ihawkMLG's Ballot for Preseason of 2016-17
Submitted on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 2:04AM EDT
FYI: This is a provisional ballot. It does not count towards this poll's results.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Duke
|
Duke has the a nice combination of young talented guys in Giles and Tatum and a lot of good experienced guys in allen, Jefferson, and Jones |
| 2 |
Villanova
|
Who will step up and replace Daniel Ochefu? 5 star recruit Omari Spellman is ineligible. Watch out for transfer Eric Paschall to breakout. |
| 3 |
Kansas
|
Has arguably the best backcourt duo in Graham & Mason. Lookout for Carlton Bragg to have a breakout year. Josh Jackson will average 15+ PPG |
| 4 |
Oregon
|
If Dillion Brooks can get his foot healthy this is a national championship caliber team. The one weakness is a big strong front court player |
| 5 |
Kentucky
|
How will the Freshmen develop as the year goes on? The only key returners are Briscoe and Humphries so the freshmen will need to step up. |
| 6 |
Xavier
|
Match up nightmare for opponents. It's possible Xavier starts three 6'6" players in Sumner, Bluiett, and Bernard. |
| 7 |
Arizona
|
If Alonzo Trier is ruled ineligible the wildcats drop down my rankings almost 10 spots. PAC 12 title contenders if he is eligible. |
| 8 |
North Carolina
|
Losing Bryce Johnson and Marcus Paige hurt, but Justin Jackson, Joel Berry, Kennedy Meeks, and Isaiah Hicks are all primed for a big year. |
| 9 |
UCLA
|
Lonzo Ball will be the difference maker. I could see him averaging 12 points and 10 assists per game. |
| 10 |
Louisville
|
The Cardinals lose their top 3 scorers, but bring in a 5 star recruit in SF VJ King and also add a nice pair of transfers. |
| 11 |
Virginia
|
The Cavilers lost a lot from last years team but return their point guard London Perrantes. Big time transfer Austin Nicholas should help. |
| 12 |
Michigan State
|
The Spartans could be in big trouble with the front court. Ben Carter and Gavin Schilling are both injured and their returns are unknown. |
| 13 |
Gonzaga
|
TRANSFERS! Williams, Matthews, and Williams-Goss transferring in make Gonzaga a legit final four contender. |
| 14 |
UConn
|
Rodney Purvis and Jalen Adams are the two best returning players. The Huskies also add 4, 4 star recruits and a solid transfer from VCU. |
| 15 |
Wisconsin
|
Wisconsin returns everyone from last years sweet 16 team. Greg Gard looks like he is going to be a great head coach as well. |
| 16 |
Purdue
|
Losing AJ Hammons hurts, but Purdue returns a big 3 in Haas, Swanigan, and Edwards. Point guard play is a BIG question mark. |
| 17 |
Syracuse
|
Losing your top 3 scorers hurts, but Syracuse adds 2 very solid transfers in Andrew White and John Gillon. Adding 4, 4 star recruits helps. |
| 18 |
Georgetown
|
Bad news is Smith-Rivera is gone. Good news is everyone else returns and the Hoyas add one of the best transfers Rodney Pryor. |
| 19 |
West Virginia
|
I think the Mountaineers could struggle with losing so much production from last year. I still think Bob Huggins will find a way to win. |
| 20 |
Maryland
|
Maryland lost a lot and will lean on Melo Trimble to lead the way. Look for LG Gill to possibly be the terps 2nd leading scorer. |
| 21 |
Saint Mary's
|
The Gaels return EVERYONE from last years team that fell short of a at large NCAA tourney bid. The WCC has a chance of being a 2 big league. |
| 22 |
Creighton
|
The Blue Jays top 2 scorers return and they add one of the best transfers in ex- K-State guard Marcus Foster. |
| 23 |
Iowa State
|
Monte Morris will be very productive. Matt Thomas, Deonte Burton, and Naz Long all return as well. |
| 24 |
Florida State
|
Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes return. The seminoles also bring in 5 star recruit Jonathan Isaac. |
| 25 |
URI
|
Rhode Island returns almost everyone from last years team. They also get back EC Matthews who was their leading scoring in 2014-15. |