bobsbballblog's Ballot for Preseason of 2018-19
Submitted on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 1:41PM EDT
FYI: This is a provisional ballot. It does not count towards this poll's results.
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 Kentucky
|
Kentucky has everything needed to be a contender. Good perimeter defenders in Hagans and Johnson, Travis is a difference maker. |
| 2 |
Kansas
|
Lots of depth. Only worry is how all the transfers mix together. Dedric Lawson is a stud. Good freshman guards in Grimes and Dotson too. |
| 3 |
Gonzaga
|
I think Norvell has a breakout year. Tillie and Perkins lead an experienced group that can win a title. |
| 4 |
Duke
|
Best recruiting class in the country, but I have to see how Barrett, Zion, and Cam play together before I predict anything too crazy. Bigs? |
| 5 |
Tennessee
|
Love the Williams-Schofield combination. I'm not sold on guard play but Bone, Bowden, and Turner can be big for them. |
| 6 |
Nevada
|
They return everything from a Sweet 16 team and they get back Lindsey Drew and add All-American Jordan Brown. What's not to like? |
| 7 |
North Carolina
|
It all depends on how good Nassir Little and Koby White are going to be. First time in a while UNC is relying on freshmen to be good. |
| 8 |
Virginia
|
I love the backcourt tandem of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome, but can they get production in front court? DeAndre Hunter is a stud too. |
| 9 |
Auburn
|
Lost Mustapha Heron but they still have a strong backcourt and get back forwards Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley from suspension. |
| 10 |
Michigan State
|
Winston is the driving force behind this team. Langford can be a breakout star. They also have Matty Ice (McQuaid). |
| 11 |
Villanova
|
Eric Paschall and Phil Booth have to be the primary players on this year's team. Freshman Jahvon Quinerly looks to replace Brunson. |
| 12 |
Oregon
|
Higher on Oregon than most. Favorites in the Pac-12. I like the recruiting class Altman brought in. Pritchard is a perfect college guard. |
| 13 |
Syracuse
|
Return Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett from a surprise Sweet 16 team. Squarely in 4th place in ACC for me. |
| 14 |
Kansas State
|
Another surprise Sweet 16 team. Dean Wade will be a special player once again. |
| 15 |
Florida State
|
Basically return everyone from their Elite Eight run last season. Hopefully Leonard Hamilton calls timeouts this year. |
| 16 |
LSU
|
I've been a Tremont Waters stan ever since he tore up the Maui last year. Now he gets two 5-star big men to play with. |
| 17 |
Marquette
|
Markus Howard is probably the closest thing you'll see to Steph Curry this season. Need to improve defensively to solidify themselves. |
| 18 |
Michigan
|
I like Beilein's system and Charles Mathews should break out even more this year. Jordan Poole is going to be a star in Ann Arbor. |
| 19 |
Mississippi State
|
The Weatherspoon brothers and 5-star freshman Reggie Perry should have Ben Howland dancing for the first time in Starkville. |
| 20 |
UCLA
|
Injuries have screwed them early, but Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes are back. Throw in freshman Moses Brown and you got a Pac-12 contender. |
| 21 |
Virginia Tech
|
Justin Robinson leads an experienced group under Buzz Williams. Really excited about Kerry Blackshear Jr. |
| 22 |
Nebraska
|
Nebraska went 13-5 in the Big Ten and didn't get in last year. That's not happening again. James Palmer Jr is a star. Glynn Watson leads. |
| 23 |
Western Kentucky
|
WKU had some impressive performances in last year's Battle 4 Atlantis, and they added five-star freshman Charles Bassey. Class of C-USA |
| 24 |
Butler
|
This team will go as far as Kamar Baldwin takes them. I believe that is going to be quite far. Don't sleep on Duke transfer Jordan Tucker. |
| 25 |
Iowa State
|
Biggest wildcard in my top 25. I like the addition of Marial Shayok and Lindell Wigginton is a monster. |