He's back, he's bald, he's droppin' his first Top 25 of the year!
So why the wait? Hey I love rankings as much as the next guy but I think we can all agree that too many teams prove to be overrated once they hit the hardwood. And yes, some of this will shock you.
1 - Memphis - This is Calipari's year.
2 - North Carolina - Yeah, the 'Cats held em to 4 for 24 shooting and were still losing. Says something about both teams.
3 - Texas - Kevin who? JK, but they were loaded without him.
4 - Duke - This Kentucky alum is sickened by this ranking but you can't deny their play so far.
5 - Kansas
6 - Washington State - They look like refugees from a Phish concert but have handled the role of the hunted well so far.
7 - Tennessee - Slight darkhorse for the Championship.
8 - UCLA - Sorry, but Love hasn't quite impressed me yet. I think a good running team can beat them. (See Texas.)
9 - Texas A & M - Think Billy G has regrets?
10 - Butler - Took Alaska by storm even though A.J. Graves looks like he might keel over from cholera.
11 - Gonzaga - Can you imagine this team once they get Heytvelt back from the purple haze?
12 - Georgetown - Also has not impressed me - c'mon guys, narrowly beating Fairfield?
13 - Pittsburgh - Not pretty but it's rock and roll.
14 - Indiana - Yeah we're scared of Saturday.
15 - Marquette - Contrary to popular belief not all the Big East teams are in this poll.
16 - Michigan State - Raymar Morgan will be an All-America at this pace.
17 - Oregon - Don't be shocked if they win the Pac-10.
18 - Clemson - Snuck up on some people so far but will they swoon?
19 - Xavier - Like Memphis they should dominate their conference. A very balanced squad.
20 - Brigham Young - Tavernari and Plaisted make a nice outside-inside combo in Utah. This is new to the Mormon state, I know.
21 - Villanova - A lot deeper squad than last year.
22 - Louisville - OK, this might be the last time they are in the polls. Caracter is a question mark and if he's gone Clark becomes their front line. I have a feeling they will disappoint many down I-64.
23 - St. Mary's - Gonzaga's lone conference losses will come to these guys. Samhan, Mills and Simpson are a torrid trio.
24 - Seton Hall - Yes all the Big East teams are represented except for the 'Cuse. No Mr. Marcus I have not forsaken my roots. I just want to see some more consistency from Jonny Flynn and Co.
25 - Southern Illinois. The poor man's Gonzaga. Chris Lowery was smart to stay.
See ya next week!!
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Hey, I beat you to it - check out the November archive, and cut and paste to that - or, I can cut and paste to this.
As always, let me know YOUR picks.
Preseason Top 10
(1) Memphis – Perhaps a bit undersized, but the most athletic (and exciting?) team in the country; now with super-frosh Derrick Rose running the show.
(2) North Carolina – A balanced team lead again by the nation’s best upper-classman, Tyler Hansbrough, and a sick point guard, Ty Lawson.
(3) UCLA – If Collison can stay healthy, it will be three Final Fours in a row. Also look for the nation’s best frosh big man, Kevin Love.
(4) Kansas – Rush is back to lead a deep, talent-laden team. If he’s healthy, it will be tough to keep the Jayhawks away from the Alamodome come March.
(5) Louisville – Love the personnel, and you know Pitino will have this team tourney-ready.
(6) Kansas St. – Two words: Michael Beasley.
(7) Georgetown – Even moreso than last season, now that Green is gone, they will go as far as 7-2 Hibbert, the best center in the nation, can take them.
(8) Gonzaga – Now that Heytvelt is off the magic mushrooms (?), the Bulldogs are primed for another big season.
(9) Tennessee – Lofton and three other starters back from a team that should have knocked Greg Oden out of the tourney last year.
(10) Syracuse – My annual homer pick. Had the emerging Rautins not gone down, this pick would have been truly legit (and could have gotten them as high as 6 or 7). Though depth is certainly a question, they have as talented a starting five as any team in the country; now if they could just stop turning the ball over.
All-America Teams
First Team:
C Roy Hibbert, Georgetown – As smart as they come, and continues to learn how to use his enormity.
F/C Tyler Hansbrough, UNC – Perennial POY candidate.
F Michael Beasley, Kansas State – Had the pleasure of seeing him play in person as a high schooler; a LOT of savvy and can jump through the roof; my pick for pre-season player of the year (this year’s Kevin Durant).
G Chris Lofton, Tennessee – The most high profile shooter in the nation, and deservedly so.
G Sean Singletary, Virginia – Will pick up the slack left by former running mate, J.R. Reynolds.
Second Team:
C Kentrell Gransberry, South Florida – College basketball’s best example of “a load underneath”.
F/C Kevin Love, UCLA – See UCLA above.
G/F Reggie Williams, VMI – The best player in the nation (that no one’s ever heard of).
G O.J. Mayo, Southern Cal – Replaces Nick Young here as a freshman.
G Tyrese Rice, Boston College – Will have to bring not only his scoring touch back, but as only one of two non soph/frosh players on this incredibly young team, veteran leadership.
Third Team:
C Aleks Maric, Nebraska – The Aussie monster is arguably the nation’s best pure center.
F Donte Green, Syracuse – 6’9”, 225 and a spin-dribble, fade-away off the glass – ‘nuff said.
F Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech – A ferocious worker, and explosive dunker; may emerge as the Rambling Wreck’s best player if given the chance.
G Drew Neitzel, Michigan State - The nation’s go-to-guy.
G D.J. Augustin, Texas – With Durant gone, he becomes the Longhorns’ marquee player.
Others to watch:
G Derrick Rose, Memphis – Explosive.
G Eric Gordon, Indiana – The Big Ten’s best player as a frosh?
All-Frosh Squad
C Kevin Love, UCLA
F Michael Beasley, Kansas St.
F Donte Greene, The Cuse
F Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech
G/F O.J. Mayo, USC
G Eric Gordon, Indiana
G Derrick Rose, Memphis
Actually these are weekly rankings which will be updated.
Gotcha . . .
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