College Basketball Preview: Top 25 Teams as Top 40 Songs

Get ready, hoops fans. There just may be a lot more attention paid to NCAA basketball this year. Luckily, stars like Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Andre Drummond will give fans plenty to look forward to. As usual, the preseason Top 25 is full of controversy and excitement.

Are the rankings right? There is nothing sports fans love to argue more about than rankings.

And music is no different. Music is one of the few mediums that have official rankings every week. Currently, the Billboard charts are being torn up by the likes Nikki Minaj, Adele and Foster the People. 

Athletes are always trying to be rappers, country singers and rock stars. Musicians are always trying to prove they can play ball.

So, why not mix the two?

Turn up your stereo and lace up your Jordans. Here's a musical preview of the NCAA Top 25 preseason rankings.

(Rankings are based on the AP Top 25.) 

25. Missouri: "Red Solo Cup"—Toby Keith

Missouri's season may not be totally lost with the injury to Laurence Bowers, but Tigers fans might need a red solo cup to help endure a potential roller-coaster season. 

24. California: "In the Dark"—Dev

California is a bit of a mystery this year. The Golden Bears made the NIT last year and look to improve even further.

Allen Crabbe has a lot of potential and the Bears have a great starting lineup. However, there are still some questions about the bench. 

Although, just like Dev says, it can be kinda fun in the dark.

23. Gonzaga: "5 O'Clock"—T-Pain

It may feel like 5 a.m. for some Zags fans—they've been waiting for the team to make it back to the Sweet 16 since 2009.

The Bulldogs can't afford to get tired because they have a tough non-conference schedule that includes games against Arizona, Michigan State and Xavier.

22. Marquette: "Fly"—Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj has turned into one of the hardest working MC's in rap today.

Buzz Williams has turned the Golden Eagles into a rough-and-tumble team that always shows up to play. 

21. Cincinnati: "Lighters"—Bad Meets Evil

All Bruno Mars wants to see is a sky full of lighters.

All Bearcats fans want to see is their team contending for the Big East title.

Yancy Gates, Cashmere Wright and Dion Dixon give them a good shot at doing just that.

20. Texas A&M: "You Make Me Feel"—Cobra Starship

Khris Middleton makes Aggie fans feel excited. He's got top-10 draft potential and gives the Aggies a shot at winning the Big 12. 

19. Alabama: "Good Feeling"—Flo Rida

A trip to the NIT final last year and the return of JayMychal Green and Tony Mitchell give fans in Tuscaloosa a good feeling about this season.

18. Michigan: Stereo Hearts- Gym Class Heroes

Listen to the sounds coming from Crisler Arena and you'll be hearing some good things. 

Tim Hardaway, Jr., Zack Novak and Stu Douglass will make Michigan a team to watch in 2011-12.

17. UCLA: "Sexy and I Know It"—LMFAO

Josh Smith and the Wear twins give UCLA one of the strongest front courts in the NCAA, although the loss of Malcolm Lee hurts the Bruins' mojo.  

16. Arizona: "We Found Love"—Rhianna

Wildcat fans are loving Sean Miller.

Even though Derrick Williams is gone, Kyle Fogg, Solomon Hill and Jesse Perry are returning starters from a team that made it to the Elite Eight last year. 

15. Wisconsin: "You and I"—Lady Gaga

Fans are always guaranteed solid Wisconsin basketball. Music fans are always guaranteed something unique from Lady Gaga. 

Although the loss of Jon Leuer hurts the Badgers, preseason All-American Jordan Taylor gives fans in Madison plenty to sing about.

14. Xavier: "Tonight, Tonight"—Hot Chelle Rae

Xavier forgot its dance moves when it mattered last year.  It was upset in the first round by 11th-seeded Marquette.

However, if Tu Holloway lives up his potential as a Player of the Year candidate, Musketeers fans will be breaking out their sickest dance moves. 

13. Kansas: "How to Love"—Lil Wayne

Losing the Morris twins and Josh Selby leaves a lot of questions for the Jayhawks.

They do return Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson. After that, it's a lot of unknowns. If this team doesn't find its mojo, its run at the top of the Big 12 will come to an end.

12. Baylor: "Make Me Proud"—Drake

Expectations are high for the Baylor. The Bears' hopes are riding on Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller.

If Jones can dominate like he did last year and get Miller, Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones involved, the fans in Waco will be proud of their team.

11. Memphis: "Good Life"—OneRepublic

It's never a question of if Memphis is going to be good, but how good.

Will Barton, Joe Jackson and Tarik Black lead the heavily hyped Tigers. Memphis is deep and looks primed for another conference championship.

10. Pittsburgh: "Rolling in the Deep"—Adele

Pitt could have had it all last year. 

Don't worry too much about the Panthers, though. They have a great team with Ashton Gibbs and Nasir Robinson leading the charge.

Once the Panthers move to the ACC, will they make the Big East commissioners wish they'd never met them?

9. Louisville: "Headlines"—Drake

Rick Pitino is no stranger to the front page of the paper. He's an extremely successful basketball coach but also a loose cannon. 

Peyton Siva, Kyle Kuric and Gorgui Dieng are going to try and make sure the Cardinals get all the attention in the paper and not their coach. 

8. Florida: "Princess of China"—Coldplay

Florida and Coldplay have a lot in common. There is an argument to be made that both of them are among the best programs/bands of the last decade.

 The Gators have two national championships, three SEC championships and nine NCAA tournament appearances in the last 10 years. 

Coldplay has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and have won seven Grammy awards (while also garnering 20 nominations).

This year's incarnations from both organizations are leaving fans a little confused. Can Billy Donovan's squad survive a brutal schedule and compete with Vanderbilt and Kentucky?

And can Coldplay follow up its monster album Viva la Vida? 

Time will tell.

7. Vanderbilt: "Give Me Everything"—Pitbull

The Commodores have a huge chip on their shoulder after being bounced from the NCAA tournament by Cinderella teams the past two seasons. With a number of stars returning, fans want it all this year. 

John Jenkins, Jeffery Taylor and Festus Ezeli give Vandy a good shot at going deep in the NCAA tournament. 

6. Duke: "Someone Like You"—Adele

The Cameron Crazies are going to miss Kyrie Irving, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith.

Fans all know Coach K won't let a little heartbreak dethrone the Blue Devils.

Duke rebounded from its big three's departure quite nicely with a solid recruiting class. Freshman standout Austin Rivers will be the young gun to watch in the ACC.

5. Syracuse: "Mr. Know It All"—Kelly Clarkson

Syracuse returns nearly all of its team from its 27-win campaign last year.

Freshmen Fab Melo and Rakeem Christmas are charged with taking the place of Rick Jackson.

The Big East is stacked as usual. And as usual, Jim Boheim knows what he's doing.

4. Connecticut: "Pumped Up Kicks"—Foster the People

Much like Foster the People's out-of-nowhere success, Connecticut scored a surprise hit by winning the national championship. 

Can it both prove it's not just a one-hit wonder?

Connecticut, with its return of Jeremy Lamb, and Alex Oriakhi, as well as the additions of DeAndre Daniels and Andre Drummond, hopes to show it's ready to defend its title.

As for Foster The People, well, the jury is still out on the band.  

3. Ohio State: "Super Bass"—Nicki Minaj

Fans in Columbus cheered when Jared Sullinger decided to returns for his sophomore year.

Music fans cheered when they heard Nicki Minaj's solo debut following her salacious guest stints with Kanye West, Trey Songz and Ludacris. 

"Super Bass" is fun, catchy and the soundtrack for a good time. Buckeye fans feel the same way about their 2011-2012 team.  

2. Kentucky: "Moves Like Jagger"—Maroon 5

The Jon Calipari finishing school for pro ball players is in full session. The latest students are blue chip prospects Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb and Kyle Wiltjer.

Terrence Jones showed he's got the moves for this Kentucky team. He dropped 52 in the Blue-White scrimmage. (Jones may be able to move like Jagger, but I doubt Mick could dunk like Jones.) 

1. North Carolina: "Party Rock Anthem"—LMFAO

North Carolina has mojo right now. It is nearly the unanimous No. 1 in the various preseason rankings.

The Tar Heels have plenty of reason to party. After a few years of fielding mediocre teams, North Carolina looks ready for a run to championship.

Sophomore stud Harrison "Bad News" Barnes decided to stick around in Chapel Hill. Freshman James McAdoo is a superstar in the waiting. 

Look for North Carolina to be rocking deep into the Final Four tournament. 

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