RMGH's Ballot for Preseason of 2016-17
Submitted on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 10:46PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Duke
|
The country's most talented team led by the country's greatest coach. Title or bust? |
| 2 |
Kansas
|
The nation's most experienced back court paired with a potential #1 pick in the NBA Draft. Points will pile up fast. |
| 3 |
Villanova
|
Josh Hart will contend for NPOY. Will size inside be an issue? |
| 4 |
Oregon
|
Disgusting amount of length and athleticism. When Dillon Brooks returns a #1 seed should be a near certainty. |
| 5 |
Kentucky
|
Will contend to be Calipari's most athletic back court in history. Bam should erase memories of last season's black hole in the paint. |
| 6 |
North Carolina
|
Life without Paige and Johnson will be difficult, but enough pieces return that back to back title games is very realistic. |
| 7 |
Xavier
|
All of the pieces are in place for Xavier to finally break through to the Final 4. Quentin Goodin could be a sneaky contributor. |
| 8 |
Arizona
|
Another year, another immensely talented Arizona roster full of future pros. Will Miller get that elusive Final 4? |
| 9 |
Wisconsin
|
After a 9-9 start Wisky closed 14-4 in the Sweet 16 with four wins over top 10 opponents. Every piece returns. 3 out of 4 Final 4s? |
| 10 |
Indiana
|
Tom Crean shook off most of his haters in 2016 with a Big 10 championship and a win over Kentucky in March. Thomas Bryant will dominate. |
| 11 |
Michigan State
|
Originally slotted #9 before injuries to a pair of crucial bigs. The freshman talent is explosive, but can they carry the entire team? |
| 12 |
Virginia
|
You just respect the system at this point. London Perrantes will be one of the best PGs in the ACC. |
| 13 |
Louisville
|
A seemingly endless roster of long, tall athletes that will press you in to the ground. UL is always dangerous and this is no exception. |
| 14 |
Gonzaga
|
How well do the transfers mesh and how quickly do they do it? If the answer is immediately, Gonzaga is a top 10 team. |
| 15 |
Saint Mary's
|
Every piece is back from a team I believe was unfairly snubbed from March Madness. They will take the decision out of the committee's hands. |
| 16 |
Syracuse
|
This group is Jim Boeheim's dream. Athletes, shooters, and arms to play that infuriating zone to perfection. |
| 17 |
Purdue
|
Caleb Swanigan returns to pair with Isaac Haas, meaning Purdue will once again be able to control the paint against most teams. |
| 18 |
West Virginia
|
Bob Huggins' team never seems to change even as some of the bigger names do. Same nasty defense, same attitude. Likely the same results. |
| 19 |
NC State
|
Betting on Mark Gottfried is .... difficult, but Dennis Smith Jr. may just be too good for anyone to screw up. |
| 20 |
California
|
Rabb and Bird make an awesome base for a good team to be built off of. Will guys like Sam Singer and Kam Rooks step up? |
| 21 |
UCLA
|
I don't trust the coach, but I typically trust a glut of talent. This team certainly has that, but will it come together and be cohesive? |
| 22 |
Virginia Tech
|
A stretch perhaps, but I have faith in Buzz Williams and his growing team which closed the regular season 6-1 with a win over Miami. |
| 23 |
Iowa State
|
Guard play in college hoops is everything, and at point guard Iowa State is as set as can be. |
| 24 |
Texas
|
Shaka Smart's kids made a habit of performing well against ranked teams a year ago, and the talent continues to flow in to the program. |
| 25 |
Seton Hall
|
Whitehead was the face of the program a year ago, but so many others helped bring the BE Tournament Championship home. They all return. |