Hambone721's Ballot for Preseason of 2014-15
Submitted on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 3:58PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Kentucky
|
The best team in college basketball, as they return so many pieces plus a heap of Micky D's players. |
| 2 |
Arizona
|
McConnell at point is underrated, and I really like the Stanley Johnson kid. Plus, Sean Miller is an all-star coach. |
| 3 |
Wisconsin
|
If not for Aaron Harrison's and his ballsy triple, the Badgers may have hoisted the trophy. |
| 4 |
Duke
|
Okafor and Jones is a mean combo, and I think Sulaimon becomes a star. |
| 5 |
North Carolina
|
The Heels went on a tear at the end of the season, and they return a ton of talent. I really like their chances in the ACC. |
| 6 |
Florida
|
Their success hinges largely on Chris Walker... he's got to control his ego. If he can, the Gators gonna be real good. |
| 7 |
Louisville
|
Montrezl Harrell is ridiculous, and I think the Cards get better losing Russ Smith. |
| 8 |
Kansas
|
I'm not real high on the Jayhawks losing Embiid and Wiggins. But the frosh Alexander should pick up some slack. |
| 9 |
Wichita State
|
You can't replace Cleanthony, but this squad returns a lot of talent... Just ran into the Cats at the wrong time. |
| 10 |
Virginia
|
Defense was great but offense was horrendous, and losing Harris on the outside hurts. |
| 11 |
Gonzaga
|
If Kyle Wiltjer gets stronger he is the second coming of Kelly Olynyk. |
| 12 |
Iowa State
|
Fred Hoiberg is a helluva coach, and I really like Georges Niang. |
| 13 |
Villanova
|
They should roll in the Big East... Though it doesn't carry much weight anymore. |
| 14 |
Texas
|
Myles Turner is an impact freshman for a team that has plenty of size. The Horns should easily improve on an 11-loss season last year. |
| 15 |
Oklahoma
|
There's a ton of teams in the Big 12 that could emerge and take charge. The Sooners are one of them. |
| 16 |
VCU
|
I love Shaka Smart so much, and his players totally buy in. I think the Rams are back in a big way this season. |
| 17 |
Nebraska
|
Nebrasketball is real, and with the Big Ten down at the top, the Huskers could make noise. |
| 18 |
Kansas State
|
Bruce Weber is the epitome of mediocre coach - just good enough to get bye. But this is his best team at KSU. |
| 19 |
Ohio State
|
No 12th-year senior Aaron Craft, so can the Buckeyes compete? |
| 20 |
SMU
|
If this team had Emmanual Mudiay, lord have mercy. Larry Brown is a legend and he'll make the most of this squad. |
| 21 |
Syracuse
|
They go as Dajuan Coleman goes. He is the freight train that could take the Orange up the polls in a hurry. |
| 22 |
Stanford
|
Stanford isn't exactly flying under the radar, but I think they could make a lot of noise in a fairly weak Pac-12. |
| 23 |
Michigan State
|
No Adreian Payne, no Gary Harris and no Keith Appling. That hurts. But the Izzo is still on the sidelines. |
| 24 |
UConn
|
Hard to believe the National Champs are way down here, but without Shabazz, what is UConn? |
| 25 |
San Diego State
|
I was never on San Diego State last year, and I'm really not on them this year after losing their two best players. |