College basketball’s Year of the Freshman almost had its perfect ending. But Derrick Rose leaves school without quite getting the career bump that Syracuse gave Carmelo Anthony five years ago. The Memphis Tigers, meanwhile, need a new point guard to get them back into Final Four contention.

How many other freshmen will follow Rose to the NBA? The outcome of the 2008-09 college hoops season depends on the answer. UCLA will probably lose Kevin Love as well as junior guard Darren Collison. That’s only their two most important players.

It’s not just the superfrosh who have to make up their minds. Wooden Award winner Tyler Hansbrough may or may not return to North Carolina for his senior year. If he does, the Tar Heels go to the head of the class as a preseason No. 1 favorite. Texas supporters also like their chances if D.J. Augustin remains with the Longhorns. If he doesn’t? Bupkis.