With Trey Burke back, ESPN slots Michigan basketball at No. 5 in its 2012-13 preseason Top 25

By Nick Baumgardner University of Michigan Sports Reporter

Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.

Let the hype begin.

Three days after announcing the return of freshman point guard Trey Burke and one day after adding a fourth member to its 2012 recruiting class, the Michigan basketball program received a lofty, and early, preseason national ranking Thursday.

ESPN.com released its updated "way-too-early Top 25," and Michigan sits at No. 5 on the list.

"After flirting with the NBA, Trey Burke decided to remain in Ann Arbor," ESPN's Andy Katz wrote. "That's huge for the Wolverines, who would've had a serious void at the point without the invaluable Burke.

"He will join Tim Hardaway Jr., and a loaded freshman class that includes ESPNU 100 recruits Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson Jr. and Nik Stauskas. This team is loaded, and as long as the newcomers blend in, there's no reason to believe Michigan can't compete at the highest level in both the Big Ten and nationally."

The Wolverines received a high spot on ESPN's early list, but they're still behind Big Ten cohort Indiana, which Katz projects as the No. 1 team in the country next season.

ESPN ranks Ohio State at No. 8 and Michigan State at No. 10, giving the Big Ten four top 10 teams.

Wisconsin (No. 22) and Minnesota (No. 24) also made ESPN's early rankings.

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Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.