For the next five days, I?ll be covering five college basketball teams a day. The rankings are based on the Preseason AP Poll that was released on November 6th. Fans can get their preseason fix with several notable tournaments this weekend, including the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

20. Syracuse Orange: It’s been a while since we saw Syracuse play without Gerry McNamara but it’s time for Cuse to move on. Luckily, we won’t be seeing any Jim Boheim speeches praising McNamara unless he has a good game while playing in Greece. The Orange do return their starting frontcourt in seniors Terrence Roberts, Demetris Nichols, and Darryl Watkins. Keep an eye on Paul Harris and Mike Jones (Who?), two talented freshman. Harris has been praised by coaches throughout the Big East and was named Preseason Rookie of the Year. Cuse can hang in a Big East that isn’t as strong as it was last season.

19. Creighton Bluejays: Of all the teams in the Missouri Valley Conference that have potential to reach the NCAA tournament, Creighton is the best. They’ll be much improved because Nate Funk is back from missing almost all of last year due to injury. The Bluejays also have Anthony Tolliver, a big man that should benefit from Funk dropping threes ala Kyle Korver. Creighton has two of the best players in the MVC and one of it’s deepest rosters. The MVC won’t be sneaking up on anybody this season so Creighton needs to live up to the hype it has already received

18. Connecticut Huskies: When was the last time you saw UConn out of the preseason top 10? That’s what happens when four of your players get drafted in the first round. The Huskies lost about 70 points to graduation and the NBA in the offseason. If there was ever a time to get your licks in on UConn, it’s the early part of this season. Their recruiting class was one of the best in the country and the talented freshmen will be ready to play. Stanley Robinson, Curtis Kelly, and Jeremy Dyson are three names to look out for. Don’t doubt Jim Calhoun; this team will still be very dangerous in the Big East.

17. Washington Huskies: Brandon Roy is gone. Unfortunately for the Pac-10, the best recruiting class in the program’s history has arrived. Washington has made the Sweet 16 the last two seasons and with this recruiting class, they could get farther. Spencer Hawes is the best of the bunch; he turned down an offer from North Carolina to play for UW. The Huskies also landed Quincy Pondexter, one of the best names in college basketball, and Adrian Oliver. They’re gonna join a talented front court. Justin Dentmon and Jon Brockmon are the top returnees. They averaged a combined 16 points a game and should get better in their sophomore seasons.

16. Marquette Golden Eagles: Marquette could be this year’s Villanova because their frontcourt owns. The backcourt of Dominic James (above), Jerel McNeal, and Wesley Matthews combined for 35 points a game…as freshmen. They’re only going to get better. James was the Big East Rookie of the Year after averaging 15 points and 5 assists a game. Losing Steve Novak hurts but Marquette was able to land Lazar Hayward, one of the best wing players in the country. He’ll be the shooter that can drop the three, much like Novak and Travis Diener were before him.