by Jeff Goodman

While Vaughn, who transferred from Florida State to Georgetown, won't put up eye-popping numbers, his presence should be key for a Hoyas team that lost big man Roy Hibbert.

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

Top transfers

Denis Clemente, Kansas State: The explosive guard played two seasons at Miami before being dismissed from the team. With Michael Beasley and Bill Walker gone, expect Clemente to make an immediate impact.

Casey Crawford, Colorado: The skilled 6-foot-9 sophomore only lasted one season at Wake Forest, but he'll get a chance to show what he can do for Jeff Bzdelik and the Buffaloes.

Reginald Delk, Louisville: The 6-foot-4 junior guard is in his first season with the Cardinals after spending his first two years as a starter at Mississippi State. He'll give Rick Pitino added depth on the wing.

Vernon Goodridge, La Salle: Here's another former Mississippi State player. The 6-foot-9 athletic big man didn't play much down for the Bulldogs in his first two seasons, but he'll get a ton of time for John Giannini and the Explorers.

Anthony Gurley, Massachusetts: The smooth shooting guard left Wake Forest and landed closer to home. He'll form a perimeter trio along with Chris Lowe and Ricky Harris that should be tough to stop in the Atlantic 10.

Alex Legion, Illinois: The former Kentucky wing will sit out the first semester but should come in and make an immediate impact — out of necessity — for Bruce Weber's team.

Laval Lucas-Perry, Michigan: The Michigan native and combo guard bolted Arizona at the start of all the craziness, and now he'll be a major piece of John Beilein's efforts in Ann Arbor.

Chris Lutz, Marshall: Don't be surprised if the former Purdue Boilermaker turns out to be one of the best players in Conference USA. Matt Painter and his staff didn't want to lose the 6-foot-3 Lutz, who was the Big Ten's most efficient 3-point shooter as a freshman.

Cyrus McGowan, Miami: If the Hurricanes are to challenge near the top of the ACC, they will need the 6-foot-9 junior, who played two years at Arkansas, to give them another big body on the frontline.

Mike Mercer, South Florida: Bulls coach Stan Heath has been singing the praises of the former Georgia guard in the preseason.

Robert Mitchell, Seton Hall: The former Duquesne wing was, at one point, the Dukes' leading scorer. He'll be counted upon immediately by a team that doesn't have a ton of depth.

Joe Trapani, Boston College: The 6-foot-8 junior was on track to become the top player in the America East, but he left Vermont after one season and will now be a valuable piece for Al Skinner as a skilled, face-up power forward.

Julian Vaughn, Georgetown: The ex-Florida State big man got a transfer waiver and is eligible to play immediately because of a family situation. He'll give the Hoyas depth in the frontcourt.

Tre'von Willis, UNLV: The 6-foot-4 guard could wind up as the Runnin' Rebels starting point guard after transferring from Memphis.

Ryan Wright, Oklahoma: The Canadian and former UCLA forward should get a chance to play up front alongside Blake Griffin. He's athletic and could be exactly what Jeff Capel's Sooners need.

10 mid-major transfers

Joe Dukes, Georgia State: The former Wake Forest point guard will likely start at Georgia State. He played two years in the ACC and started six games.

Stephan Gilling, Long Beach State: The 6-foot-2 junior started 14 games for Colorado State, and Dan Munson will need Gilling to average more than the 8.9 points he did in 2006-07 for CSU.

Joe Harden, UC Davis: The 6-foot-7 wing played one season at Notre Dame, and could be the leading scorer for Gary Stewart and UC Davis this season.

Will Harris, Albany: The former Virginia forward is eligible immediately for Will Brown's program after receiving a hardship waiver. He'll be a tough matchup in the America East.

Marquez Haynes, UT Arlington: The former Boston College reserve combo guard could end up being Scott Cross' top player this season. He's a big-time athlete who will see time at both guard spots.

Maurice Joseph, Vermont: The one-time Michigan State wing is a big-time scorer and should help the Catamounts finish near the top of the America East.

Phil Nelson, Portland State: The 6-foot-7 sophomore spent one year at Washington before transferring closer to home. Nelson started nine games in the Pac-10 and could be a force in the Big Sky.

Sean Ogirri, Wyoming: The 6-foot-2 guard only has one year left after spending three at Wichita State, so it's likely he'll come in and make an immediate impact with his ability to shoot the ball.

Adrian Oliver, San Jose State: The 6-foot-4 sophomore started 13 games in his two seasons at Washington, but should move into the starting lineup with the Spartans.

Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech: The former LSU big man from the Bahamas will give Kerry Rupp something that few teams in the WAC possess — size and athleticism. Rolle started nine games in the SEC.