Previewing college basketball's top 100 teams for the 09-10 season (11-20)

July 9, 2:35 PMCollege Basketball ExaminerDave Ryan

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Oklahoma's Willie Warren set to take a center stage in 09-10

Over the next few months I'll be taking a look at the best that college basketball has to offer heading into this upcoming season. Starting with number one and working my way to the century mark, I'll rank each team based on a number of factors (returning players, departed players, incoming freshmen, coaching staff, conference strength, etc.). If you have any issues with these rankings then feel free to let me hear about it in the comments section.

 1-10   |   11-20   |   21-30   |   31-40   |   41-50   |   51-60   |   61-70

11. Washington Huskies

With a football team that can't seem to find a way to win back-to-back games, the Huskies' basketball team is steadily becoming a force in Pac-10. Even with a somewhat inexperienced roster, Washington cruised to a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament this past season. Sophomore point guard Isaiah Thomas (no relation) will be joined by incoming freshman recruit Abdul Gaddy, a player widely considered to be one of the biggest signings the Huskies have had since they landed big man Spencer Hawes in 2006. The Pac-10 is wide open for the taking this year, and assuming Gaddy and Thomas find a way to co-exist, Washington should be the early favorites.

Want more info? Check out our Washington Huskies Examiner

12. Michigan Wolverines

Heading into year number three under John Beilein, the Wolverines are poised to get back into the mix as an upper echelon Big Ten team. Junior wing Manny Harris can be one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the country when his head is on straight, and that should be the case in '09 after he has been working harder than ever this offseason. Big man DeShawn Sims is a prototypical inside-outside scorer in Beilein's offense, and he and Harris could be the one-two punch that Michigan needs to stay in contention for a Big Ten regular season crown.

Want more info? Check out our Michigan Wolverines Examiner

13. Georgetown Hoyas

Other than Notre Dame, there wasn't a team that disappointed more people than the Georgetown Hoyas last year. With stud recruit Greg Monroe and a cast of experienced characters in tow, it seemed like the Hoyas would have no problems with making an NCAA Tournament appearance. Instead, a brutal schedule put this team in an early hole that they were never able to pull themselves out of. It was a bit of surprise to see Monroe come back for his sophomore year knowing he would've been a top five pick in June, but as long as he can stay healthy then it's difficult to see these guys underachieving for a second straight year.

Want more info? Check out our Georgetown Hoyas Examiner

14. Butler Bulldogs

History has proven that when an already dangerous mid-major school returns their entire roster, the sky is literally the limit. That should be the case for Butler this year, as virtually everyone will be back on a team that went 26-5 and landed a #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Leading the way in 09-10 will be 6'8" forward Matt Howard, Butler's leading scorer and rebounder from a year ago. With the Horizon league looking to take a step back this season, it's not impossible for the Bulldogs run the table and go undefeated in league play. Even if that doesn't happen, these guys should be nationally ranked all year long and will be a scary opponent to see in March.

Want more info? Check out our Butler Bulldogs Examiner

15. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Overshadowed this past year by Big-12 standouts Blake Griffin and Sherron Collins, OSU's James Anderson proved that he has what it takes to lead a college team to the promised land. The sophomore averaged 18 points per game during the regular season, but blew up on the road against Texas (35 points) and Oklahoma (37 points). Byron Eaton, Anderson's sure handed point guard, has since graduated, leaving an even larger role for Anderson to fill as a junior. The Cowboys added a whopping seven freshman from their '09 recruiting class, but there's a ton of talent here that is just waiting to explode. Look out.

16. Xavier Musketeers

Normally when a team loses their big three on offense (B.J. Raymond, Derrick Brown and C.J. Anderson), a decline is inevitable (see: Panthers, Pittsburgh). But for Xavier heading into 09-10, it's more of a reloading process than a rebuilding one. The Musketeers will rely heavily on their '08 recruiting class, a haul that brought them future starters at both point guard (Terrell Holloway) and center (Kenny Frease). Combine those two with shooting guard Dante Jackson, and you've got a brand new trio capable of making some noise in the A-10 this year. This ranking might be a tad optimistic, but I'm willing to be these guys come out firing and wind up edging out the Dayton Flyers for another A-10 title.

17. Pittsburgh Panthers

Not many NCAA teams were as dominant as the Panthers last year, a fact that is made only more impressive when you consider Pittsburgh did it in the most stacked conference in the country. Unfortunately for head coach Jamie Dixon, the trio (DeJuan Blair, Sam Young and Levance Fields) that helped lead his team a year ago is completely gone from his 09-10 roster. Shooting guard Brad Wanamaker is expected to see an increased role, and freshman power forward Dante Taylor should hopefully help ease the transition of losing Blair on the inside. It's hard to see these guys competing for a national title like last season, but at worst this is still a 20+ win team with top 25 aspirations.

Want more info? Check out our Pittsburgh Panthers Examiner

18. Oklahoma Sooners

There won't be a Blake Griffin around to terrorize opposing big men, but that doesn't mean Oklahoma won't be one of the more dangerous Big-12 teams this season. Budding superstar Willie Warren is back with an eye on being a lottery pick in 2010, which isn't a surprise because scouts are already drooling over his game. Blue chip center Keith Gallon should help on the inside, while freshman five star point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin is there to keep the Griffin tradition going strong (no relation). Those expecting a major drop-off from a year ago need to seriously reconsider their expectations.

19. Tennessee Volunteers

Now that last season's leading scorer Tyler Smith is staying for a final year, the Vols become an instant threat alongside Kentucky in the SEC. Smith thinks the Vols have "a great chance to have something special" this season, stating that as a factor in why he decided to remain at Tennessee. By getting Smith back the Vols get to keep their entire core from a year ago, which can be a dangerous formula for a team that just won 21 games and yet still underachieved. If 2008's five star recruit Scotty Hopson can step up and assume a larger scoring role like expected, then there's a chance Smith's predictions might not be too far off.

20. Clemson Tigers

Despite losing sharpshooter Terrence Olgelsby to Europe, Clemson is still one of the top ACC teams heading into the fall. Versatile big man Trevor Booker returns for another season, in hopes that coming back to school will have an advantageous effect on his NBA stock in 2010. Booker will be especially key for the Tigers if they plan to end a two year streak of losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Assuming a more experienced Demontez Stitt and Andre Young will provide steady point guard play, Clemson looks like they could be able to do some damage in March.