The Hoya’s M e n ‘ s C o l l e g e B a s k e t b a l l Super 25

1. Duke

Last season: 29-5, NCAA Sweet 16

Top players: F Shane Battier (6-8, Sr.), Jason Williams (6-2, So.)

Fast break: Mike Krzyzewski returns a loaded Duke squad that should continue the Blue Devils’ ACC dominance. Improved play from sophomore center Carlos Boozer and sophomore swingman Mike Dunleavy will be the key to Duke sitting atop the pile at the end of the season. The depth that the Devils have lacked in recent years will push them over the top.

2. Arizona

Last season: 27-7, NCAA 2nd round

Top players: C Loren Woods (7-1, Sr.), Michael Wright (6-7, Jr.)

Fast break: The decision by Loren Woods to return for his senior year instead of declaring for the NBA draft means Arizona is returning all five starters and 99 percent of their scoring from last season. Point guard Jason Gardner, last year’s national Freshman of the Year, should be more mature and ready to lead Arizona.

3. North Carolina

Last season: 22-14, NCAA Final Four

Top players: G Joseph Forte (6-4, So.), C Brendan Haywood (7-0, Sr.)

Fast break: The ‘Heels surprisingly reached the Final Four last season after a mediocre regular season and have the talent to return again this March. Forte (16.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG), a Washington native, will lead the North Carolina attack while 7-foot-6 freshman center Neil Fingleton will back up the talented but inconsistent starter Brendan Haywood.

4. Michigan State

Last season: 32-7, NCAA Champions

Top players: G Charlie Bell (6-3, Sr.), F Jason Richardson (6-6, So.)

Fast break: The defending national champions lost the dynamic duo of Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson but more than made of for it (at least in weight) with the addition of 6-foot-9, 270-pound Zach Randolph. He was the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game and will anchor the Spartans inside. If the young players mesh, Michigan State will find themselves in familiar territory come March.

5. Stanford

Last season: 27-4, NCAA 2nd round

Top players: G Casey Jacobsen (6-6, So.), F Jarron Collins (6-10, Sr.)

Fast break: The Cardinal stumbled in the NCAA tournament last spring after cruising through the regular season, but Stanford should be better prepared entering this postseason. With a more difficult regular season schedule and a year of experience for sophomore stud Casey Jacobsen and the Collins brothers (Jarron and sophomore center Jason), Palo Alto will once again be rockin’ come March.

6. Maryland

Last season: 25-10, NCAA 2nd round

Top players: G Juan Dixon (6-3, Jr.), F Terence Morris (6-9, Sr.)

Fast break: The Terrapins return all five starters from last year’s NCAA squad, including three players who averaged more than 15 points per game (Dixon-18.0, Morris-15.8, and junior center Lonny Baxter-15.6). Maryland is loaded in the frontcourt with seven players 6-foot-8 or taller, but their backcourt is much thinner. Success in College Park will depend on overcoming their Achilles heel of poor free throw shooting.

7. Tennessee

Last season: 26-7, NCAA Sweet 16

Top players: F Vincent Yarbrough ( 6-7, Jr.), G Tony Harris (6-0, Sr.)

Fast break: Yarbrough is one of the most highly touted players in the country, but he disappeared at key moments for the Volunteers last season. He is surrounded by talent and athleticism in the starting lineup, but the Vols lack significant height. Without any starters taller than 6-foot-9, Tennessee will win based on speed and athleticism.

8. Kansas

Last season: 24-10, NCAA 2nd round

Top players: G Kenny Gregory (6-5, Sr.), C Eric Chenowith (7-1, Sr.)

Fast break: Kansas managed to hold onto coach Roy Williams during North Carolina’s fiasco of a coaching search, undoubtedly the most important offseason news for the Jayhawks. Kansas returns all five starters in a mediocre Big 12 conference and will go as far as their disappearing act in the middle, Eric Chenowith, takes them.

9. Seton Hall

Last season: 22-10, NCAA Sweet 16

Top players: G Darius Lane (6-4, Jr.), F Eddie Griffin (6-9, Fr.)

Fast break: The Pirates are young and inexperienced, but if Tommy Amaker can provide the maturity they need, Seton Hall will go places. Junior guard Ty Shine will have to step up at the point to lead the squad, while lanky sophomore center Samuel Dalembert needs to hone his offensive skills. The addition of Griffin will provide all the talent the Pirates need, but the NBA will be beckoning after his freshman campaign.

10. Florida

Last season: 29-8, NCAA Finals

Top players: F Udonis Haslem (6-7, Jr.), G Brett Nelson (6-3, So.)

Fast break: Florida coach Billy Donovan might have had too much of a good thing last season, as his players complained about playing time on what was the deepest team in the nation. That won’t be a problem this year, as Mike Miller and Donnell Harvey left Gainesville early for the NBA. Widebody Udonis Haslem will again anchor the lane, while Brett Nelson has the enjoyable job of filling Miller’s shoes.

Rk. School 1999-00 rec., finish Comment

11. Kentucky 23-10, NCAA 2nd round Tubby’s got his hands full in Kentucky

12. Connecticut 25-10, NCAA 2nd round Loss of El-Amin, Voskuhl will hurt

13. Utah 23-9, NCAA 2nd round Only one starter returning on young team

14. UCLA 21-12, NCAA Sweet 16 Kapono is money from 3-point land

15. Illinois 22-10, NCAA 2nd round Illini will be led to NCAAs by Self

16. Arkansas 19-15, NCAA 1st round ‘Backs won’t ride the bubble this year

17. Cincinnati 29-4, NCAA 2nd round No Martin, no love for the Bearcats

18. Oklahoma 27-7, NCAA 2nd round Not quite as good as Sooners football

19. Wake Forest 22-14, NIT Champions Deacons want to win the other tourney

20. DePaul 21-12, NCAA 1st round Early exit of Q will hurt Blue Demons

21. Georgetown 19-15, NIT 2nd round Hoyas on the way back to glory days