Nov. 21 | Preseason NIT Update | ESPN.com's Preseason NIT coverage

On paper, it looks like Kansas is the team to beat in this year's Preseason NIT. But if the Jayhawks slip, Florida will be ready to pounce. In first-round games Tuesday night, Kansas routed Holy Cross 81-57 and Florida beat Louisiana Tech 76-55. Meanwhile, North Carolina has achieved some early redemption after going 8-20 last season (the worst record in school history).

	Freshman point guard Raymond Felton, right, had nine points to go along with his game-high 10 assists vs. Penn State.

The Tar Heels advanced to the semifinals in New York's Madison Square Garden with a comeback win over Rutgers in second-round action Wednesday night. The Heels rallied from a 59-48 deficit to pull out a 71-67 victory at home. Coach Matt Doherty is off to a brilliant start with his young team.

The Heels rocked Penn State 85-55 in the first round on Monday. UNC's trio of diaper dandies -- Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants and Sean May -- had a sensational debut (combining for 54 points, 21 boards and 13 assists).

Xavier couldn't have been too happy about having to travel to Palo Alto, Calif., for its second-round showdown against Stanford at Maples Pavilion -- especially after the unranked Cardinal pulled off a 63-62 upset of ranked Xavier on Wednesday night. In the first round at home on Monday night, Xavier had blasted St. Peter's 87-48, while Stanford edged Boston University 61-57.

In the other second-round games, Florida hosts Eastern Illinois on Thursday night while Kansas hosts UNC-Greensboro on Friday (ESPN2, 7 p.m.). The winners earn a trip to the semis in New York.

I still see Kansas and Florida reaching the Preseason NIT championship game.

The rock-chalk-Jayhawk crew has the best starting lineup in college basketball this season. And knowing Kansas' Roy Williams and his coaching ability and knowledge, he will find a way to get productive minutes from his bench players. Guys like Bryant Nash, Michael Lee, Jeff Hawkins, Jeff Graves and Moulaye Niang will step up and contribute when called upon.

What a starting lineup for Kansas! Guard Aaron Miles will have a big-time year -- he stepped in last season as a diaper dandy and played tough defense on the basketball and distributed the rock. Senior Kirk Hinrich makes big shots and is one of my All-Rolls Royce performers. He's an intense competitor, and that spirit rubs off on his teammates.

Super soph Wayne Simien will have a big year. He has tough shoes to fill, replacing All-American Drew Gooden. When you have someone of Simien's stature ready to move in, that's a huge positive. Simien should be a dominant performer. Keith Langford should produce big numbers on the wing as another Kansas super soph. Then there's senior big man Nick Collison, another of my All-Rolls Roycers.

I like everything about the Jayhawks. It's a coaching dream, because they play together, as a team -- they share the basketball, defend and know how to win.

Kansas has the best starting lineup in college basketball this season.

Meanwhile, Florida is a bit shorthanded, with the injuries to senior guard Brett Nelson and diaper dandy Christian Drejer, plus the recent transfer of James White (who is likely heading to Cincinnati).

I believe that senior Matt Bonner and sophomore David Lee will be tough up front for coach Billy Donovan's Gators. I feel that Lee will be like Simien, enjoying a breakout super-soph season. Florida will be strong on the perimeter and the interior.

A number of diaper dandies have arrived in Gainesville. They will get plenty of experience and playing time, especially with Nelson sidelined. Look for Anthony Roberson to become an instant standout. A versatile performer who can play either the point or the two-guard, Roberson was Michigan's Mr. Basketball last season as a high school senior.

Plus, senior guard Justin Hamilton is an unselfish leader. A defensive dynamo, Hamilton is athletic, has long arms and knows how to win. He will be another asset on the perimeter for the Gators.

The Preseason NIT is a great opportunity for teams to play against good intersectional competition, with a chance for the semifinalists to compete in New York City. The 16-team tournament is a first-class showplace, as many players never have been to the mecca of college basketball, Madison Square Garden. The first two rounds are played at campus sites, with the semifinals and final at the Garden.