Shannon Ryan’s top 25 college basketball rankings

*--* RK. TEAM Comment 1 KANSAS (0-0) Every top player from last season’s Sweet 16 team returns. 2 MICHIGAN STATE (0-0) Three starters are back from last season’s national runner-up. 3 TEXAS (0-0) With this much depth, the Longhorns can expect to be in the Final Four. 4 KENTUCKY (0-0) Coach Calipari is playing with the big boys now in the Bluegrass State. 5 NORTH CAROLINA (1-0) Huge losses? So what? North Carolina just reloads. 6 WEST VIRGINIA (0-0) Sky is the limit with forwards Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks. 7 VILLANOVA (0-0) Go-to post player would help, but Wright can coach deep into tourney. 8 PURDUE (0-0) Success recipe: Starters all return and F Hummel is healthy. 9 CALIFORNIA (1-0) Randle leads group of seniors who should win Pac-10. 10 TENNESSEE (0-0) Almost everyone back from Sweet 16 team. 11 DUKE (0-0) Veterans Singler and Scheyer are in charge. 12 BUTLER (0-0) All starters back, so don’t be surprised to see them in Sweet 16. 13 CONNECTICUT (0-0) Lost plenty, but look for big seasons from Walker and Robinson. 14 MICHIGAN (0-0) The Wolverines are loaded with shooters. 15 WASHINGTON (0-0) Arrival of Gaddy will help make up for key losses. 16 OKLAHOMA (0-0) Sophomore Warren can keep Sooners in Big 12 hunt. 17 GEORGETOWN (0-0) With Monroe in post and a solid backcourt, Hoyas will regroup. 18 OHIO STATE (1-0) Turner may not play point, but can help at nearly any position. 19 GEORGIA TECH (0-0) No way the Yellow Jackets finish with only two ACC wins. 20 MISSISSIPPI STATE (0-0) Bulldogs have every starter back but need to lock down defense. 21 LOUISVILLE (0-0) Probably not Final Four-bound again, but has skilled backcourt. 22 CLEMSON (0-0) Booker makes third straight tourney trip possible. 23 ILLINOIS (0-0) Adding offense to its defense, expect another 24-win season. 24 DAYTON (0-0) Junior Wright can take the Flyers to back-to-back tourneys. 25 NOTRE DAME (0-0) Harangody has skills to take Irish back to tourney. *--*