therealtand's Ballot for Preseason of 2021-22
Submitted on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 6:25PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Texas
|
Maybe the most talented team. A great core is joined by a bunch of proven transfers and some raw newcomers. Beard is great coach. |
| 2 |
Gonzaga
|
Probably has the best players in the country. Role players like Watson and Strawther would need to step it up but Few has my trust. |
| 3 |
Kansas
|
Same as Texas with the core and transfers. I like Texas' depth better but if Kansas' players can make a leap then they would be 1 |
| 4 |
Kentucky
|
UK brings in lots of shooting. I love the depth and experience combined with freshman talent. Grady will be the best transfer at the end |
| 5 |
Purdue
|
This team has too much talent and depth to not be top 5. Ivey should make the jump and Williams is a beast in the post. |
| 6 |
UCLA
|
Didn't want to put them this high but I couldnt resist. The core is back along with freshman Watson and supersub Myles Johnson |
| 7 |
Michigan
|
Insane freshman class with good returning players. If players live up to potential then probably going to be top 5 |
| 8 |
Villanova
|
I like the starting 5 but I'm worried about the depth. Antoine is injured again. I believe in Wright to develop players. Weak Big East |
| 9 |
Baylor
|
Scott Drew is a great coach. Akinjo and Flagler is a good duo. Mayer could explode and a bunch of athletic freshman |
| 10 |
Ohio State
|
Love the depth on this team. Worried about shot creation but Wheeler is a great addition. |
| 11 |
Florida State
|
In Hamilton I trust. Mills is going to be the man and I believe Polite is going to make the leap. |
| 12 |
Alabama
|
Burnett injury hurts depth but the guards are some of the best in the country. Defense and rebounding will be a worry. |
| 13 |
Oregon
|
Love the transfers they brought in. Altman has new toys to play with. Oregon could win the Pac12 if the pieces click. |
| 14 |
Memphis
|
Its hard to deny the talent but can Penny get the team to live up to it. Not needing to rely on freshmen gives team a solid floor |
| 15 |
Houston
|
Not Baptist. The losses are big but Edwards, Sasser, and Mark will be the new trio. Carlton could be a difference maker in the frontcourt |
| 16 |
Illinois
|
Curbelo leap is needed but Kofi returning is huge. Lots of shooters but hopefully a freshman or two can be key pieces. |
| 17 |
North Carolina
|
Hubert will have an interesting team to figure out. Bacot, Manek, and Garcia is a great frontcourt. Will need the guards to be consistent |
| 18 |
Duke
|
Could be way too low if Banchero is phenom. Good pieces return but from a bad team. Griffin injuries are a worry. John is a great get |
| 19 |
Oklahoma State
|
Love this team. Returning players should make a leap without Cade and transfers add great depth. |
| 20 |
Arkansas
|
Muss Bus is still rolling. Hes getting the transfers again and Jaylin Williams should make a leap. |
| 21 |
Tennessee
|
Similar situation as last year. Good freshmen surrounded by returning players. Top25 is a good floor but top 10 is potential |
| 22 |
Indiana
|
Woodson brining in the talent from day 1. I love the depth and talent that is at every level. |
| 23 |
Texas Tech
|
Even without Beard this team is loaded. Shannon, McCullar, and Santos-Silva are good core. Lots of transfers to make up for the losses |
| 24 |
BYU
|
The Pope is rolling. Barcello and Lohner are a solid duo and Lucas has P6 pedigree. Shooters will make this team dangerous. |
| 25 |
St. Bonaventure
|
Great starting 5 returns and hopefully some depth was added. Next 5: Maryland, San Diego State, Virginia, VA Tech, UCONN. |