RSS
Home
My preseason Top 25 - College Basketball edition
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Point guard Sherron Collins withdrew from the draft to lead the Jayhawks.
Well with basketball season upon, the sports writers at the Examiner will vote in our own Top 25 for the beloved readers of the Examiner. Some of you will agree, some of you will not. But so it the life of athletics and that is why we love it. Feel free to comment on my first preseason installment.
Examiner Preseason Top 25
Xavier Musketeers Examiner (Clint Spaeth) Top 25
Associated Press Top 25
USA Today Top 25
1. KANSAS - I have one question about the Jayhawks. If healthy, can they run the table?? A road game at Texas on February 8 looms big. Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich returns along with every significant player from last season’s Sweet 16 team. Plus they added C.J. and Xavier Henry.
2. TEXAS - Yes, I selected two Big 12 teams atop the college basketball poll. Florida transfer Jai Lucas will be eligible at midseason to shore up the PG position.
3. KENTUCKY - We know this team went to the NIT last year, and they have a new coach. But the new coach, John Calipari, is a doozy and forward Patrick Patterson will have plenty of help. Calipari landed the top two freshmen in John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, along with Eric Bledsoe. They have six games to mesh before they play North Carolina and Connecticut back to back in early December.
4. VILLANOVA - Scottie Reynolds delighted Wildcat faithful by returning for his senior season. Add one of the top recruiting classes in the country and Villanova could be returning to the Final Four. However, Dante Cunningham does leave a huge hole on the front court.
5. MICHIGAN STATE - Gone is Goran Suton. But, Big 10 Player of the Year Kalin Lucas is back at point guard to spark Sparty.
6. NORTH CAROLINA - Tar Heels fans are resting the season in an unproven point guard in Larry Drew II. However, just steady play from Drew could net positive dividends thanks to a very solid cast around him, led by Deon Thompson and Ed Davis.
7. PURDUE - Robbie Hummel proved that his back was healthy during the World University Games. His return along with Juan John and E’Twaun Moore are healthy enough to challenge Michigan State for the Big 10 crown.
8. WEST VIRGINIA - Bob Huggins finally has his team in Morgantown. They are tough, gritty, athletic and undersized. De’Sean Butler and Devin Eubanks may be the most talented combination in the country.
9. BUTLER - Can the Bulldogs finally prove they can be good away from the Horizon League. Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard are 6-8 players that will be tough to handle.
10. TENNESSEE - Rocky Top is ready to rebound and Scotty Hopson will have a breakout season.
11. DUKE - Backcourt depth is gonna be an issue for the Blue Devil. Frontcourt talent, not so much.
12. CALIFORNIA - The Bears can shoot but they are tiny, and I mean tiny. They biggest person in their rotation is going to be 6-6.
13. WASHINGTON - Isaiah Thomas returns to lead the Huskies.
14. UCONN - Rebuilding after losing Hasheem Thabeet, A.J. Price and Jeff Adrien. Point guard Kemba Walker is going to be the driving force.
15. OHIO STATE - Yes, B.J. Mullens bolted for the League, but dynamic scorer Evan Turner returns, along with William Buford, sharpshooting Jon Diebler and David Lighty, who missed most of the season with an injury.
16. LOUISVILLE - Their stay atop of the Bluegrass State has ended with Kentucky’s hiring of Calipari. However, they are still a very good basketball team led by the Big East’s best big man in Samardo Samuels.
17. MICHIGAN - John Beilein has Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims to help his Wolverines challenge for a Big 10 title.
18. DAYTON - Will Dayton, who can no longer fly under the radar, crumble under the Top 25 pressure. Chris Wright is as good as any forward in the country and they are the most experienced team in the A-10. However, arch nemesis Xavier is still lurking.
19. MINNESOTA - Write it down right now, 17 straight 20-win seasons for a Tubby Smith coached team.
20. OKLAHOMA - Blake and Taylor Griffin have moved on and the Sooners will be light on the inside, but they still have Willie Williams. Additionally, Woodward graduate Orlando Allen will have to step up inside for Jeff Capel.
21. XAVIER - Many have slept on the Musketeers due to the graduation of B.J. and C.J., along with the departure of Derrick Brown. But, Jordan Crawford and Mark Lyons will boost the backcourt scoring, while Jason Love and Kenny Frease pose a powerful frontcourt duo.
22. GEORGIA TECH - Sophomore Gani Lawai and freshman Derrick Favors have fans in Atlanta buzzing.
23. GEORGETOWN - Greg Monroe, Austin Freeman and Chris Wright give the Hoyas a solid foundation.
24. NORTHERN IOWA - The class of the Valley nearly upset Purdue in the tournament and they return everybody, and I mean everybody.
25. MISSISSIPPI STATE - Jarvis Vernado is a force defensive in the paint and his 13 points per game isn’t so shabby either. If Renardo Sidney gains eligibility, Vernado will have some help.
Garnering some preseason attention (in alphabetical order): Creighton, Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Tulsa
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
