FLORIDA

The reigning NCAA men’s basketball champions return their entire starting five, including consensus preseason player of the year, Joakim Noah. In addition to Noah, the Gators return potential SEC first-team selections in guard Taurean Green, forward Al Horford and forward Corey Brewer. If Billy Donovan’s team doesn’t lose their hunger, repeating is a very real possibility.

NORTH CAROLINA

Teaming with last year’s ACC rookie-of-the-year Tyler Hansbrough will be freshmen point guard Tywon Lawson, guard Wayne Ellington and forward Brandan Wright — all considered by many recruiting analysts to be the top player at their position in the entire ‘06 class.

KANSAS

Brandon Rush returns for his sophomore season for the Jayhawks, who are as talented as any team in the NCAA. With a gifted incoming freshman class led by point guards Sherron Collins and Darrell Arthur, the Jayhawks’ season will not be a success unless they win some games in the Big Dance.

OHIO STATE

On the heels of their 26-6 season and No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Buckeyes bring in the nation’s top recruiting class featuring consensus No. 1 recruit Greg Oden. With returning starters Jamar Butler and Ron Lewis, the Buckeyes’ inexperience should not hold them back.

MEMPHIS

After losing their team leader, point guard Darius Washington, and C-USA freshman of the year Shawne Williams to the NBA draft, Memphis resembles Florida before last season. They have the talent — with guys like Robert Dosier and Andre Allen amid a host of others — to make a national-title run. Be sure to keep an eye on John Calipari’s squad.

PITTSBURGH

With center Aaron Gray and that trademark defense, the Panthers will be a force in the NCAA Tournament once again. They are also extremely deep, returning almost everyone from last year’s team.

LSU

Glen Davis and the rest of this Tiger squad — save Tyrus Thomas — return from their improbable Final Four run of last season. Look for Tasmin Mitchell and Magnum Rolle to have breakout seasons.

GEORGETOWN

After a solid season and tournament where they reached the Elite Eight, John Thompson III has the Hoyas back in national-title contention. There will be some growing pains after losing three senior leaders, but the Hoyas are definitely skilled enough to return the program to its mid-1980s glory.

UCLA

Aaron Afflalo and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute lead the Bruins after they finished runners-up to Florida in the national-championship game. Look for Ben Howland’s club to drop a bit (but not too much), and Mbah a Moute to emerge as one of the top players in the country.

WASHINGTON

The key to the Huskies’ season will be how soon Lorenzo Romar can get them playing solid team basketball. Justin Dentmon is a good young point guard who is comfortable having the ball in his hands late in games. Look for the Huskies to make another Sweet Sixteen run in the NCAA tourney.

GEORGIA TECH

Two talented freshman, Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton, will join guard Anthony Morrow to lead the Yellow Jackets back into contention after a two-year slump following their ‘04 title-game loss. Paul Hewitt’s team is North Carolina’s best challenger for ACC supremacy.

WISCONSIN

Potential Big-10 player of the year Alando Tucker leads the Badgers, who play a physical, defensive-minded style of basketball. The question is, after all their recent success, will Bo Ryan’s squad still have the luxury of getting overlooked?

DUKE

Don’t sleep on the Blue Devils. Coach Krzyzewski will once again have the Dukies in contention for the ACC title, especially if the much-hyped trio of McRoberts, Paulus and Henderson emerges the way it can.

TEXAS

One name: Kevin Durant. If you don’t care about college basketball, I implore you to at least watch this guy play. Perhaps the best player to come out of high school since LeBron James (and yes, that includes Oden), Durant will be playing for the Longhorns this season, and only this season. Despite losing all five starters, the Longhorns should contend in the Big 12 South because of Durant and talented freshman point guard D.J. Augustin.

CONNECTICUT

Yes, the hated “other” Huskies. After losing their top six scorers to the NBA, coach Jim Calhoun brings in a strong eight-man recruiting class to try to fill those gaps. UConn is extremely talented, but also extremely young. It should be interesting to see how Calhoun’s squad progresses through the year.