Preseason top 25 for next season...

[nitewing]

these polls mean nothing as nobody knows who is returning and/or leaving. even the April signing period has not even started. wait till June 15th to post a early top 25. then everybody will have made up their mind about the NBA, this is the biggest factor on where teams will be ranked this fall.

 

[HRTheCard]

Louisville has a lot of uncertainties, but I think we get 2 grad transfers + maybe 1-2 more depending on Ray and Deng and we're Top 25. I believe Deng is gone but there is a chance with Spalding. He has great relationship with Mack and if Ray isn't a first rounder after the combine, he's likely coming back because his mom wants him to get his degree as well. We're currently looking at Albany transfer Joe Cremo, he put up 18 against us last year. He's a great scorer and much needed for us next year. Land him plus 1-2 more and we are Top 25 with a Coach like Mack if he fits in at Louisville, which pretty much everyone believes he does and will be great here. We looked bad last year because we didn't have an experienced coach. We were the definition of proving to everyone that coaching matters. We have a ton of talent on the team, but COACHING MATTERS..

Never been this excited for Louisville basketball. I will especially be excited when he gets his first real class in here, 2019. Anxious and hopeful he lands 1-2 5*'s with some high talent 4*'s.

I'm also VERY anxious to see a big man down low that is an enforcer. I was so sick of seeing pencil thin Mahmoud down low. We haven't had an enforcer like supposedly Enoch since Harrell/Mathiang. I'm so ready to find out what "Tough, Unbreakable, and Together" means for a team Another important thing is the players seem excited to have Mack as their coach meaning they're probably going to buy-in to his system.

 

[RR30]

UK being #3 with zero idea of who returns is dumb. If UK returns everyone they should + get one of Knox or SGA back they will be that good. If neither returns I think they should be around #10. If both return (no chance) they will be #1 imo.

 

[cooljeff]

It will be interesting for KU, a return to the type of inside game that most fans are used to having...however I mean if everything plays out as expected I see a lot of defensive matchup nightmares with 2 bigs. It seems that teams have figured out a way to mitigate the mismatch on one end but the teams with the bigs have not figured out how to counter the perimeter 4/5. I guess it always comes down to making shots but if Newman leaves...KU won't have a single player on the roster that has made a big 3 pointer for Kansas before.If newman & Dok come back than #1 overall makes a lot of sense...if only Dok comes back then maybe top 5...if neither come back KU is a fringe top 10 team at least at the beginning.

 

[gocats5611]

So we went to the Elite 8 but should not be ranked next season?

Ditto that. And our team all returns. I don't think these guys ever put much thought into these.

 

[blue_in_chicago]

Back to business as usual.

U wish. Everyone assumes Gard can do what Bo did with no-name talent or just plain old no talent at all. I dont. Bo Ryan is an all time great coach. Gard isnt and that is not intended as a criticism of him. He needs a lot more talent to do anything. He wont last too much longer without a serious upgrade in talent. And dont forget Bo forced Barry to hire Gard and Barry hasnt forgotten that. First chance he gets, he will get his own guy in there. With Happ, they will be a pain and prob borderline NCAA team but not ranked. Just IMHO.

 

[tw3301]

I know Duke has a monster of a class coming in..........But that is all they have. Number 1? Noooo. Now come March, maybe. But to start the season? No chance.

agree with this, pretty unfair expectations to put on an extremely young team. Media falls in love with recruiting rankings, I doubt Duke is a top 10 team to start the season let alone #1.

 

[RR30]

agree with this, pretty unfair expectations to put on an extremely young team. Media falls in love with recruiting rankings, I doubt Duke is a top 10 team to start the season let alone #1.

Playing UK the first game of the year gonna be real interesting for both sides.

 

[jwardelt]

U wish. Everyone assumes Gard can do what Bo did with no-name talent or just plain old no talent at all. I dont. Bo Ryan is an all time great coach. Gard isnt and that is not intended as a criticism of him. He needs a lot more talent to do anything. He wont last too much longer without a serious upgrade in talent. And dont forget Bo forced Barry to hire Gard and Barry hasnt forgotten that. First chance he gets, he will get his own guy in there. With Happ, they will be a pain and prob borderline NCAA team but not ranked. Just IMHO.

You’re wrong but I’ll just let next season prove that.

 

[tw3301]

Playing UK the first game of the year gonna be real interesting for both sides.

I'll be there. Went to Atlanta in 2012 and Chicago in 2015, Indianapolis is a much shorter drive for me. I don't look forward to the game however.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

If Vanderbilt lands Langford, I don't see how they aren't a preseason top-25 team, considering they bring back pretty much everyone and add a strong recruiting class (even without Langford). If they get both Langford and EJ Montgomery, I could see some even putting them into the top-10 based upon potential alone.

 

[doogie503]

Yea it's just 2 guys, but those 2 guys were basically responsible for about 70% of anything good that happened for WVA this year. Konate gets about 25% and then 5% spread out to the rest of the team.

That's not even close to true. They were responsible for about 35% of our scoring.... and Dax was up and down his entire career. Carter is the only huge loss, but more for his defense than his scoring.

WVU will be a top 15 team unless something crazy happens and Konate enters the draft or someone else transfers or gets in trouble.

KenPom has us #8.

 

[RR30]

If Vanderbilt lands Langford, I don't see how they aren't a preseason top-25 team, considering they bring back pretty much everyone and add a strong recruiting class (even without Langford). If they get both Langford and EJ Montgomery, I could see some even putting them into the top-10 based upon potential alone.

They are losing their top 3 players...

 

[Mark Gastineau]

They are losing their top 3 players...

True. Roberson and Fisher-Davis will certainly be big losses. LeChance to a lesser degree in my opinion. But I think Saban Lee makes a jump next season after a very promising freshman year. Toye and Bapiste will provide needed experience. If the freshmen perform as expected, Vanderbilt could be a pretty interesting team next season and one worthy of top-25 consideration.

 

[WeAreDePaul]

That's not even close to true. They were responsible for about 35% of our scoring.... and Dax was up and down his entire career. Carter is the only huge loss, but more for his defense than his scoring.

WVU will be a top 15 team unless something crazy happens and Konate enters the draft or someone else transfers or gets in trouble.

KenPom has us #8.

Scoring is only part of it. As you said, those two are responsible for 35% of the scoring. I said they were responsible for about 70% of anything good that happened overall. I'd say that's about right.

Those two (and Kanote) pretty much carried that team all year.

 

[MGC_07]

Depending on who leaves and goes, MSU should be 15-25 next year. I don’t think if Bridges and Jackson both leave we should be top 15. With Ward gone, ehh. Xavier Tillman is better anyway. But I keep seeing these late top tens and don’t understand it.

MSU was consistently beating bad teams by close margins. If JJJ comes back, I can agree. Borderline top ten. But if not, I don’t get this hype.

Edit: Oops. Just heard Jaren declared. As expected

 

[AWilli6995]

If Brunson comes back Villanova is in the top 2, the other being KU if Newman also returns. I’m not buying Duke being any better than they were this year. They have some studs coming but they aren’t better than Bagley and Carter. As for UNC I’m good at where they slotted us.

 

[jhmossy]

UVA at #5.

Awesome.

UVA always does really well with lofty expectations.

 

[bignish]

I'm not sold on the recruits coming to Duke next year. They are all playmakers, which will certainly help, but they all need the ball in their hands - and none of them have shown much consistency in perimeter shooting. If you can't consistently make outside jumpers, teams are going to pack it in the paint and severely limit the spacing. Gary Trent would be an amazing asset to have back, but I see little chance of that happening with the top 3 players in the 2018 class all being wings coming to Duke. Alex O'Connell can certainly light it up, but I wonder how many minutes will be afforded him with all the talent coming in. My preseason top 10, without too much thought or research, would be:

1. Villanova
2. Kansas
3. Gonzaga
4. Tennessee
5. Kentucky
6. Virginia
7. Auburn
8. Nevada
9. Michigan State
10. Duke

If Trent returns next year, Zion should come off the bench like Dante DiVicenzo of Nova but does K have the guts to not start the highlight reel sensation?

My preferred starting 5 for Duke next year is Jones, Trent, Barrett, Reddish and Bolden.

 

[Noahtogo24]

For Texas Tech - don't they lose 4 of their top 8 players? Any good recruits coming in?

 

[shun1]

!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE MY UNC TARHEELS !!!!!!!!!!!!

GO TAR HEELS

 

[doogie503]

Scoring is only part of it. As you said, those two are responsible for 35% of the scoring. I said they were responsible for about 70% of anything good that happened overall. I'd say that's about right.

Those two (and Kanote) pretty much carried that team all year.

I love Daxter Miles, but he's very replaceable.

We won't have Jevon Carter, but we'll be a much more experienced and deeper team next year.

We basically had 3 guards, and 1 big man. Next year we have some talented guards coming in, and we have another legit big guy (Derek Culver) to back up Konate.

Esa Ahmad not missing 16 games and stepping up for his senior year will be big too.

 

[78Cyclones]

Iowa State will DEFINITELY be a Top 10 team next year:
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In the Big Xii!

 

[blue_in_chicago]

You’re wrong but I’ll just let next season prove that.

So u think wisc is top 15? Or are u referrring to something else?

 

[blue_in_chicago]

Depending on who leaves and goes, MSU should be 15-25 next year. I don’t think if Bridges and Jackson both leave we should be top 15. With Ward gone, ehh. Xavier Tillman is better anyway. But I keep seeing these late top tens and don’t understand it.

MSU was consistently beating bad teams by close margins. If JJJ comes back, I can agree. Borderline top ten. But if not, I don’t get this hype.

Edit: Oops. Just heard Jaren declared. As expected

Yeah Top 10 seems like fantasy. Ranked in top 25 is prob realistic. Ward is not worth it. He should go to Europe and MSU will be better off. He and Izzo clearly dont mix. Tilman looks like a better player as long as he keeps working at it. Ward was a doughboy.

 

[HawksJ]

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The thought is Kansas doesn't get Langford unless BOTH Vick and Newman leave, not just one. Kansas already has Garrett, Cunliff, Ogbaji, and KJ Lawson vying for minutes on the wing. I'm assuming if Kansas doesn't get Langford and Newman and Vick don't return, Lawson or Garrett will start on the wing. Both are supremely talented players, but Newman/Langford are all AA type talents. It's a luxury right now Bill Self will live with as the rest of the roster is just stacked next season.

Grimes is also in play (on the wings). Langford and Grimes are essentially the same player (except that Langford appears to be a more natural scorer). They even guarded each other at the Hamburger Game whenever they were both on the floor.

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

Winston
McQuaid
Langford
Bingham
Tillman

That is not a top 10 team. Not even close lol

 

[nitewing]

most of the teams in the top 10 are there on name alone

 

[MGC_07]

Winston
McQuaid
Langford
Bingham
Tillman

That is not a top 10 team. Not even close lol

I legitimately don’t understand it. Like what. This lineup has top 20 potential. If Ward comes back we will probably be top 20. But man, what are some of these lists.

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

I legitimately don’t understand it. Like what. This lineup has top 20 potential. If Ward comes back we will probably be top 20. But man, what are some of these lists.

If Langford could become who he was suppose to be I’d buy it but man he just isn’t that good.

 

[jwardelt]

So u think wisc is top 15? Or are u referrring to something else?

When it counts, at the end of the year, we’ll be right around there. I’m not going to argue about pointless preseason lists.

 

[MGC_07]

If Langford could become who he was suppose to be I’d buy it but man he just isn’t that good.

I can agree with that.

I genuinely think he is talented, his stroke is quite smooth. He just takes the dumbest shots in the world and takes a ton of them. If he can mature a little bit, and become a better all around player, I could see it. But this season, he was just a negative on the court.

 

[TechFan88]

For Texas Tech - don't they lose 4 of their top 8 players? Any good recruits coming in?

As long as Zhaire Smith doesn't go to the draft the NBA the 2nd and 3rd leading scorers both freshman return. The guys we lost were great and it will be hard to replace that team chemistry. However people never heard of them before we made the tournament. We are recruiting better than we have recently. Have some 4 stars committed and are working on some other recruits/transfers.

 

[Chalmers15]

Top 5 next season:

1. Nova
2. Duke
3. Kansas
4. Virginia
5. Gonzaga

Kentucky has a solid returning core, but their recruiting class doesn't impress.

 

[ExitFlagger]

Top 5 next season:

1. Nova
2. Duke
3. Kansas
4. Virginia
5. Gonzaga

Kentucky has a solid returning core, but their recruiting class doesn't impress.

Why do people think a team that just won every tourney game easily is going to bring first rounders back? Brunson, Bridges, Spellman....gone.

 

[dukedevilz]

If Trent returns next year, Zion should come off the bench like Dante DiVicenzo of Nova but does K have the guts to not start the highlight reel sensation?

My preferred starting 5 for Duke next year is Jones, Trent, Barrett, Reddish and Bolden.

Trent coming back would be awesome. I'm still very skeptical of that happening, though. We certainly need shooters. I wonder about the possibility of Cam playing point and Tre coming off the bench? Shortest guy in the starting lineup would be 6'6.

Cam Reddish
RJ Barrett
Gary Trent
Zion Williamson
Marques Bolden

Key Bench: Tre Jones, Javin DeLaurier, Alex O'Connell

 

[Big ol arms]

Yea it's just 2 guys, but those 2 guys were basically responsible for about 70% of anything good that happened for WVA this year. Konate gets about 25% and then 5% spread out to the rest of the team.

You don't know much about WVU if you think Miles is a big loss. There were times during the season he was benched most of the game because he was playing so bad. He also missed several games in conference. Both those losses are more about defense. We will be a lot better offensive team next year and Huggins will always get the most out of his players on defense.

 

[Dattier]

Smh. Just more of the same from national media.

Well, they generally would prefer no tto embarrass themselves, too, so I imagine by the time the season starts this still meaningless guess at rankings will be a little more inclusive and respectable.

 

[GE Nole]

Well, they generally would prefer no tto embarrass themselves, too, so I imagine by the time the season starts this still meaningless guess at rankings will be a little more inclusive and respectable.

Pretty much every other "way too early rank" includes FSU. Some as high as 16...though that's probably too high until we see if Phil Cofer can come back.

This specific one in the OP is just bad.

 

[Dattier]

If Trent returns next year, Zion should come off the bench like Dante DiVicenzo of Nova but does K have the guts to not start the highlight reel sensation?

My preferred starting 5 for Duke next year is Jones, Trent, Barrett, Reddish and Bolden.

Um... I'm not really sure which I think is more outlandish, the prospect of any starter's returning or K's lacking the guts to establish his rotation however he daggum sees fit.

Probably the latter.