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Get inside March Madness with SI.com's Luke Winn in the Tourney Blog, a daily journal of college basketball commentary, on-site reporting and reader-driven discussions.4/08/2008 10:18:00 AM Musing On A Miracle ... And A Top 10 for 2008-09
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO -- The hoops world is not ready to move on from Mario's Miracle just yet. It's unlikely that anyone packing up and leaving Alamo-land this morning -- from the media to the Kansas and Memphis contingents -- can get Monday night's drama out of their heads.
I'm just a greenhorn at this Final Four business (2008 was my fourth at SI), but I think this was a title-game finish for the ages, this decade's closest answer to the Keith Smart shot that stunned Syracuse when I was just 6 years old. There are certain things from Monday's finish that I'll forever remember: my vantage point on Mario Chalmers' three, from two rows back and to the left of Packer & Nantz; standing next to Chalmers and his mother, Almarie, as they embraced courtside; listening to Ronnie Chalmers in the Kansas locker room as he recounted sitting with Mario in the Alamodome at the 2004 Final Four, and how his son said that he would be playing for a championship some day. After watching two straight Final Fours full of blowouts, this was the payoff, the long-awaited shining moment.
The image in my head of Chalmers' shot is vivid enough to still give me goosebumps at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. And perhaps that's why I'm stuck on it; because any picture I try to form of next season is incredibly unclear. There's a chance that the Jayhawks could lose their entire starting five: Darnell Jackson and Russell Robinson are graduating, Brandon Rush is going pro, Darrell Arthur is leaning that way, and even the miracle man -- who wasn't thought to be potential early draft entrant as of last week -- is considering making the jump to the NBA.
If Chalmers were to return for his senior season, though, he could lead the Revenge of the Upperclassmen. The second straight tidal wave of one-and-done freshmen -- from Memphis' Derrick Rose, to UCLA's Kevin Love, to Kansas State's Michael Beasley -- are uniformly expected to enter June's draft. For the past two seasons one could scan a list of top recruits and envision how the college hoops landscape would soon be altered. Last April one could see that Love would boost the Bruins and Rose would take Memphis over the top, and I ran a top 10 in the magazine that nailed the '08 Final Four. As much as I'd like to pat myself on the back, those were not difficult predictions.
Examine the incoming recruits for '08, though, and you'll see that there is no truly transcendent rookie on the horizon. There are a few good ones -- such as McDonald's All-American game MVP Tyreke Evans, who might soon be bound for Memphis or Villanova, and Jrue Holiday, who should fill UCLA's expected backcourt vacancy -- but there is no Greg Oden or Derrick Rose. Teams will rely on upperclassmen to save them. Perhaps Super Mario can come to the rescue once again? And if not him, what about North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson, Texas' D.J. Augustin, UConn's Hasheem Thabeet, UCLA's Darren Collison and Russell Westbrook, and West Virginia's Joe Alexander? Their pro decisions will matter more than anyone else's.
In writing a top 10 for next season so early (a practice we can mutually acknowledge the absurdity of, but at the same time admit that we're reasonably interested in) it's necessary to make a few educated guesses. And so on top of the players who have already declared, I'm assuming there will be a few more. Among them: Memphis' Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts, Kansas State's Michael Beasley and Bill Walker, UCLA's Love and Collison, Kansas' Arthur, USC's O.J. Mayo and Texas' Augustin.
Everything will fall into place over the next three weeks. Until then, this is my best assessment:
1. NORTH CAROLINA - Will leaving San Antonio empty-handed inspire key Tar Heels to stay for another season? Hansbrough could become the first back-to-back Naismith Award winner since Ralph Sampson’s three-peat (1981–83) -- and along with Lawson, make another run at the title. If Ty takes off for the NBA, leaving UNC to make do with senior-to-be Bobby Frasor and incoming recruit Larry Drew at point guard, that championship will be more difficult to attain.
2. UCONN - The 87-inch question in Storrs is: Will Big East defensive player of the year Hasheem Thabeet (147 blocks) return and make the Huskies a title contender? Point guard A.J. Price (torn left ACL) is expected back for the ’08 opener.
3. UCLA - The next wave of Bruins backcourt stars -- led by polished combo guard Jrue Holiday -- arrives as part of Rivals.com's No. 2–ranked recruiting class. The pairing of Holiday with Russell Westbrook should keep UCLA atop the Pac-10.
4. PURDUE - Big Ten hegemony could begin here for coach Matt Painter, whose precocious band of underclassmen -- led by freshman guards (and former AAU teammates) E'Twaun Moore and Robbie Hummel -- came within one win of a conference title in ’08.
5. KANSAS - Senior All-Americas are a dying breed, but KU should have one in point guard Mario Chalmers -- plus a breakout star in Sherron Collins, who finished an injury-riddled season with a superb performance off the bench in the title game.
6. TEXAS - The Horns have nearly every piece of the championship puzzle: a three-point marksman (A.J. Abrams), a glue guy (Justin Mason), two versatile forwards (Damion James and Connor Atchley) ... but no tested point guard if Augustin bolts.
7. WEST VIRGINIA - If late-season sensation Alexander, a 6-foot-8 forward, sticks around for his senior year and teams up with top recruit Kevin Jones, a 6-7 forward, the Mountaineers will have a potent one-two punch in the frontcourt.
8. GEORGETOWN - Greg Monroe is no Greg Oden, but the 6-10 forward from Harvey, La., is the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2008 and will help fill the void left by center Roy Hibbert's graduation. Look for unsung point guard Jessie Sapp to emerge as the Hoyas' MVP.
9. DUKE - The Blue Devils lose DeMarcus Nelson (graduation) and Taylor King (transfer) -- and Mike Krzyzewski could tire after coaching the U.S. team in Beijing -- but the nucleus for a Final Four team, including versatile forwards Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson, remains.
10. TENNESSEE - Junior-to-be forward Tyler Smith has All-America potential, but landing a five-star recruit --shooting guard Scotty Hopson -- on April 1 was huge for the Vols, who need scoring power after losing seniors Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith.
The rest of the top 30: Notre Dame, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, USC, Ohio State, Syracuse, Memphis, Florida, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Davidson, Marquette, Villanova, Baylor, Gonzaga, BYU, Wisconsin, Xavier, Louisville, Clemson.posted by Luke Winn | View comments (169) |
169 Comments:
All I Can say is WOW!! Rock Chalk!If Blake Griffin returns to Oklahoma with the addition of Willie Warren they will crash your Top 30, very likely Top 20.9 Big East teams in your Top 30. Best conference in college basketball!What about Indiana? New coach, 5 new starters...that's the recipe for success.How can you not have Syracuse listed as a top 5 team? This years team marched to the NIT quarterfinals and did not lose anybody. They return 7 potential NBA players and 4 McDonalds All-Americans. There are thousands of fans all over upstate NY who are now on suicide watch.I would have thought that Wake Forest, which has the number 1ranked incoming recruiting class, and a solid core of returning juniors and sophomores would have least ranked in your top 30...UGA! UGA!This is absolutely ridiculous. The buckeyes should for sure be in next years top 10. They are losing Butler and Hunter and thats it. Evan turner should explode next year, diebler is a better player than he played in limited minutes this year, kofous will be back, lighty will look to have a better season...oh yea, and we are getting another 7 footer which will slide kofous to the 4 (where he will be much more able to play his game). Come on.As a UCLA fan, I'm not sure that they will be top 5 material. Considering that their 4 and 5 positions will be comprised of Mbah a Moute, Drew Gordon, and James Keefe (and possibly Alfred Aboya if he does graduate work), I'm not sure that will be enough size and offensive skill. They will have great guards, between Westbrook (if he returns), Malcolm Lee, Jrue Holiday, Michael Roll, and others, but I don't think they will be able to get by the bigger teams. The only good thing is that the Pac-10 won't be very good next year. UCLA's primary obstacles for the Pac-10 championship will be USC and Arizona.It's time for another Duke championship - it should happen during the career of Singler.You have left out Southern Illinois. The two most decorated recruits in their history arrive this fall.Michigan State should be in the top 5, as well as Duke.Where is Arizona on this list. They have everyone returning except Bayless who will be replaced by the even better Brandon Jennings who I was very surprised was not mentioned amongst your stars coming in 2008. Lets not forget to mention mention the Seven footer Jeff Withey and 6'6 PF Emmanuel Negedu. You might want to start re-thinking your list. Bear Down!!!hey dookie, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your boys aren't even sniffing a title anytime soon, short of signing Derrick Favors.
And as long as he meets Wojo during the recruiting process, that's not happening either.GO BOILERS!!Nice to see Baylor in consideration for the top 25. We've got alot of talent coming back next year.
Sic 'em Bears!!!Wake will be a surprise team next year and a 4 seed in the NCAA.
I think past years demonstrate that if someone "might" be leaving for the NBA at the end of the tournament, they're 85% certain to go."This is absolutely ridiculous. The buckeyes should for sure be in next years top 10."
are you drunk? you're losing 2 of your best players. koufos might jump to the nba. even if he doesn't, you expect to jump from the NIT to a top 10 team? hate to break it to you, every team is getting recruits, a lot of teams ahead of ohio st. this year are losing fewer players. ohio st. will be in contention for a tourney spot, but that's it.lol @ Southern Illinois being in the top 30. Do you even wathc college basketball? Creighton and Drake will both be ahead of the Salukis come this time next year. Count on it.Blake GRiffin and Willie Warren your talking top tenUAB will be in the Elite 8 next year. We return All-conference SG, Paul Delaney, and get back possible future NBA 1st round pick, Walter Sharpe.it's time for duke to get dropped from being a default top-10 preseason team as they have been for the last 20 years. they were bad last year, they were bad this year, and they'll be bad next year. nelson is a big loss. paulus is mediocre at everything but shooting. they have an absolutely terrible frontcourt. too many problems with their perimeter defense- especially with no interior help.
they'll be lucky to be top-25Memphis in the top 30?! I sir, believe you are very wrong. Memphis will be in the top 5. Yes, They may have lost last night. But they have the longest winning season in history.I am the Anonymous Kansas Fan who said that KU is going to blow Memphis. Guess what, it happened. Yes it was not a big margin victory but the come back was more than a blow out.C'mon Luke, do some research. Arizona State loses NO ONE in its top-8, brings back what will be the player of the year in the PAC-10 in 2008-09 (Harden,) and will be playing with a HUGE chip on its shoulder for getting snubbed by the selection committee. Mark my words, ASU will challenge UCLA for the conference title, but regardless, the Sun Devils are a DEFINITE top-30 team.BOILER UP!Miami?
Arizona St?
UAB?Are you kidding me... DAVIDSON at 21???!! After Stephen Curry's brilliant display (and he is returning)during the NCAA run, we should all recognize that those games vs. Duke, UNC, and UCLA were no flukes!!
They should be much higher!!
Sweet Caroline!don't forget the UI think southern north dakota tech (west campus) will take the whole thing.Yah Oklahoma has a great chance to get into the upper echelon of the big 12, as long as Blake comes back, austin johnson can move back to shooting guard with warren at point, tony crocker with another year of experience and tayler as one of the moral leaders as wel as great defense, top 25 for sure.FLORIDA? You've got to be kidding me! I'm an alum and that garbage I watched this year made me sick. They shouldn't be mentioned in anyone's rankings until those high school All America recruits prove they can play at the D1 level. They sure cast some doubts on their abilities this year. Here's to hopefully eating my own words next season....Go Gators!If you didn't make the tournament, you do not belong in next year's top 10. You were not one of the best 35 at large teams in the country at the end of the year, and unless you have a Kevin Love or Derrick Rose type coming in (which no one does) your incoming class will not put you there. Get realistic about your team.I think you might have Duke a little too high...BYU over UNLV in the top 30. I guess the last two tournaments haven't taught you anything.To the Syracuse fan below who believes they should be in the Top 5...WOW! With all those McD All-Americans, where was 'Cuse this year?I am a Boiler fan and think they will be much improved for 08 but to deserve this lofty ranking they need to add a solid post man. Here is hoping they find one.Duke will be champions real soon once again!!!Biggest surprise I would have to say is a Sweet 16 team, Villanova, losing absolutely no one is only an honorable mention. Compare them to a team like Ohio State who is practically losing no one as well and they need to project better.I think Clemson is a stretch for top 30. They lose Mays, Hammond and Booker. I'm not sure their replacements will be at that level next year.
I agree too that Wake should be considered here as well as Virginia Tech. Both were young teams that didn't lose much and brought in great recruits. Both teams should be dancing next March.UNLV is going to be a sleeper once again, like they have been the past 2 seasons!! always overlooked but they will be a top 25 teamI am a HUGE Duke fan so this may come as a shock...I think #9 could be a bit high. They have not shown the ability to play hard in FEB/MAR the last few years. Without any new BIGS coming in I just hope the guards can keep their legs fresh for the tourney so they can make those 3's. If that can happen, look out!Siena Saints 2009, everyone coming back and jackson coming up....beasts of the maacArizona State should be in top 30!! Everyone is coming back!Where the hell is Arizona State in the top 30 being one the most improved teams in the pac-10 with none of their starters leaving for graduation.Not a real bad prediction, but I see they still aren't giving Davidson and Memphis the respect they deserve. These teams are for REAL. They aren't a fluke but two of the best teams in the country.
Oh, well, after they kick a few top 10 butts like they did this year, I guess they will move up where they belong in the standings.
Markwhy is Kentucky always automatically assumed to be a top 30 program before each season? they barely made the ncaa's this year and they lose two of their top 3 players. The only guy they have coming in is DeAndre Liggins, but no point guard. It just doesn't add upNobody will put them up this high yet, but watch out for the WILDCATS! UK is about to come on strong with Jodie Meeks's return from injury, Patrick Patterson remaining dominant, and Perry Stevenson's enormous improvement. Plus, Derrick Jasper will return at full speed after playing this past season with a bad knee. And when you add in Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins coming in, Kentucky is going to be strong.Purdon't will be lucky to finish 4th in the conference.Yea Syracuse sucked this year but considering they lost devendorf and routins early in the season, they did better than expected. unless your name is carmelo, freshmans usually dont lead their teams to glory. I dont think they should be in the Top 5 but watch out for cuse next year.GO BIG BLUE! The University of Kentucky Wildcats will win another national championship in the next 5 years GUARANTEED. Patrick Patterson, Jodie Meeks, Derrick Jasper and Perry Stevenson are all a solid core of vets and throw in Darius Miller and Deandre Liggins and next season could be one to rememberI write this from the campus of the University of Kansas. We are #1. We have once again proven we house as elite NCAA Basketball Program. What a fun ride it has been. We had our doubters, called the underdog at every turn. Now we look forward to hoisting another National Championship Banner atop the rafters in Allen Fieldhouse, Home of the Jayhawks!!! Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Mario!!Watch Syracuse next year, if Donte Greene wisens up and stays. Greene, Floyd, Devendorf, Onuaku, Paul Harris, Routins, and the 2 incoming kids (Mookie Jones and Kris Joseph) form the best assortment of talent there since Coleman/Owens/Douglas/Seikaly/Stevie ThompsonIf Crean would have stayed Marquette is top 10 easy. 4 starters resturning, and 3 of them are 4 years starters and 1,000 point scoreres already.'Cuse was hurt this season without Devendorf--who went down in game 10--as well as Rautins, their Junior sharpshooter who didn't play a single minute. Add those 2 guys, both of whom are potential NBA players, and you have a completely different team. Honestly, Cuse has a good chance to make the Final Four, if not win it all...As a part of college radio- you have an impressive playlist. Well played, Luke.HOW ABOUT THEM DAWGS?!?!
UGA! UGA!Billy Gillispie ... UK. Kentucky has won championships under Adolph Rupp (1948, 1949, 1951, 1958), Joe B. Hall (1978), Rick Pitino (1996), and Tubby Smith (1998). Since 1931, only one coach at UK failed to win a championship, and he was there only 3 years. Gillispie will hang an eighth championship banner from the rafters in Rupp before 2012, and will make the Final Four (at least) next year.If baylor had a coach then maybe they could get in the TOp 30How could you not have Pitt. They're returning practically every player and had a great season on a "down year." Dixon will have this team ready to play.I was SO proud of my Jayhawks, and always expect them to be in the top 10. But, I was massively impressed by little Davidson this year, who almost knocked us off at the Final Four. Don't know if any of those guys are returning, but they played as well as anyone in the tourney.Still on that "Purdue will be a Big Ten dynasty" kick, eh?
I still don't buy it, although they should be in the running again next season.
With WI having only two new starters, one of whom as already proven himself, I give them to edge to repeat.Common Wake Forest is atleast in the top 30You left Virginia Tech out of your top 30? So you haven't considered the fact that 50 percent of their minutes came from freshmen. And they lose only one starter in Deron Washington.
Although looking @ your top 30, there are probably only two teams I can think of that you might consider dropping, Baylor or Xavier, with the loses of 3 seniors (one being Drew Lavender).Where's Wake Forest?Did someone really just say the Big East is the best conference. What? Most overrated proven again. 1 team in the Elite 8 and they were destroyed. Real powerhouse. Thier new slogan..."The Big East", where ten slightly better than average schools w/ different skill sets trick people into thinking its still the 80s and their still decent."what about GT? the Yellow Jackets sting is back. they should of beat UNC.Wow I can't see how you can put WVU in the top 10 in front of Duke, Tenn, N Dame, Mich St, Pitt, USC, OSU, or Syracuse. WVU gets one good player(all of the other teams have players coming in equal to or better than Jones by the way) to team up with Alexander and they're 7?! Please.Yeah not having UNLV in your top 30 is just ignorant. They have a stud seven foot center coming in along with returning star Wink Adams. Might want to do a little more research before making these predictions.Indiana should be in the top 25 and make a run in the NCAA tourney.
Wait.
I forgot about the impending sanctions.
Oh well.
GO MU!Not real happy about MU's choice for new coach but if they can hold on to their top two incoming recruits and last season's freshman Mbakwe(spent most of year injured), it wont matter who coaches these guys. McNeal, Matthews, and James along with rising star Lazar Hayward, should be a scary group but the Big East doesnt give you any nights offDuke, are you kidding? What have they shown that they should be in the Top 10? Nelson won them games this year, as much as I hate to admit it, losing their only athlete other than Henderson is not a good thing.When will Wisconsin finally start getting the respect they deserve for consistently turning out top 10 teams? Talk about a program that re-loads year after year. Harris, Wilkinson, Tucker, Butch-next year it will be Landry and Hughes. They don't need to depend on a miracle freshman to light their way into the top 10, but if they land one it might finally put Bo Ryan in the Final Four.Where is Miami? We lost King and that is it. We gain 4 new big guys and DaQuan Jones. Jack McClinton returns with every other key player. We spent time in the top 25 with this team and got a 7 seed yet with another year of experience we are going to fall? RiiiiiightBoiler Up!BYU Sucks! How long has it been since they've won a tournament game? Susan Lucci thinks they are overdue to win. LOSERS!!!!Hey Luke! Davidson's not in your 2008/2009 pre-season top 20, after all the Cats did in this year's tournament? Come on, buddy, we played champion Kansas tougher than anyone. At least we know there is one prognostication about Davidson basketball in 2008/2009 that will be indisputable: We will be the only Division I team whose average combined SAT score will be higher than our total student enrollment. And, I've also heard that our basketball team's average GPA this year was higher than that of the overall student body. To paraphrase the film Good Will Hunting, our boys are wicked smart. And, they play great team basketball. I'd put them in the 2008/2009 pre-season top 15.All I can say is...Who paid off the Refs! Did you see all the fouls commited by KU that were overlooked???I agree, it is absurd to name a Top 10 the day after the National Championship -- but why wasn't Uof A mentioned. Yes, Payless(sp!)is gone but we have some great talent coming in to work with Budinger, Jordan Hill, Nic Weiss and others. Oh, and by the way, I think Lute will want to make up for lost time and a confounding season this past year, don't you? Time to get back on track Cats!I am a HUGE Duke fan, BUT i dont see us doing anything, we don't have a big man and we just aren't that athletic...unless we fill up the scholly lost with King leaving with size or another athlete it will be another lackluster season in Durham.I'm so glad to witness one of the greatest NCAA championship games in history. Win or lose I'll always bleed crimson and blue. Go Jayhawks!!I don't see how Miami can be left out of the Top 30. With their performance this year after a projected placement at the bottom of the ACC at the beginning of the season, and their near comeback against the powerhouse that is Texas in this years tournament. The only two major losses are Hicks (who isn't in the top three of the Canes stats in PPG, or Rebounds, or Assists) and King who, while a major force in the paint, can be backed up by the equally dominant tandem of Collins and Jimmy Graham. McClinton will be back, as will Asbury, and Hurdle. They are a force to be reckoned with, and are dominant from the free throw line (see last night's game for the importance there). To leave them out of the top 30 is a joke. Maybe Frank Haith and the Canes will finally get the recognition they deserve next year when they make it to the Sweet 16, after being shafted in this past years preseason rankings and apparently on the road to the same treatment this preseason.I'm a Syracuse fan - they have 2 McDonald's All-Americans who don't play good defense and they are essentially an all style-no substance team. I'm just hoping they make the tourney next season. Top 5 team???? Not even close.UNLV was supposed to have a rebuilding year and still won their first round tourney game before losing to Kansas. They return just about everyone and add a big time center. Why don't they get more respect than BYU in the Mountain West Conf.Watch out for Arizona after an abyssmal year with an abyssmal interm coach. Lute Olson is back!I'm an Ohio State fan and looking forward to next year, but to say the Buckeyes are bringing everyone back is a huge mistake. Even if Koufos stays, look who is graduating - Hunter was the most consistent inside presence (despite lack of size), Terwilliger gave solid minutes off the bench, and Jamar Butler is only the winningest player in program history and school record holder in assists and threes. Yeah, there's potentially a lot of talent coming back and coming in, but overcoming that loss of veteran leadership is going to be difficult. I loved the run through the NIT (enough to take a greyhound from DC to watch the final) but let's be real....it's the NIT.I didn't post the Syracuse top 5 comment nor do I think they should be top 5 until they prove it BUT They lost their 2 best shooters in Rautins and devendorf (Mc-D) for the year along with their only 2 seniors. They played the entire season with 5 players who never played a D1 game before (4 Freshman, and a JUCO) Along with a soph who played in only a handful of games as a Fresh. Harris was the only player with any exp. So they struggled this year but next year could be a big year with all their players back and their incoming recruiting class.WAZZU babyUga! Uga! Uga!Duke? Puke! They will have have nothing, even less than this year, so how can they be a top 10? Old stupid habits are hard to break.Booker is not leaving Clemson. He will be back and the Tigers will be just as strong next year as they were this year.
North Carolina will be the same ole' story....win in the conference off favorable officiating and the resulting many trips to the charity stripe; leave the state at some point in the tournament; fail to get the calls; fewer trips to the free throw line; lose. If Roy really wants to have a valid national championship team then he will have to proactivley request that the officials start calling their games the same on both ends of the court. The Heels become spoiled and then are shocked when they leave the ACC bubble.GONZAGA! The Zags will go 39-0 and win the title on a Jeremy Pargo dunk from the three point line. Guaranteed.-Damn looking at the top teams I don't see much up there. I wasn't sure about KU heading into next year, because I wasn't sure how well we'd do without Robinson, Jackson, Rush, Kaun, Arthur and possibly Chalmers. However, looking at the top, there isn't anybody other than UNC that I would consider a lock for the top 5 most of next year, and with Collins and a guy in Aldrich who matured much quicker than anyone thought, we could be up there.
-To the guy who was talking about the Big East...get over yourself. 9 teams in the top 30 is great, but a) this is only a projection, and anywhere from 10-30 are entirely unstable, b) the Big East has FOURTEEN teams and c) where was the "best conference in college basketball" when the Final 4 came calling? The Big East may have a lot of good teams, but lately they've lacked top-caliber ones.
-For the person who said the Buckeyes should be in the top 10 for sure, are you serious? They really didn't show too much this season in a weak Big 10, and I'm guessing you were a fan when they played in the tourney last year so I'm sure you know the value of Butler and Hunter, so don't act like they don't mean anything. Not to mention, Kofous didn't look good AT ALL last year, and the team didn't even make it to the NIT final against far inferior competition.
-To the person who said Syracuse should be in the top 5 for losing in the NIT quarterfinals...uhh...they lost in the NIT QUARTERFINALS. They were ridiculously inconsistent all season long, and didn't show that they belonged in the top 30 even. That being said, they could do really well with certain pieces back, but until they show that they can do anything without a guy named Carmelo, Warrick, or McNamara, I wouldn't even have enough faith in that team to put them in the top 20, let alone the top 5.
-And to the Davidson supporter...yes, Stephen Curry is an incredible player. However, one of the things that made him so good, and one of the things he mentioned after they lost to KU, was that he is really good at running defenders off screens and getting fed the ball for his great shot. Who was feeding him the ball? His underrated SENIOR point guard, Richards. Without him, Davidson will be good (Curry won't allow them to be bad) but not good enough to rise to the top of the rankings.
As far as the top 10 go, the only ones I have a problem with are UCONN and Purdue. Both will be great, but not where they are. I don't think UCONN really has the toughness that you saw in the Emeka Okafor era, and I think this is a product of Jim Calhoun's coaching. I know this is a big statement to make, but Okafor was a tough, tough player, and I think his toughness was contagious. Calhoun just isn't as good of a coach as he is given credit for, and that has resulted in the NITs and early tourney losses lately. I don't see them getting back that high, even with Thabeet coming back (which I doubt he will). Purdue is the opposite, as I think Matt Painter is a hell of a coach, and that will allow them to play very well in the perennially weak Big 10. However, I think Tom Izzo is just too good a coach to continue to struggle, and I think this is the year that he again wins the Big 10, so Purdue shouldn't be quite that high.Really? The same Duke nucleus (minus a senior and a bench reserve) that nearly lost to Belmont and left this year's tournament in the second round? Final four?What about Miami???
And that guy that said dook is going to win a championship better hope some decent fowards come out of no where and join the dook team....b/c zoubek and thomas are not!lets just look at the foward combinations in the last few national championship teams, '03 Syracuse(Hakim Warrick and Carmelo Anthony) 04 UCONN(Emeka Okafor and Josh Boone/Charlie Villenuva) 05 UNC(Sean May and Jawad/Marvin Williams) 06 Florida (Jokim Noah and Al Horford) 07 Florida (Jokim Noah and Al Horford) 08 Kansas(Darrell Aruther and Darnell Jackson)Re: Are you referring to the MWC tournament, aka the "UNLV Invitational". BYU is clearly the more seasoned team the past two years and returns their top 3 starters and a promising guard in Fredette.Ohio State has to be one of the top ten for next year (as long as Kosta Koufos returns). Anyone who watched the NIT saw a young team dominate every team they played. Butler and Hunter were two good if not spectacular players this season but the cupboard isn't exactly bare. Evan Turner looks like a #1 scoring threat, Diebler is hot and cold but when he is hot he is among the best at shooting
3's, Dallas Lauderdale looks like another Hunter inside, Lighty is the guy who can create his own shot and knife to the basket. Add to that 7-1 BJ Mullens and Mr Ohio and parade all-american William Bufford and Ohio State starts resembling the team from two years ago that had went to the championship game. Its a great day to be a buckeye.I'm a Purdue fan through and through. And, as much as I like what Matt Painter has done over the past two seasons, this team is going to have to show me a little more physical toughness to warrant a top-5 ranking. I can see top-25 based on the results of this season and who's returning. Plus, Purdue is going to have to improve upon recent history in big games (i.e. B10/ACC challenge, B10 tournament, NCAA tournament) in order to make a top-5 ranking stick.syracuse is coming back with the big east co- rookies of the year. then they have 2 seniors, one in eric devendorf who was out with an injury for haif the season. and then paul harris is now argubaley a top 10 juniour this year. watch out. Syracuse is a comin.UAB..........????????????? isn't Mike Davis still coaching there?
and Southern Illinois..........in your dreams. They are in a downhill slide not to be righted anytime soon.I can agree with Purdue being Top 5 if JJ Johnson gains 30 Pounds! BTFU! Best Defense in the country next year!No Arizona State....They return every player on a team that won 21 games and beat Stanford, Xavier, USC, and Arizona (twice)...you have to be kidding me!does anyone know where taylor king transfered tooI just pray that wayne and tyler and ty come back.....Don't sleep on Michigan, I know it seems foolish, but the team started to buy into Belein's system late in the year and will only improve when Arizona transfer Laval Lucas-Perry is available. Plus the Big 10 will be weakI'm sorry but I can't believe you left out Maryland. Their only main threata they lose are Gist and Osby and dont get me wrong he was a great force for them but its not like they are losing Dixon or Blake. They still have Vasquez, Hanes, and Milbourne who are going to be juniors along with the freshman from this year getting better( a few started to come along at the end of the season) and they have a few good recruits coming in. If they can get to be more consistent and beat the teams they should beat then they will easily be in top 3 (which they almost got this year) of the ACC and def a top 30 team.MSU is gonna give purdue a run at the big 10 next year. yea they're losing neitzel but kalin lucas proved he's the point guard of the future and combine him with summers at the 2, raymar at the 3, and in-coming freshmen Delvon Roe making a run at the starting forward spot. not to mention a bench with allen, korie lucious, walton, and draymond green. next years team should be better than this years and with the final 4 being in ford field that should give them an extra motivation to get there next year.I'm a North Carolina fan and there only losing Thomas Wood and maybe Lawson and Hansbrough but Purdue 4 is kind of dumb and Danny Green is so key to the offense and he grabs more rebounds than Ginyard so he should be SG or SF and Wayne Ellington is probaly the new PG and Hans brough will win AP Player of the Year but Purdue 4 is dumb. Watch Out for Notre Dame and Wake ForestUCLA will be a top 10 again, but Westbrook and Love won't be there. They're both top 10 NBA picks now. UCLA's lineup will, once again, be guard heavy - Collison, Holliday, Shipp, etc. The post-presence is weak but Gooden will help a lot, and if Mbah a Moute stays it's ON!Where is the love for the sooners? Lost in the second round of the NCAA tourney and is bringing in a Macdonald's all-american guard and two juco all-americans to accompany Blake Griffin in the post! Soon to be big twelve champs: oklahoma sooners...Oklahoma will be at least top 15 next season w/ willie and blake. that equals a lethal combo. Boomer Sooner!Carolina's talent is outshone only by their ability to choke at the big games.what about missouri! they are bringing in a top 10 recruiting class, and have to be considered the favorite in the big 12 northIt will be TEXAS in '09 simply because DJ will return with super frosh J'covan Brown and Turkish PG Balbay for THE depth we need.. oh yeah..ALL 8 Rotation players ARE BACK !!!!!what about missouri! they have a top ten recruiting class, and have to be considered the favorites to win the big 12 northFor UCLA if westbrook comes back and either collison or love comes back ucla will be at the top. Dont forget about shipp after what happened this year he is primed for a big year next year. Jrue holliday is the best high schooler.Love the Mountaineers - no matter where you predict they'll be, WV flies under the radar but are a force to be reckoned with. Alexander stays and Huggins inspires all.IlliniPurdue had its chance, they are over...Badgers are going to be in the top ten again next season.what about the gophers????badgers will be better than 27th coming out. bo ryan always finds a way to make a good team.I always am surprised by how frequently the Duke haters jump on the chance to complain about Duke's ranking or spitefully emphasize their early tournament exit. Duke had a great season, at 28-6, with a number 7 RPI in the number 1 RPI conference (ACC). They lose one of their leading scorers in Nelson, but they bring back the vast majority of a very balanced team (King's departure is almost a non-factor; he rarely played.)
Putting Duke at number 9 is completely reasonable... and a championship is always a strong possibility for any team in the preseason top ten.GOOD TO SEE WVU GETTING RESPECT...DEVIN EBANKS IS VISITING THIS WEEKEND...IF WVU LANDS HIM, FINAL 4 CONTENDERWhere's Michigan? They're always boasting about how they're a "BIG Time" program, so where are they?Wow, Buckeyes, you really think that Jamar Butler = losing no one. Hilarious.
Good luck with that. Better yet, why don't we just hand you a championship right now and get it out of the way.
The sense of entitlement is funny. It's not football boys.
PS - T-minus a year and a half till the NCAA allegations start to swirl.sleeper team is Siena. They are from a small conference but return everyone but Tay Fisher (6th man) from a team that beat Stanford during the season and blew out Vandy in the tournament. The will not be a top 20 team but could sneak into the top 25 by the end of the seasonAu contraire mon frere...Memphis top THIRTY???? They will be in the Top FIVE. Still, after all this, we get no respect.....Let's be honest Buckeye nation, you have no chance at winning a meaningful (i.e. NOT THE NIT) title if Florida fields a halfway decent team. Nature just simply won't allow it.There is a good argument to have Davidson in the top 20...but losing Richards and Sanders to graduation could hurt. Then again there are a lot of good sophomores who will step up. There is always the potential for incredible performances with Curry. Lovedale is back too. But they need a good point guard. Not sure, but maybe Barr can be the guy.Who won a What Matt Painter has done to resurrect the Purdue basketball program is amazing. They will be a force to reckon with for a number years.To "anonymous" from April 8, 2008 5:20 PM --- hahaha! I feel the same way about the goons at UNC. Friggin school gets a freebie ticket to the tourney every damn year, regardless of their ability or record. Then you get all the talking heads heaping praise on them because they're in the tournament "for a record 600th year in a row." Well, *of course* they are.Blake Griffin just made it official...he's coming back. With Oklahoma getting Willie Warren and with the talent already there, it's a shame they didn't even make the list. Luke,IT'S TIME FOR A REVISION.Luke,
How can you leave Arizona off the list of top 30 programs next year. They will lose Bayless but, hopefully retain Chase Budinger and have Brandon Jennings(the no. 1point guard in the nation)arriving in Tucson in the fall. No love for the Cat's because of the Lute situation or what?Dook may not have the usual load of talent, but they still have the refs. Look for even more flops next season.Syracuse does have a stellar recruiting class coming in, and a great returning class, should be top4 in Big East, not sure about Top10 nationally, but probably top20.
Hopefully Greene will rescind his declaration for the NBA Draft and also return.You forgot about Davidson. Stephen Curry returns along with a good cast of characters. Watch out for the CatsWake Forest definitely...they didn't lose ANYBODY on a team that overachieved from overcoming Skip's passing...and they have the #1 Recruiting class in the nation! They are at least a 5th seed next yearUK suffered through 34 games missed by key players this past season. Next year they will have Darius Miller, Kevin Galloway, and Deandre Liggins joining a resurrected "Roman Empire of Basketball" as Pitino called the Big Blue Nation. Look for UK to be a Top 10 team by the end of next year.GO CATS-GO BIG BLUE!BOILER UP!!Arizona, never gets any love by the national media. Zona has to be in the top 30 for sure next year. If not the top 10 if Chase comes back!!many people around the kansas basketball program feel like ku has the most underrated freshman class coming in. also maybe the most underrated player in travis releford. i dont think luke has us ranked to low or high, just watch out for the hawks in '08-'09, if mario and shady stay preseason #2 or #3, if shady goes #5 and if mario, shady and rush go #8. i dont think there is any chance that rush will stay and there is almost no chance that shady will stay. i think there is a great chance that mario will stay, he is going to get his number retired and he will be a god on the hill. also i totally disagree with the uconn, purdue ranking. the big east is good but how many teams went deep in the tournament, pitt underacheived and i thought they were a possible final four team, purdue just isnt that good, you need coaching to be elite and they ain't got it. so thanks for reading my musings. finally, ku's starting five for '08-'09 pg sherron collins sg super mario chalmers sf mario little pf markieff morris c cole aldrich. oh yeah, and we will have insane depth again this year, but it will be a little young!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Gillispie will have Kentucky and Rupp rockin next year. Mark down a great year and DEEP tourney run.How on God's green earth do you have Duke ranked so high? That team loses their best player and has no one to really step in that has proven themselves. If you say they have "All-American's" who can step in, stop kidding yourself. Duke has been not an elite team for the past several year so until they prove themselves again by making back to at least the sweet 16, stop ranking them so high. Also, Kyle Singlar isn't the nucleus for Duke to win another title, nor is Henderson. Singlar TITTY-TWISTERED a player this year on the court (didn't get caught, shocking) and we all know how Henderson like to accidentally throw elbows into the face of other player. (and no, I'm not a UNC fan).
I can't believe these major sports sights pay people like you to just write crap like this without facts. People could probably pick apart your entire top 30 picks and I would if I had the time. I'll try to do so at www.iprobablyhateyourteam.blogspot.com.
Feel free to leave any comments about this horrible top 30 list there in the coming days.With the known recruits coming to UK and the unknowns coming....and we all know UK is not done recruiting....Look for an exciting and dominating year for Kentucky!i believe youre missing maryland in your top 30The ACC is to basketball what the big 10 is to football - yesterday's news. North Carolina had a cream puff schedule, and folded when facing its first difficult foe. And where was duke?tennessee top 5 easy. If tyler smith stays. they loose lofton and sighned Hopson. Bruce pearl has it going onBoiler Up all the way! but let's be real, 4 is a bit high. I wouldn't argue with top 10 or 15, but with Martin leaving we take another hit to the inside. Painter will make up for that by controlling the style of the game, but yeah, 4 is a bit high. Don't get me wrong, I love the respect we're getting after a 15-3 Big Ten season and returning our top 7 scorers, rebounders and assist leader (minus Martin). I'd put us top 15 but look for us to make a Big Ten run (WI and MSU will compete) and a run to the elite 8 next year. Heading into 2009-10 I think we'll be a favorite for the National Championship and a legit top 5 team, but that's not for another year. Boiler Up!UKants are not a top 20 or 30 team, only in the eyes of the fans and alumni. PP is having surgery and what I dont understand is why they waited so long to do it? He may be alright but......always a potential. B gillisppe STILL has not signed a contract.(Okla. State?)To the guy who said the big east is overrated.. you proved you were misinformed when you said the big east has 14 teams. It's 16 son. Cuse' probably would have been top 10 next year with donte, with tournament potential. Now it's hard to see them going far.Wow how can UNLV not be in the top 30? Luke Winn are you smoking crack or cocain or both? Seriously the Rebels return all key starters. Except for Curtis Terry. He wasn't even good until last year anyway. They bring in five-star recruit Beas Hamga and sophmore tranfer from Memphis Trevon Willis. That doesn't include the rest of the recruiting class Kruger has put together. To all BYU fans. When's the last time they won a tournament game? BYU is disgracing the MWC because they can't get out of the first round. No one seemed to care if the tourney was in Vegas until it turned out they were good again. UNLV will be a preseason top 25 team. I'm predicting elite eight or beyond for this rebel team.Wow how can UNLV not be in the top 30? Luke Winn are you smoking crack or cocain or both? Seriously the Rebels return all key starters. Except for Curtis Terry. He wasn't even good until last year anyway. They bring in five-star recruit Beas Hamga and sophmore tranfer from Memphis Trevon Willis. That doesn't include the rest of the recruiting class Kruger has put together. To all BYU fans. When's the last time they won a tournament game? BYU is disgracing the MWC because they can't get out of the first round. No one seemed to care if the tourney was in Vegas until it turned out they were good again. UNLV will be a preseason top 25 team. I'm predicting elite eight or beyond for this rebel team.Reading through this almost makes me laugh. To the hater that questioned why Kentucky is always looked at in the top 30 ... well it's called tradition. Will Kentucky be the best next year, propably not, but we'll get our wins and we always bring everyone's A game to the table. That's more than most programs can say.UCLA won't be able to truly contend for the title until they bring in some good 'bigs'. In the final four, Memphis collapsed around Love...when he kicked out to an open Mbah a Moute he (Mbah a Moute) missed open 5, 7 and 10 footers...of course so did all those heralded guards...Howland's a GREAT coach...but the last three years proves that, in the end, it's not defense that wins games...it's talent.UCLA won't be able to truly contend for the title until they bring in some good 'bigs'. In the final four, Memphis collapsed around Love...when he kicked out to an open Mbah a Moute he (Mbah a Moute) missed open 5, 7 and 10 footers...of course so did all those heralded guards...Howland's a GREAT coach...but the last three years proves that, in the end, it's not defense that wins games...it's talent.WHERE IS STANFORD!Memphis Top 30? HAAAA... unbelievable, it never ends.
Memphis will be signing Tyreke Evans, returning Dozier, Taggart, Kemp, and defensive powerhouse Anderson.
And UAB will step up to the plate and make CUSA have at least two teams in the tourney. I hope to see UTEP fire up also, less optimistic but possible for Houston.
GO TIGERS!You do not have Louisville in your top 25? and you have the Mildcats in lex. in the Top 25? Luke,are you alright?You heard it here first, and this is coming from a fan of a rival school, but LSU will make noise in the NCAA tourney next year. If Randolph doesn't go pro, and they get Tasmin Mitchell back, they'll have a starting 5 that can play with anybody.
You heard it here first.You heard it here first, and this is coming from a fan of a rival school, but LSU will make noise in the NCAA tourney next year. If Randolph doesn't go pro, and they get Tasmin Mitchell back, they'll have a starting 5 that can play with anybody.
You heard it here first.Uhhh Wake Forest is returning everybody. We had two exceptional freshmen in James Johnson and Jeff Teague and we are bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. You are a fool if you dont believe we are a top 25 team.You're an idolt - Carolina will never win another Championship. The one the Roy did win wasn't with his players anyway!!!The 'Canes have everyone except for King coming back, they were in the top 30 for the entire year, and, they are adding a top 50 player in DeQuan Jones that will be ready to play next year. They should be in the top 25, if not higher.you are out of yo mind duke gains elliot williams and olek cruz plus what they got there the best team country next year by farWake Forest WILL be a top 25 team. Ish Smith, Jeff Teague,James Johnson and THREE top 50 HS hoop stars coming in.Time to wake the nation!Kentucky fans are delusional, Billy Gillispie is a drunk, no chance at a final four next year, will get beat by Louisville by double digits…I am a Kansas fan and it's unfortunate to say, but Chalmers is gone and without his leadership we don't belong in the top 10 next year. I agree that Oklahoma could be much more dangerous than just a top 30 team if Griffin stays. Texas could come back firing too if they don't lose all of their all-stars.haha okay i know this preseason top 10 is old, old news, but seriously luke, nd not in the top 10. are you like, serious?
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Buffalo
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Nude (Remixed)
22: Quiet Village
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