Way way way too early 2011-12 NCAA Top 10.

I have to do it.  This season was over for me right when Gilbert Brown missed that second foul shot.  Kudos to both Butler and, of course, UConn.  I watched UConn grow all season long.  At first the Maui seemed like a fluke, than from a fluke they went to solid Big East squad, than to a middle of the pack Big East team, and finally transitioned into a Championship caliber team.  Kemba Walker was there all year, but the fact that Napier, Lamb,Smith came on...and the Big Guys came on as well.  They have the makings for a Big run next year as well.

But so do a few other teams....Here's what I can offer you.

1. Duke-Well they came up short this year behind Smith and Singler, but displayed greatness all year long.  Coach K has this team in a great position to be in New Orleans next season.  Kyrie Irving is likely going pro, but could bolster this team to a clear cut Championship level team. Still, they won't be short on talented guards.  The Blue Devils will welcome Austin Rivers, the nations top recruit. He is expected to be in the mold of many of the recent 1 and done Point Guards(Rose,Evans,Wall,Irving,ect...)  Team him with Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins, that is a lethal backcourt. Duke will also have 3 Plumlee's to turn to for inside help, along with Ryan Kelly.  They have size, reliable guards, and the Best coach in the game.  They are my early pick to cut down the nets.

2. Connecticut- The defending champs are losing just 1 player, but he isn't just any old player.  Kemba Walker has graduated, he has nothing left to prove and I would be shocked to see him at UConn next season. If he does, they are number 1.  But until I get that confirmation, number 2 will have to do.  UConn will return 4 starters, and a huge contributor off the bench.  Shabazz Napier will step into Walker's role as Point Guard, and he will do an excellent job. He is a true Point Guard and will not score like Kemba.  Lamb and Smith played well down the stretch and are only going to get better.  Jeremy Lamb is going to be an absolute star.  Team them with Oriakhi and some of the role players, UConn can make another serious run.  A lot will depend on how they get past not having Kemba Walker on the floor.

3. Syracuse- The Orange return quite a bit, and add two McDonald's All Americans.  Well the Big East battle is already set for next year.  The Orange will center their team around the backcourt of Jardine,Triche and Joseph.  All three have been key players for the Orange for a number of years now, and can have this team in position to contend with UConn for the Big East Title.  Waiters and Fair played well off the bench as freshmen, and will be expected to take on a larger role.  The key will be if talented, yet disappointing Center Fab Melo can develop, and if not will freshmen,Rakeem Christmas make an impact.

4. North Carolina-The Tar Heels went from an unheralded team, to ACC Champs in what seemed like a matter of weeks.  Whatever turned the Tar Heels on, worked.  Now a lot of this matters on who turns pro, and what not.  UNC has been known to have kids leave early and that comes with recruiting All Americans only. I expect to see Zeller and Hensen return. They are long and polished in the post, and create matchup problems for most teams.  Strickland and Marshall each performed very well down the stretch to make this team a legitimate contender.  Now I don't see Harrison Barnes returning, but with him they could climb a few spots, Luckily they also bring in two McDonald's All Americans in James McAdoo and CJ Hairston.

5. Arizona-Sean Miller has this team back to prominence in no time.  He may have found his career job. And with this successful season, he has an opportunity to take this team to the Final 4 next season.  If Derrick Williams returns, watch out.  He may very well be the Number 1 pick in the draft.  They still return 4 starters from a 30 win team this season.

6. Kentucky- John Calipari finds a way.  He takes a new team each season and can mold them into a Championship level team. After losing 5 NBA Draft picks, he takes this team to Houston.  The way I see it, he is losing three more freshmen to the NBA, With that said, he brings in the nation's best recruiting class.  Reloading.  Teaming up talented freshmen Mike Gilchrist and Marquis Teague among others with senior wings Miller and Liggins can be a tough combination to stop.  I like adding these top freshmen to the mix with Seniors.

7.  Texas- Again a team that depends on top recruits faces that two sided sword of  them leaving early.Texas may be faced with that this offseason. Hamilton,Thompson,Brown and Joseph are all more than capable of joining the NBA, but all 4 seem better suited to improve their game another year in College.  Texas was believed at times to be the best team in the Nation.  Do not forget they were a top 5 team most of the season.  The talent is there, just needs to be sustained throughout five months.

8. UCLA-Ben Howland has slowly repaired his team to a contender once again. He returns five starters, four of which averaged double figures.Howland blends his Big East mentality with recruiting top tier talented players he couldn't get at Pitt, sometimes it works, sometimes it hasn't. But Nelson and Honeycut from a solid duo down low.  Assuming Reeves Nelson returns.

9. Ohio State- Well Sullinger swears he is coming back. That has been said before, but he seems sincere thus far.  He'll be the man in the middle, and Aaron Craft will get it done as the Point Guard.  Craft was one of my favorite players to watch, and I could really see himself elevating to an elite player along with Sullinger. The Buckeyes will bring back their second leading scorer in William Buford, but lose catalysts Diebler and Lighty. Matta is always dealing with one of the most talented teams in the country, and will have themselves in position to be a Championship contender once again.

10. Purdue- Might be a questionable pick. True they are losing Moore and Jackson the two seniors that did everything. That can be devastating to a program, but they bring back their centerpiece that was hurt all season in Robbie Hummel.  He could have made Purdue in the Final Four this season had he not gotten hurt early on.  He'll be teamed with returning starters Lewis Jackson,Ryne Smith and DJ Byrd.  All 3 can shoot it, and all are veterans.. Matt Painter made the right choice in coming back.

Five Teams that you should keep in mind
1. Michigan
2. Memphis
3. Vanderbilt
4. Pitt
5. Louisville