One of the CBS writers thinks that Purdue will be top 5 going into next year! 1. North Carolina Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody Who I think will ultimately leave early: Ty Lawson Comment: This is clearly based on Tyler Hansbrough and Wayne Ellington returning, along with Danny Green and Deon Thompson. Combine that quartet with an incoming recruiting class featuring Tyler Zeller, Ed Davis and Larry Drew, and Roy Williams should have the preseason No. 1 team, again. 2. Duke Who has announced a desire to leave early: Taylor King (transferring) Who I think will ultimately leave early: King Comment: The lone starter missing from a 28-win team should be DeMarcus Nelson. Mike Krzyzewski will replace him with McDonald's All-American Elliot Williams, which is a good indication the ACC title will come down to North Carolina and Duke, just as it usually does. 3. Purdue Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody Who I think will ultimately leave early: Nobody Comment: Every relevant player from a 25-win team should be back, including E'Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummell and Keaton Grant. Thus, the Big Ten favorites will be Matt Painter's Boilermakers. 4. Southern California Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody Who I think will ultimately leave early: O.J. Mayo Comment: Davon Jefferson's announcement that he will return to school was both surprising and a boost to the Trojans. They'll likely return four starters and replace Mayo with Demar DeRozan, another probable one-and-done prospect capable of posting big numbers as a freshman. 5. UCLA Who has announced a desire to leave early: Kevin Love, Darren Collison Who I think will ultimately leave early: Love, Collison, Russell Westbrook Comment: The Bruins will be hit hard, like Memphis and Kansas. But Josh Shipp and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute should still provide a solid nucleus and be aided by the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation featuring Jrue Holiday and Jerime Anderson. |