Pre-season Top 10 2012-13 College Basketball

1. Indiana

Indiana stays put at No. 1 after surviving the draft deadline unscathed. Cody Zeller and Christian Watford decided to stay in school and that means each of IU's top five scorers return from last season's Sweet 16 team, in addition to a top-10 recruiting class. So yes, the Hoosiers will still be the pick in the Big Ten and a preseason favorite for the national title. It took a while, but Indiana is back. Get used to it.

2. Louisville

Louisville didn't have to deal with any draft issues. The Cardinals are as untouched now as they were in New Orleans after losing in the national semifinal to Kentucky. The losses of Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith can't be dismissed, but everyone else returns, Wayne Blackshear will be around for a whole season, Mike Marra and (perhaps) Rakeem Buckles will return from injury, double-digit scorer Luke Hancock arrives from George Mason and Peyton Siva should be the preseason Big East player of the year. No reason the Cards can't make it back-to-back trips to the Final Four.

3. Kentucky

The Wildcats will almost certainly lose Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to the NBA, and likely Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague, as well. Senior Darius Miller also is gone, and he was one of the best glue guys in the country. So how is Big Blue still No. 3? All about the newcomers. John Calipari has hauled in the nation's No. 1 class for the fourth straight year at UK, led by the nation's No. 1 player, shot-blocking extraordinaire Nerlens Noel. The additions of NC State transfer Ryan Harrow and freshmen Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley -- along with a former top recruit like Kyle Wiltjer who will get his chance to shine -- will keep Kentucky near the top again.

4. Kansas

Kansas lost Thomas Robinson as expected, as well as senior Tyshawn Taylor. But the returnees (led by Jeff Withey and Elijah Johnson) and the newcomers (led by Perry Ellis and redshirt freshman Ben McLemore) make the Jayhawks once again the team to beat in the Big 12. No matter what the personnel losses are, haven't we learned our lesson not to dismiss this program as long as Bill Self is in charge? Yes. Yes, we have. KU isn't going anywhere.

5. Michigan

After flirting with the NBA, Trey Burke decided to remain in Ann Arbor. That's huge for the Wolverines, who would've had a serious void at the point without the invaluable Burke. He will join Tim Hardaway Jr. and a loaded freshman class that includes ESPNU 100 recruits Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson Jr. and Nik Stauskas. This team is loaded and as long as the newcomers blend in, there's no reason to believe Michigan can't compete at the highest level in both the Big Ten and nationally.

6. NC State

How did this happen so fast? Is North Carolina State really the ACC favorite? Why not. North Carolina and Duke are taking on serious losses, and the Wolfpack overachieved under Mark Gottfried to get to the Sweet 16. It took a little while, but C.J. Leslie announced he's returning, which basically means the entire team returns. In addition, Gottfried has one of the top recruiting classes in the country coming in with Rodney Purvis, T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis. This program has a lot to look forward to.

7. UCLA

The Bruins might be the most fascinating team of 2012-13. How will this all shake out? Not only is the embattled Ben Howland bringing in the No. 1 recruiting class led by a pair of top-five players (guards Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson) and an elite big man (Tony Parker), but also UNC transfer Larry Drew II, who left Chapel Hill in controversial fashion. And who knows what you'll get with a frontcourt that includes the Wear twins and the enigma that is Josh Smith. Tyler Lamb and Norman Powell will also play signifcant roles. This has a true boom-or-bust feel to it. Nothing less than Howland's job security rides on it.

8. Ohio State

The Buckeyes have never disappointed under Thad Matta. This team is a consistent winner that is always near or at the top of the Big Ten and in title contention. Next season won't be any different. The big news from the past week wasn't losing Jared Sullinger. That was expected. But getting Deshaun Thomas to come back means they have a go-to scorer in the frontcourt, even if he likes to score more facing the basket. And the Buckeyes still have Aaron Craft doing all the things Aaron Craft does, andLenzelle Smith Jr. and LaQuinton Ross are going to be studs.

9. Michigan State

The Spartans lose Big Ten player of the year Draymond Green, Brandon Wood andAustin Thornton. But if you think Michigan State is going to slide under Tom Izzo, you haven't been following the program. Keith Appling and Travis Trice return, along with a healthy Branden Dawson. The Spartans don't ever lack for talent, and a top-10 freshmen class is on the way.

10. Syracuse

Four of the top six scorers are gone. Dion Waiters left early. Fab Melo did, too. Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine were seniors. But the depth and talent is still there withRakeem Christmas and Michael Carter-Williams, as well as Brandon Triche and C.J. Fair. The addition of big man DaJuan Coleman is huge. Don't expect the Orange to fall off in their likely last season in the Big East.