Sportsline Top 25 -October 23, 2006


1 Florida 1 33 6 13 6
The defending champions return all five starters. They deserve the top ranking to start the season.
2 Kansas 18 25 8 16 3
The Jayhawks have a load of talent, but they need to show they can get the job done come Tournament time.
3 North Carolina 16 23 8 13 5
A lot of people were surprised how quickly they came together last season. Now another wave of talented freshmen join the fold.
4 Wisconsin NR 19 12 9 8
Their academic troubles behind them, Greg Stiemsma and Marcus Landry reunite with Alando Tucker to make the Badgers a sleeper team to win it all.
5 UCLA 2 32 7 17 4
Losing Jordan Farmar to the NBA is a tough blow, but Darren Collison won't be a bad replacement.
6 Pittsburgh 22 25 8 13 7
The Panthers shouldn't miss a beat with transfer Mike Cook filling the shoes of Carl Krauser.
7 Arizona NR 20 13 12 8
There's too much talent on this team for the Wildcats to fall flat again.
8 LSU 3 27 9 15 3
If Tack Minor can be a good, responsible point guard, the Tigers are capable of returning to the Final Four.
9 Alabama NR 18 13 10 7
Led by Ronald Steele and Jermareo Davidson, this could be coach Mark Gottfried's most talented team yet.
10 Georgetown 12 23 10 12 7
John Thompson III is proving to be more like his father than anybody could've realistically imagined.
11 Texas A&M NR 22 9 11 7
Acie Law and Joseph Jones should provide the Aggies a season to remember.
12 Memphis 8 33 4 16 1
The Tigers lost three key players off last year's squad, but they're still the class of C-USA. Keep an eye on Jeremy Hunt.
13 Ohio State 15 26 6 14 5
With Greg Oden still recovering from wrist surgery, they could struggle through a tough non-league schedule.
14 Wichita State 20 26 9 15 5
With four starters returning from last year's Sweet 16 team, we like their chances of a repeat.
15 Creighton NR 20 10 12 7
Nate Funk is gone, but with four starters returning, the Bluejays remain a tough out.
16 Southern Illinois NR 22 11 15 6
They reached the NCAA Tournament five consecutive seasons. With all five starters back, count on a sixth straight trip.
17 Boston College 11 28 8 13 6
The Eagles may be the only real challenger to North Carolina in the ACC.
18 Duke 9 32 4 17 2
This is a rebuilding year for the Blue Devils, but coach Mike Krzyzewski won't let them fall too far.
19 Washington 14 26 7 13 6
If healthy, freshman big man Spencer Hawes should have the Huskies in the thick of the Pac-10 title hunt.
20 Marquette NR 20 11 10 7
The Golden Eagles snuck up on the Big East last season. It wasn't a fluke, they're talented.
21 Georgia Tech NR 11 17 4 13
A solid recruiting class, led by Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young, should have the Yellow Jackets back on the upswing.
22 Connecticut 6 30 4 14 3
The Huskies have 13 players in their first or second season, but coach Jim Calhoun knows how to coach 'em up.
23 Nevada NR 27 6 16 3
Nick Fazekas has been dominant through three years of college. No reason to think that's changing.
24 Syracuse NR 23 12 11 9
It's all about Paul Harris. If he lives up to the hype, the Orange will be back in business.
25 Texas 7 30 7 15 4
A lot of pressure on the youngsters to come in and perform right away. Expect growing pains, but they should remain among the Big 12's elite.

Yeah Pittsburgh looks pretty good on paper and once again has a pretty deep team which they'll use as years before spread the minutes around as less deep teams get tired out . But I still question Sportsline projected lineup for Pitt.

Pg- Ronald Ramon
Sg- Levance Fields
Sg- Keith Benjamin
Sf- Levon Kendal
C- Aaron Gray

When Carl Krauser was in the game last year Levance Fields was at point and did a pretty good job , why would they switch that up this year is beyond and I personally dont think they will as for transfer Mike Cook . Im still wondering what his role will be with this team . And how can Sam Young not find on the starting lineup . Either way if he doesnt find his way into the SL , he will be our best guy off the bench