NCAA Basketball Pre-Season Top 25

It’s college basketball time… finally! Many other publications have already released their polls. Andrew did an early one way back in the spring, but both of the Sports Guys combined for this one. Greg and Andrew had their own ballet; then, they put their ranks together to form this Top 25. Get in the comment section and let us know what you think!

Sports Guys Preseason Top 25

1. Indiana Hoosiers

They return all five starters and two key reserves from a very good Sweet 16 team. In fact, they gave Kentucky their best game in the tournament last year. Former star Maurice Creek is also returning after a redshirt year (knee injury) and he led them in scoring in their only exhibition game this preseason. And the freshmen class is great led by McDonald’s point guard Yogi Ferrell, swingman Jeremy Hollowell, and athletic big man Hanner Perea. Cody Zeller leads the best offense in the nation, and is our choice as National Player of the Year.

2. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville returns the core from their Final Four team including their top players Behanan, Dieng, and Siva. The Cardinals also get back some key players from injury, and add transfer Luke Hancock (George Mason) and freshman Montrezl Harrell (19 points, 13 rebounds in first exhibition). While Indiana may be the best offensive team in the nation, Louisville may be the best defensive team.

3. Kentucky Wildcats

The NCAA Champions will look mighty different this year after losing six players to the NBA. But Coach Cal welcomes in his newest collection of studs that will keep the Wildcats among the nations’ best. Noel is the highest rated recruit in the country, but Polythress, Goodwin, and Cauley-Stein are probably all more polished. Transfers Mays and Harrow will add some experience despite being new faces too. Kyle Wiltjer played a reserve role a year ago, but now he must step up much more than he had to a year ago.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

They lost two great players in Sullinger and Buford, but DeShaun Thomas chose to return which gives them a big time scorer. Aaron Craft is one of the most underrated players in the nation, and is likely the best defender in the Big Ten. Some of the young talent they had hidden last year will now star (cough, cough...Smith Jr. and Ross), and Thad Matta will be in the thick of things once again in the Big Ten.

5. North Carolina State Wolfpack

NC State returns four starters from a Sweet 16 team that nearly took out Kansas. CJ Leslie and Lorenzo Brown are both candidates for ACC Player of the Year, and three McDonald’s All-Americans join the squad and one could become the ACC Freshmen of the Year. Rodney Purvis in particular should be an immediate factor, and is a big reason why they are the favorites in the conference.

6. Michigan Wolverines

Trey Burke is one of the best point guards and players in the country. He will be surrounded by plenty of talent as starters Hardaway Jr. and Morgan return. Freshmen Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson Jr. will be immediate factors also.

7. Missouri Tigers

Frank Haith did an amazing job last year at turning Missouri into a powerhouse. While he lost a few starters, Phil Pressey returns and is an All-American candidate. Laurence Bowers was the team’s best player two years ago and he rejoins the team after a redshirt season. Haith welcomes in a slew of transfers, many of which will contribute immediately.

8. UCLA Bruins

This ranking depends upon the availability of freshmen Shabazz Muhammed who still isn’t cleared to play by the NCAA. If he does play, he will have an “Anthony Davis” affect on the program (think impact, not style of play). If he isn’t cleared, this ranking is WAY too high.

9. Duke Blue Devils

Duke lost two first round picks but they return everyone else. Curry, Dawkins, and McDonald’s freshman Sulaimon should be fine in the backcourt. Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly remain in the middle, with the youngest Plumlee Marshall joining them this season.

10. Kansas Jayhawks

This will be another typical Kansas team. Role players Withey, Johnson, and Releford will step up like upperclassmen before them have. Newcomers Ellis and McLemore will join them and become stars. In Bill Self I trust.

11. Arizona Wildcats

This years Wildcats remind me of another “Wildcats” program: Kentucky. Just like Kentucky last year, Arizona returns some talent and experience in Nick Johnson, Solomon Hill, and Mark Lyons (transfer from Xavier). Then, they are adding in the best recruiting class with Ashley, Jerrett, Tarczewski, and York. Don’t know if they will win it all like Kentucky did a year ago, but they certainly have the talent to.

12. Syracuse Orangemen

One thing Syracuse had last year was depth. And that’s important this year because they lost four starters from that team. That just means guys like Fair, Carter-Williams, Christmas, and Southerland can now shine. Brandon Triche will be their new leader, and freshman DaJuan Coleman will make his presence felt immediately.

13. Florida Gators

Florida nearly made it to the Final Four a year ago, and while they lost two starters (Bradley Beal being one of them), they return the majority of that squad. Kenny Boynton will make a case for SEC Player of the Year and Patric Young may develop into a lottery pick just like Beal was.

14. Michigan State

Before talking about specific players, one thing you know about this team is that they will play tough defense and will rebound. As long as Tom Izzo is coaching you can expect those things. The big loss for them was Draymon Green, but Payne and Nix should combine to replace him and be a formidable force inside for the Spartans. Keith Appling will likely be an All-Big Ten player, and freshman Gary Harris will star in the backcourt next to him.

15. North Carolina Tarheels

Like Kentucky, the Tarheels lost a ton of their players to the NBA. But for them it will be a case of “Next Man Up.” James Michael McAdoo will emerge as one of the best bigs in the nation, and guards Bullock, Strickland, and McDonald all return after some injury riddled seasons. The freshmen are talented, and one of them (Marcus Paige), may end up running the show at point guard.

16. UNLV Running Rebels

Many believe this is the most loaded roster UNLV has had since their dominant days way back when. They are led by a great frontcourt featuring All-American candidate Mike Moser, transfer Khem Birch, and freshman Anthony Bennett.

17. Creighton Bluejays

Everyone knows about Doug McDermott and what a stud this guy is. But the best thing about the team this year is that all but one contributor return from a great squad a year ago. That means they will be making some major noise, or should I say mid-major noise, come March.

18. San Diego State Aztecs

This team will challenge UNLV for the Mountain West crown, but unlike them, the Aztecs will do it with a loaded backcourt. Jamaal Franklin is a tremendous college guard, and he will team up with senior Chase Tapley and junior Xavier Thomas to form a great trio of guards. The frontcourt will be anchored by newcomers Winston Shepard (one of the best recruits in school history) and JJ O’Brien (transfer from Utah).

19. Baylor Bears

Coming off one of the best seasons ever, Baylor will look a bit different than they did a year ago. They lost Acy, Miller, and PJIII inside, but they will replace them with freshmen Isaiah Austin and Ricardo Gathers. The backcourt of Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip will provide stability, and watch out for Deuce Bello who I think will have a huge breakout year.

20.  Memphis Tigers

It’s the same story in Memphis as in the past. Coach Pastner has a team loaded with talent, they will once again win the C-USA easily, but this time can they break through in March… The play and development of Adonis Thomas and Joe Jackson may ultimately determine that.

21. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish shocked many last year by how good of a season they had. They won’t surprise anyone this year though. Everyone but Dragicevich remains and they are one of the Big East favorites.

22. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota returns all five of their starters that ended the year together (NIT runner-up). They also welcome back Trevor Mbakwe who was injured all of last year. Mbakwe should be one of the best players in the Big Ten but he actually might even come off the bench. That’s the type of skill they have.

23. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Mark Few puts a solid team on the court each and every season. This year could be one of the best ones he puts out there. Harris and Pangos are legit stars and are among a team full of returning players. Few also brings in one of his best recruiting classes ever. Gonzaga could easily return to the Sweet 16 once again.

24. VCU Rams

Shaka’s team now moves to the A-10 where they will face better competition, but that should actually make them even better. Their style of play makes it tough on opponents to play both offense and defense. Remember this team nearly took out Indiana in the NCAA Tourney last year, and most of that team returns.

25. Butler Bulldogs

After a “down” season a year ago, Butler also moves to the A-10 and should compete for the title immediately. They only lost one impact player (Ronald Norad) but they are bringing in some great talent that will more than replace him. Rotnei Clarke is a transfer from Arkansas who will likely become their best player. In fact, he is one of the best shooters in the entire country.

Notables: Wisconsin, Florida State, Tennessee, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, Marquette, Pittsburgh, Murray State, Texas, Kansas State

By: The Sports Guys