I know you have nothing to do with it, but I was perplexed by ESPN.com's latest college basketball poll: Who should be preseason No. 1 in college basketball? How could Duke be excluded from that list? The Blue Devils are definitely going to be better than teams like Auburn and Temple, aren't they?

-- Jared Lina, Sydney, Australia

It's not a stretch, Jared. Duke lost too much to be considered a preseason No. 1 team. The Blue Devils do have one of the top point guards in the nation in freshman Jason Williams. They have one of the top defensive forwards in Shane Battier. But there are questions at the other three spots. Duke could end up being a top-10 team and a Final Four participant but I wouldn't pick the Devils in November.

Hey Andy, I'm convinced that Virginia will play the role of shocker in the ACC this year. With a top-five recruiting class, the reigning ACC rookie of the year and all five starters back, the Cavaliers have the ability and depth to create havoc in the conference with Pete Gillen's up-tempo style. It could be another year away, but I'm thinking now -- what are your thoughts?

-- Bill Chapman, Richmond, Va.

I agree. Virginia could be a sleeper team with the race for second in the ACC still wide open. The top three teams should be North Carolina, Duke and Maryland, but Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, N.C. State and Virginia all have an equal shot to compete for the top tier of the ACC. Majestic Mapp will be the impact freshman to watch. Gillen will get the Cavaliers playing even more up-tempo and be a tough out at home.

I am a huge fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. My question is: Have you heard anything about what Tom Davis is doing these days and what are your feelings about him? Do you think he has retired for good or do you think he is just taking his time and finding the right job for him?

-- Brian Foss, Riceville, Iowa

At last report, Davis was enjoying his retirement and not worrying about getting back into the game. I do think he was pushed out a year or two too soon. He had the Hawkeyes energized this past year and had a chance to land the top in-state talent if he hadn't been told to retire the previous spring. Instead, the Hawkeyes' recruiting took a hit. Steve Alford will give the program a new, younger look, but I'm not so sure they won't have a better record.

What's wrong with the sports world today? I just saw Kentucky ranked as low as 26th in a preseason poll! Don't get me wrong, I know as well as anyone that the Wildcats are young, but they are going to be much better than 26th. Do you believe they honestly deserve to be 26th?

-- Wes Cottongim, Bowling Green, Ky.

That's probably too low, but (you may not want to read this) don't be surprised to see Kentucky fall out of the top 25 at some point this season. The Wildcats are young, vulnerable at the point, lack proven frontcourt depth, and could get beat at home again (this time in non-conference play) by Utah in the second round of the Preseason NIT. The Wildcats are no longer the top team in the SEC. They might be the third or fourth behind Florida, Auburn and, maybe, Tennessee.

What is Boston College doing to get back into the mix in the Big East? Have the Eagles made any strides with recruiting? Will they be able to compete sometime in the next 3-5 years?

-- Andrew Schneller, Boston

The answer to BC's plight is the same for everyone else: players. The Eagles need to get better players, like Miami did and Seton Hall is doing with its current recruiting class. Adding Xavier Singletary will help this season, but the Eagles need to land a marquee class to move up in the Big East. Can it be done? Absolutely. I'm certain Al Skinner and Tim O'Shea will get the players. Remember, the core group at Rhode Island that Jim Harrick coached to the Elite Eight in his first year were Skinner and O'Shea players.

-- Sean C., San Francisco

The Word on Haas is that it could become one of the top campus venues. Ben Braun should have even more student involvement at Bear games with the new facility, making Cal a more formidable team to beat when teams come to Berkeley.