Pre-Season College Basketball Rankings
Call it east coast bias if you want, but with college basketball’s season set to tip-off in little over a month, we see four Big East and two ACC schools in the Top 10, including all of the top five.
While the Big XII and Pac-10 lost a number of players early to the NBA, the two eastern conferences lost virtually none, with names like Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green (North Carolina), Terrence Williams and Earl Clark (Louisville), and Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut) all choosing to come back to college for another year.
College basketball is ready to go, and without delay, here is HoopsAddict.com’s Top 10 teams:
10. Memphis: Don’t shed too many tears for Memphis coach John Calipari. After losing in the National Championship game, and then seeing Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts leave early for the NBA, it was assumed to be a down year for the Tigers. But with Robert Dozier and Shawn Teggart in the frontcourt, and Antonio Anderson and Doneal Mack in the backcourt, Memphis will be just fine. Tyreke Evans can score from anywhere on the court, and will have the most impact of any freshman in college basketball.
9. Pittsburgh: Small forward Sam Young is as good a scorer as anyone in the Big East and power forward DeJuan Blair is impossible to defend with one man. Levance Fields is one of the toughest guards in the league, but not getting his backcourt mate Mike Cook for another season (Cook lost a petition for an extra year of eligibility) probably keeps the Panthers from being a National Championship threat.
8. Texas: The Longhorns return the most physical rebounder in college basketball in Damion James. Conor Atchley in the frontcourt combined witwh Justin Mason and A.J. Abrams in the backcourt will provide plenty of scoring punch. But, with D.J. Augustin now in the NBA, who’s going to handle the ball?
7. Gonzaga: The Zags got a huge boost when conference player of the year Jeremy Pargo decided to come back to Spokane. Adding him to a talented core of seniors- Matt Bouldin, Josh Heytvelt, Micah Downs- and super sophomore Austin Daye, make the Bulldogs the best team on the West Coast not named UCLA.
6. UCLA: It doesn’t matter who UCLA loses (in this case it’s Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook and Luc-Richard Mbah a Moute), Ben Howland keeps the Bruins atop the Pac-10. This year will be no different with seniors Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya joined by newcomers Jrue Holliday, Malcolm Lee and Drew Gordon. A fourth consecutive Final Four is attainable with this group.
5. Duke: The only significant loss for the Blue Devils is guard DeMarcus Nelson. With Greg Paulus running the point, super-athletic wing Gerald Henderson, sharpshooter Jon Scheyer and forward Kyle Singler, this team can score. Freshmen Miles Plumlee and Olek Czyz give Duke the low post presence they’ve lacked for years.
4. Notre Dame: Harangody and McAlarney sound like a south Boston law firm. Instead, they are the best inside-outside scoring combination in college basketball. Add point guard Tory Jackson and big bodies Ryan Ayers, Zack Hillestand and Luke Zeller and its easy to see that Notre Dame is now a basketball school.
3. Connecticut: One of the deepest teams in the country with Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien in the frontcourt, Craig Austrie and Jerome Dyson in the backcourt, and two top-flight recruits in Kemba Walker and Nate Miles joining the mix. This team could also add last years starting small forward Stanley Robinson (suspended from the team) and Australian recruit Ater Majok for the second semester. But how far the Huskies advance in March will depend on how well All-Big East point guard A.J. Price recovers from a knee injury that ended his 2008 season.
2. Louisville: Easy to like the Cardinals as Earl Clark and Terrence Williams spurned the NBA, and are joined by super recruit Samardo Samuels. Edgar Sosa provides steady play at the point guard position and Jerry Smith and Andre McGee won’t miss from deep if they’re left open. Also, getting troubled forward Derrick Caracter to transfer is addition by subtraction.
1. North Carolina: Have we ever seen a team with more NBA talent spurn the league to come back to college? Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green said no to the NBA and will be joined by Deon Thompson and Bobby Frasor among others. For most teams freshman Ed Davis would be a star, but for the Tar Heels he is a role player. Nothing short of a National Championship will make this season successful in Chapel Hill.
Photo Credit: Icon Sports Media
This article was written by:
Aaron Torres - who has written 7 posts on Hoops Addict.
Aaron Torres is a young journalist just starting out in sports writing. With a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Connecticut, he has covered a number of different sports for several different media outlets in the northeastern United States. Aaron is a resident of West Hartford, Conn., and for more of his opinions on all things sports, please visit his blog at http://at-sports.blogspot.com/
Comments
By Ryan on September 30th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Gotta say that Duke is overrated in my book just for the fact that they shoot too many threes and have zero interior defense. An easy team to “upset”.
What happened to Oklahoma? No love from lots of b-ball sites/blogs.
Top 10 team no doubt.
By Rashad Mobley on September 30th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I agree with Ryan. Its been quite some time since Duke made significant noise
By Bill on October 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am
“What happened to Oklahoma?”
Please, Oklahoma will not be able to hold a candle to Duke’s talent this season. Duke will surprise a lot of people this year. They deserve to be ranked exactly where they are.
“I agree with Ryan. Its been quite some time since Duke made significant noise”
Rashad, Duke has had two bad seasons, the past two years. Beyond that, they have made the Sweet Sixteen consistently. Your comment doesn’t justify what Duke is notorious for, and that is winning. If you are a true basketball fan, you know the future is looking bright in Durham. You better start praying to Jesus Christ that Kenny Boynton doesn’t end up in Durham for everybody’s sake.
By Thomas on October 1st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Louisville is too high. Gonzaga may even be better than them.
By JP on October 1st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Good call guys,
Duke was in the sweet sixteen in 06 and 05, has finished the year ranked in the top ten 11 out of the past 12 years, lost one player and is bringing in a five star and two four star recruits (both who are over 6′ 9) and they get a 7′2 player who is coming into the season healthy for the first time since high school.
This pretty much a dead program with zero chance of winning anything ever.
By Jason on October 2nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
you think Louisville is ranked too high? Just wait til the season starts and watch them play. Coach Pitino will have them ready to go to at least the Final Four this year.
By Aaron on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Gentlemen-
Thanks for the feedback.
Duke seems to be the hot topic here, and here are my thoughts. Last year, with the way they shot the ball they could beat anyone or lose to anyone on the same night. As JP mentioned, they add a couple highly touted big guys, and if they can get any production from them will be a much more consistent team. And look across the rest of college basketball. Who should be ahead of them?
I debated with Louisville and UConn at 2 and 3, but its hard to argue with Louisville. They were an Elite 8 team that had UNC on the ropes for a good chunk of that game, and have only lost David Padgett. Granted it is a big loss, but they do bring in Samardo Samuels to help the load down low. Earl Clark and Terrence Williams are both the real deal on the wing.
As for Gonzaga, I want to see how healthy Austin Daye is before I put them any higher.
Thanks for the thoughts.
By Ryan on October 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Blake Griffin will eat your children!
By DJ on October 6th, 2008 at 2:27 am
For the record anyone not picking Oklahoma to be in the Top 10 will see how fast that changes once the season starts.
Duke is a scare simply because if they get any production at all from there bigs they are a threat to anyone they face not named UNC. The fact that they can outshoot just about any team in the NCAA on any given night is a plus.
Please look at the history of Rick Pinto and any school he has coached and you will see that if you give him talent he makes you pay all season long. Just fads at times in the tournment. Good fit there at the number 2 spot for the regular season.
By Jeff on October 6th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
What I believe your analysis fails to take into account is schedule. You may have accurately picked the most talented teams (time will tell), but a team like Duke with away games at Purdue, Michigan and Xavier will not come out of their nonconference schedule undefeated, nor with the confidence level the junior classmen need to take and hit outside shots in tight games. That is why a team like Wisconsin, who has perinially low estimated talent levels, can go 27-5 and finish the year in the top ten.
Soooooo, talent aside and looking at schedules I would relook two teams- Tennessee and Kansas.
First, Tennessee is probably the best team in a down SEC. They won’t run the table, but won’t get beat up as much as the Big East boys. They also have more than enough returning to make a run late with some steady Pearl driven improvement.
And Kansas - Reload bigtime and don’t underestimate the power of pride soming off a championship. Head to head I would pick them over half of your top ten.
By Bettstuzzi on October 6th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
DUKE!! Look out haters! Duke is on the rise. You were right about the inside game lacking, but that hole is being filled and the shooters are getting better and better. If not this year, look for duke in the final four next year.
By DJ on October 7th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Jeff I would like to take your Duke nonconference and raise you Tennessee’s. First off they face Marquette, Gonzaga, Memphis and play Kansas on the road. Home or away this is a much tougher schedule then the Duke schedule so I would say it is best not to look at that when trying to compare the two schools.
As we all know teams that are projected in the top 10 will not all be there at years in. However I do like your arguement for Kansas. If that team gels right away, they are a threat to any team in the nation.
Be prepared for great college basketball this year. As teams are stepping up and playing tougher schedules then in years past.
By grady condill on October 8th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Where did notre dame and connecticut come from, they aren’t two of the top four teams in the nation, gonzaga north carolina in the ship, quote me.
By Steve on October 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
All I can say is that these rankings will definitely change. I think Memphis might be better than last year.
By Dan Gibson on October 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
With DUKE, it all depends on the frontcourt production. Their nucleus of 6 to 8 Guards & Small Forwards can play with anyone in the country. But they MUST get something out of Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, Miles Plumlee, and Olek Czyz (their next star in the making).
If the backcourt does its thing, and Coach K gets 15 & 10 out of the above four, look out for DUKE. They have to get Singler out of the post, so he can show his true skills as the season goes along. Otherwise, it’s another “successful” 27-28 win season, and a 1st-2nd round exit in March.
By Anonymous on October 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
UNC is the best team out there by far!! F*#! Duke and Oklahoma, they all suck! I think the Tarheels will go undefeated…
bask in our glory bitches…
By Tom on October 12th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
What I don’t understand is the Big 12 coaches picked Oklahoma preseason #1 in the conference over Texas yet OU isn’t even ranked in the ESPN/USA Today preseason top 25. Go figure.
By Micah on October 16th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I’m a Zag fan from Spokane and this should be one of the best teams we’ve had since Morrisons junior year. We’ve got the toughest non-conference schedule in the nation bar none. I guess we have to have it that way due to our powder puff conference. Good luck with your teams this year and GO ZAGS………
By Micah on October 16th, 2008 at 1:05 am
An article came out in the Spokeman Review last month about Daye’s injury. Opted out of the surgery, it wasn’t as serious as they thought. Should be 100% by season opener. We are deep, deep, deep this year. I only hope Heytvelt will step up and be the force in the paint like his sophmore year prior to the shroom debacle. Like when he dominated Psycho-T up in Madison Square Garden. The only real problem Few’s gonna have is the rotation and minutes. Possibly the best backcourt in the nation with Pargo, Downs, Bouldin and Gray.
By Micah on October 16th, 2008 at 1:25 am
That’s a pretty generous ranking for Louisville and I’m guessing it’s the Pettino factor. I know how talanted Terrence Williams is but I’m just not sold on them being that high. I’ve looked at other preseason polls in which theyre not even mentioned.
By Micah on October 16th, 2008 at 2:30 am
David Padgett was Louisville’s entire team last year, including the leadership role. I see them struggling to crack 500 in the deep, talented Big East. I might be wrong though. With Pettino anything’s possible.
By Aaron on October 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Guys-
Thanks for all the feedback!
Some comments from what I’ve read.
First off in regard to Oklahoma. I am starting to re-think them myself the more that I read. Tony Crocker didn’t show enough to me at the guard position last year to make believe that the Sooners will be anything more than a good team. But people seem to be high on him, and with freshman Willie Warren in the mix, I guess its safe to say I may have missed the boat on this one.
As for Tennessee, Scotty Hopson appears to, by all indications, be the real deal. But losing JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton makes it hard for me to put me them in the Top 10. Maybe by the end of the season but not now.
And to the poster who commented about schedules, you’re correct I don’t take them into account when I do the rankings. Injuries happen, teams underachieve, players get suspended. Plus unlike college football, the schedule is sort of irrelevant as long as you get in the tournament. Once that happens it doesnt matter what your seed is, you have opportunity to prove your worth- whether your undefeated or have ten losses.
Thanks again for the comment gentlemen.
By Aaron on October 16th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
To Micah:
Are you sure your not Micah Downs, Gonzaga’s 6th man, with all those comments about the Zags.
Just kidding.
But in all seriousness, Louisville is legit. Earl Clark at small forward would have been a lottery pick if he had come out last year. Terrence Williams (although he will be out a month) will play in the league. Edgar Sosa is a good point guard, and Jerry Smith and Andre McGee can shoot the three. Add in Samardo Samuels down low and Louisville is good enough to win the championship this year.
I don’t know what polls you’re looking at, but I haven’t seen a poll that doesn’t have Louisville in the Top 5. They are the real deal.
By Micah on October 17th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Actually the polls were on a couple of other preseason blog sites (not that credible). I just know what Padget meant to that team. There’s no doubt that Louisville deserves the respect it gets year in and year out. I saw Micah Downs and Josh Heytvelt at a local casino the other night (blackjack table). What’s your take on Arizona, Oregon, and Washington State? I know State lost some key guys including Derrick Lowe but do you see them being competetive in the Pac-X? Just wondering.
By Really Micah? on October 18th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Ok, Micah… let me help you out here. Obviously you’re not much of a basketball fan, because I have no idea who Pettino is. I do know who the future hall-of-fame coach, Rick Pitino, is. As far as Louisville, they lost one player on an elite team from last season. Yes, David Padgett was very valuable to that team, but he was not the only reason they succeeded — at all. You have to realize that Louisville has three future first-round draft picks in Terrence Williams, Earl Clark and Samardo Samuels (replacing Padgett, USA Today Player of the Year). Add in Edgar Sosa, Andre McGee, and Jerry Smith and you have the core of last year’s team returning. There are other additions of SF-Reggie Delk (transfer from Miss. St), 5-Star recruit PF-Terrence Jennings, 4-star red-shirt freshman PF-George Goode and you have a VERY talented and deep team. They have, hands down, the top front court in the country with Williams, Clark, Samuels, Jennings, and Goode. Oh, and they also have that Pettino…err…Pitino fella on the sideline.
By Micah on October 18th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Also, I heard Terrence Williams is going to miss up to 8 weeks with an injury. Top to bottom the Big East is the best conf. in the nation.
It looks like some Sooner’s were a little upset with your rankings. GU played em tough last year in OKC but we were pretty banged up at the time. WSU has Aaron Baynes and Rochestie returning but they play in a tough Pac-10 as well.
By Micah on October 20th, 2008 at 10:50 am
In response I can only go on what I observed last year. Padgett’s leadership will be missed. On top of that UL plays in the tough Big East. Year after year you guys have the weakest non-conference schedule known to mankind. Even Petino (spelled right that time?) admitted to doing that on purpose because you’re no longer in conference USA. I am a huge fan of college basketball and follow my Zags religiously. You dont see Pac-10 teams playing a puss non-conference schedule do you? My brother lives and works in Louisville (J town) and he tells me they recruited well, like Petino always does, but people don’t realize what Padgett meant to your team. Peace….
By Micah on October 20th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Pitino, my bad…
By Alex on October 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I agree that many west coast teams play some good ooc schedules, but you have to understand the reason a coach like Pitino will soften his ooc schedule… even with that weakened schedule before league play, Louisville had the #6 RPI SOS last season (FYI, the highest Pac-10 SOS was Washington St. at #47… and your Zags were #90). That said, the Big East schedule will be even tougher this year, and Louisville has Kentucky, UNLV, UAB, Minnesota, Mississippi, and WKU all on the ooc schedule… those are all solid teams that have a very good shot at making the tourney. So, take the 18 game Big East schedule and those 6 games and Louisville will likely be top 2 or 3 in RPI SOS this year…
By Alex on October 21st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Forgive me, UCLA was #20, and USC was #12… oh, and T-Williams will be back before the season starts.
By T-Bone on October 23rd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
What about Kentucky? A healthy Patterson could lead to big things for the Wildcats and I think Jody Meeks will fill in nicely at PG.
By Alex on October 26th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Kentucky??? This is a top 10 list… they will be lucky to make it into the top 25. Patterson is certainly good, but UK as a team will be about 18-12 or so again… definitely not top 10 caliber
By Rich on October 28th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Hey what about Purdue. They did great with a bunch of freshman and sophmores and they did not lose any starters. The big east was suppose to be so great last year also. Wake up
By Tim on October 28th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Louisville will be absolutely incredible this year!! Louisville’s only big loss was David Padgett. However, let me tell you, in the Red/White scrimage the other night in front of 12,000 fans, Samuels (Padgett replacement) scored a game high 36 points!! He was incredible!!
By Steve on October 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Appreciate you picking Gonzaga #7 for this season, but Matt Bouldin is a junior and not a senior. Go Zags!!
By chris on October 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Aaron: who deserves to be ranked ahead of Duke? That’s easy, here you go:
Pittsburgh: very talented, and probably the toughest team in the land
Gonzaga: Best point guard in the land
Purdue: As talented, great freshmen point guard, and deeper than Duke
Of course, I am sure breathing all that polluted air from nearby Bristol, and the hot air from Dickie V, you’re pre-disposed to pump up anything in blue from North Carolina…… just playing with ya
By Rich on October 31st, 2008 at 5:44 am
Duke will be playing Purdue early in the season. So I guess that will show us something. I think the big question is can anyone beat N.C
By chris on November 10th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
aaron: inquiring fans want to know… no responses for quite some time now. did the pre-season poll police lock you up for over-rating Duke and Notre Dame?
By Aaron on November 11th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Gentlemen-
I’m here. No one’s locking me up for over ranking Notre Dame. Trust me, I saw them twice in person last year, they are a legit top 10 team. Don’t let Luke Harangody’s doughy phyisque fool you- the kid can play. I saw him drop 34 on UConn and Hasheem Thabeet. Kyle McAlarney- when he’s hot- is as good a shooter as anyone in college basketball. They get solid play from Tory Jackson at point guard. To me they aren’t a Final Four darkhorse, they are a National Championship darkhorse.
As for Duke I stand by the pick. They have everything you need to win in college basketball- senior leadership at guard, good outside shooting and serviceable post play. They aren’t as good as North Carolina, UConn or Louisville, but other than that can compete with anyone.
I need to see more of Purdue before I put them or Michigan State in the Top 10. I’m just not sold on anyone from that conference being that good. Remember no team from the Big 10 made it past the Sweet 16 a year ago.
I saw Gonzaga in person as well, they are a very talented team. Because Jeremy Pargo plays in the Pacific Northwest he doesn’t get the publicity he would if he was in the Big East, but he’s right there with any guard in college basketball. The Zags are a legitimate team.
Thanks,
Aaron
By Chris on November 16th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Geez Aaron, the more I look at your rankings, the more I’m confused. Do you rank based on where you figure a team to finish? or start? Because I’d bet my house that UConn doesn’t get past the Sweet 16. Texas at #7???? I guess I missed that the first time through. Wow, very generous. Pitt should be higher, and you won’t convince any of us that Duke should be that high, no matter how much blue cool-aid you drink. thanks for the forum though! see you in march.
By Micah Downs on November 20th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I was a little surprised at Duke’s love as well. Especially after seeing them struggle at home against Presby. But we’ll see how they fair against the Salukis. If I’m UCLA then I’d be happy playing Michigan instead of SIU. Aaron, who do you like in the Old Spice Classic? It’s the best rated pre-season tourny. I’m thinking Gonzaga and Tenessee in the finals. Could be MSU-Georgetown as well. Should be fun to watch. I like UCLA spanking Duke in the CVC finals. Peace
By Micah on November 28th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Wow, OK State was pretty feisty but our depth finally showed in the second half. I won’t be surprised if Ford has that team in the NCAA’s come March. They are underrated. Well, Happy Turkey Day for what it’s worth and I hope you guys are enjoying the Old Spice Classic. I was hoping to play MSU but Maryland looks to be a formidable opponent. Peace and GO ZAGS…..
By Micah on December 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Aaron-
I hope you paid attention to the Old Spice Classic. My prediction of Louisville, you know the one where theyre ranked too high? Did I tell ya? No but seriously Western Kentucky is game and if I’m not mistaken they made it to the sweet 16 a year ago. The Zags dominated Tennessee and it should be a hell of a rematch in rocky top. Peace
Trackbacks