tbirdie_21's Ballot for Preseason of 2020-21
Submitted on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 9:34PM EST
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Baylor
|
There's a reason they're representing the US at the World Collegiate Games. Baylor is the most complete team. |
| 2 |
Villanova
|
They lose nobody. Bey and Robinson-Earl only get better. Will be tough to beat. |
| 3 |
Gonzaga
|
They need to prove themselves early, or else they will fall quickly. |
| 4 |
Michigan State
|
It's hard to imagine that a Izzo-coached team with this much talent won't outperform others in the B1G. |
| 5 |
Iowa
|
The offense is there, can Iowa rally around Garza and be a defensive machine? |
| 6 |
Wisconsin
|
Greg Gard picked up steam in February with this team, they should be able to keep it going. |
| 7 |
Duke
|
Coach K. |
| 8 |
Creighton
|
Got 2 fantastic players in Zegarowski and Mahoney. Plus O'Connell is a huge pickup. |
| 9 |
Kentucky
|
Looks like one of the better Kentucky teams in a while. Olivier Sarr is gonna be huge. |
| 10 |
Virginia
|
Defense Defense Defense. I'm still questioning how Hauser will fit into the system though. |
| 11 |
UCLA
|
This team deserves more credit. First: Mick Cronin. Then Tyger Campbell's haircut. Add in Johnny Juzang and Jake Kyman. Boom. Eleven. |
| 12 |
Illinois
|
Lots of returners, but losing Feliz keeps me unsold on this team as a top 10 team. |
| 13 |
LSU
|
Seriously where is the love for the Tigahs?! They still have Watford and Smart, and gained Shareef O'Neal. There needs to be more hype here. |
| 14 |
Arizona State
|
Remy Martin will be huge. |
| 15 |
Texas Tech
|
Chris Beard. Fully Loaded. The best system in college basketball. Add in McClung. The Raiders will roll. |
| 16 |
Kansas
|
I worry about the direction without Azubuike. The defense will be solid, but I'm not sold on any good offensive production. |
| 17 |
Florida State
|
Leonard Hamilton always has the Seminoles ready. He pulls no names out of nowhere. Wouldn't be surprised to see him do it this year. |
| 18 |
Texas
|
I like this team a lot. The size and leadership and talent is immense. If Texas struggles this year, there is a coaching problem. |
| 19 |
West Virginia
|
I don't believe in the backcourt just yet. And on the frontcourt, I think Tshiebwe has to produce at a greater level than Azubuike did. |
| 20 |
Tennessee
|
I really don't understand the Tennessee hype. They look average for a power 5. I'll keep them here for now, but I think they'll slip out. |
| 21 |
Houston
|
They definitely look like the best in a weaker American, and they have solid guards. I worry about them defensively in the paint. |
| 22 |
Rutgers
|
Geo Baker is bringing this team to the tournament. Pound the Nails. |
| 23 |
Ohio State
|
They were solid last year. Brought in several well-known transfers. They could be alright this year. Pandemic could get to them though. |
| 24 |
Oregon
|
Let's see how Dana Altman handles the post-Pritchard era in Eugene. |
| 25 |
Stanford
|
Yep the smarties of the Pacific got better. Good for them. I think they can make some noise. They get my token 25th "recognition" spot. |