A year ago, there was no overwhelming favorite, no powerhouse that tore through everyone. Duke was mediocre, at least by recent Duke standards. Ditto for Kentucky. Villanova wound up cutting down the nets without a surefire NBA player on its roster.This season the blue blds are back -- and loaded. Lk for Duke, Kansas and Kentucky to soak up the wins -- and the majority of the headlines.The day Josh Hart decided to return to schl, Villanova became a legit contender to repeat. But no, not the favorite. That honor belongs to the Blue Devils,?who are deep and ultra-talented this season after Mike Krzyzewski found a way to land arguably the top two players in the country in Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum. Oh yeah, Grayson Allen and Amile Jefferson?are also back.The gap from Duke to the next tier isnt significant, especially with Giles history of knee issues.Kentucky brings in a similar level of young talent, but the Wildcats dont have a player of Allens caliber returning. Instead, John Calipari has Isaiah Briscoe and Derek Willis, a couple of nice players. Kansas has an experienced backcourt and added maybe the toughest frosh in the nation in wing Josh Jackson.Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Villanova. The prohibitive favorites entering the season. On paper. Well see what happens on the court.Here below are ESPN.coms preseason power rankings. This year, it was not a committee, but a committee of one. So dont blame everyone else if you disagree, just blame me.No. 1: Duke Blue DevilsThe Blue Devils are the clear-cut preseason favorite because of talent as well as the blend of youth and experience. When Grayson Allen decided to return to Durham for his junior campaign, that cemented Duke as No. 1. Amile Jefferson is back and healthy -- and Coach K brought in arguably the top freshman class -- which includes Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Frank Jackson. The key will be point guard play (whether Jackson can adjust to being more of a facilitator) and the health of Giles, who has battled numerous knee injuries.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 2: Kansas JayhawksThe Jayhawks lost a ton of players from last seasons team but should be better this season. It starts with the veteran backcourt of Frank Mason III and Devonte Graham and continues with tough, physical freshman wing Josh Jackson. Carlton Bragg should slide into Perry Ellis spot, and Landen Lucas is solid up front. Theres also no shortage of quality depth in Lawrence. One concern, though, might be perimeter shting, where Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is the teams top perimeter threat.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 3: Kentucky WildcatsYep, theres another crop of heralded and talented freshmen in Lexington -- not exactly breaking news. This group is long and ultra-athletic and should be a ton of fun to watch. Bam Adebayo is capable of a double-double every night, Malik Monk could go for 30, and DeAaron Fox is a ridiculously fast point guard. Toss in holdovers Isaiah Briscoe and Derek Willis, and this team should have a chance to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. The question for John Calipari, though, is perimeter shting from his guards.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 4: Villanova WildcatsIt wont be easy for Jay Wright to replace Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu -- a pair of team-first guys -- from last years national championship team. But he returns three starters -- Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Jalen Brunson -- and three more who played key roles a year ago in Phil Bth, Mikal Bridges and Darryl Reynolds. The loss of freshman big man Omari Spellman, who wasnt cleared to play this season by the NCAA, will have an impact.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 5: Louisville CardinalsRick Pitino lost three starters -- Damion Lee, Trey Lewis and Chinanu Onuaku -- but the Cardinals should be a fixture again in the top 25. Quentin Snider returns at the point, and the wings are talented, with Donovan Mitchell, Deng Adel and freshman V.J. King. Theres no shortage of options up front with guys like Jaylen Johnson, Ray Spalding, Anas Mahmoud and the return of Mangok Mathiang.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 6: North Carolina Tar HeelsThe Tar Heels lost Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige, but return three starters -- Joel Berry II, Justin Jackson and Kennedy Meeks -- from last years team that was within a basket of winning the national title. Roy Williams also brings back key reserves Isaiah Hicks, Theo Pinson (currently injured) and Nate Britt, so UNC should have a chance to compete for another Final Four berth.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 7: Virginia CavaliersTony Bennett. Those two words have given the Cavaliers instant credibility. UVa is 89-19 overall and 45-9 in ACC play over the past three years under him. Sure, Malcolm Brogdon is gone, but Virginia still has senior flr leader London Perrantes. Plus, Bennett will add the services of former Memphis forward Austin Nichols, one of the best frontcourt players in the country.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 8 Xavier MusketeersThe Musketeers wont be able to sneak up on people as they did last season. Coach Chris Mack brings back leading scorer Trevon Bluiett and the starting backcourt of Edmond Sumner and Myles Davis (he is currently suspended indefinitely). Lk for Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston to step in and ease the loss of James Farr and Jalen Reynolds up front. Xavier should challenge Villanova for Big East supremacy.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 9: Arizona WildcatsSean Millers team could be better than a year ago despite losing three starters, but it hinges on the eligibility concerns regarding Allonzo Trier. The Wildcats brought in a talented freshman class that includes point guard Kobi Simmons, skilled Finnish big man Lauri Markkanen and wing Rawle Alkins. Still, Trier is the teams one proven scorer.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 10: Oregon DucksThis one largely depends on the health of Dillon Brks, who missed the entire summer after ft surgery. Dana Altman has other quality players: guard Tyler Dorsey, long and athletic shot-blocker Chris Boucher and starting point guard Casey Benson, who had a stellar 5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season. But if Brks isnt close to 100 percent, the Ducks arent close to the same team.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 11: UConn HuskiesGuards win in college basketball, and Kevin Ollie will have a pair of point guards who can play in sophomore Jalen Adams and freshman Alterique Gilbert. Talented VCU transfer Terry Larrier is eligible and has pro potential. Plus, Rodney Purvis is back. The key is up front where the Huskies could use someone who can be a factor on the offensive end.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 12: Wisconsin BadgersThe Badgers return everyone of note from last years Sweet 16 team. The trio of Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ does the bulk of the scoring, and Vitto Brown and Zak Showalter are vital to the success. These guys were playing to help get then-interim coach Greg Gard the permanent gig a year ago, and it worked.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 13: Michigan State SpartansDenzel Valentine is gone. So are Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello and even Deyonta Davis. Tom Izzo will reload, and do it with the help of a talented freshman class that features combo forward Miles Bridges. However, there are questions: Will fellow frosh Cassius Winston be able to step in immediately and run the team? Does Izzo have enough up front after a couple of injuries to Ben Carter and Gavin Schilling? Will Eron Harris be reliable as a go-to guy? My money is on Izzo figuring it all out.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 14: Indiana HsiersThe Yogi Ferrell era is over, and now itll be up to Tom Crean to find a point guard situation that works in Blmington. The Hsiers have plenty of offense still with James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson on the perimeter and Thomas Bryant in the post. OG Anunoby could have a breakout season and gives IU that defensive toughness.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 15: NC State WolfpackMark Gottfried will have his most talented team since arriving in Raleigh. Hell have stud freshman point guard Dennis Smith Jr., plenty of wings with Maverick Rowan, Terry Henderson and Torin Dorn and no shortage of quality bigs with Omer Yurtseven, Abdul-Malik Abu and BeeJay Anya.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 16: San Diego State AztecsThe Aztecs won 28 games a season ago, but found themselves in the NIT for the first time in seven years. Steve Fishers team should get back to the NCAA tournament with a core that includes guards Trey Kell and Jeremy Hemsley, talented wing Malik Pope and enough up front with guys like Zylan Cheatham and transfers Max Hoetzel and Valentine Izundu.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 17: Gonzaga BulldogsThe question wont be whether Mark Fews team can put up points, but whether it will defend. Few will likely start a trio of transfers: Nigel Williams-Goss (Washington) at the point, Jordan Mathews (Cal) on the wing and Johnathan Williams III (Missouri) on the front line. Big man Przemek Karnowski is back, and if hes healthy, the Zags are the favorite to win the WCC.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 18: Syracuse OrangeJim Boeheim lost three starters, but returns Tyler Lydon, and adds a few key transfers in Andrew White (Nebraska), John Gillon (Colorado State) and Paschal Chukwu (Providence) as well as some talented frosh who could help immediately. He also brings back Tyler Roberson, veteran big man DaJuan Coleman and sophomore guard Frank Howard, who should battle Gillon for point guard duties.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 19: Saint Marys GaelsRandy Bennett and the Gaels return everything of note from last seasons team that nearly made the NCAA tournament. Bennett has his usual Aussie flavor, led by underrated point guard Emmett Naar. This team was a surprise a season ago, but wont sneak up on anyone this time, especially with a group loaded with upperclassmen.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 20: Florida GatorsIts not easy to figure out who the second-best team in the SEC is, but it lks like its going to be the Gators. Kasey Hill hasnt lived up to expectations, but hes a senior point guard, and theres enough around him, with wings KeVaughn Allen, transfers Canyon Barry and John Egbunu, and Devin Robinson on the frontline.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 21: Purdue BoilermakersMatt Painter lost A.J. Hammons, but the frontcourt wont be much of an issue with center Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan swallowing up most of the minutes. Vince Edwards is also back, so it comes down to guard play in West Lafayette. The duo of P.J. Thompson and Michigan transfer Spike Albrecht will be the key at the point.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 22: Dayton FlyersMost people are picking Rhode Island to win the A-10, but dont count out the Flyers. Why? Archie Millers program is 27-9 in the league the past two seasons and made an Elite Eight appearance three years ago. Miller still has Scchie Smith, Kendall Pollard, Charles Cke and Kyle Davis. And remember: All four are seniors.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 23: West Virginia MountaineersBob Huggins lost some guys, but the Mountaineers success is largely predicated on their coach and his system. Itll again be a somewhat anonymous group of guards that includes guys such as Daxter Miles Jr., Jevon Carter and Tarik Phillip, who will wreak havoc on opponents.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 24: UCLA BruinsThe Bruins were 15-17 last season, but they added two talented freshmen in pass-first point guard Lonzo Ball and skilled forward T.J. Leaf. Throw them in with Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Thomas Welsh, and theres no reason Steve Alford shouldnt have this program back in the NCAA tournament.FULL TEAM REPORTNo. 25: Baylor BearsScott Drew and the Bears have gone to the NCAA tournament four of the past five years and have been at least .500 in the Big 12 in each of the past six seasons. Miami transfer Manu Lecomte will run the show, and hell have Johnathan Motley up front and veterans in Al Freeman and Ishmail Wainright.FULL TEAM REPORTBobby Doerr Red Sox Jersey .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Junichi Tazawa Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. https://www.cheapredsox.com/1871z-marcus-walden-jersey-red-sox.html . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Rick Porcello Red Sox Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. David Ortiz Red Sox Jersey . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit.This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!St. Louis BluesOverall: 29 Title track: 82 Ownership: 42 Coaching: 58 Players: 54 Fan relations: 18 Affordability: 39 Stadium experience: 67 Bang for the buck: 23 Change from last year: +14Climbing back toward the top, the Blues regained fans approval this year and found the No. 29 spot on the Ultimate Standings list. Ranked 11th overall in 2014, the Blues tk a hit and dropped to No. 43 last year. But after finishing second in the Central Division and third in the NHL with 49 wins -- not to mention putting on a show at the end of May -- fans responded with a standings jump.Whats gdLast season proved to be the Blues ode to fans, as the team regained gd graces in St. Louis. Jumping eight spots to No. 18 in fan relations, the Blues allow everyone to feel that St. Louis pride at every home game. From the BMO Harris Bank Kids Captain program to the #BlueSocial program, the Blues understand how to keep the fans entertained and engaged with the team all season long. Best of all, the fans coined the Blues one of the most desirable bang for the buck categories, sliding into No. 23 on the Ultimate Standings list.Whats badUnfortunately, the fan relations and low ticket prices arent enough to keep the crowd pleased with the overall experience at Scottrade Center arena. Ranking as one f the worst stadium experiences in the NHL at No.dddddddddddd 82, the Blues cant seem to find the approval of the fans when it comes to the 22-year-old stadium. Lacking in what fans deem uniqueness, the versatility of the stadium -- it also hosts concerts, wrestling matches, NCAA basketball and more -- seems to be the Blues gift and curse. The biggest takeaway for most Blues fans is that they arent getting enough hockey vibes inside the arena -- only six teams scored worse when fans were asked if they had a great stadium.Whats newAlthough the Blues loyal fan base still craves a Stanley Cup finals berth, the Blues proved to be a strong force in the NHL last season. Moving up 22 spots to No. 58 for coaching and 31 spots to No. 54 for players, the Blues also found their rhythm on the ice. St. Louis had fallen to No. 80 in coaching last year, due in part to fans lack of trust in Ken Hitchcocks ability to lead the group to a Stanley Cup, but now theyve turned things around and even made an appearance in the Western Conference finals last season. This season will prove to be a test for both Hitchcock and the younger players, especially with the absence of clutch veterans Troy Brouwer and David Backes.Next: San Jose Sharks?| Full rankings ' ' '