SI's Top 10 of '10--11
Assuming Baylor's Ekpe Udoh; Georgetown's Greg Monroe; Kansas's Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry; Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton and John Wall; North Carolina's Ed Davis; Ohio State's Evan Turner; Syracuse's Wes Johnson; and Xavier's Jordan Crawford all turn pro....
1. DUKE
The lineup is about to get an infusion of Curry: Liberty transfer Seth, Stephen's gunner of a younger brother, will join senior Nolan Smith, sophomore Andre Dawkins and freshman point guard Kyrie Irving in the country's most loaded backcourt. Even if wing Kyle Singler turns pro, Duke has enough weapons to repeat as national champ.
2. MICHIGAN STATE
Point forward Draymond Green and shooting guard Durrell Summers are on the verge of becoming national stars. The Spartans also bring in 6'10", five-star freshman center Adreian Payne.
3. BUTLER
The Bulldogs lose stopper Willie Veasley, but if they can keep coach Brad Stevens (who'll surely receive big-time job offers) and Gordon Hayward (who's considering the NBA draft), they'll be called a powerhouse, not a mid-major.
4. KANSAS STATE
The Beard is back: Jacob Pullen will be the marquee guard in the Big 12. He and the Wildcats' glass-crashers—Curtis Kelly, Wally Judge and Jamar Samuels, as well as 6'10" juco transfer Freddy Asprilla—will keep the Octagon rocking.
5. PURDUE
The Boilermakers lose Keaton Grant and Chris Kramer, but a healed forward Robbie Hummel (ACL), along with 6'10" Jajuan Johnson and guards E'Twaun Moore and Lewis Jackson, could help Purdue break through to the Final Four.
6. VILLANOVA
Sophomore point guard Maalik Wayns is primed for a breakout season in Scottie Reynolds's absence, and post Mouphtaou Yarou, who missed part of his freshman year due to hepatitis B, should make huge gains in his first full season.
7. PITTSBURGH
The Panthers were Big East contenders a year ahead of schedule, tying for second in the league. Junior guard Ashton Gibbs was one of the country's most underrated scorers, hitting 44.4% of his threes during conference play.
8. OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are likely to lose Evan Turner, but they're bringing in Rivals.com's No. 1--rated recruiting class, which includes Columbus native Jared Sullinger and power forward Deshaun Thomas, to join senior wings David Lighty and Jon Diebler, as well as junior William Buford.
9. BRIGHAM YOUNG
If senior shooting guard Jimmer Fredette returns with Michael Loyd Jr. in the backcourt after testing the NBA draft waters, BYU will be the best team west of the Rockies for the second straight season and a sleeper pick to reach the Final Four.
10. TEMPLE
With Maryland's Greivis Vasquez (Venezuela) out of the picture, Owls star Juan Fernandez is the best South American in college hoops. But will he continue to score as efficiently (hitting 45.3% of his threes) after he moves from shooting guard to the point?
PHOTO
DAVID E. KLUTHO
SUMMERS TIME The shooting guard is poised to take the Spartans to a third straight Final Four.