College Basketball Preview

There has been a lot of hoopla about opening polls in for NCAA basketball thus far.  Various influential players, and future NBA prospects, Shabazz Muhammad and Myck Kabongo are not eligible yet.  This has a big influence on the polls, though I think both players will be eligible later this month.  Here are my top 25 going into the college season:

1. Louisville- returns essentially everyone, and Siva will be one of the best point guards in the country.
2. Kentucky- Replenished after having 6 players drafted.  Nerlens Noel should protect the rim, and Alex Poythress is a fantastic athlete.  Do not expect to see Kentucky struggle.
3. Indiana- Ranked #1 by the AP for preseason.  I think Indiana will be very good, led by Cody Zeller, but the defense must improve if they are to be #1.
4. Syracuse- While they lost Dion Waiters, Michael Carter Williams (MCW? hmm...  nickname needs work) can fill that role well and could be a lottery pick this next June.  Solid up front, Syracuse should be good once again.
5. UCLA- If Muhammad is eligible, UCLA will be very good.  He could be the best scorer in college basketball, and UCLA has pieces around him to make a charge at a top tournament seed.
6. Kansas- Elijah Johnson is ready for a breakout year.  Withey will protect the paint, and Kansas will win the Big 12 again this year.
7. North Carolina State- NC state is the best team in the ACC?  Sounds crazy, but CJ Leslie is back, and Lorenzo Brown is one of the most underrated teams in the country.  Lots of depth on this team.
8. Ohio State- DeShaun Thomas is back, and Aaron Craft is solid at the point.  If Thomas can score efficiently, Ohio State will contend for the Big 10 title with Indiana.
9. Arizona- Lots of talented freshmen lead the way for Arizona, and Solomon Hill is back as well.  Mark Lyons transferred from Xavier.  There is a lot of talent on this team.
10. UNLV- Mike Moser gets it done in a variety of ways, and should average a double-double again with more scoring responsibilities.  They restocked their frontcourt, and have lots of potential to be the best mid-major this year.
11. Michigan State- Still the best team in Michigan.  Keith Appling is back to run the point, and the front court, while losing Draymond Green, has a year more experience.  Tom Izzo's defense will stifle the Big 10 once again.
12. Missouri- Phil Pressey can score and defend well.  Missouri will be solid in their high tempo offense once again.  Hopefully the don't play Norfolk State this year.
13. Michigan- 4 Big 10 teams in the top 12?  Yes.  Michigan returns their starting backcourt, who are among the best in the country when they don't force shots.  Michigan will be good.
14. Duke- Seth Curry needs to score from the outside, and Mason Plumlee needs to develop into a post scorer.  He has not improved much since his freshman year offensively, and this is the season he needs to do it.
15. Florida- Is this finally the year Patric Young learns how to play?  Could be, as he has lots of opportunities on the glass with Kenny Boynton taking contested 3's.  If Florida can be offensively efficient, they will be good.
16. North Carolina- Like Kentucky, lost a lot of talent.  However, did not replace lost talent as well.  PJ Hairston is a great shooter, and James McAdoo is an awesome post scorer for this team.
17. Gonzaga- Lots to like about this team.  Pangos and Bell are back (As only sophomores!) in the backcourt, and Elias Harris is still there.  This team will win the WCC, and could upset a few teams in the tournament.
18. San Diego State- Jamaal Franklin is back, and he should be the top scorer in the MWC.  They have a serious chance to compete with UNLV for the top pick in the draft.
19. Florida State- Michael Snaer is back to hit more buzzer beaters.  Florida State returns most of the team, and should be a contender in the ACC.
20. Memphis- Young and athletic, Memphis will be a matchup problem for many teams.  Adonis Thomas should be the top scorer this year, possibly leading the conference.
21. Creighton- Is it just me, or does Doug McDermott remind anyone else of Luke Babbitt?  Regardless of pro potential, Creighton will be one of the best mid majors in the country, thanks to McDermott's scoring ability.
22. Virginia Commonwealth- Another mid-major...  but never bet against Shaka Smart.  New to the A-10, the competition will be better, and VCU has the firepower to win lots of games.
23. Cincinnati- Might be better than last year.  Space filler Yancy Gates is gone, and Cincy can move in transition more than last year.  Will be solid in the Big East.
24. Stanford- Chasson Randle is the real deal.  After winning the NIT last year, Stanford returns a lot of its core (Josh Owens is gone), and should be a good team in the Pac 12.
25. Baylor- Pierre Jackson is back, and Heslip is still available to rain 3's.  Much of their athletic frontcourt is gone, so there will be lots of pressure to score on these guards.

Keep an eye on:  Murray State, Washington, Iowa State, Delaware, Oregon State

Player of the year:  Peyton Siva/Louisville
Title prediction: Louisville over Kentucky

All-Americans: 1st team:
G- Peyton Siva/Louisville
G- Isaiah Canaan/Murray State
F- Shabazz Muhammad (if eligible)
F- James McAdoo/UNC
C- Cody Zeller/Indiana

2nd team:
G- CJ McCollum/Lehigh
G- Elijah Johnson/Kansas
F- Alex Poythress/Kentucky
F- Mike Moser/UNLV
C- Jeff Withey/Kansas

watch out for: Lorenzo Brown/NC State, Tony Mitchell/North Texas, Nerlens Noel/Kentucky