No. 1 Duke | No. 3 Kentucky | Full list
No. 2: KANSAS JAYHAWKS
Last season: 33-5, 15-3 Big 12
The Jayhawks lost a ton of players from last season's team but should be better this season. It starts with the veteran backcourt of Frank Mason III and Devonte' Graham and continues with tough, physical freshman wing Josh Jackson. Carlton Bragg should slide into Perry Ellis' spot, and Landen Lucas is solid up front. There's also no shortage of quality depth in Lawrence. One concern, though, might be perimeter shooting, where Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is the team's top perimeter threat. -- Jeff Goodman
Best case: Big 12 Champs, Final Four, National Championship. This will not be a traditional Jayhawks team, one that beats you in the post. Kansas lost quite a bit up front but returns a stellar backcourt -- arguably the best in the country -- and some experience up front. Frank Mason and Devonte' Graham are both very good point guards, and freshman Josh Jackson brings a skill set that few have had in Lawrence under Bill Self. Kansas will win its 13th straight Big 12 title, an unimaginable achievement in today's game, and Kansas has proven to be an Elite Eight regular. This team can bust through.
Worst case: Second-weekend casualty. What can hold Kansas back is lack of production and consistency from its big guys. Landen Lucas is really solid but not a scorer. Carlton Bragg is capable but hasn't done it yet. How the Jayhawks' big guys play is key, as is the playmaking of Jackson. If Jackson is prepared to take the spotlight, Kansas' "worst case" is better than most teams' "best case."
