KUmitch's Ballot for Preseason of 2016-17
Submitted on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 7:13AM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Duke
|
Duke is an easy choice for preseason #1, with a lethal combination of blue-chip recruits and talented veterans. |
| 2 |
Kansas
|
Despite losing two starters, the Jayhawks have the nation's top recruit and another 5-star player ready to plug in as replacements. |
| 3 |
Kentucky
|
Another year, another ridiculous recruiting class for Kentucky who looks to have one of the nation's best backcourts. |
| 4 |
Oregon
|
Most of the pieces from last year's 1-seed Elite 8 team are back, including a surprise 6th year for virtuoso shot-blocker Chris Boucher. |
| 5 |
Villanova
|
They'll miss Arcidiacano and especially Ochefu, but the rest of the roster is still enough to run roughshod through the Big East yet again. |
| 6 |
North Carolina
|
After losing a heartbreaker in last year's title game, the Tarheels only lose two starters and look to Nate Britt for a breakout year. |
| 7 |
Virginia
|
Tony Bennett may have lost his talented seniors, but with Austin Nichols, Mamadi Diakite, and a great recruiting class, I doubt he's upset. |
| 8 |
Xavier
|
Initially unranked, Xavier spent 14 straight weeks in the top 10. Trevon Bluiett & co. aren't letting the Musketeers go anywhere. |
| 9 |
Indiana
|
OG Anunoby and Thomas Bryant, perhaps the Big 10's best prospects, get James Blackmon Jr., impressive in his own right, back from injury. |
| 10 |
Gonzaga
|
Mark Few adds a ridiculous group of transfers to last year's Sweet 16 squad and gets another year of burly Polish big man Przemek Karnowski. |
| 11 |
Louisville
|
After spending 2015-16 in absentia, Rick Pitino seeks to restore Louisville to yet another high tourney seed with yet another elite defense. |
| 12 |
Arizona
|
Sean Miller always recruits well, and this year Wildcat fans get to welcome Lauri Markkanen, a Finnish 7-footer who can shoot 3s with ease. |
| 13 |
Wisconsin
|
Last year the Badgers went from 7-5 to the Sweet 16. They'll need Nigel Hayes to channel his 2014-15 self if they want to go even further. |
| 14 |
Syracuse
|
The Orange return little from 2015-16's surprise Final 4 squad, but Tyus Battle, Pascal Chukwu, and skilled freshmen help make up for it. |
| 15 |
Michigan State
|
Tom Izzo brings in maybe his best recruiting class ever, but the frontcourt situation is troubling. |
| 16 |
Purdue
|
Caleb Swanigan surprised many by opting to return for a second year. Purdue's frontcourt will be imposing, but who plays point? |
| 17 |
Saint Mary's
|
Last year, St. Mary's dominated opponents with efficient offense. All the players are back, but so is the weak schedule. |
| 18 |
Cincinnati
|
Add a competent offense to incumbent AAC DPOY Gary Clark and that trademark gritty defense, and the result could be a conference title. |
| 19 |
Texas
|
Uber-athletic PG Kerwin Roach and a raw but gifted roster grant Texas myriad viable lineups. Pick the right one and the Horns could thrive. |
| 20 |
UConn
|
Hamilton's gone but with stellar recruits, a premier shotblocker, and experienced veterans Ollie's squad is still young, scrappy and hungry. |
| 21 |
URI
|
With E.C. Matthews back and healthy, Rhode Island is looking for the breakout season that was supposed to happen last year. |
| 22 |
UCLA
|
Steve Alford is hoping the impressive talents of freshman PG Lonzo Ball will help Bruins fans forget the 2015-16 season. |
| 23 |
Iowa State
|
Losing Niang hurts, but if Monte Morris develops his offensive game and somebody steps up in the frontcourt, the Cyclones won't go away. |
| 24 |
West Virginia
|
The constituent parts might change, but the machine is still the same. As long as the Mountaineers have Bob Huggins, they'll be a tough out. |
| 25 |
Creighton
|
The Bluejays haven't made a ton of noise in the post-Doug McDermott era, but a resurgent Marcus Foster will make some noise. |