OK, OK, I will defend myself right now. I can't believe how many people have come up to me lately, saying that they are surprised that I picked North Carolina number one for the upcoming college basketball season.

I don't know what they are thinking. Recently a number of people came up to me at my favorite breakfast spot, The Broken Egg, and screamed at me, asking, "how can you pick them No. 1 after they lost Brandan Wright and Reyshawn Terry."

Now wait a minute, a lot of people lose talented players and look at what the Tar Heels have returning. Roy Williams has a terrific trio coming back. Let's start on the perimeter with super sophs Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson. Do you think they will be better this season with a year's experience under their belt. They should be sensational.

A key is going to be their commitment on the defensive end. If they listen to their coach and work hard on stopping opponents, they will be very, very special.

In the middle, North Carolina has my preseason National Player of the Year in Tyler Hansbrough. I think his physical presence and dominance will be crucial. He will be tough to deal for opposing players.

Yes, the Tar Heels lose Wright up front, a quick, agile player who dominated at times, but was inconsistent on the foul line. North Carolina has Deon Thompson ready to step up and if you look at what he did against Arizona and Georgetown last season, he is ready to make big noise. He will be a force in the baseline.

There are a lot of others returning as well, guys like Danny Green, Marcus Ginyard and Bobby Frasor. Expect Williams to do another phenomenal job while getting his players to understand the commitment of playing defense. If they understand the value of every possession defensively, I really believe they will be celebrating on Franklin Street when the Tar Heels cut the nets down in San Antonio.

That is my argument to those who wonder what I am thinking when I am going with North Carolina numero uno. That's why they play the season. I can't wait for it to start!