Now that Maryland has cut down the nets in Atlanta, we're already wondering who'll do the snipping in New Orleans a year from now. So, "Who win the 2003 national championship?"

It's early, but the favorite to cut down the nets in New Orleans is Arizona. The Wildcats return the majority of their team, including all their studs. Jason Gardner and Luke Walton weren't going to split apart and cancel their chance to win another title after losing to Oklahoma in the Sweet 16. Arizona coach Lute Olson did a masterful job with the Wildcats this season and is driven to land another title. The Wildcats put together a top-five recruiting class and aren't through yet with a legitimate shot to nab Andre Iguodala after Arkansas released him from his national letter of intent. The Wildcats were a preseason No. 1 last season and handled it well, getting to the national title game. There's no reason to believe they can't do the same again in 2003.

If junior all-American Drew Gooden returns to school, Kansas is my choice to win next year's national championship. The Jayhawks will lose sharpshooter Jeff Boschee to graduation, but point guard Kirk Hinrich and forward Nick Collison will return for their senior years. Plus, Wayne Simien will be back on the interior after an outstanding diaper-dandy campaign. Depending on whether key players return, I expect Arizona and Connecticut to be right there with Kansas. I believe Jason Gardner will return to the 'Cats for his senior year; and I feel UConn's super soph, Caron Butler, should stay in school too.

Only one team in the country can say all of the following heading into the 2002-03 season: They return five starters; their best player will be a senior point guard; they beat 16 RPI Top 100 opponents; they have already experienced the toughest schedule in America; and they were 5-1 in postseason games this year. Throw in a Hall of Famer on the bench, and who knows which stars will leave other top teams, and my choice for the next national champion is Arizona.