Men's Top 25

By John Clay

HERALD-LEADER SPORTS COLUMNIST

1. Louisville | You might think the Cardinals' super sophs are too new to win the crystal basketball, but think back to Florida's fabulous '04s. Plus, we know the Cards have a coach who can get it done.

2. UCLA | Even in LaLa Land, Ben Howland is a maniacal recruiter who also can coach a little. Adding rookie Kevin Love to the roster should get the Bruins back to the Final Four for a third consecutive season.

3. Tennessee | What better way for Chris Lofton to top off his college career than a trip to the Final Four? The former Mason County star has the supporting cast to get Bruce Pearl's crew over the hump.

4. Memphis | John Calipari is not everyone's cup of tea, but he can coach. A wee bit young last season, the Tigers should be more mature and lethal this time around. Tigers senior Joey Dorsey

5. Kansas | This could be the season Bill Self gets to the Final Four, thanks to a stocked roster of top-drawer talent. Darrell Arthur's development is essential, but Brandon Rush's surgically repaired knee is the key.

6. North Carolina | Heels almost had too much talent last season. There is only one basketball. The question now is whether losing Brandan Wright will clear the paint for Tyler Hansbrough.

7. Georgetown | Having Roy Hibbert back is a definite plus, but the Hoyas will miss Jeff Green. Hibbert must put this team on his slender back.

8. Michigan State | Tom Izzo does best when he has an experienced point guard running the Spartan show. Drew Neitzel has earned his stripes.

9. Washington State | Cougars can capitalize on last season''s success thanks to the talents of Derrick Low.

10. Indiana | First-year sensation Eric Gordon is the real deal, which should take some pressure off Kelvin "Call Me" Sampson.

11. Duke | Poor Coach K whined over the summer that it wasn't nice to kick the Devils when they're down. He's right about one thing. They won't be down for long.

12. Villanova | Point guard Scottie Reynolds is a year wiser, and the Wildcats should benefit from his savvy.

13. Southern Cal | Finally, the collegiate debut of the Trojans' second O.J. -- Mayo -- who gets to prove he is the man.

14. Oregon | With a ton of talent back, the Ducks could make another splash.

15. Texas | D.J. Augustin will take on more of the load now that Kevin Durant has taken his game to Seattle. Texas should be the leading contender for the Big 12 runner-up slot behind Kansas.

16. North Carolina State | Feeling sorry for the Wolfpack can officially cease now that Brandon Costner is making waves.

17. Texas A&M | Replacing Acie Law, much less Billy Gillispie, will be difficult. But the Aggies have talent, and Mark Turgeon is a capable coach who can keep A&M on the rise.

18. Xavier | Muskies had No. 1 seed Ohio State all but beat last March, and Drew Lavender and Stanley Burrell should make more noise this season.

19. Arizona | Talk of Lute Olson's demise is premature, thanks to Chase Budinger, who should lead a Wildcat resurgence.

20. Marquette | Tom Crean's Eagles might be lacking in the frontcourt, but they have plenty of high fliers in the backcourt.

21. Stanford | Suspension of star 7-footer Brook Lopez has thrown the Cardinal cause into controversy.

22. Arkansas | Stan Heath just didn't have it, then Dana Altman didn't want it, which turned out to be all the better for new coach John Pelphrey.

23. Kansas State | It took just one year for Bob Huggins to trade Manhattan for Morgantown, but Huggy at least left behind Michael Beasley.

24. Southern Illinois | It should be no surprise seeing the Salukis in the Top 25.

25. Kentucky | It's all new for Billy Clyde, who needs a big senior season out of Joe Crawford for the Cats to make noise.