by Jeff Goodman

Updated: July 1, 2008, 12:44 AM EST 230 comments

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The top spot was a complete no-brainer, but No. 2 wasn't quite so easy.

There's no doubt as to which is the elite conference in America next season. The Big East has eight teams that cracked our Top 25.

1. North Carolina

2007-08 Resume: 36-3, lost to Kansas in Final Four
Honestly, there's really no other option as the preseason No. 1. The Tar Heels will return their top six scorers and also add three quality freshmen to the mix. National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough is back for his senior season and the trio of Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green each opted to return to school after testing the NBA waters. Roy Williams will also have junior big man Deon Thompson, defensive-minded wing Marcus Ginyard and he'll welcome the return of reserve guard Bobby Frasor from a knee injury. The loss of Alex Stepheson (transfer) shouldn't hurt much, if at all, with the addition of freshmen forwards Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller.

2. Michigan State

2007-08 Resume: 27-9, lost to Memphis in Sweet 16
The Spartans lost guard Drew Neitzel and big man Drew Naymick, but coach Tom Izzo has plenty coming back and also will add one of the nation's most talented freshmen in athletic forward Delvon Roe. Guards Kalin Lucas, Travis Walton and Chris Allen all return, as does forward Raymar Morgan and big guys Goran Suton and Marquise Gray. Izzo will also have athletic wing Durrell Summers and freshman guard Korie Lucious in the mix.

3. Connecticut

2007-08 Resume: 24-9, lost to San Diego in 1st round of NCAA Tournament
With Hasheem Thabeet's decision to return to school, the Huskies became legitimate Final Four contenders. Jim Calhoun's team will still have guards A.J. Price and Jerome Dyson back, and Jeff Adrien and Thabeet as returning starters in the frontcourt. The key is whether Price can come back healthy from a torn ACL he suffered in the NCAA Tournament. If he can, UConn is the Big East favorites. If not, it'd be difficult to imagine the Huskies going far having to rely on freshman Kemba Walker to run the team. Along with Walker, the Huskies will also add talented and enigmatic freshman wing Nate Miles and power forward Ater Majok.

4. Duke

2007-08 Resume: 28-6, lost to West Virginia in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The Blue Devils' lone critical loss was that of senior guard DeMarcus Nelson, but after watching him in the NCAA Tournament, it's not really all that big of a deal — especially with the addition of talented freshman guard Elliott Williams. Duke brings back four starters — Greg Paulus, Gerald Henderson Jr., Kyle Singler and Lance Thomas — as well as sixth man Jon Scheyer, guard Nolan Smith and 7-footer Brian Zoubek. The one issue is that Mike Krzyzewski won't add a legitimate power guy down low this season — although freshmen Olek Czyz and Miles Plumlee may help.

5. Gonzaga

2007-08 Resume: 25-8, lost to Davidson in 1st round of NCAA Tournament
The 'Zags return nearly their entire team — starting guards Jeremy Pargo, who decided to return after testing the waters, and Matt Bouldin as well as big men Josh Heytvelt and Austin Daye. Toss in Micah Downs and give big-time shooter Steven Gray a full season, and Mark Few's team has all the pieces to be among the nation's elite next season. The 'Zags also add a solid three-man freshmen class that includes a pair of hard-nosed guards in Demetri Goodson and Grant Gibbs as well as talented big man Andy Poling.

6. Louisville

2007-08 Resume: 27-9, lost to North Carolina in Elite Eight of NCAA Tournament
Senior David Padgett is gone and will be difficult to replace, but Rick Pitino got huge news when versatile forward Earl Clark did an about-face and decided to return to school. The Cardinals will also have Terrence Williams, Jerry Smith, Andre McGee and Edgar Sosa back, but the key for Pitino may be the departure of Derrick Caracter — which should help the team chemistry. Reginald Delk is eligible after sitting out and Louisville will add arguably the best big man in the country in freshman Samardo Samuels.

7. Notre Dame

2007-08 Resume: 25-8, lost to Washington State in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The Irish return everyone except senior forward Rob Kurz. Mike Brey's club brings back Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody and the starting backcourt of Tory Jackson and Kyle McAlarney. Throw in role guys like Ryan Ayers, Zach Hillesland and Luke Zeller, and the Irish have all the pieces next year to compete for the Big East title.

8. UCLA

2007-08 Resume: 35-4, lost to Memphis in Final Four
The Bruins lost its two most talented players in Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook and also watched as Luc Mbah a Moute pulled a shocker and left early for the NBA as well, but Ben Howland still returns plenty of experience with Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya. UCLA will also add in arguably the top freshman class in the nation with guards Jrue Holiday, Malcolm Lee and Jerime Anderson in addition to late signee J'Mison "Bobo" Morgan, a 6-foot-10 center who initially signed with LSU, and fellow big man Drew Gordon.

9. Purdue

2007-08 Resume: 25-9, lost to Xavier in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The young Boilermakers weren't supposed to even get to the Big Dance this year. Instead, they got an NCAA Tournament win. The freshman class of E'Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummel and JaJuan Johnson has a year under their belt, and Matt Painter brings back everyone except for freshman Scott Martin (transferred) and his backup point guard. Keaton Grant and Chris Kramer are terrific role players and Painter also adds a potential starting floor leader in speedy Lewis Jackson.

Levance Fields returns to Pittsburgh for his senior season after leading the Panthers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2008. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

10. Pittsburgh

2007-08 Resume: 27-10, lost to Michigan State in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The Panthers lose senior guards Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin. While both are replaceable, Jamie Dixon will need to find someone who can shoot the ball from the perimeter. Pittsburgh has point guard Levance Fields back and healthy and Sam Young and DeJuan Blair are a force up front, while guys like Gilbert Brown and Tyrell Biggs showed flashes a year ago. There is still hope that wing Mike Cook will be granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA.

11. Tennessee

2007-08 Resume: 31-5, lost to Louisville in Sweet 16
Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith graduated and Duke Crews and Ramar Smith were kicked off the team, but the Vols should still be at or near the top of the SEC. Bruce Pearl still has versatile forward Tyler Smith, big man Wayne Chism, talented freshman wing Scotty Hopson, explosive junior college guard Bobby Maze and J.P. Prince in the fold. The question comes down to whether Maze can upgrade the team's point guard woes from a year ago.

12. Texas

2007-08 Resume: 31-7, lost to Memphis in Elite Eight
D.J. Augustin left after his sophomore season and the Longhorns will have difficulty filling the void. In fact, Rick Barnes doesn't have a natural replacement for Augustin. The favorite to take over the duties is Turkish floor leader Dogus Balbay. We've seen him numerous times before and while he's solid, it's difficult to imagine him carrying the Longhorns to the Final Four. However, Balbay will have plenty of talent around him with A.J. Abrams, Damion James, Connor Atchley, Justin Mason and Gary Johnson. Rick Barnes also adds talented freshman J'Covan Brown to the fold.

13. Georgetown

2007-08 Resume: 28-6, lost to Davidson in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The Hoyas lose plenty of experience with the departure of four seniors, including starting point guard Jonathan Wallace and 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert, as well as defensive-minded guard Jeremiah Rivers (transfer to Indiana). However, John Thompson III will have Dajuan Summers back, and he'll have a far more athletic group. Jessie Sapp and Austin Freeman return in the backcourt, and look for Chris Wright to take the reins from Wallace as the starting point guard. The Hoyas also add a strong recruiting class led by the consensus No. 1 player in skilled big man Greg Monroe.

14. Memphis

2007-08 Resume: 38-2, lost in national title game
The Tigers lost as much as just about anyone in the country with the departure of Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Joey Dorsey and Doneal Mack (transfer) — as well as two assistant coaches. However, John Calipari will still have holdovers Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier, Willie Kemp and Shawn Taggart — as well as a talented freshman class that includes highly touted guard Tyreke Evans and a pair of frontcourt players in Matt Simpkins and Angel Garcia. Don't be surprised if late signee Roburt Sallie makes an immediate impact.

15. Miami

2007-08 Resume: 23-11, lost to Texas in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
The Hurricanes return their top five scorers, and Frank Haith's only loss is that of big man Anthony King. Leading scorer Jack McClinton is back for his senior campaign, and he'll have plenty of help with James Dews, Brian Asbury, Lance Hurdle and big men Dwayne Collins and Jimmy Graham. Don't be surprised if wing DeQuan Jones comes in and makes an immediate impact as a freshman.

16. Arizona State

2007-08 Resume: 21-13, lost to Florida in NIT
Herb Sendek will return freshman shooting guard James Harden, big man Jeff Pendergraph, Ty Abbott and Jamelle McMillan. That's a pretty impressive core to build around. The Sun Devils were one of the final teams left out of the NCAA Tournament this past season, but don't expect a repeat this year.

17. Villanova

2007-08 Resume: 22-13, lost to Kansas in Sweet 16
Jay Wright's club wasn't supposed to be in the Sweet 16 after being on the verge of getting into the Big East Tournament late in the year, but the young kids matured down the stretch, and the Wildcats return just about everyone. Wright has quality guards with Scottie Reynolds, Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher and solid frontcourt guys with Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark, Dwayne Anderson and Antonio Pena.

Senior point guard Dominic James will look to lead Marquette to a Big East championship and another NCAA Tournament bid next season. ( / Getty Images)

18. Marquette

2007-08 Resume: 25-10, lost to Stanford in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
Buzz Williams takes over for Tom Crean, and he'll have four starters back in the fold. Dominic James, Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews will all be seniors, and Lazar Hayward came on strong in his sophomore campaign. The key could be whether talented and athletic forward Trevor Mbakwe lives up to his potential, because the Golden Eagles need some help up front. Williams also speaks highly of Texan freshman big man Chris Otule.

19. Florida

2007-08 Resume: 24-12, lost to UMass in NIT semis
The young Gators will build around versatile guard Nick Calathes, who had a terrific freshman campaign. The Gators won't just be a year older — they'll also get some reinforcements with the addition of a strong freshman class that includes Eloy Vargas, Allan Chaney, Kenneth Kadji and Ray Shipman. Marreese Speights is history, but it's not all that much of a hit. There's no reason to think Billy Donovan's team can't challenge for the SEC crown.

20. USC

2007-08 Resume: 21-12, lost to Kansas State in 1st round of NCAA Tournament
Tim Floyd loses a pair of one-and-done guys with Mayo and Jefferson, but he'll add another in Demar DeRozan — maybe the freshman with the most NBA potential in the entire country. The Trojans will also have Taj Gibson back, as well as guards Daniel Hackett and Angelo Johnson and wing Dwight Lewis.

21. Wake Forest

2007-08 Resume: 17-13
This is one that may surprise some, but the Demon Deacons return everyone on the entire team and also bring in three of the Top 50 freshmen in the country — athletic forward Al-Farouq Aminu, big man Ty Walker and Tony Woods. Dino Gaudio will have Ishmael Smith and Jeff Teague in the backcourt and the league's top freshman, James Johnson, back in the fold, and they'll all be a year older.

22. Oklahoma

2007-08 Resume: 23-12, lost to Louisville in 2nd round of NCAA Tournament
Blake Griffin could have been a lottery pick, but he chose to return for his sophomore campaign. He'll be joined by talented and enigmatic freshman Willie Warren. The Sooners will also return Tony Crocker, Griffin's older brother, Taylor, and UCLA transfer forward Ryan Wright will be eligible.

23. Wisconsin

2007-08 Resume: 31-5, lost to Davidson in Sweet 16
It's difficult to leave any Bo Ryan-coached squad out of the equation, no matter who he brings back. Brian Butch may be gone, but the Badgers still have Trevon Hughes and role guys such as Marcus Landry, Joe Krabbenhoft and Jason Bohannon.

24. Arizona

2007-08 Resume: 19-15, lost to West Virginia in 1st round
Last year was a complete mess. Lute Olson is back after taking last season off due to personal reasons and he's vowed to return to the up-tempo style he brought to Tucson more than two decades ago. Jerryd Bayless may be gone, but the Wildcats return Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, Nic Wise and bring in arguably the top freshman in the country in point guard Brandon Jennings.

25. Syracuse

2007-08 Resume: 21-14, lost to UMass in NIT
Donte Greene left early, but the Orange return the core of last year's team with point guard Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, Arinze Onuaku, Scoop Jardine and Rick Jackson. Jim Boeheim will also get Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins back from season-ending injuries.

15 more to watch

UNLV
West Virginia
Kansas
Ohio State
Davidson
Virginia Tech
San Diego
Baylor
Saint Mary's
Kentucky
Xavier
Washington
Vanderbilt
Providence
Creighton