Updated: November 10, 2008, 3:49 PM ET

As season looms, step into burning ring of questions

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Bilas By Jay Bilas
ESPN.com
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Every once in a while, we think we have all of the answers when a season tips off, as if we truly believe we can predict the unpredictable. This season starts off with a lot of question marks and unknowns, and the fun of the season is watching as all of our questions get answered by the play on the floor as the four best teams march toward the Final Four in Detroit. Here are 10 questions I have as the 2009 season gets underway:

1. What could stand in North Carolina's way?

For the first time since the poll's inception, North Carolina is a unanimous No. 1 after returning everyone from a 36-3 Final Four squad. While UConn in 2004 and Florida in 2007 should have been unanimous No. 1 teams, the consensus regarding the Tar Heels as the clear favorite has thrown the media into a tizzy. Of course, we will wear out the question of whether North Carolina can go undefeated (perhaps the stupidest question asked of any coach or player), but there is a more salient issue facing the Tar Heels: What can derail the mighty Heels from reaching Detroit and a chance to cut the nets down? It is not the pressure of being No. 1. North Carolina has dealt with that kind of pressure for decades, and Roy Williams won the 2005 national championship while being ranked No. 1 in almost every preseason poll. While it wasn't unanimous in 2005, no other team in the preseason was given the same chance of winning the title as North Carolina was. The scariest thing facing the Tar Heels is something they can do little about: injury. Already Tyler Hansbrough and Marcus Ginyard have suffered injuries that will cause them to miss games. How will they handle it? Will Hansbrough and Ginyard return to a better team, one that has grown as a result of the opportunities created by their absences? Remember, when Ty Lawson went down last season, Quentin Thomas went from little-used and under-confident reserve to important piece of a Final Four puzzle. If the Heels remain healthy, only a great performance by an opponent (see, Kansas) or a complete chemistry meltdown (an opponent's pipe dream with Williams at the helm) can stop the Heels from winning the ACC and marching to the Motor City.

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2008-09 Season Preview

Hear that, college hoops fans? It's the sound of college teams returning to the hardwood, as another season is just around the corner. If North Carolina is the best in the land, who checks in just behind the Tar Heels? Dickie V thinks he knows the answer. Vitale's preseason top 40

Preseason Top 25
• Katz: Heels to tip season as No. 1
• ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll … Rank 'em

Experts' top 10 rankings Insider

• Fraschilla: Impact freshmen | Defenders
• Bilas: Best conference | Top rebounders
• Gottlieb: Top PGs | Cut-rate coaches

Fresh starts
• Katz: Jayhawks prepare for Round 2
• Katz: Memphis on the mend after KU debacle
• O'Neil: Samuels, Caracter take separate paths
• O'Neil: Humble pie a good remedy for Gators
• Schlabach: Slimmer Pittman hopes to power UT
• O'Neil: Griffin ready to power Sooners
• Katz: Robinson campaigns to rebuild OSU
• OTL: Behind the scenes with Robinson, Obamas
• O'Neil: The evolution of Madness
• O'Neil: Injured players ready to return
• O'Neil: Steele ready to run again for Tide
• Katz: Healthy Mitchell ready to lead LSU
• Katz: Curry returns to run revamped Friars
• Whelliston: Mid-majors welcome in transfers

Coaches
• Katz: Wake frosh trio ready to power Deacons
• Katz: Barnes has steadily built Texas into power
• Katz: Williams, Marquette on the line
• Katz: Johnson and LSU a good fit
• O'Neil: Bo knows good conditioning
• Katz: Davis ready for next step at PC
• O'Neil: From Ivy to A-10, Dunphy fits in Philly
• Katz: Kruger enjoying second chances
• Katz: Older and wiser, Alford feels at home

More
• Katz: Aboya plans for life off the court
• Katz: Mills impresses at Saint Mary's, in Beijing
• O'Neil: Hardship waivers causing headaches
• O'Neil: Duke focuses on slaying March demons
• Katz: Curry gets used to life in the spotlight
• Katz: UConn bunker is all business
• Forde: In Kentucky, Madness begins in October
• O'Neil: Landry's a family man off the court
• Katz: Siena ready to take the next step
• Katz: Miami's McClinton finds a perfect fit
• Whelliston: Welcome to the Great West
• Ford: B.J. Mullens heads hot list on Draft Watch Insider
• Katz: Roe's recovery great news for Spartans

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