Way, Way Too Early 2019-20 Top 25

[GE Nole]

Always love the thought you put into these, @dukedevilz. I am looking forward to our offseason ACC discussions, but with UVA in the Final Four I figured I’d wait another week or so to start the thread.

I think you might have FSU a tad high. My guess is, assuming we land a grad transfer who can handle the ball, the Noles could be playing like a top 10 team come tourney time next year. But we will take our lumps to start the year as we replace a boat load of seniors.

Terance Mann, Phil Cofer, Christ Koumadje, David Nichols, and PJ Savoy...that’s a whole lot of experience to fill in.

Having said that, a lineup of:
PG - Trent Forrest (6’4)
SG - MJ Walker (6’5)
Wing - Devin Vassell (6’6)
Do everything - Mfiondu Kabengele (6’10)
C - Balsa Koprivica (7’1)

With Patrick Williams, RaiQuan Gray, Malik Osborne, a grad transfer, and Anthony Polite off the bench, it will still be a long, deep, and athletic Florida State team.

 

[TechFan88]

We made a pre-season poll!

 

[lurkeraspect84]

We made a pre-season poll!

That's what fans do when their team has been eliminated.

 

[Noahtogo24]

Man Bruno if he had comeback, top 15 team easily..

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

Michigan not ranked high enough

@hailtoyourvictor

Was I wrong?

 

[MGC_07]

The state of Michigan will have the 2 best teams in the country next year. Mark it down.

 

[RollTide7277]

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

How dare you...

 

[jhmossy]

I’ll take a NIT season next year if It would guarantee a national championship this year.

Salt is gone for sure. Hunter is 99.99% gone.
I think Jerome also leaves. He’s late 1st rounder on most mocks. He has to take advantage.
Guy may declare but I imagine he’ll be back.
Diakite’s stock is starting to skyrocket.

Our front court next year should be really strong but I’m worried about the PG position. I hope we seek out a grad transfer if Jerome does go.

 

[TechFan88]

That's what fans do when their team has been eliminated.

I see.

 

[Random UK Fan]

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

Showing your work . . . nice!

 

[hailtoyourvictor]

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.

No player is irreplaceable when izzo is your coach.

 

[Random UK Fan]

I realize they have big shoes to fill, but that's who we have so far.

It's strange, I never know what to expect from year to year. Yes, they are big shoes to fill, but that team may actually do BETTER than this season's. Who the hell knows what square one holds every year?

 

[lurkeraspect84]

It's strange, I never know what to expect from year to year. Yes, they are big shoes to fill, but that team may actually do BETTER than this season's. Who the hell knows what square one holds every year.

Some guyss aren't up to it. They like consistency in a different way.

"give me the same players and lets watch them evolve."

Calipari is the perfect man to adjust throughout the year.

 

[boilerzz]

The state of Michigan will have the 2 best teams in the country next year. Mark it down.

You think Western Michigan will be that good?

 

[olsonab]

I’ll take a NIT season next year if It would guarantee a national championship this year.

Salt is gone for sure. Hunter is 99.99% gone.
I think Jerome also leaves. He’s late 1st rounder on most mocks. He has to take advantage.
Guy may declare but I imagine he’ll be back.
Diakite’s stock is starting to skyrocket.

Our front court next year should be really strong but I’m worried about the PG position. I hope we seek out a grad transfer if Jerome does go.

I’ll take 0-12 in football for one season if it means we win Monday night

 

[MGC_07]

You think Western Michigan will be that good?

Central

 

[jhmossy]

I’ll take 0-12 in football for one season if it means we win Monday night

They bringing the third place game back?

 

[northeastspartan]

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

 

[DM8]

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.

Sounds like most close to the program are confident Harper is coming back. I can't imagine Chuma would get drafted with the knee injury and not being able to workout for teams. Hopefully his recovery goes smoothly and he's 100% by January. Danjel looks like he may be ready to be a primary scoring option for us next year. J'von will probably have a bigger role as well. With as much as he has improved over this year, he could be really dangerous for us next year. In the unlikely event Jared decided to leave, I feel pretty good about our chances with J'von running the point after the way he has played over the last month. It will be interesting to see if Bruce gives him a look at starting at the 2. I would think Samir is the leader to start at the 2 next year though assuming Okoro is ready to start day 1 at the 3.

I would expect our initial lineup to be:

Harper
Samir/J'von
Okoro
Purifoy
Mac/Wiley

Once Chuma is ready to play, it will be interesting to see if Danjel or Okoro remains in the starting lineup.

 

[DM8]

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

UT is losing Bone and Schofield. They have a good class coming in, but assuming Grant Williams declares for the draft, I would doubt they are a top 20 caliber team at the start of the year.

 

[Gater4Life]

Florida needs a grad transfer at the 5. We are hoping for Kerry Blackshear from Va Tech. The rest of our team should be really good.

 

[ChiTownSean]

Yeah if Ayo comes back, Illinois should be real frisky

 

[Hacksaw Jim]

The ‘?’ For MSU right now, and a potential bucket of icing on the cake, is the physical development of Marcus Bingham.

If that kid can bulk up a little, then MSU has Jaren Jackson Jr-lite, with a better 3 pt shot. But...that’s still ‘if’. That said, it’s easier to get bigs bigger than to get them smaller. That kid has a ton of potential.

Also, re: Michigan...I will be shocked if Poole, Matthews, and Brandon Johns are on the toaster next year. Lots of smoke.

 

[Gumbo02]

The ‘?’ For MSU right now, and a potential bucket of icing on the cake, is the physical development of Marcus Bingham.

If that kid can bulk up a little, then MSU has Jaren Jackson Jr-lite, with a better 3 pt shot. But...that’s still ‘if’. That said, it’s easier to get bigs bigger than to get them smaller. That kid has a ton of potential.

Also, re: Michigan...I will be shocked if Poole, Matthews, and Brandon Johns are on the toaster next year. Lots of smoke.

Matthews is gone. That's a given. He is 22 and his stock won't get much better. He probably goes late in round two.

There is zero smoke anywhere with Johns. There is smoke with some transfers, but not him. The game was too fast for him last year plus somewhat of a jam with Iggy and Livers holding the spot. Next year Iggy rolls to the three spot, Livers starts at the four and Johns gets 15 minutes off the bench.

Some talk on Poole though. He would probably get drafted toward the back end of the second round. I think there is some frustration overall from this last year but once the draft status unfolds the best choice is to come back and contend for a national title.

 

[kdavid45]

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.

MSU will lose Goins, McQuaid and Ward. Winston returning, a few frosh emerging in their soph years and a nice incoming class. Winston returning and Langford coming back off his injury are key. Should be best backcourt in the nation.

 

[dukedevilz]

If Nick Ward doesn't come back, I still think they should be the #1 team in the pre-season. Look at all their bigs...

Xavier Tillman: 6'8 260 Jr, 10.7 ppg, 7.1 reb, 1.7 blk, 61.2% fg
Thomas Kithier, 6'8 225 So, 79.3% fg (23 for 29)
Marcus Bingham, 6'11 235, So, RSCI 2018 #62 recruit
Malik Hall, 6'7 190 PF, RSCI 2019 #54 Recruit
Julius Marble, 6'8 225 PF, 2019 3-star recruit

And I'm sure Aaron Henry or Gabe Brown could easily slide over to the 4 to grab a few minutes.

And then you have to deal with Winston, Langford, Henry, Brown, Ahrens, Watts, and Loyer. I'd say Michigan State is pretty stacked.

 

[dukedevilz]

Always love the thought you put into these, @dukedevilz. I am looking forward to our offseason ACC discussions, but with UVA in the Final Four I figured I’d wait another week or so to start the thread.

I think you might have FSU a tad high. My guess is, assuming we land a grad transfer who can handle the ball, the Noles could be playing like a top 10 team come tourney time next year. But we will take our lumps to start the year as we replace a boat load of seniors.

Terance Mann, Phil Cofer, Christ Koumadje, David Nichols, and PJ Savoy...that’s a whole lot of experience to fill in.

Having said that, a lineup of:
PG - Trent Forrest (6’4)
SG - MJ Walker (6’5)
Wing - Devin Vassell (6’6)
Do everything - Mfiondu Kabengele (6’10)
C - Balsa Koprivica (7’1)

With Patrick Williams, RaiQuan Gray, Malik Osborne, a grad transfer, and Anthony Polite off the bench, it will still be a long, deep, and athletic Florida State team.

I just feel like Kabengele is going to be a monster next year - All-American status, perhaps. And I really like Patrick Williams. I think he could merit starter minutes. Forrest, Walker, and Vassell should be reliable for 8-12 points each, I would think.

Seems like most fans aren't super-high on their teams yet. The 2020 season might be slightly down in terms of overall talent. But someone has to be in the top 5 or top 10. A lot will change in the next few months, no question.

UT is losing Bone and Schofield. They have a good class coming in, but assuming Grant Williams declares for the draft, I would doubt they are a top 20 caliber team at the start of the year.

I could be wrong, but I feel like Grant Williams wants to finish his collegiate career (2nd round pick in most drafts, I believe). If he leaves, then yes, Tennessee will tumble down the rankings quite a bit.

Florida needs a grad transfer at the 5. We are hoping for Kerry Blackshear from Va Tech. The rest of our team should be really good.

Agreed, you guys are very guard-oriented. I think you could expect steady improvements from Nembhard, Locke, and Johnson. Throw in Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, and expectations should be reasonably high.

I don't think the grad transfer route is the way to secure a reliable big men, personally. There is major shortage of quality bigs - when one becomes available, just about every coach with an open scholly goes after the guy. Ultimately, I think Omar Payne will end up starting. You still have Isaiah Stokes and Gorjok Gak, right? Bigs tend to have a higher learning curve. Maybe one of those two will finally break out.

 

[Cat_Incognito]

EJ & Richards anchoring our frontcourt - Sick

Herro & Washington will be HUGE losses. None of our incoming frosh can replace those 2, although Maxey softens the blow from losing Herro. The kid is a genuine stud.

Keldon Johnson on the other hand. Not that big of a loss. I think Whitney is as productive from day 1. If Dontae Allen can recover from his ACL tear, he could also help. He was on a tear when he suffered that injury.

UK @ 2 is unrealistic. Maybe top 10, but gotta see if our 14 feet of suck improves, and if our incoming frosh can mesh. Not sure who our leader will be since PJ is gone. Definitely isn't EJ or Richards. Maxey maybe?

 

[RockChalk82]

Ya #12 with everyone coming back, and Doke being back to health for next year. Makes sense.

Spoiler: we’re winning it all next year. This year got pushed a year back so you peasants can have a year without us.

 

[duckboy33]

By Conference:

Big Ten:
Michigan State (1st nationally)
Michigan (4th nationally)
Maryland (17th nationally)
Iowa (20th nationally)
Ohio State (22nd nationally)
Illinois (Just Missed)

SEC:
Kentucky (2nd nationally)
Auburn (5th nationally)
Tennessee (6th nationally)
LSU (13th nationally)
Florida (15th nationally)

ACC:
Virginia (3rd nationally)
Florida State (7th nationally)
Duke (9th nationally)
Louisville (10th nationally)
North Carolina (19th nationally)
NC State (Just Missed)

PAC 12:
Oregon (8th nationally)
Arizona (18th nationally)
Washington (Just Missed)
USC (Just Missed)

Big East:
Marquette (11th nationally)
Villanova (14th nationally)
Seton Hall (21st nationally)

Big 12:
Kansas (12th nationally)
Texas Tech (23rd nationally)
Iowa State (Just Missed)
Baylor (Just Missed)

WCC:
Gonzaga (16th nationally)
St. Mary's (24th nationally)

AAC:
Cincinnati (25th nationally)
Memphis (Just Missed)
Houston (Just Missed)

 

[MileHighSpartan]

MSU will lose Goins, McQuaid and Ward. Winston returning, a few frosh emerging in their soph years and a nice incoming class. Winston returning and Langford coming back off his injury are key. Should be best backcourt in the nation.

I'm still not 100% sure Ward is gone. With the hand injury and losing his starting spot to Tillman, he definitely faded a bit towards the end of the season. Problem for him if he returns is that Tillman is still going to be there and is a much better defender. Possible that Tillman could play more 4 next year though, as he can already guard 1-5 and his shot mechanics are good.

There was talk Ward was gone no matter what, even if it was to Europe. Never came directly from him though, so that could all just be message board fodder. I'm not sure he'd even get drafted after this year. I think a lot of that talk came from last season, when he was beefing with Izzo and seemed mentally checked out. We later found out that his mom almost died, and he was driving from EL to Columbus almost every day to go see her at the hospital. Now that she's in better health, he's back to being "checked in" with his role this year.

 

[ExitFlagger]

Ya #12 with everyone coming back, and Doke being back to health for next year. Makes sense.

Spoiler: we’re winning it all next year. This year got pushed a year back so you peasants can have a year without us.

Bwahaha...you’re actually serious about Lawson coming back? His brother just announced that he’s transferring. Any doubt that he’d leave is now erased.

 

[schoonerwest]

Bwahaha...you’re actually serious about Lawson coming back? His brother just announced that he’s transferring. Any doubt that he’d leave is now erased.

I don't get this. He's 22 years old right now and he'll have to sit out another year. If he plays until his senior year he'll be 25 when he's done. I don't think there's any incoming recruits or transfers right now coming in next year at KU that are an obvious choice to be ahead of him on the depth chart. He has a real good chance to get 15+ minutes per and improve his game with one of the best coaches in the sport. If he's thinking about playing after college then his best bet would be to stay put, IMO.

 

[gowolverines8]

The ‘?’ For MSU right now, and a potential bucket of icing on the cake, is the physical development of Marcus Bingham.

If that kid can bulk up a little, then MSU has Jaren Jackson Jr-lite, with a better 3 pt shot. But...that’s still ‘if’. That said, it’s easier to get bigs bigger than to get them smaller. That kid has a ton of potential.

Also, re: Michigan...I will be shocked if Poole, Matthews, and Brandon Johns are on the toaster next year. Lots of smoke.

Zero rumblings about Johns leaving, Matthews is 100% gone, Eli Brooks is 90% gone, and I think after going through the process poole and Iggy will be back (neither is projected to get drafted). There are some weird rumblings around poole though.

 

[MileHighSpartan]

Zero rumblings about Johns leaving, Matthews is 100% gone, Eli Brooks is 90% gone, and I think after going through the process poole and Iggy will be back (neither is projected to get drafted). There are some weird rumblings around poole though.

Why would Eli Brooks be gone? Seemed like his play / minutes increased towards the end of the season.

 

[greenemarine]

Why would Eli Brooks be gone? Seemed like his play / minutes increased towards the end of the season.

With the roster as it is there is almost zero chance he ever starts. At PG you have Simpson this year and then a junior DeJulius/freshman Zeb Jackson to compete with. Poole is the starter at the 2 this year with Cole Bajema a way more talented option going forward. If Poole does leave (there are a lot of rumblings on this) then Brooks would have a good chance to start. Though he may just come to the realization that it’s better to play 15 mins a game on a yearly contender than be the lead dog on a much worse team.

 

[ExitFlagger]

I don't get this. He's 22 years old right now and he'll have to sit out another year. If he plays until his senior year he'll be 25 when he's done. I don't think there's any incoming recruits or transfers right now coming in next year at KU that are an obvious choice to be ahead of him on the depth chart. He has a real good chance to get 15+ minutes per and improve his game with one of the best coaches in the sport. If he's thinking about playing after college then his best bet would be to stay put, IMO.

He's actually a grad transfer. With two years of eligibility, no less.

 

[dukedevilz]

By Conference:

Big Ten:
Michigan State (1st nationally)
Michigan (4th nationally)
Maryland (17th nationally)
Iowa (20th nationally)
Ohio State (22nd nationally)
Illinois (Just Missed)

SEC:
Kentucky (2nd nationally)
Auburn (5th nationally)
Tennessee (6th nationally)
LSU (13th nationally)
Florida (15th nationally)

ACC:
Virginia (3rd nationally)
Florida State (7th nationally)
Duke (9th nationally)
Louisville (10th nationally)
North Carolina (19th nationally)
NC State (Just Missed)

PAC 12:
Oregon (8th nationally)
Arizona (18th nationally)
Washington (Just Missed)
USC (Just Missed)

Big East:
Marquette (11th nationally)
Villanova (14th nationally)
Seton Hall (21st nationally)

Big 12:
Kansas (12th nationally)
Texas Tech (23rd nationally)
Iowa State (Just Missed)
Baylor (Just Missed)

WCC:
Gonzaga (16th nationally)
St. Mary's (24th nationally)

AAC:
Cincinnati (25th nationally)
Memphis (Just Missed)
Houston (Just Missed)

I'm glad you're taking these rankings seriously!

 

[gowolverines8]

Why would Eli Brooks be gone? Seemed like his play / minutes increased towards the end of the season.

Brooks is never going get significant minutes and there have been homesick rumors around him forever. We have also been chasing a ton of combo guards recently so it’s pretty clear to me he has told the coaches he is gone.

 

[MileHighSpartan]

With the roster as it is there is almost zero chance he ever starts. At PG you have Simpson this year and then a junior DeJulius/freshman Zeb Jackson to compete with. Poole is the starter at the 2 this year with Cole Bajema a way more talented option going forward. If Poole does leave (there are a lot of rumblings on this) then Brooks would have a good chance to start. Though he may just come to the realization that it’s better to play 15 mins a game on a yearly contender than be the lead dog on a much worse team.

From what the stats show, it seems like Brooks is still ahead of Dejulius, no?

Brooks last 6 games were more productive than Dejulius' entire season.