Commentary

Preseason Top 40 for 2012-13

Updated: October 8, 2012, 6:02 PM ET

I have sat down and figured out the teams to watch this season. That's right, my crème de la crème of college hoops, baby!

There are a lot of quality contenders looking to cut down the nets in Atlanta. I am giving the edge to the Cardinals of Louisville over the Hoosiers of Indiana. There should be excitement galore, baby!

1. LOUISVILLE BIG EAST

Analysis: The Cardinals have the experience, depth and coaching with future Hall of Famer Rick Pitino.

2. INDIANA BIG TEN

Analysis: Cody Zeller is my early PTP'er of the Year. Tom Crean has great depth as Hoosier Hysteria rises.

3. KENTUCKY SEC

Analysis: John Calipari reloads again. Nerlens Noel will be tough in the paint. Big Blue Nation is smiling again!

4. KANSAS BIG 12

Analysis: Even without Thomas Robinson, the Jayhawks are loaded. Elijah Johnson, Jeff Withey and Travis Releford lead Kansas to another Big 12 title.

5. NC STATE ACC

Analysis: C.J. Leslie and Rodney Purvis form a dynamite one-two punch as Mark Gottfried has the ACC favorite in my book.

6. MICHIGAN BIG TEN

Analysis: Trey Burke will lead the Maize and Blue to new heights.

7. OHIO STATE BIG TEN

Analysis: Deshaun Thomas takes the spotlight as Thad Matta has enough talent to contend for a national title.

8. BAYLOR BIG 12

Analysis: Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip form one of the premier backcourts in America.

9. SYRACUSE BIG EAST

Analysis: Even without Dion Waiters, the Orange will get up and down the court in their final season in the Big East.

10. MICHIGAN STATE BIG TEN

Analysis: Tom Izzo is confident that he has the horses to compete in the toughest conference in America.

11. DUKE ACC

Analysis: This is a different team with a healthy Ryan Kelly, plus Coach K has retooled with talented newcomers.

12. ARIZONA PAC-12

Analysis: Sean Miller has one of the top incoming classes to go with Solomon Hill.

13. NORTH CAROLINA ACC

Analysis: James Michael McAdoo will be the latest star down in Chapel Hill.

14. UCLA PAC-12

Analysis: Ben Howland has a super class as well. Joshua Smith has to be in better condition.

15. FLORIDA SEC

Analysis: Imagine if Bradley Beal had returned. Kenny Boynton gets his chance to shine.

16. SAN DIEGO STATE MWC

Analysis: Coach Steve Fisher has several key transfers joining star Jamaal Franklin.

17. NOTRE DAME BIG EAST

Analysis: Mike Brey has an experienced nucleus back, including Jack Cooley as a rebounding machine in the paint.

18. CREIGHTON MVC

Analysis: Doug McDermott is one of the PTP'ers in America and he has good talent around him.

19. MEMPHIS C-USA

Analysis: I like what Josh Pastner has done. Adonis Thomas has to live up to his billing.

20. TEXAS BIG 12

Analysis: Myck Kabongo will have a super season for Rick Barnes. The Longhorns will push Kansas in the Big 12.

21. MISSOURI SEC

Analysis: Frank Haith has a number of talented transfers meshing to form a quality unit.

22. WISCONSIN BIG TEN

Analysis: Bo Ryan gets the most out of his talent as the Badgers play as a cohesive unit. The Big Ten is loaded.

23. CINCINNATI BIG EAST

Analysis: Mick Cronin's team can surprise as Sean Kilpatrick deserves more ink.

24. UNLV MWC

Analysis: Mike Moser is an all-around talent. Coach Dave Rice did a super job last season and is ready for more.

25. GONZAGA WCC

Analysis: Having a young man named Stockton as a leader (John Stockton's son, David) helps.

26. MURRAY STATE OVC

Analysis: Isaiah Canaan is one of the best in the nation. Steve Prohm continues to shine.

27. FLORIDA STATE ACC

Analysis: Leonard Hamilton's team plays solid defense and Michael Snaer is ready for big things.

28. MINNESOTA BIG TEN

Analysis: The return of a healthy Trevor Mbakwe makes a huge difference for Tubby Smith's club.

29. NEW MEXICO MWC

Analysis: Steve Alford has an underrated and dangerous team.

30. KANSAS STATE BIG 12

Analysis: Rodney McGruder also deserves more publicity as a PTP'er.

31. MARYLAND ACC

Analysis: Alex Len will be the big man on campus down in College Park.

32. TENNESSEE SEC

Analysis: The Vols have bought in to Cuonzo Martin's concepts and it will pay dividends.

33. BUTLER A-10

Analysis: Brad Stevens welcomes in transfer Rotnei Clarke. The loss of Chrishawn Hopkins is a blow.

34. IOWA STATE BIG 12

Analysis: The Cyclones will miss Royce White, but the addition of transfer Korie Lucious will help.

35. ALABAMA SEC

Analysis: Anthony Grant got several youngsters valuable experience last season.

36. MIAMI ACC

Analysis: Must keep Reggie Johnson healthy. Jim Larranaga has a reason to smile with this club.

37. STANFORD PAC-12

Analysis: The Cardinal showed something in the NIT championship last season and will build on that success.

38. VCU A-10

Analysis: Shaka Smart has a contender in his first season in the A-10.

39. GEORGETOWN BIG EAST

Analysis: Otto Porter is an underrated player to keep an eye on.

40. OKLAHOMA STATE BIG 12

Analysis: Le'Bryan Nash will be happy to have diaper dandy Marcus Smart at his side.

It should be a great season. The key is not a preseason ranking, but how you fare in the big dance, baby!

Dick Vitale

College Basketball analyst

Dick Vitale, college basketball's top analyst and ambassador, joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season. His thorough knowledge of the game is brought forth in an enthusiastic, passionate style. Vitale also contributes columns to ESPN.com.