and head coach Brian Gregory has increased Dayton's win total every season since 05-06.

20. Kansas State
Wally Judge isn't quite Michael Beasley, but he is one talented freshman. Much like Beasley, Judge is a big forward (6'9") with a polished offensive game, and he is a great athlete.
He will join Dennis Clemente (who scored 44 against Texas) and Jacob Pullen, one of the most underrated guards in the country last season.

21. Mississippi State
Everyone is raving about Mississippi State's front court, which will feature Jarvis Varnado (4.6 blocks a game, led the country), 7'2" Sudanese product John Reik, and McDonald's All-American Renardo Sidney.
If the Bulldogs can improve their their three-point shooting (36 percent), they could be one scary team in March.

22. Siena
Kenny Hasbrouck is gone, but four other starters return, including the versatile Edwin Ubiles and dependable point guard Ronald Moore (6.4 assists a game). The Saints have won first round games the past two seasons and are fully capable of winning another.

23. Georgetown
The Hoyas will not be very deep at all, but they will have Greg Monroe, who will easily be a lottery pick, and two experienced guards in Chris Wright and Austin Freeman.

24. Connecticut
Kemba Walker will be a force in the Big East soon enough, and Jerome Dyson returns from injury to give UConn two skilled combo guards. Thabeet and Adrien are gone, but Alex Oranaki will give the Huskies another shot blocker, and if they can some how get Ater Majok (6'11") eligible they could lead the nation in blocks (again).

25. West Virginia
Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks give the Mountaineers two forwards who can step away from the basket and hit the outside shot as well as bang inside. In addition, Joe Mazzula returns from injury, which is critical, seeing as he was a key in pulling off West Virginia's upset of Duke in the tournament two years ago.

Honorable Mention: Wake Forest, Maryland, Xavier, Clemson, Illinois, Gonzaga, Tulsa, Pitt, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt