2008 Preseason College Basketball Top 5

The NCAA basketball season will be starting shortly and here is a quick look at my preseason top 5.

1. North Carolina- The Tarheels had one key loss in Brandon Wright, who declared early for the draft. They still have Tyler Hansbrough back for his junior year. He averaged 18 points and 8 boards as a sophomore and was the MVP of the team. They also return point guard Ty Lawson and shooting guard Wayne Ellington. The two sophomores should give the tarheels one of the top guard combinations in the nation. North Carolina has to be the favorite to cut down the nets in March.

2. Memphis- The Tigers were an elite eight team last year and did not lose anyone of significance. They are also adding the top point guard prospect in the nation in Derrick Rose. Having just finished last season with a combined record of 33-4 and with no key losses, look for Memphis to be in this years final four.

3.UCLA- The Bruins lost their top player to the NBA in Aaron Afflalo, but they have so many other top players that it would be tough to count them out. Darren Collison should emerge as one of the top point guards in the nation this year and past final fours show how vital the point guard position is in college basketball. Incoming Freshmen Kevin Love should be a star immediately for UCLA. Love will likely fight O. J. Mayo from USC for the Pac Ten top newcomer this year.

4.Georgetown- The Goliath like Roy Hibbert is the sole reason that Georgetown makes this list. He continues to get better year after year and just made North Carolina look bad at times in there tournament game last year. Georgetown lost Jeff Green to the NBA, but Jonathan Wallace will be back and the Hoyas should again make a run towards the final four.

5. Indiana- The hoosiers are back this year and are clearly the team to beat in the Big Ten. Since the Big Ten typically places a team deep in the tournament they are my pick for the #5 spot on this list. D. J. White is a ton and has decided to return this season. Add to the that Eric Gordon who shunned Illinois to play for Indiana this year. Gordon should be the top incoming freshman in the Big Ten and give Indiana a serious shot at the final four this year.