TheRealHenryG's Ballot for Preseason of 2021-22
Submitted on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 6:48PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Gonzaga
|
Returning stars, high-end freshman talent, and a coach with a proven track record. |
| 2 |
Texas
|
A very deep team laden with transfers and a solid head coach. Is Texas back? |
| 3 |
Kansas
|
6 Double digit scorers from power 5 / tournament teams, HOF caliber coach, and multiple guys who can take over when the offense breaks down |
| 4 |
UCLA
|
UCLA brings a stronger roster into this season, with Mick Cronin looking to build consistency in a more experienced squad. |
| 5 |
Duke
|
Elite freshman talent, a second year leap, and an impact transfer should put Duke in the conversation for Coach K's farewell tour. |
| 6 |
Alabama
|
Alabama brings in massive impact freshmen and transfers while returning members of a squad that earned a 2 seed last season with Nate Oats. |
| 7 |
Kentucky
|
Kentucky might be the most talented and deep team in the country. Whether Cal can make that evident early is questionable. |
| 8 |
Purdue
|
Williams and Edey is the best big man combo in the country. The problem is they can't play together. Guards play will crucial. |
| 9 |
Michigan
|
Dickinson, Johns, and Brooks return with freshman and a transfer looking to play big roles for up-and-coming coach Juwan Howard |
| 10 |
Illinois
|
Curbelo, Frazier, and Cockburn look to run it back from a squad that had dominant stretches last year. The supporting cast is a big ?. |
| 11 |
Oregon
|
5 major conference double digit scorers, Dana Altman, and talented freshman. Look out come tourney time. (They will still lose to UW though) |
| 12 |
Houston
|
Houston's brand of hard-nosed defense should return in full force. While points may be hard to come by, this team will grind out wins. |
| 13 |
North Carolina
|
Transfers and sophomore leaps will be crucial in establishing the Hubert Davis era. This team will have a low floor and a high ceiling. |
| 14 |
Villanova
|
Gillespie is a legitimate POY candidate, and Jay Wright's system is hard to question at this point. Depth and size will be an issue. |
| 15 |
Memphis
|
Freshmen aside, Memphis brings back pieces from an NIT winning team giving them major depth. Can Penny put it together? |
| 16 |
Tennessee
|
Tennessee has never lacked talent, and this year should be no different. Barnes will need to get create on offense to unlock them. |
| 17 |
Arkansas
|
Arkansas is poised for another great year of the Muss Bus's high octane style, but might lack the top end talent of last year's team. |
| 18 |
Ohio State
|
The frontcourt is loaded, but the guard spots are big question marks. Ohio State will be good, but it might take some time. |
| 19 |
Baylor
|
While Baylor have MASSIVE holes to fill, they have decent guys to do it with. It will take time, but Baylor has massive potential. |
| 20 |
UConn
|
Unless the injury bug continues to plague UConn, they should be poised to compete with a talented and experienced squad in the Big East. |
| 21 |
Indiana
|
TJD and Co. should be in for a fun season of highs and lows with new head coach Mike Woodson. The upside is through the roof! |
| 22 |
St. Bonaventure
|
The Bonnies bring everyone back from a dominant A-10 squad last year. Depth will continue to be difficult, but this team can make it work. |
| 23 |
Texas Tech
|
Texas Tech will have another excellent defensive squad, and they've brought in some transfers who could fill it up as well. |
| 24 |
Oklahoma State
|
Bringing everyone except Cade back, OSU will continue to compete in an electric B12 and brought in some intriguing transfers. |
| 25 |
Florida State
|
Freshman guards make me nervous, but Hamilton's formula has always worked so far. Expect this team to improve throughout. |