themidnightmamba's Ballot for Preseason of 2021-22
Submitted on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 6:26PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Gonzaga
|
With Timme returning, they had to be #1 adding in Holmgren will change their floor calculus. Sallis &Bolton will help them overcome losses |
| 2 |
Villanova
|
Losing JRE will hurt but there's still a lot to love. Gillespie is back. Samuels and Slater should make leaps. A lot hinges on Dixon |
| 3 |
Kansas
|
I don't think Remy Martin is the player of the year but look for Wilson to take a big leap after entering the draft and getting feedback |
| 4 |
Purdue
|
Jaden Ivey is the most exciting player in the big 10 but I think the key to a successful season will be the play of Sasha Stefanovic |
| 5 |
Duke
|
it all starts ends with Paolo Banchero who is the most skilled one and done player at the 4 since Michael Beasley |
| 6 |
Michigan
|
Juwan Howard has a deep, veteran team again. Some new faces with Houston and Devante Jones but DIckinson still roams the paint |
| 7 |
UCLA
|
I'm not buying the top 3 hype. They got hot and kept their core but , can they remain consistent? Jacquez is the best player on this team |
| 8 |
Texas
|
It's a science experiment. 6 rotation pieces are transfers but they are talented. Love the Mitchell/Bishop pairing. This is a bet on Beard |
| 9 |
Illinois
|
This is a bet that Andre Curbelo is everything I think he is and more. Trent Frazier needs to take the leap to being a 14 ppg scorer |
| 10 |
Alabama
|
Nate Oats has guards in JQ, Davidson and Shackelford. The question will be on defending the wing |
| 11 |
Kentucky
|
Kentucky is old. Calipari has transitioned to transfers & I think it will pay dividends. The backcourt of Washington and Grady will be elite |
| 12 |
Memphis
|
Penny has a top 5 pick in 2022 and a top 2 pick in 2023 on his roster and experience around them. If he can't figure this out...... |
| 13 |
Arkansas
|
I like the roster Muss has pulled together here, I think Connor Vanover will be dominant in a way that wasn't expected |
| 14 |
Baylor
|
They will be good but I dont think top 10 good. Flagler and Mayer are back, Langston Love will be cool but I don't trust Akinjo at all |
| 15 |
Houston
|
I am the captain of the Kyler Edwards for AAC player of the year train. No Grimes? No problem |
| 16 |
North Carolina
|
I am a fan of the Dawson Garcia pick up but lets see what Hubie Davis has |
| 17 |
Maryland
|
I LOVE the roster with Russell, Wahab, Scott, Ayala and Hart its top 15 to me but they are lower because of Turgeon. |
| 18 |
Ohio State
|
I wish Duane Washington didn't leave, I would have them top 10, but I'm down on their lead guard situation ow |
| 19 |
St. Bonaventure
|
Mark Schmidt has 5 seniors, continuity and Kyle Lofton. I don't think itll happen but could the Bonnies run the table? |
| 20 |
UConn
|
Offense takes a stepback losing Bouknight and puts the creation load on Cole but there's a lot of length and defensive consistency. |
| 21 |
Auburn
|
I was sold on the top 20 but right about here is where i had questions. Allen Flanigan was a favorite player of mine, interested to see them |
| 22 |
Tennessee
|
Kennedy Chandler will be the shiny new toy and headliners but Vescovi and Fulkerson are the key |
| 23 |
Rutgers
|
Ron Harper Jr, Geo Baker that''s really all I need |
| 24 |
Xavier
|
im putting the X-men in here. Scruggs and Freemantle are top 3 Big East 1-2 combo and love the Jack Nunge pick up |
| 25 |
Virginia
|
I almost didn't put them on here but this is the TOny Bennett will figure it out vote. But I don't think they have the defenders to be elite |