Athlon Sports’ 15th annual College Basketball Preview is expecting great things from the contestants in this year’s Comcast Battle in Seattle.  The publication has come out with its initial ranking and has both Gonzaga and Connecticut in the top 10.

They ranked the Bulldogs number eight and see them continuing their dominance of the West Coast Conference by once again finishing first in the league.  According to the magazine, with the return of Jeremy Pargo, the Zags will be “loaded once again, with an experienced player — several, in some cases — at every position.”

Athlon predicts a return to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th straight season and also an elite eight appearance.

Even more is expected from Gonzaga’s opponent in the 2008 Comcast Battle in Seattle, Connecticut.  So much in fact that the Huskies were featured on the cover of the Basketball Preview.  A first place finish in the Big East Conference is just the beginning for a team with a “potent mix of talent, athleticism, experience and impact freshmen.”

“If it comes together, I don’t think there’s any question that we’ll be as talented as anybody,” Coach Jim Calhoun told Athlon Sports.

The magazine must think things will come together, as they ranked Connecticut number two and predicted Calhoun and company will reach the National Championship game against North Carolina.

For more information and to see the compete Athlon Sports rankings visit www.athlonsports.com/college-basketball/.