MetaKoopa99's Ballot for Preseason of 2018-19
Submitted on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:33AM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Kansas
|
This is not a surprising choice, right? For as much as they lost this offseason, they arguably got better. The Big 12 refuses to change. |
| 2 |
Kentucky
|
Could be No. 1 too, but I'd argue they lost more key pieces than Kansas did. Still, another great recruiting class puts them near the top. |
| 3 |
Gonzaga
|
Tillie, Norvell, and Hachimura are all back. Add some talented offseason pickups and what do you get? A preseason top three CBB team. |
| 4 |
Duke
|
Arguably took the biggest blow of these top teams with Allen, Bagley, and Carter gone, but they also got the top three recruits of 2018. |
| 5 |
Virginia
|
All UMBC jokes aside, this team is seriously good, especially on D. But they may need to step up on offense to make a serious title run. |
| 6 |
Tennessee
|
No additions, but Williams and most of the other guys are back. Seemed to work pretty well for them last year. Definitely an SEC contender. |
| 7 |
Nevada
|
Lofty expectations for a Mountain West team. They deserve it though; both of the Martin brothers return, and the rest ain't too bad either. |
| 8 |
North Carolina
|
Berry and Pinson are gone, but Maye has more than proven he can step up when they need him too. Let's see how the freshmen play. |
| 9 |
Villanova
|
Gotta show some love to the defending champions, though having most of their 2017-18 lineup go NBA is certainly a big blow. |
| 10 |
Auburn
|
Everyone but Heron is back. Bruce Pearl looks like one of the SEC's top coaches. I don't think this team is a one-year fluke. |
| 11 |
Michigan State
|
Jackson and Bridges are gone, but I like Winston and Langford to fill their shoes this year. Definitely the best B1G team in my eyes. |
| 12 |
Virginia Tech
|
*GOBBLES FIERCELY* But seriously, most of their lineup is back and Buzz Williams is an awesome coach. Definitely a team to watch in the ACC. |
| 13 |
Kansas State
|
Consider the fact that this team made an Elite Eight run last year and nobody left. That's good news for Bruce Weber's squad. |
| 14 |
Syracuse
|
Tyus Battle can absolutely ball. Definitely an ACC Player of the Year candidate. And the offense should be better than last year too. |
| 15 |
Florida State
|
PHIL COFER REFUSES TO DIE. But that just adds to a seriously stacked ACC. Should be one of the more entertaining conferences. |
| 16 |
West Virginia
|
Jevon Carter is a massive hole to fill, but the front-court should be just fine. Definitely a competitor to Kansas's Big 12 crown. |
| 17 |
UCLA
|
Do-or-die time for Steve Alford. I like them to do, thanks to an awesome recruiting class, but it would be nice to see them play defense. |
| 18 |
Oregon
|
Very close to being the top Pac-12 team. Deserve to be here just for Bol Bol, which is maybe the greatest basketball name ever. |
| 19 |
Michigan
|
I probably like this team better than most do. Beilein is a fantastic coach, and the return of Matthews is big. Or should I say B1G. |
| 20 |
Indiana
|
Back to business as usual for the Hoosiers. Juwan Morgan and Romeo Langford are enough for me to put them in top 25. |
| 21 |
Mississippi State
|
Only an NIT team last year, but they didn't lose anyone. Another year of experience could propel them to a tournament bid in 2019. |
| 22 |
Clemson
|
A Sweet Sixteen team last year, and the return of Reed and Mitchell only bolsters that. The ACC is looking crazy good. |
| 23 |
Purdue
|
Can the Spoilermakers do it again? Carsen Edwards is back, and I like Haarms to pick up where Haas left off. I say yes. |
| 24 |
Loyola Chicago
|
Gotta show some Rambler love! Custer, Townes, Krutwig: all back. Porter Moser: a great coach. Maybe they're not a one-shot wonder. |
| 25 |
LSU
|
I had a tough time picking No. 25, but I ultimately went with the Tigers. Young and talented. Though a variety of teams could be here too. |