Who'll be left standing?

By Steve Apel Sports Central Columnist

Maryland, Kansas, and Duke. These three teams last year were all loaded with experience, talent, and great coaching. If any of these squads were still intact, they would be the unanimous preseason No. 1.

This year, though, no team comes close to these three, therefore leaving a huge change in the landscape of college basketball.

Arizona

Everybody's preseason pick to be champs. They didn't lose anybody from a Sweet 16 squad a year ago and return arguably the best point guard in the nation in Jason Gardner. Luke Walton gets way too much publicity -- he's a good role player, anything but a star. Need someone other than Gardner to average 15+ a game (Channing Frye, Rick Anderson?). The Cats are so loaded it could be hurtful to the team. Hassan Adams has to be on the court, as does Salim Stoudamire and Will Bynum.

Duke

Another year, another amazing recruiting class for Coach K. Youth could be their biggest advantage or downfall this season. Chris Duhon needs to average 15-5-5. Whether or not J.J. Redick is on will impact the outcome of many games. The consistency of Shavlik Randolph and Shelden Williams will make or break the Dukies.

Pittsburgh

Brandin Knight gets the most pub, but this a team full of solid players. Julius Page and Donatas Zavackas are highly underrated. The Panthers won't surprise anybody this year (No. 4 ranking). They won't find out if they are for real or not until games versus Georgia and Notre Dame.

Alabama

This is a big, athletic squad with two All-Americans in Mo Williams and Erwin Dudley. If you think those two are enough of a problem, throw in Kenny Walker. When they play to their capabilities, they are unbeatable (ask the Sooners). Williams is a top-five point guard in nation, and there is no reason why they shouldn't be in the Final Four.

Oregon

They have the best duo in nation with Luke Ridnour and Luke Jackson. The Lukes can't have an off-night for the team to have success. Good role players in James Davis and Andre Joseph. The Ducks' downfall is their big men -- the trio of Jay Anderson, Robert Johnson, and Brian Helquist won't cut it. If they play well, Ernie Kent and the Ducks will battle the 'Zona for the Pac-10 title.

Indiana

Scariest team in the country. No one wants a piece of Tom Coverdale and the Hoosers. They boast talent at every position with George Leach and Jeffrey Newton handling the load down low. Bracey Wright is a great freshman (19 ppg), as well. If Wright doesn't hit the wall, Mike Davis' team will win the Big 10. Coverdale is proving his hype, and nobody wants this team in March.

With so many good teams, it is as wide open as ever in college basketball. You must have great guard play to win a title (sorry, Duke and Pittsburgh). Therefore, teams like Arizona and Oregon jump to the top. Consistent big men make or break a team's title chances (great for 'Bama and Indiana).

My Final Four picks: Arizona, Oregon, Indiana, and Alabama.

All four have great point guards, as well as a pretty consistent supporting cast. Gardner has been waiting four years for a title and Indiana is still running off of the steam they had from last year's tourney run. Indiana will come up short because 'Zona has too many talented players. Walton and Gardner will get redemption and win the title in '03. The road to the finale, however, will prove to be a long and entertaining one!

Article courtesy of Sports Central.