Way, Way Too Early 2019-20 Top 25

[dukedevilz]

The off-season is painfully long. I plan on releasing another top 50 in late October. Kind of interested to see how my picks shift over the next few months. Obviously a very fluid situation with the rosters - transfers in, transfers out, NBA early entrants, late signees, 2020 kids reclassifying, and so forth. Anyway, here's my way, way too early top 25 for 2020:

1. Michigan State
2. Kentucky
3. Virginia
4. Michigan
5. Auburn
6. Tennessee
7. Florida State
8. Oregon
9. Duke
10. Louisville
11. Marquette
12. Kansas
13. LSU
14. Villanova
15. Florida
16. Gonzaga
17. Maryland
18. Arizona
19. North Carolina
20. Iowa
21. Seton Hall
22. Ohio State
23. Texas Tech
24. Saint Mary's
25. Cincinnati

Just Missed:
NC State
Memphis
Washington
Iowa State
Baylor
Illinois
USC
Houston

 

[SpartanJD]

MSU plays UK next year in the champions classic.

UK #2 even if they lose Herro, Johnson and Washington?

 

[schoonerwest]

Michigan not ranked high enough

@hailtoyourvictor

 

[hawkit3113]

If this is close, we will be playing 3 ranked OOC opponents. Plus the ACC and Big East challenge.

I like it. Play a brutal OOC. It only makes you better.

 

[CB3UK]

Sparty not losing anyone?

 

[hawkit3113]

Sparty not losing anyone?

They will be even better next year.

 

[Mike_Edwards]

They will be even better next year.

Without Goins, Winston and McQuaid? I know Winston is a Jr but his stock is not going to get higher than it is after this run. If they win it all I could see Ward throwing his hat in the ring as well.

 

[Global Havok]

Kentucky will not be the 2nd best team in the nation next year. Especially not to start the year, but I think the team takes a step back in general next year though.

Only way I'd rank us that high is if we only lose Travis and Washington.

 

[boilerzz]

Michigan not ranked high enough

@hailtoyourvictor

 

[schoonerwest]

What’s the assumption on KU being at 12? No Lawson’s and Azubuike?

 

[schoonerwest]

That guy would seriously bump this thread if Michigan made the title game next year ensuring them as a top 2 team in the final poll.

 

[dukedevilz]

I prepared this quickly, so I'm sure I'm missing a few significant pieces here and there. As far as Kentucky and MSU, here's how I see the roster breakdown:

Kentucky Starters:
Ashton Hagans, So
Tyrese Maxey, Fr
Kahlil Whitney, Fr
EJ Montgomery, So
Nick Richards, Jr

Key Bench:
Immanuel Quickley, So
Keion Brooks, Fr
Nate Sestina, Gr

Michigan State Starters:
Cassius Winston, Sr (haven't seen him on any draft boards)
Josh Langford, Sr
Aaron Henry, So
Xavier Tillman, Jr
Nick Ward, Sr

Key Bench:
Rocket Watts, Fr
Kyle Ahrens, Sr
Gabe Brown, So
Malik Hall, Fr

 

[ExitFlagger]

Isn’t Purdue bringing almost everybody back?

 

[dukedevilz]

What’s the assumption on KU being at 12? No Lawson’s and Azubuike?

I've heard a lot of people say Lawson will leave. I'm projecting Lawson out - and Doke returning. A very fluid situation. My picks will be much, much different once the rosters are finalized. I would like to see Lawson return, though.

 

[dukedevilz]

Isn’t Purdue bringing almost everybody back?

Would be different if Carsen Edwards was returning, but I don't believe that to be the case. Also, Cline and Eifert are Seniors.

 

[UL_1986]

I say we’re more top 15-20. Unless Enoch and Nwora come back, then we’re def top 10.

 

[ExitFlagger]

I've heard a lot of people say Lawson will leave. I'm projecting Lawson out - and Doke returning. A very fluid situation. My picks will be much, much different once the rosters are finalized. I would like to see Lawson return, though.

I think KU is definitely top 10 if Azubuike and Grimes return. But I don’t think Azubuike is coming back.

Either way, they’ll probably be adding at least two more recruits/transfers.

 

[SpartanJD]

Without Goins, Winston and McQuaid? I know Winston is a Jr but his stock is not going to get higher than it is after this run. If they win it all I could see Ward throwing his hat in the ring as well.

Winston isn’t a first round pick. He’s coming back. Goins and McQuaid turned into nice players but they’re not irreplaceable like Winston will be.

MSU will be loaded with Winston, Langford, Henry and Tilman. Possibly Ward. Just need someone to step in at the 4. We will have a crazy deep bench next year. Plus borderline 5 star combo guard in Rocket Watts will be a scorer off the bench something we don’t have.

 

[AuHoosier420]

If Okeke and Harper are both back I could see auburn there. If not we don’t belong in the top 5 to start the season at least.

 

[SpartanJD]

I prepared this quickly, so I'm sure I'm missing a few significant pieces here and there. As far as Kentucky and MSU, here's how I see the roster breakdown:

Kentucky Starters:
Ashton Hagans, So
Tyrese Maxey, Fr
Kahlil Whitney, Fr
EJ Montgomery, So
Nick Richards, Jr

Key Bench:
Immanuel Quickley, So
Keion Brooks, Fr
Nate Sestina, Gr

Michigan State Starters:
Cassius Winston, Sr (haven't seen him on any draft boards)
Josh Langford, Sr
Aaron Henry, So
Xavier Tillman, Jr
Nick Ward, Sr

Key Bench:
Rocket Watts, Fr
Kyle Ahrens, Sr
Gabe Brown, So
Malik Hall, Fr

Solid breakdown. Most think Ward was gone before his injury cuz he was playing well who knows now. He’s not in the shape he needs to be post injury.

And if Ward does come back that’s a freaking nasty starting 5. Kithier will be a key bench player for us next year and potential starter if Ward does leave. He will get some of Goins minutes.

 

[dukedevilz]

Winston isn’t a first round pick. He’s coming back. Goins and McQuaid turned into nice players but they’re not irreplaceable like Winston will be.

MSU will be loaded with Winston, Langford, Henry and Tilman. Possibly Ward. Just need someone to step in at the 4. We will have a crazy deep bench next year. Plus borderline 5 star combo guard in Rocket Watts will be a scorer off the bench something we don’t have.

It's weird, but the ideal for a coach might be to have guys that have a ceiling of a 2nd round pick (maybe late 1st round ceiling). Villanova had good runs with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Kris Jenkins. UNC had Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks. Kansas had Frank Mason, De'vonte Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk... Now MSU is in a similar situation with Winston, Langford, Tillman, Ward, and company. You guys have a decent shot at going back-to-back.

I say we’re more top 15-20. Unless Enoch and Nwora come back, then we’re def top 10.

If Okeke and Harper are both back I could see auburn there. If not we don’t belong in the top 5 to start the season at least.

Okay, I'll admit that I have Nwora and Okeke both coming back (never considered Harper leaving). So yes, this might be a little off. I'd rather see 2nd round pick guys come back... There's a chance both of those guys could slide into the 1st round, however.

 

[shockey4064]

I prepared this quickly, so I'm sure I'm missing a few significant pieces here and there. As far as Kentucky and MSU, here's how I see the roster breakdown:

Kentucky Starters:
Ashton Hagans, So
Tyrese Maxey, Fr
Kahlil Whitney, Fr
EJ Montgomery, So
Nick Richards, Jr

Key Bench:
Immanuel Quickley, So
Keion Brooks, Fr
Nate Sestina, Gr

Michigan State Starters:
Cassius Winston, Sr (haven't seen him on any draft boards)
Josh Langford, Sr
Aaron Henry, So
Xavier Tillman, Jr
Nick Ward, Sr

Key Bench:
Rocket Watts, Fr
Kyle Ahrens, Sr
Gabe Brown, So
Malik Hall, Fr

Everyone else must suck compared to the quality of teams this year then. Only way Kentucky is as good or better than this year is if that’s the roster plus Herro

 

[hawkit3113]

It's weird, but the ideal for a coach might be to have guys that have a ceiling of a 2nd round pick (maybe late 1st round ceiling). Villanova had good runs with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Kris Jenkins. UNC had Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks. Kansas had Frank Mason, De'vonte Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk... Now MSU is in a similar situation with Winston, Langford, Tillman, Ward, and company. You guys have a decent shot at going back-to-back.





Okay, I'll admit that I have Nwora and Okeke both coming back (never considered Harper leaving). So yes, this might be a little off. I'd rather see 2nd round pick guys come back... There's a chance both of those guys could slide into the 1st round, however.

Yes!!! Plus one and dones or highly recruited guys that don't stick around long, can disrupt a good thing and system.

 

[RR30]

I would just waited until thy deadline had passed. Way too many roster changes gonna happen between now and then.

 

[hawkit3113]

I would just waited until thy deadline had passed. Way too many roster changes gonna happen between now and then.

When is that?

 

[KisteK]

A team that I'm pretty curious to see where you might place later this off-season is Boomer..

Oklahoma finished KP32, lose two starters, but bring in a (currently) top 15 class including 3 Rivals 4*s and a tall Australian, on top of Transfer PG Austin Reaves (WSU).
A decent looking shooter who's had a year to work and mature after a promising SO campaign behind Landry Shamet.

They didn't do much this season, still won 20 games in spite of being 4 games under .5oo ic (with a top 15 KP ncsos) and squeaked into the tourney. Where they went 1-1.

Hill and Harmon will be important, but OU looks (on paper) to be a decent top 50 team.

 

[sdave]

Winston isn’t a first round pick. He’s coming back. Goins and McQuaid turned into nice players but they’re not irreplaceable like Winston will be.

MSU will be loaded with Winston, Langford, Henry and Tilman. Possibly Ward. Just need someone to step in at the 4. We will have a crazy deep bench next year. Plus borderline 5 star combo guard in Rocket Watts will be a scorer off the bench something we don’t have.

You would be better off with Ward as a 6th man.

Michigan should return everyone but Mathews

 

[UL_1986]

It's weird, but the ideal for a coach might be to have guys that have a ceiling of a 2nd round pick (maybe late 1st round ceiling). Villanova had good runs with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Kris Jenkins. UNC had Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks. Kansas had Frank Mason, De'vonte Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk... Now MSU is in a similar situation with Winston, Langford, Tillman, Ward, and company. You guys have a decent shot at going back-to-back.





Okay, I'll admit that I have Nwora and Okeke both coming back (never considered Harper leaving). So yes, this might be a little off. I'd rather see 2nd round pick guys come back... There's a chance both of those guys could slide into the 1st round, however.

Hope Nwora comes back, Samuell Williamson and Nwora would be a deadly combo.

 

[MileHighSpartan]

It's weird, but the ideal for a coach might be to have guys that have a ceiling of a 2nd round pick (maybe late 1st round ceiling). Villanova had good runs with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Kris Jenkins. UNC had Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks. Kansas had Frank Mason, De'vonte Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk... Now MSU is in a similar situation with Winston, Langford, Tillman, Ward, and company. You guys have a decent shot at going back-to-back.

Izzo teams are best when led by upperclassmen that were ranked in the 25-75 area. Maybe a 5-star sprinkled in. Its honestly not worth the effort to recruit the 5-stars, while missing out on all of the high 4-stars, to end up with low 4-stars and 3-stars.

That's what happened in the 2014 class. Izzo wasted all of his time on Tyus Jones, Cliff Alexander, Okafor, Kevon Looney, Rashad Vaugh, Devin Booker, etc. Then he missed out on Tyler Ulis, Quinn Snider, Trevon Blueitt, D'Angelo Russell, Travis Reid, Yante Maten, etc.

He ended up with Tum Tum Nairn as his only Top-100 recruit in 2014. To go along with 3-stars Javon Bess and Marvin Clark, who both eventually transferred out. He did get a walk-on that season, Kenny MF Goins. But the 2013 (missed on Jabari Parker and James Young) through 2015 (missed on Jamal Murray, Jalen Brunson, Henry Ellenson) classes really set MSU back a couple of years.

 

[dukedevilz]

Everyone else must suck compared to the quality of teams this year then. Only way Kentucky is as good or better than this year is if that’s the roster plus Herro

I was kicking the ball around with my kids when I was formulating these rankings in my head. I forgot that I originally had Tyler Herro coming back. But I saw that he's now being projected as a 1st rounder. Maxey and Whitney I'm sure will lead UK in scoring - I think EJ Montgomery will have a breakout sophomore campaign. Sestina is a really good player, too. He can stretch the floor. Probably still a top 10 team, but maybe not enough firepower to merit a pre-season #2 ranking.

I would just waited until thy deadline had passed. Way too many roster changes gonna happen between now and then.

That's what I should do, yes. But for some reason my mind said, "Come on, dude! Time to get a list going!" I concede that I invest far too much time in something that has little to no substance. Just something fun to consider/speculate.

 

[boilerzz]

Would be different if Carsen Edwards was returning, but I don't believe that to be the case. Also, Cline and Eifert are Seniors.

Yep, if Carsen is gone (which he should as his stock will likely never be higher....), I see Purdue in the 30-35 range with the current roster. If they pick up an impact grad transfer, I could see us sneaking into the preseason top 25.

 

[RR30]

When is that?

Some time next month. Don't remember the exact date.

 

[oldsports_]

Kentucky at 2? No way in hell. UK 14th
I see 16pts a game returning tops.

 

[Gumbo02]

The off-season is painfully long. I plan on releasing another top 50 in late October. Kind of interested to see how my picks shift over the next few months. Obviously a very fluid situation with the rosters - transfers in, transfers out, NBA early entrants, late signees, 2020 kids reclassifying, and so forth. Anyway, here's my way, way too early top 25 for 2020:

1. Michigan State
2. Kentucky
3. Virginia
4. Michigan
5. Auburn
6. Tennessee
7. Florida State
8. Oregon
9. Duke
10. Louisville
11. Marquette
12. Kansas
13. LSU
14. Villanova
15. Florida
16. Gonzaga
17. Maryland
18. Arizona
19. North Carolina
20. Iowa
21. Seton Hall
22. Ohio State
23. Texas Tech
24. Saint Mary's
25. Cincinnati

Just Missed:
NC State
Memphis
Washington
Iowa State
Baylor
Illinois
USC
Houston

Solid list. I started on one earlier this week, but it can get so damn fluid in a matter of a couple of days that I'm holding off until the weekend on the numbers.

For instance I had LSU at number 5 regardless of coach assuming Naz Reid would be back, but that will now slide them down to the teens.

Been perusing the UK boards. Thought only PJ and Johnson were gonna be gone, but sound like Herro and Hagans might be too.

Got Virginia at number one unless Ty Jerome goes to the NBA (Hunter should be out).

I like Michigan a shade better than MSU on the merits of returning production percentage 86 v 63. Matthews gonna go. I dont see why Ward would return now with the F4 in his bag.

Nova is in the top 10.

Carolina gonna need Cole Anthony to be in the teens. If he doesn't come then the Heels are an 8/9 seed.

 

[lurkeraspect84]

MSU plays UK next year in the champions classic.

UK #2 even if they lose Herro, Johnson and Washington?

So far we have Maxey to replace Herro. Easier said than done, but Maxey is a scorer with deep range. Kahlil Whitney to replace Johnson and
Nate Sestina to place Washington. I realize they have big shoes to fill, but that's who we have so far. Then add in Keion Brooks.

Right now, I think #2 is way too high for UK. Maybe top 10-15.

 

[ExitFlagger]

When the consensus among Kentucky fans is that you're overrating them....you're definitely overrating them.Laughing

 

[UNC71-00]

Carolina will enter the NCAA tourney ranked above 19 and I will wager on that.

 

[dukedevilz]

When the consensus among Kentucky fans is that you're overrating them....you're definitely overrating them.Laughing

Yup. I had them #2 with Herro and Hagans returning. But if Herro goes pro, which it appears is very likely now, then they would drop quite a few places.

Carolina will enter the NCAA tourney ranked above 19 and I will wager on that.

Wouldn't be surprised. Cole Anthony is a game-changer. Just a matter of of the returning guys progressing and filling-out the roster with ACC-caliber players. I think Leaky Black has potential... and if Rayjon Tucker does commit to UNC, I think he'll be a solid contributor. He's athletic, he scores, and he can shoot. Just really hard to project a team that is losing it's top 5 players.

 

[UNC71-00]

Wouldn't be surprised. Cole Anthony is a game-changer. Just a matter of of the returning guys progressing and filling-out the roster with ACC-caliber players. I think Leaky Black has potential... and if Rayjon Tucker does commit to UNC, I think he'll be a solid contributor. He's athletic, he scores, and he can shoot. Just really hard to project a team that is losing it's top 5 players.

BRob will be fine. 7th will be fine. Brooks will be greatly improved. Leaky will be better than advertised. They aren’t making the final4 without a few flukes, but they will be better than 19.

I’m not worried.

 

[pisgah101]

Carolina will enter the NCAA tourney ranked above 19 and I will wager on that.

Who do you have your starters?