2011--12 Top 10

Assuming Jordan Hamilton, Kyrie Irving, Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight, the Morris twins, Kemba Walker and Derrick Williams turn pro ...

1. NORTH CAROLINA

If the Tar Heels pull off the triple coup of keeping likely first-round picks Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller in Chapel Hill—and all three frontcourt players say they are staying—Roy Williams will be coaching the clear national title favorites.

2. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes' offense will once again be built around the beastly, back-to-the-basket game of All-America power forward Jared Sullinger, but look for fellow sophomore Deshaun Thomas to put up big numbers in a starting frontcourt role.

3. DUKE

Freshman combo guard Austin Rivers, a son of Celtics coach Doc and the No. 1 recruit according to Rivals.com, is an electric scorer with expansive range. He, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins will form the country's sweetest-shooting backcourt.

4. SYRACUSE

The Orange lacks a transcendent star, but it has enough experience (the 1-2-3 punch of guards Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche and forward Kris Joseph) and young talent (including top-ranked freshman center Rakeem Christmas) to make a Final Four run.

5. KENTUCKY