Marquette University Logobobsbballblog's Ballot for Preseason of 2018-19

Submitted on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 1:41PM EDT
RankTeamReason
1 University of Kentucky Logo Kentucky Kentucky has everything needed to be a contender. Good perimeter defenders in Hagans and Johnson, Travis is a difference maker.
2 University of Kansas Logo Kansas Lots of depth. Only worry is how all the transfers mix together. Dedric Lawson is a stud. Good freshman guards in Grimes and Dotson too.
3 Gonzaga University Logo Gonzaga I think Norvell has a breakout year. Tillie and Perkins lead an experienced group that can win a title.
4 Duke University Logo Duke Best recruiting class in the country, but I have to see how Barrett, Zion, and Cam play together before I predict anything too crazy. Bigs?
5 University of Tennessee Logo Tennessee Love the Williams-Schofield combination. I'm not sold on guard play but Bone, Bowden, and Turner can be big for them.
6 University of Nevada, Reno Logo Nevada They return everything from a Sweet 16 team and they get back Lindsey Drew and add All-American Jordan Brown. What's not to like?
7 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Logo North Carolina It all depends on how good Nassir Little and Koby White are going to be. First time in a while UNC is relying on freshmen to be good.
8 University of Virginia Logo Virginia I love the backcourt tandem of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome, but can they get production in front court? DeAndre Hunter is a stud too.
9 Auburn University Logo Auburn Lost Mustapha Heron but they still have a strong backcourt and get back forwards Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley from suspension.
10 Michigan State University Logo Michigan State Winston is the driving force behind this team. Langford can be a breakout star. They also have Matty Ice (McQuaid).
11 Villanova University Logo Villanova Eric Paschall and Phil Booth have to be the primary players on this year's team. Freshman Jahvon Quinerly looks to replace Brunson.
12 University of Oregon Logo Oregon Higher on Oregon than most. Favorites in the Pac-12. I like the recruiting class Altman brought in. Pritchard is a perfect college guard.
13 Syracuse University Logo Syracuse Return Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett from a surprise Sweet 16 team. Squarely in 4th place in ACC for me.
14 Kansas State University Logo Kansas State Another surprise Sweet 16 team. Dean Wade will be a special player once again.
15 Florida State University Logo Florida State Basically return everyone from their Elite Eight run last season. Hopefully Leonard Hamilton calls timeouts this year.
16 Louisiana State University Logo LSU I've been a Tremont Waters stan ever since he tore up the Maui last year. Now he gets two 5-star big men to play with.
17 Marquette University Logo Marquette Markus Howard is probably the closest thing you'll see to Steph Curry this season. Need to improve defensively to solidify themselves.
18 University of Michigan Logo Michigan I like Beilein's system and Charles Mathews should break out even more this year. Jordan Poole is going to be a star in Ann Arbor.
19 Mississippi State University Logo Mississippi State The Weatherspoon brothers and 5-star freshman Reggie Perry should have Ben Howland dancing for the first time in Starkville.
20 University of California, Los Angeles Logo UCLA Injuries have screwed them early, but Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes are back. Throw in freshman Moses Brown and you got a Pac-12 contender.
21 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Logo Virginia Tech Justin Robinson leads an experienced group under Buzz Williams. Really excited about Kerry Blackshear Jr.
22 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Logo Nebraska Nebraska went 13-5 in the Big Ten and didn't get in last year. That's not happening again. James Palmer Jr is a star. Glynn Watson leads.
23 Western Kentucky University Logo Western Kentucky WKU had some impressive performances in last year's Battle 4 Atlantis, and they added five-star freshman Charles Bassey. Class of C-USA
24 Butler University Logo Butler This team will go as far as Kamar Baldwin takes them. I believe that is going to be quite far. Don't sleep on Duke transfer Jordan Tucker.
25 Iowa State University Logo Iowa State Biggest wildcard in my top 25. I like the addition of Marial Shayok and Lindell Wigginton is a monster.