Connor Doyle

All right folks, here's the only college basketball preview that matters. Tired of East Coast homers? Follow me to freedom!

No. 1 - Duke

Yesterday, Duke signed Mephistopholes·err·Coach K to a lifetime contract. Well, I guess that means there's no point in playing the game anymore. In this day and age, it's incredible how Duke keeps getting the top recruits, year in and year out. That's fine, though - because they'll choke. Know why? I don't either.

No. 2 - Missouri

Sure, this sounds a little crazy · actually, it's a lot crazy. But there's so much to like about this team. Kareem Rush is probably the best player not named Jason Williams in the game, and the backcourt of Clarence Gilbert, who's never seen a shot he doesn't like, and Wesley Stokes, who daylights as one of the Bone Thugs, is the most underrated in the country.

No. 3 - Arizona

I can hear the cries of "homer" all the way from the newsroom, but I don't care. After knocking off two of the top teams in the nation, the Wildcats are primed to surprise everyone this year with another run at the Final Four. Or an early exit in the first round. Both are equally likely. These two truths are evident: 1) Will Bynum is going to be the NCAA Freshman of the Year, and 2) Jason Gardner is a first team All-American. Stifle your comments until the end of the season, boys and girls, 'cause I'm right.

No. 4 - UCLA

I don't know if I've ever liked a Bruin team more than this one. Cedric Bozeman is going to be a revelation at the point, and UCLA Jason Kapono may finally start being the leader everyone expected him to be last year. By far the most balanced team in the Pac-10, their Achilles heel will be foul trouble - especially with Dan Gadzuric in the middle.

No. 5 - Kentucky

Tayshaun Prince is the most complete player in college basketball. He can stroke it from the outside and he's got post moves reminiscent of another skinny power forward, Kevin McHale. Add the athletic Keith Bogans and Jules Camara to the mix, and Tubby can finally convince the Lexington losers to get of his son's back.

No. 6 - Illinois

My pick for National Champions last year lost some serious size when Sergio McLain and Marcus Griffin graduated, but Frank Williams and Corey Bradford make an imposing backcourt and Brian Cook added some muscle to his lanky frame, making this team an intriguing pick.

No. 7 - Maryland

Sure, Zona already beat them, but this team has unreal talent. Now it's all about following through. Lonny Baxter could be the best big man in the country, or he could be the next Oliver Miller. Juan Dixon would be the best player in the ACC if Jason Williams weren't there, and they have a great bench. Plus, they beat the Dookies not once, but twice, in Durham last season.

No. 8 - USC

If there's one name you need to remember in the Pacific 10 Conference this season, make it Sam Clancy. He punked Michael Wright both times they matched up last season, and he's the prototype college forward - big, athletic and versatile. He can bang down low, bust out with a killer drop step, or stroke a 15-footer in your eye. Want more? He's the best rebounder in the conference, too. And Brandon Glanville can play the point on my team anytime.

No. 9 - St. Joseph's

The next Allen Iverson is tucked away in a small, Jesuit academy in Philly, and his name is Marvin O'Connor. Last season, he scorched Stanford for 37 points in the tourney. He put up 18 points in less than a minute against LaSalle last season. And, the Hawks boast one of the top point guards in the country in Jameer Nelson. The Jesuits haven't had this much fun since · well · I guess they've never really had fun before.

No. 10 - Stanford

All right, enough about Casey Jacobsen. Sure, he has the most ungodly range outside of Reggie Miller. Sure, he's the best two guard in the game. But it's Teyo Johnson that impresses me - you know, that guy who lit up the Arizona secondary in last week's football game? If this guy can play basketball half as well as he plays football, Stanford's going to be some kind of team this season.

Honorable mention: San Diego State, North Carolina, Northern Arizona, Rutgers