Wichita State University Logowichita_gator's Ballot for Preseason of 2017-18

Submitted on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 11:29PM EDT
RankTeamReason
1 University of Arizona Logo Arizona Assuming the FBI doesn't make things difficult Arizona should get the Final 4 trip they want so badly.
2 Duke University Logo Duke Great recruiting class + returning talent + fantastic coach = results.
3 Michigan State University Logo Michigan State Return a ton of talent from last season, including Miles Bridges who could have been a Top 10 pick in the NBA draft.
4 University of Kansas Logo Kansas Very close to the teams above them. The top 4 are all hairs apart and my favorites for the Final 4.
5 Wichita State University Logo Wichita State Wichita State returns everybody. I am confident they will prove themselves in their new conference this year.
6 Villanova University Logo Villanova Villanova is forming a Kansas-like dominance over the new Big East. They should yet again be a top team in March.
7 University of Kentucky Logo Kentucky The Wildcats have a very talented bunch of recruits. However, the whole team will be Freshmen and Sophomores.
8 University of Florida Logo Florida There are transfers and recruits coming in to patch departures. This is looking to be the best season for UF since 13-14.
9 University of Southern California Logo USC They had an okay season last year but return everybody, and are bringing in some talent to help.
10 University of Cincinnati Logo Cincinnati Cincy keeps all of the important pieces and will fight with Wichita for the American.
11 West Virginia University Logo West Virginia Jevon Carter + Bob Huggins = team with the best chance to knock off KU in the Big XII.
12 University of Miami (Florida) Logo Miami (FL) Bruce Bowen and Lonnie Walker are receiving a lot of hype but I honestly don't know much about Miami. I will put them here for now.
13 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Logo North Carolina Even though they lose a lot, North Carolina is reloading not rebuilding this season and should make another strong run.
14 University of Louisville Logo Louisville Even without Rick Pitino or Brian Bowen (although he may come back??) Louisville will have a talented team.
15 University of Notre Dame Logo Notre Dame Mike Brey is going to figure things out again and Notre Dame is going to be good again. It helps that Bonzie Colson is a beast.
16 Xavier University Logo Xavier Trevon Bluiett. That's all they need. But there is a bunch of returning and incoming talent for Chris Mack use with too.
17 Northwestern University Logo Northwestern Northwestern made the tournament for the first time and nearly knocked off Gonzaga. They return a lot and should go dancing again.
18 University of Minnesota Logo Minnesota Minnesota should continue to improve this season and contend in the B1G.
19 Seton Hall University Logo Seton Hall Angel Delgado and the supporting cast will have the Pirates battling Villanova and Xavier for the Big East crown.
20 Saint Mary's College of California Logo Saint Mary's St. Mary's should fight with Gonzaga in conference with the talents of Jock Landale surrounded by an experienced and efficient group.
21 University of California, Los Angeles Logo UCLA UCLA won't be the offensive powerhouse they were last season but should still easily make the tournament.
22 Gonzaga University Logo Gonzaga Even without most of last year's starters Gonzaga will still be a threatening team come March.
23 Purdue University Logo Purdue They lose Swanigan but keep everything else pretty much together. They should be competitive in the B1G.
24 Baylor University Logo Baylor You may have forgot but Baylor was ranked #1 at one point last season. They should still be a tournament capable team.
25 University of Alabama Logo Alabama Collin Sexton is my favorite out of all the incoming freshmen. Bama and Texas A&M (my 26) will keep the SEC interesting this year.