This was our first stab when the season ended. Much has changed.

1. Kansas - Collins and Aldrich came back to Lawrence. So did everyone else that matters. There could be some offensive struggles at times, but there’s no doubt this is the best team in the nation.

2. North Carolina – Lost four starters, all of whom are likely to be 1st round draft picks. But the frontline has the potential to be among the best in the country, and it’s NBA-like: Davis, Thompson and Zeller. Assuming Drew can handle the PG duties, a 3rd straight Final Four is well within reach.

3. Kentucky - There will be some issues for Calipari meshing new and old talent; there may even be a surprising loss or two before conference play begins. But with depth of talent, a Final Four will be expected. With Meeks, we might have put them first.

4. Purdue - With Kansas, this is one of three teams (we think) in the country to return all five starters. We can’t pinpoint a reason, but we still don’t get the feeling that the Boilermakers are a Final Four team. Haven’t been there since 1980.

5. Texas - Despite the loss of Abrams, the Longhorns return their next four biggest contributors, and the recruiting class is stacked with two Top-10 players, plus Florida transfer Jai Lucas is eligible in the second semester.

6. Michigan State – Lots of very good guards (Allen, Lucas, Summers) return; they’re not nearly as deep up front as they were last year after the graduations of Ibok, Gray and Suton. Will Roe get help inside?

7. Villanova - Somewhat reluctant to do this, considering they lost three valuable contributors (Cunningham, Clark, Anderson). But Reynolds is back along with the two Coreys, and recruiter extraordinaire Jay Wright has lassoed quite a freshman class.

8. Tennessee - Tyler Smith decided to stay, and the Vols now return all of last year’s most productive players. Could give Kentucky a run in the SEC. But can Bruce Pearl coach defense?

9. West Virginia - A bit of a Final Four sleeper, only because it lost its most complete player, senior Alex Ruoff and flamed out early in the NCAA tournament. Mazzulla will return healthy, and the Ebanks-Butler combo will be like what Earl Clark and Terrence Williams had at Louisville last year.

10. Washington - Probably a reach here, but this Top 10 needed a left coast flavor. Despite losing its 2nd best scorer and top rebounder (Brockman), the Huskies have a nice trio in Thomas, Pondexter and super-recruit Abdul Gaddy. With USC, UCLA and Gonzaga all virtually rebuilding, the Huskies should be able to stake claim as the best in the West.

Teams in the hopper for the next 10, no order:
Georgia Tech: Promising trio of Shumpert, Lawal and Favors will contend in the ACC.
Duke: Because the Blue Devils are always there. Would have been Top 10 with Henderson.
Dayton: Class of the A-10, whatever that’s worth. Top Flight Wright returns.
California: The best kept backcourt secret in the country last season, Randle and Christopher, should finally shine. Probably the 2nd best team in the West after Washington.
Notre Dame: Top tier team in the Big East with the trio of Harangody, Ben Hansbrough and PG Tory Jackson.
Connecticut: Walker and Dyson will be a dynamite backcourt; will Edwards/Robinson give them enough inside? Will Matok be eligible?
Louisville: Another solid 20-win, NCAA tournament-bound team for Pitino.
Ohio State: Near the top of a much-improved Big 10, led by Turner, Buford, and a healthy David Lighty.
Oklahoma State: Team to watch in the Big 12 behind Anderson, Muonelo, and a supposedly-good incoming batch of freshman.