North Carolina head and shoulders above the competition

Posted November 09, 2008 10:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Not since Chris Webber was a prep prodigy at Detroit Country Day have so many college coaches been so eager to go to work in the Motor City.

Yes, the NCAA decided Detroit made the perfect site for the 2009 Final Four.

That makes Ford Field the ultimate destination for all 330 eligible Division I programs - and April 6 the ultimate date to play there.

Now, starting with today's Coaches vs. Cancer doubleheader at Duke, it's just a matter of learning whether anybody can get within three car lengths of North Carolina.

The Tar Heels retain their top six scorers, including reigning player of the year Tyler Hansbrough, from last year's Final Four team that won 36 games.

What happened the last time Roy Williams brought back all five starters? Carolina edged Illinois in the 2005 NCAA title game.

But, wait, there's more.

North Carolina also welcomes three McDonald's All-Americans, so it was no surprise when Williams' bunch became the first unanimous No. 1 preseason pick in Associated Press history.

"All coaches would love experience or talent," Williams said in the St. Petersburg Times. "And if you can have both, that's the best of all worlds. And that is what we have."

Just as North Carolina towers over other schools, the Big East casts a massive shadow over other leagues.

The preseason AP rankings show four Big East teams - Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame - among the top 8 and seven in the top 25.

"You have 11 teams that look like they can be a Top-30 team," Louisville coach Rick Pitino told USA Today. "That's stronger than I've ever seen any conference."

Since the 3-point shot became an official part of the college game in 1986, it has served as a terrific way for lesser programs to take down Goliaths.

But the 3-point line takes a step back this year. It moves from 19-feet-9 to 20-9, which could have an outsized effect on the game.

(The original stripe will remain painted on gym floors because college women didn't change their rule).

"It's a different shot," said DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright. "I think there'll be a change - and I don't think it'll be subtle. I think it'll be dramatic. To be good at our level, you'll have to be able to score against a zone."

The Top 25 Lindsey Willhite's preseason Associated Press ballot (last year's record in parentheses) 1. North Carolina (36-3) 2. Connecticut (24-9) 3. Louisville (27-9) 4. UCLA (35-4) 5. Oklahoma (23-12) 6. Pittsburgh (27-10) 7. Texas (31-7) 8. Duke (28-6) 9. Notre Dame (25-8) 10. Tennessee (31-5) 11. Purdue (25-9) 12. Memphis (38-2) 13. Arizona State (21-13) 14. Marquette (25-10) 15. Villanova (22-13) 16. Baylor (21-11) 17. USC (21-12) 18. Wisconsin (31-5) 19. Wake Forest (17-13) 20. Michigan State (27-9) 21. Syracuse (21-14) 22. Miami (23-11) 23. Gonzaga (25-8) 24. Kansas (37-3) 25. Saint Mary's (25-7) Preseason All-Americans Willhite's top five, which matched the official team with the exception of UCLA G Darren Collison for Hudson. G Stephen Curry, Jr., Davidson G Lester Hudson, Sr., Tennessee-Martin F Blake Griffin, So., Oklahoma F Luke Harangody, Jr., Notre Dame C Tyler Hansbrough, Sr., North Carolina Five Massive Mid-Majors The teams most likely to develop into this year's Davidson Belmont Davidson Portland State Saint Mary's Siena The Lincoln Nickel The five best players on our state's 12 Division I teams G Osiris Eldridge, Jr., Illinois State G Josh Mayo, Sr., Illinois-Chicago G Bryan Mullins, Sr., Southern Illinois F Dar Tucker, So., DePaul F Kevin Coble, Jr., Northwestern Future Millionaires Club See these five freshmen before they leave for the NBA G Jrue Holiday, 6-3, UCLA G Tyreke Evans, 6-6, Memphis F DeMar DeRozan, 6-7, USC F Samardo Samuels, 6-8, Louisville C B.J. Mullens, 7-0, Ohio State Five new old faces Veteran coaches who've popped up in different locales John Brady, Arkansas State Tom Crean, Indiana Mike Jarvis, Florida Atlantic Jim Molinari, Western Illinois Mike Montgomery, California

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