MetaKoopa99's Ballot for Preseason of 2020-21
Submitted on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 9:39PM EST
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Baylor
|
On paper, Baylor looks like the best team in the nation. They return four starters, including preseason All-American Jared Butler. |
| 2 |
Gonzaga
|
Mark Few replaced the great Killian Tillie and Filip Petrusev with the promising Jalen Suggs and Aaron Cook. Business as usual for the Zags. |
| 3 |
Villanova
|
Jay Wright has turned this program into a perennial powerhouse. Looking forward to another of watching Gillespie and Robinson-Earl together. |
| 4 |
Kansas
|
The losses of Azubuike and Dotson hurt, but a lot of talent returns, including someone who I expect to become a superstar: Marcus Garrett. |
| 5 |
Iowa
|
I expect another deep year from the Big Ten, and Iowa could be at the front of that. Garza, Wieskamp, and Bohannon makes a good 1-2-3 punch. |
| 6 |
Wisconsin
|
All five starters from last year return (Trice, Davison, Reuvers, Potter, Ford). That kind of cohesion in college basketball is rare. |
| 7 |
Creighton
|
I'm probably higher on the Bluejays than most people are. With Ballock, Mahoney, and, most importantly, Zegarowski, Creighton has a squad. |
| 8 |
Virginia
|
Technically the defending champs! Another year of experience for Clark and Huff plus the addition of Sam Hauser should equal good things. |
| 9 |
Duke
|
Hard to pick against Duke. They're obviously well-coached, and they have a ton of new talent to assist the already-good returning members. |
| 10 |
Illinois
|
This is gearing up to be the best Illini team since the 2000s thanks to the likes of Dosunmu and Cockburn. Can they meet those expectations? |
| 11 |
Michigan State
|
It'll be the Spartans first time in four years without Cassius Winston running the show, but the Spartans return plenty of other talent. |
| 12 |
West Virginia
|
2020-21 presents WVU with a chance to return to the game's elite. The trio of Culver, Tshiebwe, and McBride will be one to keep an eye on. |
| 13 |
Kentucky
|
Ever year, Kentucky loses most of its production to the NBA. Every year, they find a way to replace it. They remain the kings of the SEC. |
| 14 |
Tennessee
|
Tennessee's rebuild should be in full steam with the return of the great duo that is Fulkerson and Pons. A contender for the SEC crown. |
| 15 |
Florida State
|
Losing Vassell and Forrest hurts, but I trust Leonard Hamilton more than almost every coach in the country. FSU should remain contending. |
| 16 |
Arizona State
|
By season's end, Remy Martin should be in the conversation for Player of the Year. Maybe this is the year that ASU isn't a bubble team! |
| 17 |
Texas Tech
|
The metrics love 'em, I'm not as sold. Let's see if Edwards, Shannon and new McClung can take the next step to replace Moretti and Ramsey. |
| 18 |
Houston
|
Probably the most talented team in the AAC. With UConn gone, WSU in termoil and Cincy like to have a down year, the iron is hot for Houston. |
| 19 |
Rutgers
|
The backbone of last year's would-have-been-in-the-tournament team returns. Just need to figure out how to win games away from the RAC. |
| 20 |
Florida
|
I'm shocked the Gators weren't ranked in the AP preseason poll. Keyontae Johnson strikes me as a guy who could win SEC Player of the Year. |
| 21 |
Texas
|
A talented team returns every single player, and the metrics love them. The pressure is on for Shaka Smart. If not now, when? Maybe never. |
| 22 |
Oregon
|
Dana Altman's squad returns a lot of experience. But the elephant in the room needs addressed: Who's going to replace Payton Pritchard? |
| 23 |
LSU
|
Another dynamic duo in the SEC with Watford and Smart on the court. The Tigers should be making plenty of noise in the SEC this season. |
| 24 |
North Carolina
|
I'm hesitant to rank UNC considering last year's results, but it's hard to imagine they experience another train wreck of that magnitude. |
| 25 |
Ohio State
|
The talent is there, but Carton and the Wesson brothers are a lot to replace. Next 5: Michigan, UCLA, Richmond, Alabama, Louisville |