2008-2009 NCAA Preseason Basketball Rankings: Teams # 11-15

#11 Pittsburgh - The only reason I rank Pitt so low is because of an unhealthy Levance Fields, a senior point guard who averaged 12 points and over five assists last season and makes everyone on the floor better. Fields should be available for the start of conference play but his two surgeries over the summer is a concern. The rest of the Panthers squad, however, is healthy and ready to challenge for a Big East title. Power Forward Dejuan Blair could average a double-double, as he averaged 12 and nine last season in only 26 minutes per game. Senior Sam Young is a potential All-American as he improved his game substantially last season, boosting his scoring to 18 points per game on 50 percent shooting. A solid recruiting class gives the Panthers a great bench and a lot of young talent. If Fields can stay healthy upon returning, Pittsburgh will be one of the nation's elite teams.

# 12 Duke - Polls have Duke placed a lot higher, but they don't look like a team that can win it all this year. A couple good recruits should improve upon the team that was ousted in the second round of the Tournament last season however. Greg Paulus returns and brings leadership to the squad as well as a perimeter threat. Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson are arguably the Blue Devils most athletic players and both know how to get the basketball to the hoop. Of course having an Olympic Gold Medal winning coach in Mike Krzyzewski wont hurt Duke's chances of a postseason run. If they can stay healthy, this experienced and hungry team could be a major factor come March.

#13 Memphis - They most talented team a year ago are going to be hurt by the loss of guards Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts, there is no doubting that. However, a solid returning crew and the addition of one of the best incoming players, Tyreke Evans, makes Memphis a threat to make it back to the title game. Big man Robert Dozier should anchor the Tigers front line and should see a dramatic increase in minutes from a year ago. Fortunately, his free throw average is about twice that of Joey Dorsey last season. Guard/Forward Antonio Anderson should also have a breakout year, and will pair up nicely with Evans on the wings. Lanky freshman forward Wesley Witherspoon will also be a factor, especially on the defensive end. Overall, Memphis does not have the team that they did last year, but they are still one of the most talented in the nation.

#14 Miami (FL) - The Hurricanes, a team that was solid last season with 23 wins, returns a great core this year. Guard Jack McClinton should be one of the nations leading scorers and will be a valuable asset in close games, as he shot 92 percent from the line and 43 percent from beyond the arc last year. Power Forward Dwayne Collins should see improved minutes and could average a double-double. Miami also will have one of the most athletic recruits in the nation playing in DeQuan Jones. Jones will fit in extremely well in Miami's run and gun offense and could challenge for ACC Freshman of the Year. If the Hurricanes have a chance to make noise in the tournament, this is the year.

#15 Wake Forest - Don't be fooled by Wake Forest's 17-13 record last season, they are one of the best teams in the nation. Of course getting three of the top recruits in the nation helps somewhat. Twin Towers Ty Walker and Troy Woods, standing at 7-0 and 6-11 respectively, will be dominant forces down low, as both are above average scorers and post defenders. Also joining the Deacons will be small forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who at 6-9 will give Wake a size advantage over every team they face. Not to be overshadowed are sophomores Jeff Teague and James Johnson, who both averaged 14 points per game last season. The talent that this team has will make them one of the teams to watch this year, however, having your starting five consisting of underclassmen will hurt the Demon Deacons in close games and difficult moments.