Syracuse University Logofalconlover79's Ballot for Preseason of 2020-21

Submitted on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 2:50PM EST
RankTeamReason
1 Gonzaga University Logo Gonzaga There's really no other choice. The returning talent is immense, with Kispert, Timme, and Ayayi. There's also a 5 star in the WCC now. Wild.
2 Baylor University Logo Baylor Most of last year's squad is here to run it back, with only Freddie Gillespie missing. His interior defense will need to replaced quickly.
3 Villanova University Logo Villanova Another team returning almost everyone. Bey may be gone, but expect big production from Collin Gillespie and some big sophomore leaps.
4 University of Kansas Logo Kansas I have a lot of faith in Bill Self even without a big name star in the lineup. Garrett is a monster on D, and Agbaji should lead on offense.
5 Duke University Logo Duke Their roster is young, but the return more production than Duke usually does. Coach K has enough non-freshmen to earn some credit here.
6 University of Virginia Logo Virginia A bit of a gap between 5 and 6. Tony is a great coach but they'll be leaning on Sam Hauser for a lot of offense, unless Morsell can improve.
7 University of Wisconsin-Madison Logo Wisconsin I do love a good all-senior starting lineup. Wisconsin caught fire late last year, but there's a VERY young and inexperienced bench.
8 West Virginia University Logo West Virginia I love my boy Huggy. With the exception of one year since 2015, he's been able to adapt to his personnel. I see no reason to doubt him now.
9 Creighton University Logo Creighton It's a shame that Ty-Shon left, I was excited for a top 5 Creighton team. At any rate, the guards will be fun, and Epperson too (if healthy)
10 University of Tennessee Logo Tennessee I'm high on this team, they return their entire frontcourt, and Santiago Vescovi should make a leap in his first full season.
11 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Logo Illinois The Ayo and Kofi show is here for its second season. They're enough to keep them top 25, but the supporting cast will determine the ceiling.
12 Florida State University Logo Florida State I'm just not going to doubt Leonard Hamilton ever again. Last year, he had a team similar to this won the ACC and produced two lottery picks
13 University of Houston Logo Houston I might as well be a Coogs fan with how much I love this program. Sampson is one hell of a coach and the guard play is always phenomenal.
14 University of Iowa Logo Iowa I'm not buying in just yet. Garza is definitely amazing, I just don't see the defense developing, and McCaffery is an average coach at best.
15 University of Oregon Logo Oregon Dana Altman has another veteran team on his hands. A sophomore jump by N'Faly Dante could make them runaway favourites in the Pac 12.
16 Texas Tech University Logo Texas Tech TTU lost several key players, and will heavily depend on freshmen/transfers. Hopefully they gel quickly, as the Big 12 will challenge them.
17 Michigan State University Logo Michigan State MSU has a team that seems to lack a real superstar thanks to Winston and Tillman's departure. There's still plenty of experience left though
18 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Logo North Carolina A little nervous to rank this team following a 14-19 campaign. However, the talent in the frontcourt, both new and veteran, can't be ignored
19 University of Alabama Logo Alabama Nate Oats is finally getting his guys into the rotation at Alabama, while also having some special seniors, including John Petty, to lead.
20 University of Kentucky Logo Kentucky Last season was the 4th time in 5 years where UK underperformed early (falling 10 or more in the AP poll). Cal's young UK teams need time.
21 University of Texas at Austin Logo Texas Perhaps one of the most talented rosters in the country, the time has come for Shaka to prove that he can reach (or surpass) expectations
22 Indiana University Bloomington Logo Indiana Jackson-Davis is a stud and Phinisee, Durham, and Lander should provide stout guard play. Could be a great year for Hoosier sports.
23 University of Michigan Logo Michigan This is the kind of roster that Beilein would win B1G tournaments with. Time to see if Howard can capture the same sort of magic.
24 Rutgers University Logo Rutgers Robbed of a tourney appearance last year, Rutgers returns with a veteran roster and a top 100 recruit. They need to win on the road though.
25 Louisiana State University Logo LSU Love Smart and Watford. Next 10: Ohio State, UCLA, Memphis, Florida, Purdue, Louisville, Richmond, Oklahoma, Arizona, Providence