eatapenny's Ballot for Preseason of 2016-17
Submitted on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:28PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Duke
|
Too much talent, both returning and incoming plus Coach K. As long as it gels, Duke should win at least 35 games |
| 2 |
Kansas
|
Devonte Graham and "Bitch I'm" Frank Mason + Josh Jackson is gonna be an insane backcourt. Will likely win their 13th straight BigXII title |
| 3 |
Villanova
|
Any team that returns this much after a national title deserves a high ranking. Plus the Big East isn't too great outside Nova + Xavier |
| 4 |
Kentucky
|
Another year, another retooling for UK. Not enough returning, though, which drops them outside the top-3 |
| 5 |
Oregon
|
One of my early picks for a Final Four. Too much talent and coaching in a not great conference. Brooks getting healthy will do wonders |
| 6 |
Xavier
|
Sumner + Blueitt = one of the best 1-2 punches in the country. If Davis comes back, expect this team to contend for their 1st Final Four |
| 7 |
Wisconsin
|
Everyone's back, and Nigel Hayes should bounce back. Numerous players with FF experience |
| 8 |
Virginia
|
Austin Nichols should fill Gill's role well, and even better, plus roleplayers can alleviate loss of Malcolm Brogdon. Top-10 class as well |
| 9 |
North Carolina
|
Lost their 2 best players to graduation, and another roleplayer to a broken bone. Nate Britt + Isiah Hicks will be killer though |
| 10 |
Michigan State
|
Too many players lost to justify a higher ranking, but Tom Izzo + this class easily justifies a top-10 one |
| 11 |
Arizona
|
Losing Terrance "Turd" Ferguson sucks, but there's more than enough talent to make that not matter too much |
| 12 |
Indiana
|
Tom Crean isn't as bad as a coach as people claim, and OG Anunoby will be fun to watch. Losing Yogi hurts though |
| 13 |
Louisville
|
Last year was unfortunate with the ban, but most of that team is back, and they added VJ King. Maybe they'll break 50 against UVA this year? |
| 14 |
Saint Mary's
|
One of the best offenses in the country is back, and I think this ends up being one of those years where SMC > Gonzaga |
| 15 |
Syracuse
|
Tyler Lydon is gonna be amazing in the ACC, + losing Richardson isn't that big a deal; he wasn't that good IMO, expect in the Elite Eight :( |
| 16 |
Gonzaga
|
Gonzaga is still Gonzaga as long as Mark Few is coaching. Couple impact transfers and a McD AA joins Karnowski; this team is gonna be good |
| 17 |
Purdue
|
They're big. Size is good in basketball. Defense will be great once again |
| 18 |
West Virginia
|
Press Virginia is too fun to not rank. I think they slip a bit this year, losing "Rec Spec" Williams, but Huggins will make them good |
| 19 |
UConn
|
Kevin Ollie hasn't had a great team since their title team, but the AAC has like 3 good teams, so UConn should win a bunch anyway |
| 20 |
Creighton
|
Totally forgot Marcus Foster had transferred. He was amazing in the Big XII, which should continue at Creighton |
| 21 |
URI
|
I'm joining the EC Matthews bandwagon. Fringe NBA player on a Mid Major team generally makes for a good team |
| 22 |
Cincinnati
|
Mick Cronin will once again have a solid team. I don't know too much about Cincy this year, but they deserve a spot off of reputation |
| 23 |
California
|
Lottery pick in Ivan Rabb, who I thought was better than Jaylen Brown (killed UVA in C'ville); should dominate all year |
| 24 |
Texas
|
Shaka Smart is a good coach, and a great class, lead by Jarrett Allen, will help Texas fight WVU for title of "2nd Best Big XII team" |
| 25 |
NC State
|
Gottfried will never be a great coach, but heusually does enough to sneak into the tourney. With Yurt7 and DSJ, they'll do better than that |