College Basketball "Too-Early-To-Tell" Top 25

College basketball is back. Tuesday night's games between Michigan St and Kentucky, followed by Duke and Kansas gave us a glimpse of how entertaining this college hoops season could be. Although its far too early to predict anything, I'm going to give my "too early to tell" Top 25 based on what I've seen so far.

1. Michigan St - Michigan St looks like the clear cut #1 after their impressive win over Kentucky on Tuesday. This team is led by a core group of veterans and a stud sophomore in Gary Harris. In my opinion, Tom Izzo is the best coach in the game and this could be his most talented team since the Mateen Cleaves days. Right now, Sparty is my favorite to win it all, I love their experience.  Again...its early.

2. Louisville - It's funny to see Chane Behanan back after a suspension that lasted about 35 minutes, but regardless it definitely helps the defending champion Cardinals. Tournament star Luke Hancock also returned from injury, which is a boost and its heartwarming to see Kevin Ware back on the court. Lousiville has a strong chance to repeat as champs this season as long as Russ "Russdiculous" Smith doesn't have money on the games like he did against Notre Dame last year. 

3. Kansas - In the nightcap Tuesday, Kansas earned a very impressive victory over Duke. This team led by potential number 1 pick, Andrew Wiggins, is only going to improve as the season goes on. They're young, but extremely talented, and might be one of the funner teams to watch this season. Personally, I would like to see Wiggins be a bit more aggressive, as he disappeared at times against Duke. And if Joel Embiid learns the basic rules of basketball he could be a lottery pick in the next year or two. 

4. Kentucky - Another one-and-done team for Kentucky, but this could be there best one yet. Julius Randle is a monster, who dominated the second half against Michigan St. The Harrison twins didn't really impress me; I would like to see Poythress start instead of Aaron but then again I'm not John "Canolis" Calipari. Kentucky won't go 40-0, but they will definitely be a factor in the title chase. Young team, will be tough to stop come March and more experience.

5. Duke - I honestly cannot remember Duke starting five black players in my lifetime but, as a white player myself, they seem to be doing it right this year. Gone are players like Lee Melchioni and Brian Zoubek and in come players like Rodney Hood and Jabari Parker. Duke is athletic and Parker impressed me the most out of the three freshmen on Tuesday night. Coach K has to like the talent he has with this team. I think a lot rides on the play of point guard Quinn Cook and the ability to defend bigger teams as Duke is a bit smaller up front. 

6. Michigan - The question with Michigan is how long Mitch McGary will be out for. If his back issues persist, Michigan might struggle a bit, but they have enough talent regardless to be a Top 10 team. However, I'm a little disappointed over how little burn my man Spike Albrecht has gotten so far after he took over in the championship game last year. Good coaching and good group of returners will have Michigan once again in the championship discussion. 

7. Arizona - I have never been a big Arizona fan. I feel like this team always brings in a good recruiting class only to fall way short of expectations. However, Aaron Gordon is a beast and Nick Johnson could a breakout star this year. If this team can figure it out chemistry-wise it could dominate a pretty weak Pac-12. For Arizona it always comes down to tourney time, so check back later on this one. 

8. Oklahoma State - Ok St is intriguing team to watch this year. Marcus Smart is a POY candidate and LeBryan Nash and Markel Brown are NBA prospects on the wing. Any team with Smart at point has a chance to win it all, it comes down to the production from the other four guys on the court. I think Tailgate Talk favorite Phil Forte has a big year off drive-and-kicks from Smart. Oklahoma St-Kansas matchups will be eye candy this season. 

9. Ohio St - I'm not going to lie, I often wish I was Aaron Craft. Known as a solid, pass-first point guard and defensive stopper throughout his career, Craft is going to have to pick up some of the scoring load this year with Deshaun Thomas gone. LaQuinton Ross looks like the prime candidate to fill Thomas's role and Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Sam Thompson are an athletic combo on the wing. Ohio St lost Thomas but that's basically it, and led by Craft and coach Thad Matta, Ohio St will be a tough out in March. 

10. Syracuse - Ok. It's mind-boggling to me that Syracuse couldn't recruit anyone better than Trevor Cooney to play 2-guard. I've heard he's a great shooter "in practice", but I feel like he's useless in games. I'm not big on this Syracuse team. I feel like a lot of pressure is on freshman point guard Tyler Ennis to make plays and he's going to have to play 40 minutes every night. He's talented for sure, but losing Triche and Carter-Williams hurts. However, Syracuse is long and athletic (besides Cooney), which are huge pluses for their patented 2-3 zone. 

11. North Carolina - I used to be a huge UNC fan in the Felton-McCants-May days, but I haven't liked the direction of the program the last few years. James Michael McAdoo severely disappointed last year as a sophomore and PJ Hairston, a supreme talent, is constantly on the police blotter. I'm not sure when Hairston is coming back, and the same goes for Leslie McDonald. Look for Marcus Paige to have a better season running the point in Year 2. It's better for College Basketball when there is success in Chapel Hill, so hopefully they can get it together this season, if not, Roy Williams could be out.

12. Memphis - This Memphis teams reminds me a lot of the old Memphis teams with Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans. They have great guard play with Joe Jackson, Chris Crawford, Gerron Johnson and Missouri transfer Michael Dixon. The underlying issue with Memphis is the same as usual: can Josh Pastner (who I like as a recruiter, but am not sold on as a coach) hone in all this talent into a cohesive unit? Memphis has faltered early in the tournament the past few years and its time to figure it out, Josh. 

13. VCU - The darling of the tournament a few years ago, VCU is back again. Their havoc defense is a complete nightmare to play against and you have to respect Shaka Smart for sticking around despite other suitors coming after him. They forced 19 turnovers on the road against a good Virginia team Tuesday night and won on a late three by Treveon Graham. VCU is a veteran-laden team that is no longer a sleeper in the national picture. I think VCU makes a deep run this year, barring any major injuries. 

14. Wisconsin - Wisconsin is always a team you can fall in love with. Fellas, hard-nosed defense, BO RYAN and the swing offense. Dekker is a stud (no relation...actually maybe a relation) and Gasser and Brust are the veteran back-court you need come tournament team. Wiscy is a little thin up front and Traevon Jackson scares the heck out of me sometimes at point. Bo Knows though and Bo will have this team in the mix like he always does come March. Good win against Florida the other night. 

15. Connecticut - From what I've seen from the Huskies so far this season, they look like a rejuvenated team after being ineligible for the tourney last year. Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright (who I chilled with in Panama City during Spring Break) are possibly the most dynamic back-court in the country. Jim Calhoun was a legend, but I think Kevin Ollie has this team finally playing with some swag. If UConn can get good front-court play this year they will be a force to be reckoned with. 

16. Oregon - I watched Oregon play briefly in their game against Georgetown last week in South Korea (which was pretty sick actually). This team is very quick and athletic and loves to pressure. Basically a team I would hate to play against. Great guard play with Young, Dotson and Lloyd and a terrific transfer in Mike Moser (UNLV) who could be the key to the Ducks' success. I like Oregon to challenge a young Arizona team for the Pac-12 title. 

17. Gonzaga - Kevin Pangos is back and still chuckin'. Maybe one of the most underrated players in the country, Pangos heads a veteran Zags team that was a #1 seed in the Big Dance last year. Kelly Olynyk is gone, but the big "Polish Hammer" Przemek Karnowski could be poised for a breakout year at center. Gary Bell Jr. can go off for 30 on any night and David Stockton is good for 5 points, 3 assists and 2 steals every game, it's like the sun coming up in the morning. I like the Zags this year. 

18. Florida - They're preseason has been clouded with suspensions and injuries so its tough to make anything out of the Gators right now. Scottie Wilbiken (who I strongly dislike) is serving his second suspension from Billy Donovan and needs to get his act together as the leader and senior point guard of this team. I would also like to see Patric Young get more involved after sub-par showings in Florida's first two games. This team is definitely talented and athletic on the wings, we'll need to wait and see when (and if) they have a full team. 

19. Wichita St - Last year's March Madness Cinderella  Wichita St is back for more. Cleanthony Early is a bigtime pro prospect who could have a huge year and Fred VanFleet is very serviceable running the show. Ron Baker is one of college basketball's most goofy looking gunners, but is one of the best shooters in the country. Wichita St also benefits with Creighton moving to the new Big East. Unfortunately for Wichita St, they are no longer under-the-radar and will get a team's best shot every night. 

20. Marquette - Honestly I don't know anything about Marquette. I know they still have the big fella DeVante Gardner in the paint which alone deserves a ranking in the Top 25. Jamil Wilson and Todd Mayo need to pick up the scoring left by Vander Blue. Their coach Buzz Williams is hilarious. 

21. Notre Dame - Notre Dame isn't really the team you want to watch with your friends before you go out on the town. They're not the quickest or most athletic team, but this team is still a potential tournament dark-horse. Eric Atkins is a returning 3-year stater at point guard and Jerian Grant is a first-team All-ACC talent. Mike Brey is one of the best coaches in the game and knows the type of team he has. Notre Dame could be a surprise to many this year.  

22. UCLA - New coach Steve Alford looks to bring new life into a storied UCLA program mired with controversy under old coach Ben Howland. Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams, and Tony Parker really need to mature as sophomores if this team wants to contend with Arizona for a Pac-12 Title. They were a highly touted recruiting class but disappointed last season. I think the Alford hire puts UCLA on the right back, but he can't be serious playing his sons. 

23. New Mexico - The favorites to win the Mountain West, New Mexico is deep and talented. Alex Kirk is a force in the paint and Kendall Williams is one of the most underrated guards in the country. Cameron Baristow and Hugh Greenwood are two solid veteran role players, as New Mexico could be a team for the average fan to fall in love with this season. Disappointed in the tournament last year, we'll see what happens this year.

24. Creighton - I love Creighton. Doug McDermott decided to forgo the NBA draft and returns as the most well-rounded scorer in the country. Also, very underrated, but getting the all-purpose Grant Gibbs back for a sixth-year was huge. Creighton returns 4 starters from last season and I would love to see the father-son McDermott duo make a storybook run in the tournament in Doug's senior season. 

25. Baylor - They have Brady Heslip. Anything is possible. 

I can't have a college hoops post without the shark Marshall Henderson. Happy College Hoops.