DustinGoesWild's Ballot for Preseason of 2014-15
Submitted on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 11:17PM EDT
FYI: This is a provisional ballot. It does not count towards this poll's results.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Kentucky
|
It wouldn't be a preseason poll without UK at #1 & using phrases like "BEST RECRUITING CLASS EVER?!" "MAKES THE FAB 5 LOOK LIKE THE BAD 5?!" |
| 2 |
Duke
|
Lost Parker, Dawkins, Hood, and more. The addition of Okafor and Winston will keep the Starting 5 strong. Big game vs MSU on Nov. 18th. |
| 3 |
Arizona
|
Lost Aaron Gordon. Nick Johnson is gone, but their Johnson quota is back with Stanley Johnson. Easy early schedule to build chemistry. |
| 4 |
Wisconsin
|
Loss of 3pt ace Ben Brust hurts them, but the rest of the starting line-up returns. Game vs Duke on 12/3 will set the tone for their season. |
| 5 |
Kansas
|
Wiggins, Embiid, and Tharpe gone. How are they still Top 5, you ask? Their fate lies in highly ranked recruits C. Alexander and D. Graham. |
| 6 |
Florida
|
UF comes off a strong 36-3 season capped off by a 18-0 conference record. Hit the ground running w/games vs Georgetown, Miami, and Kansas. |
| 7 |
North Carolina
|
Is this the year of Tar Heel resurgence? Freshman Joel Berry will have to assume the role of field general if they hope to win the ACC. |
| 8 |
Louisville
|
Byebye to R. Smith, Hancock, and K. Ware. Montrezl Harrell (14.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG) and Chris Jones (3.1 APG, 2.3 SPG) now take leadership roles. |
| 9 |
Texas
|
The first team on my list to not lose a single player. Expect an improvement from their previous 24-11 record. Big matchup vs Iowa on 11/20. |
| 10 |
Virginia
|
Surprised everyone with their 30-7 record. The losses of J. Harris (11.7 PPG) and A. Mitchell (7.1 RPG) hurts on both sides of the court. |
| 11 |
Villanova
|
Projected 4th in the Big East in 13-14(Coaches' Poll) they ended up 1st(16-2). Not a sleeper this time. Monster early game vs VCU on 11/24. |
| 12 |
Wichita State
|
Losing Cleanthony "So Fresh And So Clean Clean" Early will hurt them but their only real challenges all season is Memphis and NMSU. |
| 13 |
VCU
|
3 starters return along with the 27th ranked recruiting class in the nation. Tough OOC schedule w/games vs. Tenn, Villanova, and UVA. |
| 14 |
UConn
|
The defending champions have to prove they're not all bark and no bite. Notorouisly hungry guard Napier is gone, and they play Texas & Duke. |
| 15 |
Gonzaga
|
Loss of their leader in PPG and RPG (S. Dower) and APG(D. Stockton). Early games against SMU and Arizona will show how good they really are. |
| 16 |
Iowa State
|
Lost their top 2 scorers from 13-14. Returning starters D. Hogue (8.6 RPG) and M. Morris (3.8 APG) will have to push through lost talent. |
| 17 |
Michigan State
|
No Payne, Appling, or Harris. Expect B. Dawson (8.3 RPG) to step up big. Even if they lose to Duke they have a very favorable OOC schedule. |
| 18 |
San Diego State
|
Winston Shepard (Junior, F) is now their leader in PPG, RPG, and APG. If he can fix his abysmal 1.0 AST/TO ratio he will become their leader |
| 19 |
Oklahoma
|
Cameron Clark is the only key loss after 13-14. Four returning starters makes them serious Big 12 Contenders. Early test vs UCLA on 11/26. |
| 20 |
Syracuse
|
Tyler Ennis was the glue that held this team together. Christmas and Coleman are definite starters, but will it be Joseph or Gbinije at PG? |
| 21 |
Nebraska
|
Nebrasketball is back in full force with four starters returning but can they fix a dreadful offense that ranked 272nd (PPG) & 257th (FG%)? |
| 22 |
Ohio State
|
No Ross, Smith Jr, or Craft. Games against Texas and Duke early will grow some hair on the chests of these Buckeyes. |
| 23 |
SMU
|
Robbed of a NCAA berth in 13-14, SMU returns with their two top scoring threats. Expect them to crack the Top 15 if they can beat Gonzaga. |
| 24 |
Michigan
|
Left with only one senior the losses of Stauskas, Robinson III, and McGrary has them dazed and confused. Who will step up to lead Big Blue? |
| 25 |
Iowa
|
Games against Texas and UNC will prove as the measuring stick for this Iowa roster. Their 13-14 season was full of ups and downs. |