College Basketball Top 25
1. Duke (AP Poll: Duke)
The Blue Devils bring in the number one recruiting class, featuring Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, and Frank Jackson while returning last seasons star player Grayson Allen and role players Amile Jefferson and Luke Kennard, expect another big year from the Blue Devils.
2. Kansas (AP Poll: Kentucky)
Bill Self brings back his backcourt from last year as both Frank Mason and Devonte' Graham return and add the #2 recruit in the country Josh Jackson to that mix. In the front court they return Carlton Bragg who I expect to have a breakout year. Throw in Udoka Azubuike, a top 25 recruit from 2016, in there at center and the Jayhawks could quickly overtake Duke for the #1 spot as they face off in the Champions Classic on November 19th.
3. Kentucky (AP Poll: Kansas)
Coach Cal had another dominating performance on the recruiting trail as the Wildcats added 3 players ranked in the top 10 of the 2016 class (Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk) and added two more top 25 players in Weyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones. They also return Isaiah Briscoe who will provide much needed leadership for the young guys. Expect Kentucky to cruise to an SEC title.
4. Oregon (AP Poll: Villanova)
The Ducks took the road less travelled to get into my top 5. Dana Altman only signed 3 freshman with only one being ranked in the Top 100, but the Ducks bring back Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey along with Dylan Ennis who is returning from injury which is why they have a great chance to return to being a number one seed.
5. Villanova (AP Poll: Oregon)
Jay Wright and the defending champs lose two big pieces from last seasons title team in Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu, but return the title game hero Kris Jenkins along with Josh Hart who should contend for the Wooden Award and Jalen Brunson who had a strong freshman year. An early season test vs Purdue is the only tough game Nova has to face before Big East play begins.
6. Xavier (AP Poll: North Carolina)
The Musketeers return their leading scorer in Trevon Bluiett and assist man Myles Davis but lose James Farr who lead them in rebounds. Loaded with 5 seniors as well as Bluiett and Davis, coach Chris Mack and company should cruise until January 10th when Xavier takes on Villanova in a potential top 10 matchup.
7. North Carolina (AP Poll: Xavier)
The Tar Heels lose key players Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson from last seasons team but bring back players from that team who still have lots of experience in Joel Berry II, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, and Justin Jackson. Roy Williams also added a top 20 player in 2016 with the addition of center Tony Bradley. The Heels play a tough non-con along with the always tough ACC as they take on Indiana and Kentucky with the added possibility of UConn, Oregon, and Wisconsin in the Maui Invitational.
8. Virginia ( AP Poll: Virginia)
UVA takes a big hit after Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill graduated following last season however, star point guard London Perorates returns for his senior season. Tony Bennett also adds Austin Nichols, who transferred from Memphis and is one of the best front court players in the nation, along with 4 top 100 recruits. Non-conference tests vs West Virginia and Cal should show us what this team is made of before ACC play begins
9. Arizona (AP Poll: Wisconsin)
Sean Miller's Wildcats lost three starters from last seasons team but add a strong freshman class that includes Kobi Simmons and Rawle Atkins but the class took a hit when top 20 recruit Terrance Ferguson opted to play in Australia rather than in Arizona. The early season depends on the eligibility of star PG Allonzo Trier who is under NCAA investigation and could be suspended. The Wildcats open the season with a test as they open the season vs Michigan State on 11/11.
10. Wisconsin (AP Poll: Arizona)
The trio of Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koeing, and Ethan Happ will carry the Badgers this year when it comes to scoring but Greg Gard will need both Zak Showalter and Vitto Brown to be effective if Wisconsin wants to return to the Sweet 16. The most important part of this years Badgers team will be Ethan Happ's continuous improvement as he will step into a larger role for the Badgers this year.
11. Louisville (AP Poll: Indiana)
The Cards lose three key players from last years team Damion Lee, Trey Lewis, and Chinanu Onuaku who were all starters for Rick Pitino last season. Louisville is talented on the wings with the addition of VJ King to Deng Adel and Donovan Mitchell. Pitino has one of the deepest front courts in the country with guys like like Jaylen Johnson, Ray Spalding, Anas Mahmoud and the return of Mangok Mathiang.
12. Michigan State (AP Poll: Michigan State)
Tom Izzo and the Spartans lose last years superstar Denzel Valentine along with key players Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello and Dayonta Davis. Izzo reloads with a recruiting class that has 4 top 100 players including Miles Bridges a consensus top 15 player. Two injuries in the front court convinced me to move the Spartans down from 11 to 12, and it will be important to see how Eron Harris steps up as a leader for this team. The players remaining from last years team that got bumped in the first round by MTSU will be playing with a vengeance this season.
13. Indiana (AP Poll: Louisville)
Yogi Ferrell is no longer a Hoosier, that era has ended. However, Tom Crean will still get good offensive production from James Blackmon, Thomas Bryant, Robert Johnson, and OG Anunoby who is poised for a breakout season. The Hoosiers open with a tough test vs #2 Kansas in Hawaii, which would be a justified loss but IU fans will still be calling for Tom Crean's head if the result is not a win.
14. Gonzaga (AP Poll: Gonzaga)
Gonzaga loses front court superstars Kyle Wiltjer and Damontas Sabonis from last years team, but Przemek Kanowski is was overshadowed by those two and has returned to Gonzaga. Mark Few also adds Nigel Williams Goss and Jordan Matthews via transfer and both should play big roles on this Bulldogs team. Silas Melson and Josh Perkins came alive and played well last season and helped Gonzaga get to the Sweet 16, if they play the same way as they did down the stretch Gonzaga should have no problem winning another WCC championship.
15. Purdue (AP Poll: Purdue)
When a team loses a player like AJ Hammonds it would usually mean they would see some drop-off in the front court's production, however Purdue brings back Isaac Hass and Caleb Swanigan both of which will play a ton of minutes while being extremely productive. Guard play will still be a question mark, but the addition of Michigan transfer Spike Albrecht will be extremely important for the Boilermakers.
16. UConn (AP Poll: UCLA)
UConn loses Daniel Hamilton and Shonn Miller who grabbed a good chunk of last years rebounds, which is an area of weakness for the Huskies. Terry Larrier and a strong recruiting class should help strengthen that area. However, in college basketball, guards win and Kevin Ollie has one of the best trios in Jalen Adams, Rodney Purvis, and Alterique Gilbert. I don't think they have the ability to beat UNC at the Maui this early in the year, so I'm picking them to finish third on the island with a quality win over Wisconsin.
17. UCLA (AP Poll: Saint Mary's)
2016 is a make or break year for coach Steve Alford after finishing below .500 last year. The Bruins pick up two great recruits in Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf, who will have huge roles in righting the ship as freshman. Add them to Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton, and Thomas Welsh and there is no reason we can't see UCLA as a 5 or 6 seed this March, and while I wouldn't guarantee anything this team is capable to upset a few teams like they did to Kentucky and Arizona last season.
18. Saint Mary's (AP Poll: UConn)
The Gaels didn't lose any key pieces from last seasons team where they almost snuck into the NCAA Tournament. However, there is a major difference between sneaking up on teams as Saint Mary's did last season and being in the national picture from the start as they will this year. Led by their loaded group of upperclassmen its highly unlikely the Gaels will be sweating out Selection Sunday again.
19. West Virginia (AP Poll: Syracuse)
While West Virginia is successful due to its coach and the system they run, the Mountaineers lose Devin Williams and Jonathan Holton, leaving a hole in rebounding and at the point of the press defense that WVU runs. However, Bob Huggins brings back Daxter Miles Jr, Tarik Phillip, and Jevon Carter at guard. These guards will need to raise their field goal percentage and lower their turnover rate if they want to be successful this year.
20. Syracuse (AP Poll: West Virginia)
Coming off of a miracle run to the Final Four last season Jim Boeheim and the Orange lose 3 starters. Tyler Lydon, however, returns to upstate NY and has All-ACC potential. Cuse adds transfers Andrew White (Nebraska) and John Gillon (Colorado State) to its backcourt. While its more likely than not we see them back in the Big Dance a grueling schedule that includes UConn and Wisconsin along with the rigors of ACC play we could see them in the NIT.
21. San Diego State (AP Poll: Texas)
The Aztecs were overlooked last season as they won 28 games yet ended up in the NIT for the first time in years. Steve Fisher has a good group of guys made up of guards Trey Kell and Jeremy Hemsley along with wingman Malik Pope and Zylan Chessman who is part of a strong front court. An early season game at Gonzaga will be key to SDSUs tourney hopes as it provides a quality win they don't see often on this years schedule.
22. NC State (AP Poll: Creighton)
All aboard the Dennis Smith Jr. train Wolfpack fans. While Smith is the biggest and most talented name the Wolfpack have this year, he will have some help. Talented wings Maverick Rowan, Terry Henderson and Torin Dorn and quality bigs Omer Yurtseven, Abdul-Malik Abu and BeeJay Anya will help take some of the load off Smith Jr as a freshman. NC State took a hit when it was announced Omer Yurtseven will be suspended 9 games due to an NCAA violation.
23. Texas (AP Poll: Rhode Island)
The Longhorns will start the season with one hand tied behind its back. Sophomores Tevin Mack and Kerwin Roach Jr were suspended for an exhibition game for violating team rules and it seems likely they will miss at least one or two regular season games. Senior forward Mareik Isom will miss a few weeks after having ankle surgery. The Horns picked up Jarrett Allen, a top 25 recruit, and he will likely start at center for Shaka Smart.
24. Iowa State (AP Poll: Iowa State)
Iowa State loses a lot of production as Jameel McKay, Abdel Nadar, and of course Georges Niang have left the team. The leadership role now falls to senior Monte Morris who is one of the best point guards in America. While he needs to step up his scoring to lead the Cyclones to success, he is an incredible passer with a strong assist-turnover ratio. The return of Naz Mitrou-Long who missed last year will help Steve Prohm balance his attack.
25. Rhode Island (AP Poll: Maryland)
Last year Rhode Island lost its star player EC Matthews in the first game of the season, Matthews was expected to be one of the best players in the A-10. With Matthews returning from injury along with Jarvis Garrett and Jared Terrell who stepped up and played well in his absence the Rams will improve their 17-15 record from last season. Rhody's front court leader Hassan Martin was shutdown in March due to injury but with him back and healthy Dan Hurley could enjoy a big season.
