SleveMcDichael4's Ballot for Preseason of 2020-21
Submitted on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 10:57PM EST
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Baylor
|
I think objectively it's either Baylor or Gonzaga and I give the slight edge to Waco. Give me Butler, Teague, and Mitchell over everyone. |
| 2 |
Gonzaga
|
Suggs is a certified Minnesota baller, Kispert, Timme, and Ayayi are legit, and Few's the best coach in the west. Easy 1-seed. |
| 3 |
Villanova
|
The Wildcats' projected starting five all averaged double digits last season. Up to Creighton to stop them from sweeping the Big East. |
| 4 |
Iowa
|
They'll win their fair share of games 95-88, but those still count as Ws. Garza should win POY. |
| 5 |
Virginia
|
Hauser is a big get, obviously, but I'm still having flashbacks to Woldetensae lighting UNC up in the Dean Dome last year. More of that plz. |
| 6 |
Illinois
|
Dosunmu staying for a third year when many thought he would be one-and-done should be telling, but I still want to believe in him. |
| 7 |
Duke
|
I watched Hurt's high school tape a lot, hoping and praying he'd shock the world and stay home, and I refuse to believe he's that mediocre. |
| 8 |
Wisconsin
|
I'm gonna hate watching this team this year, and that's probably good for the B1G. |
| 9 |
Kansas
|
I'm a little lower on the Jayhawks than most; their newcomers don't wow me and neither does anyone they return besides maybe Garrett. |
| 10 |
Creighton
|
Zegarowski's an easy name to remember, and good thing, cuz we'll be hearing it a lot this year. |
| 11 |
Texas Tech
|
McClung is kind of a gimmick, but I truly think getting out of the messy situation at Georgetown and playing under Beard will help his game. |
| 12 |
Tennessee
|
The Vols open as my SEC favorites mostly because of how deep they are with proven talent. Throw in Springer and you've got a great squad. |
| 13 |
Kentucky
|
Coach Cal's ragtag group of top-30 recruits is gonna get better as the season progresses, as most one-and-done teams do. Top four potential. |
| 14 |
North Carolina
|
This recruiting class is markedly better than 2019's. I think at least three frosh should start but Roy will probably give the vets a shot. |
| 15 |
Oregon
|
I think(?) Figueroa is eligible this year. I also don't really think it matters. This team is loaded. |
| 16 |
Texas
|
This team is top-10 on KenPom and I can see why but I also wanna see results before giving last year's mediocrity the benefit of the doubt. |
| 17 |
Michigan State
|
Watts will fill in just fine for Winston, I think. They got the worse Hauser, but Henry came back too, so it's fine. |
| 18 |
Arizona State
|
Y'all remember that game against SMC last year where ASU finished with 56 points and Verge scored 43 of them off the bench? |
| 19 |
Houston
|
Random: the Cougars have (or at least had) the Rockets' former PA announcer. His name is John Paul Stevenson and he entirely rules. |
| 20 |
Florida State
|
I believe in TallBall™. And I think people are kind of overlooking Barnes because of how good next year's recruiting class is. |
| 21 |
West Virginia
|
Honestly, I'm not too hype on this Mountaineers squad, but I'll always give Huggins the benefit of the doubt. |
| 22 |
Rutgers
|
It won't quite be the Trapezoid of Terror this year, but Rutgers should easily make the tournament this year...for real. |
| 23 |
Ohio State
|
Towns is a great get from Harvard. He's better than he's shown recently. Great returning talent too. |
| 24 |
Michigan
|
My pick for this year's team to rise meteorically to the top of the rankings and then suffer a devastating upset loss in the Barn. |
| 25 |
UCLA
|
I don't entirely understand the UCLA hype yet but I welcome it. | Next five: LSU, Richmond, Arkansas, Indiana, Alabama |