Rank | Team | Reason |
---|---|---|
1 | Arizona | Arizona has a great mix of talent, stabilized by a fifth year point guard. There is still a glaring question, though: can they shoot? |
2 | Kentucky | UK has a lot to balance. More than anything, I have them one slot lower than Arizona because I am unsure how the Harrisons can lead a team. |
3 | Wisconsin | Wisconsin is amazing from players to coach. Bo showed a willingness to adjust to a faster pace last year, which is huge come tourney time. |
4 | Virginia | Too high for VA? Maybe. But unlike the rest of these teams they are proven. They lost a bright star, but their team was more than Harris. |
5 | Duke | I'm still a little uncomfortable putting Duke here, but they do likely deserve to be near the top. There's just so much unproven here. |
6 | Kansas | Kansas and Duke are pretty much the same to me right now. Lots of talent, little of it proven at a high level. |
7 | Florida | What to do with Florida? They lost a lot. But they also had a lot of depth, and if I trust anyone to hold it together it's gotta be Donovan |
8 | Texas | How do I put so much stock in coaches yet still have Texas this high? Well I don't think Barnes is *that* bad, and this team has talent. |
9 | Wichita State | They will likely occupy this spot in preseason for a long time. Not quite hyped to preseason top five, but everyone knows they are great. |
10 | North Carolina | Rounding out top ten. Meeks looks primed to explode, Paige is possibly the best player this year, and Roy still has some coaching chops. |
11 | Gonzaga | Top 10+1. Do not sleep on Gonzaga. They brought in a ton of new talent, and their coaching is great at development. Plus they shoot great. |
12 | Louisville | |
13 | San Diego State | |
14 | Iowa State | |
15 | VCU | |
16 | UConn | |
17 | Villanova | |
18 | Oklahoma | |
19 | Michigan State | |
20 | Syracuse | |
21 | Utah | |
22 | Nebraska | |
23 | Kansas State | |
24 | Memphis | |
25 | UCLA |