FanHouse

This week, FanHouse is taking a way too early look at the top teams heading into 2007 with a BlogPoll decided on by our college hoops bloggers. It's a time-honored filler for the off-season, and who are we to buck tradition? Today we look at teams 5 through 1.

Bill Self's Jayhawk squad was a popular pick to cut down the nets last year and fell just short of his first Final Four in a tough loss in the regional final to UCLA. It appeared at times during the offseason that the NBA Draft would wreak some havoc on the roster, but thanks to Brandon Rush's knee injury, it ended up being only Julian Wright who left early. Every other key player for the Jayhawks is returning, and sophomore forward Darrell Arthur should step right into Wright's spot and allow the team to barely miss a beat (after he recovers from his injury).

KU became most dangerous down the stretch of the past season as freshman Sherron Collins, an explosive bowling ball of a PG, started to come into his own. Along with steady defensive minded Russell Robinson and combo guard Mario Chalmers, Self can always have 2 All-Big XII caliber 'small guards' on the floor.

Brandon Rush is the teams best overall player on the wing, and while he'll be slowed some coming back from his injury he's still a terrific defender and shooter at SF or 'big guard'. Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson and freshman Cole Aldrich will provide about 21 feet and 15 fouls worth of banging in the post as the Jayhawks continue their blue collar commitment to defense and rebounding.

Why they should be ranked here: Talented, experienced depth. KU has an All-Big XII candidate at nearly every position and several reserves who could start for most of the rest of the league. They play tough nosed defense, have a tremendous home court advantage and have played together for an extended period of time. This is legitimately one of the best teams in the country.

Why they should be ranked higher: There's not much room to be ranked higher, but KU is a serious threat to win the national championship thanks to their backcourt, which is probably the best in the entire country.

Why they should be ranked lower: Not only is Rush the Jayhawks' best player, he is also the one at the position with the least depth. If he returns from the injury as only a shell of himself, then KU will have to play a smaller lineup with three guards or use a much less skilled player (Roderick Stewart, possibly) in his place. Even totally without Rush though, this is a top 10 team.