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**** Vitale Preseason Top 40 - 31-40 - ESPN
ND in at #36
ND in at #36
1. NORTH CAROLINA ACC
Analysis: With Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Kendall Marshall back, Hall of Famer Roy Williams has the favorite entering the season.
2. KENTUCKY SEC
Analysis: John Calipari has Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb back, plus the top incoming class, led by Michael Gilchrist and Anthony Davis.
3. OHIO STATE BIG TEN
Analysis: Jared Sullinger will be the BMOC (big man on campus) in Columbus. It also helps to have William Buford and Aaron Craft back.
4. SYRACUSE BIG EAST
Analysis: Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim welcomes back Kris Joseph, Scoop Jardine and the team that should be favored in the competitive Big East.
5. VANDERBILT SEC
Analysis: Kevin Stallings has a lot of veteran talent returning, including center Festus Ezeli, sharpshooter John Jenkins and the athletic Jeffery Taylor.
6. DUKE ACC
Analysis: Even without Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving, the Blue Devils will be heard from. The Plumlees, Seth Curry and diaper dandy Austin Rivers will shine for the Cameron Crazies.
7. MEMPHIS C-USA
Analysis: The Tigers have a young nucleus ready to dominate Conference USA. Look for big things from Joe Jackson and Will Barton.
8. CONNECTICUT BIG EAST
Analysis: Hall of Famer Jim Calhoun lost Kemba Walker from last year's championship team, but they have rising sophs Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier.
9. LOUISVILLE BIG EAST
Analysis: I think this will be a big year for Rick Pitino. He has a lot of talent coming in, plus Kyle Kuric and Peyton Siva.
10. FLORIDA SEC
Analysis: This will be a guard-dominated team, including Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton. Look for Patric Young to develop up front.
11. Pittsburgh: Jamie Dixon has to be thrilled to have Ashton Gibbs back after he withdrew from the draft. The Panthers will always play physical, tenacious defense and will be ready to compete in the best conference in America.
12. Alabama: There is more than just football in Tuscaloosa, baby! Move over Nick Saban as Anthony Grant has a terrific trio returning in JaMychal Green, Trevor Releford and Tony Mitchell.
13. Wisconsin: Bo Ryan gets the most out of his talent and Jordan Taylor is one of the premier guards in America. It will be tough to beat the Big Red in Madison.
14. Xavier: Tu Holloway is back and coach Chris Mack has his top three scorers returning from last year's squad.
15. Kansas: I will not sell Bill Self's team short as Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson lead the way. Self has brought in some solid talent this year as well.
16. Baylor: Perry Jones III decided to come back to school and coach Scott Drew is glad he did.
17. Arizona: Sean Miller doesn't have Derrick Williams or Lamont Jones back, but the coach will work his magic and have a team to watch out West.
18. Marquette: Darius Johnson-Odom deserves a lot more ink and Buzz Williams has a very tough team.
19. Missouri: New coach Frank Haith has veterans to keep an eye on in Kim English, Marcus Denmon and Ricardo Ratliffe.
20. Cincinnati: Yancy Gates will be a major factor up front on a Bearcat team that will make lots of noise.
21. Michigan: John Beilein's team surprised many people last season, but they will have even higher expectations this time around. Led by sophomore shooting guard, Tim Hardaway Jr., look for the Wolverines to be a force in the Big Ten this season.
22. Texas A&M: New coach Billy Kennedy takes over for Mark Turgeon and will have forward Khris Middleton up front for the Aggies.
23. Butler: Brad Stevens lost Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack but will work his mid-major magic. Look for Khyle Marshall to step up and lead the Bulldogs.
24. Michigan State: Tom Izzo's team will rebound after a rough 2010-11 campaign. Keith Appling will be a big-time performer for the Spartans.
25. Texas: Rick Barnes lost three players to the first round of the NBA draft (Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph and Jordan Hamilton), but the Longhorns will bring in lots of young talent to balance the team.
26. Gonzaga: Mark Few has a great player in Elias Harris. Look for the Zags to return to the Big Dance for a 14th straight season.
27. George Mason: Paul Hewitt takes over for Jim Larranaga and it should be business as usual in the challenging Colonial Athletic Association.
28. Illinois: Yes, there is some pressure on coach Bruce Weber but his Illini will respond. Brandon Paul and D. J. Richardson will see their roles expanded even further this season.
29. UCLA: Ben Howland has the Wear twins coming in and that will help the Bruins build upon an already talented team.
30. West Virginia: "Huggy Bear," Bob Huggins, has senior guard Kevin Jones returning to a Mountaineer team that will always fight, claw and scrap their way into contention in the Big East.
31. Wichita State: Last season, Gregg Marshall's club won the NIT; he has bigger things in mind this season.
32. Villanova: Maalik Wayns should lead the 'Cats to a positive season for Jay Wright's squad.
33. New Mexico: Kendall Williams was an unsung diaper dandy last season; he will get more ink this time. Steve Alford has a legit contender in the Mountain West.
34. Florida State: I like the young talent to mesh down in Tallahassee. This may surprise a few people in ACC country.
35. California: Mike Montgomery has super sophs Allen Crabbe and Richard Solomon ready to get some national exposure. Seniors Jorge Guttierez and Harper Kamp will be factors as well.
36. Notre Dame: Even without Ben Hansbrough, I look for Mike Brey's team to be very competitive in the Big East.
37. Purdue: JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore are gone but Matt Painter is encouraged by the potential return of Robbie Hummel.
38. Temple: Fran Dunphy's team will challenge Xavier in the A-10 race.
39. St. John's: Steve Lavin has one of the youngest teams in America but there's lot of raw talent and potential.
40. Miami-Florida: The Hurricanes suffered a blow when Reggie Johnson was injured and he is not expected to be ready for the season. Jim Larranaga will infuse some life into the Hurricanes.
