falconlover79's Ballot for Preseason of 2020-21
Submitted on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 2:50PM EST
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 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
|
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
|
Another team returning almost everyone. Bey may be gone, but expect big production from Collin Gillespie and some big sophomore leaps. |
| 4 |
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
|
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 |
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 |
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
|
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
|
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 |
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 |
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
|
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 |
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 |
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 |
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
|
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
|
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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
|
Jackson-Davis is a stud and Phinisee, Durham, and Lander should provide stout guard play. Could be a great year for Hoosier sports. |
| 23 |
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
|
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 |
LSU
|
Love Smart and Watford. Next 10: Ohio State, UCLA, Memphis, Florida, Purdue, Louisville, Richmond, Oklahoma, Arizona, Providence |