dluby's Ballot for Preseason of 2016-17
Submitted on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 6:41PM EDT
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Duke
|
Insanely talented recruiting class being injected into a team returning key contributors from last year. Grayson Allen early POY candidate |
| 2 |
Kansas
|
Josh Jackson touted as No 1 pick in next year's draft. He joins very experienced team, look for Bragg to breakout. IU/Duke early test games |
| 3 |
Kentucky
|
Classic Calipari team, only recruiting class that can rival Duke's. If these one-and-dones can gel together they will be exciting to watch. |
| 4 |
Villanova
|
Despite losing two big contributors, Nova returns many key players from their run including Hart and potential breakout soph Bridges. |
| 5 |
North Carolina
|
Utilizes same equation as Duke: A healthy mix of key veterans returning with a talented incoming class to fill the gaps lost. |
| 6 |
Virginia
|
Cavaliers finish highly in KenPom efficiency every year, this will be no different with strong incoming class and transfer Anthony Gill. |
| 7 |
Oregon
|
Will be without Brooks to start the season, but talented enough to win without him. If he is back for conference play they are Pac12 favs |
| 8 |
Xavier
|
Returns 3 top scorers (although one is suspended). Plenty of depth w/o Davis, but if he can return they can threaten Nova in the Big East. |
| 9 |
Wisconsin
|
Entire roster is back from last year (a sweet 16 team!). Gard's 1st offseason should equate to a lot of progress. Happ is a difference maker |
| 10 |
Louisville
|
Young, deep, athletic team. Pitino can utilize this to press even more than last year to create turnovers and chaos for opponents |
| 11 |
Gonzaga
|
May be most talented roster they've had yet, which is scary considering they've won 25+ games for 10 years. |
| 12 |
Arizona
|
Decommitment of Ferguson keeps them out of top 10, but still a strong and deep roster that Miller could take to his 4th Elite Eight |
| 13 |
Purdue
|
Frontcourt will be just as fearsome as last year. Addressed their biggest weakness at backcourt with transfer Albrecht and fresh C. Edwards |
| 14 |
Indiana
|
Unfortunate injury bug going thru roster, but have great players in Bryant and Anunoby. If everyone gets healthy they will be scary deep |
| 15 |
Syracuse
|
Had two great transfers in White and Gillon, and three 4-star prospects in freshman class. Tyler Lydon will continue to improve/impress. |
| 16 |
Michigan State
|
Lost 5 of 6 top scorers, hit hard with injuries in preseason. Still, this is an Izzo coached team with a strong incoming class |
| 17 |
UConn
|
Strong guards and Jalen Adams a potential break out this year. Lot of young talent that needs to step up to help team take huge leap forward |
| 18 |
Saint Mary's
|
Feeling snubbed last year, returning its entire 29-win 2015 roster and looking to prove the doubters wrong with a stronger non-conf schedule |
| 19 |
West Virginia
|
"Press Virginia" earned its name for a reason. Will continue to frustrate opponents and play efficiently on both sides of the ball. |
| 20 |
UCLA
|
Coming off disappointing season despite a talented roster. Play-making guard Lonzo Ball looking to bring new life to offense |
| 21 |
Creighton
|
Transfer Marcus Foster brings talent to an already solid roster to make the team a tournament candidate again. |
| 22 |
Cincinnati
|
Great starting lineup that is stout defensively, players off the bench need to step up to help the team consistently on offense. |
| 23 |
URI
|
E.C. Matthews is back and the Rams starting lineup has been together for years now, Battle for the A-10 should be good this year. |
| 24 |
Florida State
|
Dwayne Bacon, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and freshman Jonathan Isaac are a very scary "big 3" if they can fit well together. |
| 25 |
Iowa State
|
Morris back for another year at guard, will need help from Long and a breakout year for Deonte Burton. |