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Pundits blind. the real pre season top 25

Hah only 100? I could probably do that. On3 has them ranked all the way out to 760.

Okay, legit question. What’s your take on Jerry Deng? I know he was sort of a backup plan for FSU after we couldn’t afford the Terrence Edwards sweepstakes, and the rankings seemed to be down on him. But from what I’ve seen of his time at Hampton it feels like Hamilton finally found a young kid who’s long, bouncy, and can also shoot some. We did that with Devin Vassell but it’s been a few years. (I’m not counting guys who developed into shooters over 3-4 years here).
 
Okay, legit question. What’s your take on Jerry Deng? I know he was sort of a backup plan for FSU after we couldn’t afford the Terrence Edwards sweepstakes, and the rankings seemed to be down on him. But from what I’ve seen of his time at Hampton it feels like Hamilton finally found a young kid who’s long, bouncy, and can also shoot some. We did that with Devin Vassell but it’s been a few years. (I’m not counting guys who developed into shooters over 3-4 years here).

Might be a future pro, with a 3 and D being the most likely fit. Give him at least 2 years, though. Good size and length - and he obviously shoots the ball really well. Good athlete, but he doesn't pop on tape like an elite athlete. Facilitating doesn't appear to be in his arsenal - and he could be a little better at creating separation on his drives. He runs the floor well, though, so definitely someone you want to look for in transition.

I see him as someone getting 15-20 minutes this year, and then starter minutes in the 2026 season.
 
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Might be a future pro, with a 3 and D being the most likely fit. Give him at least 2 years, though. Good size and length - and he obviously shoots the ball really well. Good athlete, but he doesn't pop on tape like an elite athlete. Facilitating doesn't appear to be in his arsenal - and he could be a little better at creating separation on his drives. He runs the floor well, though, so definitely someone you want to look for in transition.

I see him as someone getting 15-20 minutes this year, and then starter minutes in the 2026 season.

Thanks. I’ll take it. Hope he’s still here next year. (Unless he explodes and goes pro).
 
I stay on the Main Board but I need to come here for more rational basketball talk
look-back-mouth-open.gif
 
Some guys are too far in the forest to see the trees. I got you

1. Kansas

KU lacked real offense talents and had no depth to have any defense. KU added Storr the best transfer in the portal imo, elite shooter and nba talent Griffen. And mid major star Zeke Mayo to a group returning Dickinson, Adams and Harris

2. Gonzaga

Love them or hate them, an elite team in a easy conference still. Nembhard, Hickman and Ike are joined by mid major star Ajayi , and the zags have depth.

3. Baylor

I think Edgecomb will be the 2nd best freshman after Cooper Flagg. They will have an elite backcourt with Nunn and Roach. And they added stud Norchad Omier..

4. Duke

One and done doesn't work anymore. Well until cooper flagg and muluach decided to team up. I love the vet trio of transfers that add much needed maturity to a great class.

5. Iowa state

B12 may be one of the most dominant ever at the top this year. They return 4 starters from a S16 2 seed run.

6. Tennessee

I love the addition of Chaz Lanier , they have other good transfers for their system. With vet Zeigler back. Rick Barnes will always have a great regular season team

7. Creighton

I think Creighton is the top team in the big east this year. And their isn't much competition top to bottom in the BE. Ashworth, Isaacs and Kalkbrenner are a great trio .

8. Houston

I think losing Shead is a bigger blow than the "experts" seem to think. Offense is meh but the defense will be intense as always.

9. Alabama

I have bama lower than most and that's mostly because I don't see overwhelming athleticism. I think Wrightsell and Youngblood are ok. I was way underwhelmed with Holloway with auburn last year. They do have mighty might Sears back with Nelson and add big cliff who isn't a offense player but can rebound and play d.

10. Auburn

I really like the tigers off season returners and transfers. love him or hate him PEarl elevates talent too.

11. Purdue

I think the B10 is majorly mid. Someone will rise to the top and Purdue always has chemistry with always retaining main guys.

12. Uconn

The 2 main anchors in back to back titles to me were Clingan and newton. Diarra and , ball and Johnson do very little for me. If Mahaney, Karaban and McNeeley are your 3 best players then I smell a 4 seed. Still very good but not elite.

13. Kentucky

This may seem high to some but if Mark pope can even remotely coach he has a good blend. Oweh, Butler and Garrison are here for defense and Brea , Robinson and Krissa are here for offense.

14. Marquette

They still have Kam jones who should be an AA. Plenty of other guys looking to take the next step

15. Florida

16. North Carolina

17. Indiana

18. Texas A&M

19. UCLA

20. Michigan

21. Arkansas

22. Ohio state

23. Arizona

24. Xavier

25. Virginia
Ken Pomeroy just pissed on your top 25 😵‍💫.
 
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1. Kansas
2. Gonzaga
3. Houston
4. Baylor
5. Duke
6. Iowa state
7. Auburn
8. Tennessee
9. Alabama
10. Ketucky
11. Marquetter
12. Uconn
13. Creighton
14. North Carolina
15. UCLA
Dropped Purdue from your top 15?
 
Some guys are too far in the forest to see the trees. I got you

1. Kansas

KU lacked real offense talents and had no depth to have any defense. KU added Storr the best transfer in the portal imo, elite shooter and nba talent Griffen. And mid major star Zeke Mayo to a group returning Dickinson, Adams and Harris

2. Gonzaga

Love them or hate them, an elite team in a easy conference still. Nembhard, Hickman and Ike are joined by mid major star Ajayi , and the zags have depth.

3. Baylor

I think Edgecomb will be the 2nd best freshman after Cooper Flagg. They will have an elite backcourt with Nunn and Roach. And they added stud Norchad Omier..

4. Duke

One and done doesn't work anymore. Well until cooper flagg and muluach decided to team up. I love the vet trio of transfers that add much needed maturity to a great class.

5. Iowa state

B12 may be one of the most dominant ever at the top this year. They return 4 starters from a S16 2 seed run.

6. Tennessee

I love the addition of Chaz Lanier , they have other good transfers for their system. With vet Zeigler back. Rick Barnes will always have a great regular season team

7. Creighton

I think Creighton is the top team in the big east this year. And their isn't much competition top to bottom in the BE. Ashworth, Isaacs and Kalkbrenner are a great trio .

8. Houston

I think losing Shead is a bigger blow than the "experts" seem to think. Offense is meh but the defense will be intense as always.

9. Alabama

I have bama lower than most and that's mostly because I don't see overwhelming athleticism. I think Wrightsell and Youngblood are ok. I was way underwhelmed with Holloway with auburn last year. They do have mighty might Sears back with Nelson and add big cliff who isn't a offense player but can rebound and play d.

10. Auburn

I really like the tigers off season returners and transfers. love him or hate him PEarl elevates talent too.

11. Purdue

I think the B10 is majorly mid. Someone will rise to the top and Purdue always has chemistry with always retaining main guys.

12. Uconn

The 2 main anchors in back to back titles to me were Clingan and newton. Diarra and , ball and Johnson do very little for me. If Mahaney, Karaban and McNeeley are your 3 best players then I smell a 4 seed. Still very good but not elite.

13. Kentucky

This may seem high to some but if Mark pope can even remotely coach he has a good blend. Oweh, Butler and Garrison are here for defense and Brea , Robinson and Krissa are here for offense.

14. Marquette

They still have Kam jones who should be an AA. Plenty of other guys looking to take the next step

15. Florida

16. North Carolina

17. Indiana

18. Texas A&M

19. UCLA

20. Michigan

21. Arkansas

22. Ohio state

23. Arizona

24. Xavier

25. Virginia
We will see what you say after we beat 4 of those teams that you have ahead of us. Diarra, Johnson and Ball may do very little for you however they do plenty for our championship team. Diarra is a bulldog on defense and was the Big East 6th man of the year. Samson Johnson was probably the best backup center in the country last year. And Solomon Ball has been our best player so far in the pre-season. I think just about every team in the country would love to have the trio of Karaban, McNeeley and Mahaney. And then there is Jayden Ross, and Jaylin Stewart who are both ready to make huge sophomore jumps, and Ahmad Nowell and Isaiah Abraham who are both very promising freshman. This Husky team is legitimately 10 players deep that Hurley will run in waves. This reminds me of last year when many doubted UConn for what they lost to the draft. Doubt this team at your peril.
 
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