With a new season just days away, ESPN.com is ranking the top 100 players in college basketball.

Welcome to #CBBrank.

What exactly is #CBBrank? It's the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to get involved in the discussion or just follow along.

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How did we rank the players?

Using the ESPN Forecast model, our engine for creating more accurate sports predictions and opinions, we asked a panel of 35 ESPN experts from across our various platforms to come up with a list of the top 100 players in college hoops.

Here is what they found:

AP Photo/Eric Gay

The lone senior for the defending national champions, Boatright slides into the spotlight and leadership role vacated by Shabazz Napier. We already know he can score, but it's how he directs the Huskies that will determine just how great Boatright can be.

AP Photo/Andrew Ferguson

Wichita State's Fred VanVleet gets more attention because he has a better team around him, but Staten could give the point guard a run for his money. He did everything for Bob Huggins last season and might do the same in 2014-15 as the Mountaineers continue to rebuild.

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

A walk-on at the start of his career, Baker might be an NBA draft pick at the end of it. Though still a lethal outside shooter, he has improved his midrange game to become a more complete player.

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Back from his injury and noticeably slimmer, Niang's impact on the Cyclones is almost too much to quantify. A point-center who can pass as deftly as he can score, the junior needs to be great to fill the void left by Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane.

AP Photo/Jim Mone

After his 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in the NCAA tournament helped lead the Badgers to the Final Four, Dekker's Sheboygan, Wisconsin, hometown gave him the key to the city. It may turn over the deed if he makes a Frank Kaminsky-like leap, as his coach expects.

Peter Aiken/Getty Images

Steady, smart and sound, VanVleet can score if he needs to (11.6 PPG) but is more content directing his team (5.4 APG). Relatively unheralded out of high school, he could be the best point guard in the country.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The big man easily could have gone pro after a strong sophomore season, but staying will be good for the Cardinals and for Harrell. He is a terrific rim blocker and overall defender, and with more experience, he could produce an offensive game to match.

Fabian Radulescu/Zumapress/Icon Sportswire

The nation's top freshman could finish as the nation's top player, not to mention the NBA's top draft pick. The powerful big man out of Chicago was both the Jordan Brand and McDonald's All American MVP.

Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images

Paige could easily have grabbed the top spot in this poll after leading the Tar Heels in scoring (17.5 PPG) and assists (4.2 APG) last season. Expectations are even bigger for the junior, and he will need to meet them for North Carolina to excel.

Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

In the span of one year, Kaminsky went from virtual no-name to weighing an NBA early-entry draft decision to preseason player of the year candidate and now tops of this poll. The 7-footer's versatile game -- 13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 38 percent shooting from beyond the arc -- has Wisconsin eyeing a return to the Final Four.