Rank 'Em and File 'Em

We're into December and starting to see at least some formation of a solid group of contenders. So, with that in mind, I'm gonna rank 'em. Each week from here until the NCAA Tournament, we'll use Mondays to rank teams and talk a little bit about each of them.

Without further ado ... the first 2008-2009 J. Greer Top 20

1. North Carolina -- It has to be, right? No other team has this much talent. Even against highly ranked teams like Notre Dame and Michigan State, the Tar Heels looked like they were from another level.

2. UConn -- The Huskies struggled against Buffalo (Buffalo?) but are still the odds-on favorite to meet the Heels on Championship Monday.

3. Pitt -- This year's Panthers aren't just your old friendly bruisers; they possess a three-headed monster on offense with multiple role players emerging as weapons. They can run, they can score and they can still knock you on your ass.

4. Gonzaga -- The Runnin' Zags are the best team on the West Coast and easily one of the best teams in their school's history. Mark Few has six playmakers on this roster.

5. Oklahoma -- Blake Griffin is the best big man in the country. He has that nimbleness about him. The Sooners are top-notch as long as he's around. Oh, and Willie Warren ain't half bad.

6. Texas -- Another huge test of the Longhorns comes tomorrow, when they play Villanova in the Jimmy V Classic.

7. Duke -- I know Duke lost to Michigan. I know everyone hates Duke. I also know that Duke might be the only team capable of beating UNC in the regular season. And one loss on the road isn't terrible.

8. Xavier -- The Musketeers are good. Get used to it.

9. Tennessee -- Always jam-packed with athletes, Bruce Pearl's bunch can fill it up in a hurry and run with anyone.

10. Louisville -- I'm sticking to my gut here. The Cardinals are nasty, and an embarrassing loss early in the season might be the best wake-up call they could have.

11. Syracuse -- And you thought Donte Greene leaving would be a problem. Silly you. Now the Orange actually have five players trying at once. And oh what a difference it makes.

12. Villanova -- See Texas above.

13. Wake Forest -- Supremely talented, very deep, way too many turnovers.

14. Ohio State -- We knew they had some young studs, but we didn't know they'd actually win big games with them.

15. Georgetown -- Still good, still kicking. If you sleep on the Hoyas, you're an idiot.

16. Michigan State -- Sparty had his butt handed to him last week by the Sprintin' Tar Heels, but it could be a lot worse.

16. Memphis -- See Wake Forest above.

17. Purdue -- I still love the Baby Boilermakers. They are legit. And they will avenge two early (but high quality) losses.

18. UCLA -- See Pitt above, but without the same punch as usual. And it seems like the Bruins could use a big guy or three.

19. Davidson -- I don't care what the Wildcats' record is, these kids can play with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

20. Notre Dame -- Most overrated team in the country, but I have to rank them somewhere, right?