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On Monday night in Detroit, the University of North Carolina was crowned the NCAA men’s basketball champions. The fifth title in team history and the second in the past five years, the storied program was picked by many to win from the beginning. As a UNC homer, it was a shining moment seeing Tyler Hansbrough and the rest of the Tar Heels cut down the nets. But as one season ends, preparation begins for the next. Here is a look at next season.
Top five teams
5. Villanova-The Wildcats finished in the top four of the toughest conference in recent memory. The Big East toughened up Jay Wright’s squad and they advanced to the Final Four before falling to the eventual champion. They pride themselves on tough defense, offensive rebounding and good shooting. They lose three starters, but they retain Scottie Reynolds, Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher. With a top recruiting class – including two top guards – and Duke transfer Taylor King, they will fight for the Big East title and look to get back to the Final Four in Indianapolis.
4. Michigan State-Their run to this year’s championship was unforgettable. They knocked off Kansas, Louisville and UConn before bowing out to UNC in the title game. They lose Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Travis Walton and talented big man Goran Suton, but they return their top two players along with a talented bench. Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan are two of the best players at their positions in the nation and will look to get over the hump and win the title next season.
3. Duke-The Blue Devils are always highly-rated but seem to fizzle out in the tournament. They rely too much on three-point shooting and lack an inside game. This ranking hinges on the return of Gerald Henderson, their top player and a game-changer. If he returns and holds off the NBA for another season, they will be at the top of the ACC with a good recruiting class coming in.
2. Syracuse-Jim Boeheim’s squad is one of the most talented in the country, but they lacked depth this season. Jonny Flynn is a potential national player of the year. With his return, along with the rest of the squad, makes this Sweet 16 participant dangerous. The addition of transfer Wesley Johnson adds depth and the sweet-shooting of Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf should put the Orange in the title mix.
1. Kansas-They remind me of the 2006 UNC squad that lost their whole team after winning the 2005 championship. They surprised everyone with a great recruiting class, and the rise of Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins pushed this team to the brink of the Elite 8. They return basically everyone, and if Aldrich stays, and Bill Self pulls in top recruit, Xavier Henry, they will probably be the favorite heading into 2010.
Sleeper Team: North Carolina-Much like last year’s Kansas team, the young Tar Heels will still be a force in the ACC as they keep on reloading. With the top recruiting class coming to Chapel Hill next season and the possible addition of super-point guard John Wall, there will be plenty of raw, but NBA talent playing in the Dean Dome. Ed Davis is a potential number one pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. His return, along with Deon Thompson, makes the inside game formidable. If they can grow up fast and Davis continues his development, UNC will be a tough out once again.
Player of the Year: Jonny Flynn and Cole Aldrich. The guard and big man returning to the top two teams next season are candidates to the premier individual award. They are the best players on their respective squads and with a ton of talent around them, they will always be in the spotlight. Voters will see plenty of them.
Bangor Daily News