SENSATIONAL 16 | April 8

Editor's Note: Each week throughout the season, ESPN's Dick Vitale ranked the nation's top 16 teams (in conjunction with ESPN.com's Power 16). Now he looks ahead with his initial preseason rankings for the 2003-04 season...

Now that we've crowned Syracuse as the national champion -- and congratulations to the Orangemen and coach Jim Boeheim -- it's never too early to speculate about next season.

Let's go to the Vitale Bald Dome Index to determine which teams have the best shot at the 2004 Final Four.

Let's look ahead and go to the VBDI (Vitale Bald Dome Index) to determine which teams have the best shot at going to San Antonio for the 2004 Final Four. I can't believe we have to wait until next November for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden to tip off a new season. Remember, three of this year's Final Four teams played in the Coaches vs. Cancer event (Marquette, Syracuse and Texas).

Here's my first look at the top teams for the coming season. Remember, this ranking is subject to change based on players making decisions to leave early for the NBA draft, injuries, transfers, etc.

A number of players will influence future updates. Will Marquis Estill return to Kentucky for his final season of eligibility? Right now my guess is "yes" when he finds out his stock could climb higher if he returns. Will Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony come back? My guess is "no" for both, but we have to wait and see.

Here's my Elite Eight for 2003-04:

1. Connecticut -- Coach Jim Calhoun plans to welcome back the inside-outside combination of Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon. The Huskies were young this past season, and experience will make them better.

2. Texas -- Imagine T.J. Ford and company playing in San Antonio for the Final Four! That would be bedlam, baby! Coach Rick Barnes has lots of returning talent, including Brandon Mouton, Brian Boddicker, Royal Ivey and Brad Buckman.

3. Kentucky -- Assuming Marquis Estill comes back, think about the Wildcats with the likes of Erik Daniels, Chuck Hayes, Cliff Hawkins, Antwain Barbour and Kelenna Azubuike!

4. Duke -- Yes, the Blue Devils lose Dahntay Jones, but coach Mike Krzyzewski has Daniel Ewing, J.J. Redick, Chris Duhon, Shelden Williams and Shavlik Randolph among the returning talent. The addition of recruit Luol Deng will also help.

5. Michigan State -- Freshmen Paul Davis and Erazem Lorbek improved as the 2002-03 season progressed. Chris Hill and Alan Anderson will be even better, and the addition of recruit Shannon Brown is a big plus.

6. North Carolina -- The new Tar Heels coach will inherit a squad that includes Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton, Sean May, Jawad Williams and Jackie Manuel. Enough said.

7. Arizona -- Lute Olson loses seniors Jason Gardner, Luke Walton and Rick Anderson. But this team will still be loaded. The addition of recruit Mustafa Shakur in the backcourt will help. Channing Frye is getting better and better up front.

8. Kansas -- Even without Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison, a unit returning Keith Langford, Aaron Miles, Jeff Graves, Wayne Simien plus recruit David Padgett sounds pretty good.

Rounding out the Sensational 16:

9. Florida
10. Missouri
11. Illinois
12. Syracuse
13. Oklahoma
14. Gonzaga
15. Louisville
16. N.C. State

On the fringe: Wake Forest, Maryland, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Saint Joseph's, Pittsburgh, Oregon, Indiana, Notre Dame, California.