NBL Next Gen tips off this week, with a total of nine teams, including the revitalised Sydney Kings. The Perth Wildcats are the defending champions and appear to be just as strong - if not stronger - this season, with the addition of big man Matthew Knight.

The league's MVP, the über-talented and super flashy Corey "Homicide" Williams will not be back - he's off to Greece - but a number of Aussies, like Cairns forward Alex Loughton and Melbourne centre Wade Helliwell, have returned from overseas.

Last year's ladder was ridiculously tight. Perth finished on top with a 17-11 record, while fifth placed New Zealand was just two games back at 15-13, and missed the finals. I'd expect more of the same this season.

Here's a preview of the 2010/2011 NBL teams:

Adelaide 36ers

Last season: 8th and last

Head coach: Marty Clarke

Old standbys: F Jacob Holmes, F Adam Ballinger

New signing to watch: G Troy De Vries

Wildcard: G Rhys Carter

Ed says: The Sixers will benefit from Clarke's fresh approach. He's got a good, group of hustlers - Carter, De Vries, Darren Ng - who can shoot the ball, but the team is lacking in size. The loss of scrappy shooting guard Nathan Herbert - out for the year after with a knee injury - is devastating.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $15.00

Predicted finish: 9th

Cairns Taipans

Last season: 7th

Head coach: Aaron Fearne

Old standbys: F Aaron Grabau, C Ian Crosswhite

New signing to watch: F Alex Loughton

Wildcard: G/F Daniel Dillon

Ed says: This team has some weapons, but I'm not sure how well they'll fit together. Loughton is a big-time talent, while Tall Black sharpshooter Phill Jones can still fill it up (no pun intended). Dusty Rychart and Crosswhite are decent bigs, but time is catching up with them. A season-ending knee injury to dynamic young guard Kerry Williams means import Ayinde Ubaka will have to do more.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $13.00

Predicted finish: 7th

Gold Coast Blaze

Last season: 3rd

Head coach: Joey Wright

Old standbys: G Adam Gibson, G James Harvey

New signing to watch: F Mark Worthington

Wildcard: G-F James Maye

Ed says: The late addition of Worthington gives the Blaze added muscle, as well as big-game experience. Gibson got valuable time as a starter on the Boomers' world championship team and Harvey is always dangerous from the outside. Don't know much about Maye, but he of course, will be key.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $4.50

Predicted finish: 2nd

Melbourne Tigers

Last season: 6th

Head coach: Al Westover

Old standbys: F Tommy Greer, G Daryl Corletto

New signing to watch: C Wade Helliwell

Wildcard: G Eric Devendorf

Ed says: This is not your father's Tigers team. In fact, it's almost unrecognisable. Longtime coach Al Westover will have his hands full figuring out starting lineups and playing time, but he's got plenty to work with. There's a wealth of big men, with Helliwell back from Italy and teamed with former South Dragons centre Matt Burston and ex-University of Utah star Luke Nevill. At guard, Devendorf was a big-time star at Syracuse, but has had off-court issues.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $8.00

Predicted finish: 4th

New Zealand Breakers

Last season: 5th

Head coach: Andrej Lemanis

Old standbys: G C.J. Bruton, F Dillon Boucher

New signing to watch: F-C Gary Wilkinson

Wildcard: F Tom Abercrombie

Ed says: Two words: "Kirk Penney." The league's best player has been training with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA, and depending on what happens, he may or may not return to the Breakers. His presence could mean the difference between sneaking into the finals and challenging for the title. Aussie guard Bruton can still light it up, young gun Abercrombie is ready for a breakout season and veteran Mika Vukona comes home to add defense and rebounding.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $6.00

Prediction: 3rd

Perth Wildcats

Last season: 1st and won Grand Final

Head coach: Rob Beveridge

Old standbys: F Shawn Redhage, G Damian Martin

New signing to watch: F Matthew Knight

Wildcard: G Kevin Lisch

Ed says: Same as it ever was. The Wildcats are loaded with talent, and with Knight adding bulk on the front line, this squad will be difficult to beat. Redhage is a super talent, Lisch was fantastic in the Grand Final series and Martin - with improved shooting in his arsenal - became a stellar point guard. You'd be tempted to throw in the old "Grand Final hangover" line, but I don't see Beveridge allowing that to happen. The Cats will be right there again at season's end.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $4.00

Prediction: 1st

Sydney Kings

Last season: Did not play in NBL

Head coach: Ian Robilliard

Aussies to watch: C Julian Khazzouh, G Damien Ryan, F Ben Knight

Imports: F Rod Grizzard, F Taj McCullough (pictured above)

Wildcard: G Luke Cooper

Ed says: Your guess is as good as mine. They've assembled a decent squad, led by quick, pass-first point guard Cooper. Ryan returns from Europe and imports Grizzard and McCullough can score in bunches. Big man Julian Khazzouh is awkward, but very effective. How they come together will be crucial to their success.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $13.00

Prediction: 6th

Townsville Crocodiles

Last season: 2nd

Head coach: Trevor Gleeson

Old standbys: F Russell Hinder, G Brad Williamson

New signing to watch: C Ben Allen

Wildcard: G Nathan Crosswell

Ed says: Import Will Blalock and ex-Tiger Crosswell will do their best to fill the big Air Jordans of "Homicide." Two new big men, Ben Allen, from St. Mary's College in the States, and veteran Luke Schenscher, will add punch inside and out. Trevor Gleeson usually gets the most out of his players and they're difficult to beat at home in "The Swamp."

TAB Sportsbet odds: $7.00

Predicted finish: 5th

Wollongong Hawks

Last season: 4th and lost in Grand Final

Head coach: Gordie McLeod

Old standbys: G/F Glen Saville, C Larry Davidson

New signing to watch: F Oscar Forman

Wildcard: G Gary Ervin

Ed says: Not sure lighting can strike twice. The Hawks outworked and outsmarted teams last year, making it all the way to the Grand Final. They're not the prettiest squad, but they play well together and feed off the emotion of their home fans. The old guys - Glen Saville, Matt Campbell, Larry Davidson - will have to stay healthy, and the new players, like Forman and the electric Ervin will have to be major contributors.

TAB Sportsbet odds: $15.00

Predicted finish: 8th

Four new faces to watch:

Gary Wilkinson, New Zealand: The 6'9" Wilkinson was cut from his high school team and fell into drug and alcohol abuse. He then found salvation in the Mormon church, turned his life around, and starred on a Utah State team that went 25-2 in his senior season. Played in Greece last year.

Luke Cooper, Sydney: Son of former referee Mal, he had a stellar career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, and was a finalist for the Bob Cousy award as one of the top 16 point guards in the US. Spent last year in Latvia, and what he lacks in height, he makes up for in quickness and hustle.

Eric Devendorf, Melbourne: Played high school at the highly-regarded Oak Hill Academy and then starred at Syracuse. Was the team's leading scorer in his junior year before an ACL injury ended his season. Had off-court issues that affected his senior year. There's no doubt he can light it up on the offensive end. Played in the NBA Development League and the New Zealand NBL.

Ben Allen, Townsville: The 6'11" Allen was a key member of the St Mary's College team that reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen last season. He's more of a European style big man, preferring to play on the perimeter and shoot jumpers rather than banging inside. Might take awhile to adjust to the NBL, but he's the type of kid the league needs to attract - an Aussie who spent four years in the US college system.