Aug. 3
It's time for Dickie V's preseason Top 25, baby! Defending champ Duke is No. 1, but the Blue Devils have plenty of challengers.

1. Duke -- With the best backcourt in the nation in Jason Williams and Chris Duhon, Coach K has a great shot to repeat as the national champion. Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and transfer Dahntay Jones are also in the mix. Even without Shane Battier, the Blue Devils are extremely talented.

2. Maryland -- The Terps return a solid nucleus, with a super inside-outside duo of Lonny Baxter and Juan Dixon. Baxter is one of the most powerful inside players around, while Dixon is deadly on the perimeter. Steve Blake is an outstanding ball-handler. Gary Williams will get more from Tahj Holden and Chris Wilcox. It should be a special season in the final year of Cole Field House.

3. Florida -- The Gators must have Teddy Dupay back, and I'm hearing he will most likely play next season. The potential tandem of Dupay and Brett Nelson forms a dynamic duo. Remember, Florida has power inside with the SEC's premier post player in Udonis Haslem. Billy Donovan has a lot of help coming in diaper dandies David Lee and James White.

4. Illinois -- With the dynamite duo of Frank Williams and Cory Bradford, coach Bill Self's club should have a big year. That's especially true if Robert Archibald can provide scoring on the interior. Illinois needs 6-foot-11 Brian Cook to provide consistency on the interior.

5. Kentucky -- The Wildcats have an exciting 1-2 punch in Tayshaun Prince and Keith Bogans. Kentucky was very young last season, and the year of experience will help. This is a very deep squad; from spots one through eight, the Wildcats are as good as anyone.

6. UCLA -- With Jason Kapono's shooting ability and the inside play of Dan Gadzuric, Steve Lavin's club should be strong. The addition of transfer Spencer Gloger will also help.

7. Kansas -- Roy Williams has an experienced nucleus, as Drew Gooden and Nick Collison return up front. The backcourt of Jeff Boschee and Kirk Hinrich will be ready to perform.

8. Memphis -- John Calipari's team is loaded, and it helps to have an impact diaper dandy in DaJuan Wagner. Kelly Wise returns to provide an inside presence. The Tigers gained valuable experience in the NIT last year; this club will make big-time noise.

9. Stanford -- Mike Montgomery is an excellent coach and teacher, and any team that returns Casey Jacobsen will be solid. Stanford lost the Collins twins, but there is a lot of talent returning with Justin Davis, Curtis Borchardt and company. Watch out for newcomer Josh Childress.

10. Missouri -- Quin Snyder has one of the nation's premier players in Kareem Rush. Clarence Gilbert is a scoring threat in the backcourt, and Missouri enjoyed an excellent recruiting class. This could be a breakthrough year for the Tigers.

11. Iowa -- A key will be the return to health of guard Luke Recker. Reggie Evans is a Windex man who can dominate inside. Steve Alford has a solid team, and the Hawkeyes will challenge in the Big Ten.

12. Virginia -- Pete Gillen recently agreed to a long-term extension, and Cavaliers fans should be happy. With the likes of Chris Williams, Travis Watson and Roger Mason returning, Virginia will give Duke and Maryland a challenge in the competitive ACC.

13. Georgetown -- Remember the days when the Hoyas were the Beast of the East? Georgetown should be the favorite in the Big East as Craig Esherick has Kevin Braswell returning in the backcourt. Wesley Wilson should be more of a force, while Mike Sweetney can score on the baseline.

14. Fresno State -- Jerry Tarkanian is happy to have Tito Maddox back; the point guard withdrew from the NBA draft. Chris Jefferies can score from the wing, and Melvin Ely is a rebounder and shot blocker in the middle.

15. St. Joseph's -- Last season was not a fluke. The Hawks have one of the top backcourts in the nation in Marvin O'Connor and Jameer Nelson. Phil Martelli's team will compete with Temple and Xavier for the top spot in the A-10.

16. Temple -- The return of Lynn Greer in the backcourt gives John Chaney a real workhorse. It will be interesting to see how the Owls respond as Chaney is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Kevin Lyde's return gives a boost up front.

17. Indiana -- Jared Jeffries will take charge as a super soph now that Kirk Haston is gone. Mike Davis has a lot of talent and the full-time Hoosiers coaching job.

18. Michigan State -- Even though the Spartans lost Charlie Bell, Andre Hutson, Jason Richardson and Zach Randolph, Tom Izzo will have his team ready. Kelvin Torbert is one of the nation's top diaper dandies, and Marcus Taylor will be a super soph running the offense.

19. North Carolina -- Don't write off the Tar Heels. Kris Lang and Jason Capel will key Matt Doherty's club. North Carolina has a good recruiting class coming in -- and Juwad Williams, Jackie Manuel and company will be called upon early.

20. USC -- Henry Bibby wants to push his Trojans into the top three of the Pac-10. He's happy to have Sam Clancy back up front after he withdrew from the NBA draft.

21. Wake Forest -- Skip Prosser's first season in the ACC should be a good one. Darius Songaila inside and Josh Howard on the wing will key a Demon Deacons team that could surprise.

22. Connecticut -- Jim Calhoun's team should be improved. Caron Butler has had a strong summer and should be a difference-maker. The addition of recruit Ben Gordon should help the backcourt.

23. Oklahoma State -- Eddie Sutton's team has a lot of experience. Maurice Baker is one of the nation's premier all-around guards. Watch out for the Cowboys in the talented Big 12.

24. Alabama -- Mark Gottfried added a solid class and several stars return. Rod Grizzard and company will be ready to make noise in the SEC West. Alabama-Temple at the Jimmy V Classic should be a good matchup.

25. Xavier -- David West is a PTPer, and the Musketeers should remain solid. Thad Matta takes over the coaching duties following Skip Prosser's departure to Wake Forest.