We're not going with a typical, run-of-the-mill top 25 rundown each day. Instead, we'll cut to the chase and tell you who will be left standing at the end of the year in the Elite Eight.

We'll hit on one each over an eight day span — in no particular order. Then we'll unveil my complete bracket just prior to the start of the season on Nov. 9. I had the championship game right last year, but incorrectly picked Michigan State to beat North Carolina.

I have a good feeling about my bracket this time around.

WEST VIRGINIA

In his third year back home, Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins has a chance to win the Big East.

Huggins inherited guys like Da'Sean Butler, Wellington Smith and Joe Mazzulla — all recruited to play a completely different system for ex-coach John Beilein — and has added plenty of talent to the fold with Devin Ebanks, Kevin Jones, Darryl Bryant and newcomers Dan Jennings, Casey Mitchell and Deniz Kilicli.

There are solid point guards, talented forwards and finally some size and toughness up front.

There are numerous options and enough different pieces to make an Elite Eight and perhaps even a Final Four run.

Why

1. Forward duo: It's difficult to imagine a more talented and productive forward duo than Butler and Ebanks. Butler averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 boards last season, and Ebanks was a double-figure guy as a freshman. And more importantly, he defended and rebounded.

2. Defense: The Mountaineers were stingy a year ago, allowing 61.8 points per game, and they have a chance to be even better on the defensive end this season now that guys like Ebanks and Jones have a year of experience.