Countdown to Madness

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Getty ImagesAs the 2012-13 season draws near, who's in the best position to make a run in March?

From Sept. 10 through Oct. 5, ESPN Insider will be running its "Countdown to Madness" preview series, looking at the top five seeds in each of the four regions in Joe Lunardi's preseason 2013 NCAA bracket.

Each preview will include the team's primary strengths and weaknesses, an analysis of the top incoming freshmen written by ESPN Recruiting analysts Paul Biancardi and Dave Telep, and a season outlook and prediction by ESPN Insiders Joe Lunardi, Jay Bilas and Fran Fraschilla.

Below, find the links to each team preview as they are posted (regional seed in parentheses).

Countdown to Madness

Marquette (5)
Marquette has depth, but will it be enough to replace Crowder and Johnson-Odom?

Michigan State (2)
How far can Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans go this March?

North Carolina (3)
How will the Tar Heels replace the loss of four first-round NBA draft picks?

UCLA (1)
Is this the year Ben Howland returns the Bruins to national relevance?

Baylor (4)
How will the Bears replace the production of Perry Jones III?

NC State (3)
The ACC is there for the taking. Can the Wolfpack step up and take advantage?

Louisville (1)
With these Cardinals, Rick Pitino may have another Final Four team.

Ohio State (4)
The Buckeyes must begin a new era without Jared Sullinger.

Michigan (2)
Can Trey Burke and the Michigan Wolverines make a March run?

Gonzaga (5)
The Zags return their core players and could be a surprise in the NCAA tournament.

Florida (3)
The Gators have a big hole to fill after losing Bradley Beal.

Indiana (1)
For the first time in a while, expectations are high for the Hoosiers.

Syracuse (2)
In their final Big East season, the Orange will try to exit with a conference title.

Duke (4)
Mike Krzyzewski will need to find a replacement for Austin Rivers this season in Durham.

Creighton (5)
With Doug McDermott, the Bluejays will have one of the nation's elite shooters.

Memphis (4)
How far will Josh Pastner's Tigers go this March?

Kentucky (1)
The Wildcats reload to defend their national championship.

Kansas (2)
Is another Final Four in the future for the Kansas Jayhawks?

Wisconsin (3)
The Badgers will contend for a league title, but what will March hold?

UNLV (4)
The Rebels won't enter March as a top seed, but teams better not sleep on them.

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