Kansas Jayhawks Xavier Henry, Cole Aldrich & Sherron Collins on the Cover of ESPN The Magazine’s College Basketball Preview Issue

Every team in college basketball has a predictable side and an unpredictable side. No team exemplifies that more than Kansas, this year’s preseason No. 1. In “Seen this One Before,” in the new issue of ESPN The Magazine on sale today, writers Elena Bergeron and Luke Cyphers break down the Jayhawks’ yin and yang. While KU has the squad built for another NCAA title run - a seasoned point guard in Sherron Collins, a dominant center in Cole Aldrich and a deep and experienced front line – there is more than meets the eye. Top recruit Xavier Henry, who will probably stay for only one year, joins the team and recent-off court antics, such as a fight with members of the KU football team, makes this “boringly consistant” team volatile and worth watching.

Like the Jayhawks, many college basketball teams have a split personality. The Magazine’s 2009-10 College Basketball Rankings take a look at the top 64 teams and break down what makes each of them tick, as well as what could make them unravel. “ Where the Wild Things Are ” predicts how the college basketball season will pan out for some players, systems and conferences—from the maniacal to the mundane. And The Mag shines the spotlight on Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies who went an amazing 39-0 last season and look to dominate women’s hoops yet again.

NEXT: THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES

And the NEXT countdown continues: meet the latest five-spot of future phenoms, as The Mag marches toward the summit of NEXT. Who will claim the top spot? Find out in our Dec. 14 issue.

15. J.R. Celski, speed skating

14. Simona De Silvestro, auto racing

13. Australian National Soccer Team

12. Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

11. Jake Locker, LSU football

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

PLAYER X. In his sixth column for The Magazine, “Player X,” an anonymous NFL star, talks money and how player’s riches can disappear just as quickly as that contract was signed.

• “Truth is, you’re lucky to bank $4 million of a $10 million contract these days. And it’s tough to make that money last when there’s pressure to live the pro lifestyle.”

ONE SMALL STEP FOR A DEFENSE, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR THE OFFENSE. For the Saints offense, a little trick and misdirection goes a long way—a league-best 427.3 yards per game, to be exact. David Fleming reports.

“YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.” One year from now, Georgia State football, the subject of The Mag’s "How to Build a Program in Two Short Years" series, plays Alabama in a mismatch for the ages. Guess what? GSU can’t wait. Justin Heckert reports.

Life of Reilly. Rick Reilly experiences the scariest minute in sports – calling a horse race.

***ESPN THE MAGAZINE COVERS AVAILABLE AT ESPNMEDIAZONE.COM ***

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