by Jeff Goodman

We'll take a look at some of the guys who are coming back from key injuries a year ago and others who are already on the mend -- players who could play a major role in how far their team goes this season.

20 guys who need to be healthy this season

Goodman's Countdown

Who are the nation's best teams? We'll find out as the season starts this week. For now, here's Jeff Goodman's preseason Top 25 Countdown. Check our college basketball page for more features and news.

Jeff Goodman's Top 25

1. North Carolina Tar Heels
2. Michigan State Spartans
3. Louisville Cardinals
4. Gonzaga Bulldogs
5. Connecticut Huskies
6. Duke Blue Devils
7. UCLA Bruins
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
9. Pittsburgh Panthers
10. Purdue Boilermakers
11. Texas Longhorns
12. Georgetown Hoyas
13. Memphis Tigers
14. Tennessee Volunteers
15. Miami Hurricanes
16. Arizona State Sun Devils
17. Oklahoma Sooners
18. Marquette Golden Eagles
19. Villanova Wildcats
20. UNLV Runnin' Rebels
21. Florida Gators
22. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
23. USC Trojans
24. Wisconsin Badgers
25. Syracuse Orange

1. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina: There's still plenty of uncertainty with the stress reaction that has put the All-American and the Tar Heels' top player on the sidelines. If Hansbrough only misses the Maui Invitational, it's no big deal. However, if this ends up turning into a stress fracture, it could put him on the shelf for a while.

2. Levance Fields, Pittsburgh: Missed 12 games with a foot injury last season and had another surgery over the summer. The Panthers staff is being cautious with the senior point guard and for good reason. They need him healthy when it matters. If Fields goes down, the starting spot will fall to a freshman. That's not a pretty thought for Jamie Dixon.

3. A.J. Price, UConn: The Huskies point guard went down with a torn ACL in the first half of the loss to San Diego in the NCAA tournament, but is expected to start the season opener. With a healthy Price and freshman Kemba Walker, UConn can field one of the top backcourts in the country. If Price isn't healthy, it'd be tough to imagine a scenario where the Huskies could go deep in the postseason.

4. Josh Heytvelt, Gonzaga: The 'Zags big man was never the same last season after foot surgery early in the year. If Heytvelt can return to the form he displayed as a sophomore when he averaged 15.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game, Gonzaga could finally make that elusive Final Four appearance.

5. Eric Devendorf, Syracuse: Was leading the Orange in scoring through the first 10 games of the season when he tore his ACL. He'll not only give Jim Boeheim's club depth and a scorer to take the pressure off Jonny Flynn, but also experience that the Orange lacked last season.

6. Ron Steele, Alabama: It seems like an eternity ago that Steele was considered one of the elite point guards in the country. He's been snake-bitten by injuries to both knees and had to sit out the entire season last year to get back healthy. If Steele comes back near what he was a couple years ago, the Crimson Tide could be dangerous with the addition of JaMychal Green and the return of Alonzo Gee.

7. Tasmin Mitchell, LSU: Had a stress fracture in his left shin that cut his season short after just three games. The reports have been that he's looked terrific in the preseason and could make Trent Johnson's first season in Baton Rouge much easier than many expected.

8. Dogus Balbay, Texas: The heir apparent to D.J. Augustin sat out the entire year after knee surgery. The word is that the Turkish floor leader will battle with A.J. Abrams and Justin Mason for time running the Longhorns, but Balbay is the best option. He can run the show and make his teammates better.

9. Marcus Ginyard, North Carolina: While Hansbrough's injury is certainly on a different level, Ginyard's presence is critical for a team that isn't exactly known for its defense. Ginyard is clearly the Tar Heels' top defender and he'll likely miss the first month or so with a stress fracture in his foot.

10. Patrick Patterson, Kentucky: One of the top big men in the country, Patterson missed the tail end of the regular-season and the postseason with a stress fracture in his ankle. The Wildcats found a way to win enough games without Patterson, but the bottom line is that he'll be a double-double machine this season and Kentucky needs him to get back to the Big Dance.

11. Sharaud Curry, Providence: The Friars were without their starting point guard for all but eight minutes last season after Curry was on the shelf following foot surgery. Curry is back and he'll have a senior-laden team around him -- and a new coach in Keno Davis. If Providence is going to make a run at the NCAA tournament, they will need Curry.

12. Farnold Degand, N.C. State: The Wolfpack need the speedy floor leader to come back strong from a torn ACL that ended his season in late-December a year ago. N.C. State went in the tank when he went down and while Degand isn't quite at 100 percent right now, he's still a better option that Javi Gonzalez.

13. Ishmael Smith, Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons will need the speedy Smith to recover from the ankle injury that has sidelined him for the preseason. Smith is the guy who will push the tempo and make sure everyone is happy. He's also a vocal leader for the Deacs.

14. Markel Humphrey, Marshall: The Thundering Herd's top player battled through much of last season with a stress fracture in his heel and now he's out with a stress fracture in his left foot. There's a chance he could be back for the season opener, but coach Donnie Jones needs to be careful with his star player.

15. Andy Rautins, Syracuse: He's the best shooter that the Orange have and he missed all of last season with a knee injury. He's back and it should open everything up for Flynn and the rest of his teammates.

16. Paul Delaney, UAB: The Blazers' starting point guard tore his ACL four games into the year, but his return -- along with that of Robert Vaden -- could make Mike Davis' club a tournament team again this season.

17. Korvotney Barber, Auburn: He was leading the Tigers in scoring and rebounding when he broke his left hand in the middle of the season. If Jeff Lebo & Co. are to make any noise in the SEC, Barber's health is critical.

18. Bobby Frasor, North Carolina: His impact won't be felt by his statistics, but Frasor will be a much-needed piece to the puzzle if the Tar Heels win a national title. He's a leader, a quality defender and can play both backcourt spots.

19. Delvon Roe, Michigan State: The athletic Spartans freshman forward missed his entire senior season in high school after microfracture surgery on his right knee. Roe had minor surgery on the other knee in August, but appears to be ready to go for Michigan State's season-opener.

20. Adam Gore, Cornell: The Big Red, the unanimous pick to win the Ivy League again this season, lost one of their top players in Gore, who tore his ACL in September. Cornell could get Gore back for the Ivy League slate.

Long-term losses

DeAndre Bell, Georgia Tech: Bell, a leader and the Yellow Jackets top defensive player, is done after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine.

Cashmere Wright, Cincinnati: The Bearcats freshman tore his ACL in his left knee in the preseason and it's a significant blow to Mick Cronin's team.

Kenny George, UNC Asheville: The sad news came recently that the 7-foot-8 big man's career is over after an infection in his foot resulted in having part of the foot amputated.