My Rankings After the First Day
1. Kentucky
May I say most talented team ever?
Let's start with Aaron Harrison, a top 10 recruit SG last year and one of the top players in the NCAA tournament last year, hitting a few incredibly clutch shots. They also have PG Andrew Harrison, his twin brother, who came up key in their run to the final game last year. Both are McDonald's All Americans and could have been 1st round picks last year. Then they have Karl-Anthony Towns, a top 5 freshman recruit this year and the projected number 2 pick in the draft by nbadraft.net. And I'm forgetting their two 7 foot centers, Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson, both projected 1st rounders. Not to mention they have Trey Lyles, Devin Booker and Chicago kid Tyler Ulis, all Freshman McDonald's All Americans. Oh yeah, and I forgot they return two of the most athletic players in the country: Marcus Lee, an incredible dunker (quick video below) and another projected 1st round pick, as well as Alex Poythress, a junior forward who is a projected NBA player. Yep, that basically sums up the best team in the country.
Marcus Lee's tournament breakout:
2. Wisconsin
Who would have thought that Kaminsky would be this good? ESPN rated Frank Kaminsky, who is from western suburbs of Chicago the number one player in all of college basketball. I don't know if I agree with this, but he has definitely shown that he is a star. Sam Dekker is a superb athlete to help out Kaminsky in the frontcourt, and Jim Jackson's son Traevon is back for another year at the PG spot.
3. Duke
I was unsure if Jahlil was for real (little rhyme!), but after he went 9 of 10 from the field in their first game, I realized I could't doubt the number one recruit in the country. Justice Winslow and Tyus Jones are both also fantastic freshmen, and Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson bring veteran depth. My favorite though, is guard Grayson Allen, who won the McDonald's All American dunk contest.
Here are a few of his dunks:
Overall, Duke will be really, really good (that's some high praise!).
4. Texas
Going out on a limb on this one, I just think Texas has what it takes. Talent, chemistry, experience, young players, veterans. I love Isaiah Taylor at point guard. Not only is he one of their 2 projected lottery picks (the other is Myles Turner), but he is calm, yet aggressive on the floor. I didn't watch too much of him, but the sophomore point guard kind of reminds me of Chris Paul. Myles Turner was a top 10 recruit, and it was huge for them to keep him in the state. He is very big (6-11) and a powerful low post big man who blocks shots and has three point range (a great combo). Although these two are solid, the thing that impresses me so much about Texas is their depth. They can go 11 deep! They return 10 who averaged at least 3 ppg, and added Myles Turner. Javan Felix and DeMarcus Holland lead their guards along with Taylor, and their frontcourt includes two Athlon Sports projected All Big-12 second and third teamers in Jonathan Holmes and Cameron Ridley.
5. Arizona
Freshman Stanley Johnson has a lot of hype, and I think he can live up to it. I have heard that he is a phenomenal defender, and can score as well. Brandon Ashley is a returning Junior. He got hurt towards the end of last year, and they weren't the same team without him. Everyone thinks they will see big things out of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and I have seen him twice as a 1st team all-american. I don't think he can be this good, personally I like Ashley and point guard TJ McConnell better. Also about Jefferson, I think he may be the 1st player on multiple preseason all-american 1st teams that didn't even score 10 points a game the previous year.
6. Kansas
I looked at the stats of their first game, and saw that Cliff Alexander didn't even start. He was supposed to be up there with Stanley Johnson and Jahlil Okafor, but I was disappointed as a Kansas fan when I saw that he didn't start. One guy that I love is Devonte Graham, who originally committed to Appalachian State (Are they even D-1??). He then changed his commitment to sign with Kansas, after bolting up the rankings. I expect another solid year from Perry Ellis, and Kelly Oubre should be another fantastic freshman. Add Sviatoslav Myhailiuk, a Ukrainian who just turned 17 and can shoot, pass and drive, and Kansas should have another solid year.
7. Wichita State
Fred Van Vleet is a star. The way he controls games amazes me. I don't know if they will, but I think all NBA GMs should consider drafting Van Vleet no matter what point in the draft it is. He plays calmly under pressure, and man people forget how he was one of the best players in the country last year, as a sophomore, and he could have 2 more years. Ron Baker has been on many preseason all-american lists, and he can definitely shoot. Tekele Cotton and Darius Carter should be solid double digit scorers, but this team needs to find depth. Their top 2 may be better than any other teams', but their depth is weak.
8. North Carolina
Marcus Paige returns to try to contend for player of the year, and I think he can. I love how smoothly he plays and he has a beautiful shooting stroke. I think UNC will miss James Michael McAdoo inside, but Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks should be able to step up. Meeks and fellow frontcourt player Joel James are both HUGE, each at 280 pounds. Sometimes when they are both on the floor, I wonder if UNC is playing 7 guys.
9. Florida
Dorian Finney-Smith and Michael Frazier were both key contributors last year, but they need to step up. Last year, they often had shots created for them by the talent of their teammates, but this year they won't have the same talent or experience. Chris Walker will definitely improve, but how much he will is Florida's million dollar question. Kasey Hill will start and point guard, and he needs to improve his decision making if he wants to get better. Also, I love his name (just not the spelling).
10. Gonzaga
I love this team. Kevin Pangos is such a fun shooter, as is Gary Bell. I feel like they have been there forever. What are they, in like their 10th year now? I can't even remember Zags basketball without them. Gonzaga's only other big contributor that returns is Przemek Karnokowski, a 7 foot 1 center who makes Joel James and Kennedy Meeks look tiny. He weighs 300 pounds. The keys for Gonzaga will be two of the top transfers in all of college basketball in Byron Wesley (who averaged 17.8 ppt and 6.4 rpg for USC) and Kyle Wiltjer, a former Kentucky McDonald's All American.
11. Louisville
Montrezl Harrell not only has a silent "L" in his name, but also is one of the top 2 or 3 players in the country. Their big problem, their two beststarting guards each shot 40.1 percent or less from the field last year.
12. Villanova
Darrun Hilliard and JayVaughn Pinkston are great, but how will they replace sweet shooting guard and hard-working team leader James Bell.
13. Oklahoma
Buddy Hield and Ryan Spangler are All Big-12, but Jordan Woodard and Isaiah Cousins need to take the next step.
14. San Diego State
The big problem for them is who will replace Xaiver Thames, I think Winston Shepard will be the one to do it.
15. Virginia
I have never liked their slow style of play, but I am realizing that it works. Malcom Brogden will only get better, but Mike Tobey seems to be all hype.
16. Ohio State
D'Angelo Russell could be Ohio State's next big scorer after LaQuinton Ross and DeShaun Thomas, and their defense plus Sam "SLAM" Thompson should continue to step up.
17. VCU
I think this could be Shaka Smart's year to advance to the Elite 8 or later again. Melvin Johnson had 20 first half points in their first game, which was against a solid opponent in Tennessee.
18. Syracuse
Don't we all love Jim Boeheim and his 2-3 defense? Unless of course, you've lost to them in the last couple years (which represents a lot of the population). Syracuse will be good again, especially if Kaleb Joseph can replace Tyler Ennis and if Chris McCullough can prove himself as a freshman.
19. Connecticut
The national champs lost a lot, but Ryan Boatright and Daniel Hamilton lead another solid Kevin Ollie team.
20. Michigan State
I was not impressed at all by their first game. Beating Navy by a mere 5 points! NAVY! I mean, Navy is very, very bad. But… they will definitely improve, and they definitely have some talent with Travis Trice and Branden Dawson. As long as coach Tom Izzo keeps them in the IZZONE, they will be fine.
21. Arkansas
Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls are two athletes that should power their way through the SEC this year.
22. Michigan
Their guards are up there with the best in the country, but their big guys are severely lacking. I don't know if any of their starting big men would start for any of the other teams in my top 25.
23. SMU
Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy are solid and SMU has a big game this week versus Indiana.
24. Stanford
Chasson Randle (pronounced CHASE-in) is a great shooter from Chicago, but Stanford needs to show that they have a decent big man.
25. Utah
I absolutely love Delon Wright. He is a 6-5 PG who is one of the top point guards in the country, possibly number one. He is the definition of a stat-sheet-stuffer, he averaged 7 boards and 5 assists last year, and he can shoot, averaging 16 ppg.
May I say most talented team ever?
Let's start with Aaron Harrison, a top 10 recruit SG last year and one of the top players in the NCAA tournament last year, hitting a few incredibly clutch shots. They also have PG Andrew Harrison, his twin brother, who came up key in their run to the final game last year. Both are McDonald's All Americans and could have been 1st round picks last year. Then they have Karl-Anthony Towns, a top 5 freshman recruit this year and the projected number 2 pick in the draft by nbadraft.net. And I'm forgetting their two 7 foot centers, Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson, both projected 1st rounders. Not to mention they have Trey Lyles, Devin Booker and Chicago kid Tyler Ulis, all Freshman McDonald's All Americans. Oh yeah, and I forgot they return two of the most athletic players in the country: Marcus Lee, an incredible dunker (quick video below) and another projected 1st round pick, as well as Alex Poythress, a junior forward who is a projected NBA player. Yep, that basically sums up the best team in the country.
Marcus Lee's tournament breakout:
2. Wisconsin
Who would have thought that Kaminsky would be this good? ESPN rated Frank Kaminsky, who is from western suburbs of Chicago the number one player in all of college basketball. I don't know if I agree with this, but he has definitely shown that he is a star. Sam Dekker is a superb athlete to help out Kaminsky in the frontcourt, and Jim Jackson's son Traevon is back for another year at the PG spot.
3. Duke
I was unsure if Jahlil was for real (little rhyme!), but after he went 9 of 10 from the field in their first game, I realized I could't doubt the number one recruit in the country. Justice Winslow and Tyus Jones are both also fantastic freshmen, and Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson bring veteran depth. My favorite though, is guard Grayson Allen, who won the McDonald's All American dunk contest.
Here are a few of his dunks:
4. Texas
Going out on a limb on this one, I just think Texas has what it takes. Talent, chemistry, experience, young players, veterans. I love Isaiah Taylor at point guard. Not only is he one of their 2 projected lottery picks (the other is Myles Turner), but he is calm, yet aggressive on the floor. I didn't watch too much of him, but the sophomore point guard kind of reminds me of Chris Paul. Myles Turner was a top 10 recruit, and it was huge for them to keep him in the state. He is very big (6-11) and a powerful low post big man who blocks shots and has three point range (a great combo). Although these two are solid, the thing that impresses me so much about Texas is their depth. They can go 11 deep! They return 10 who averaged at least 3 ppg, and added Myles Turner. Javan Felix and DeMarcus Holland lead their guards along with Taylor, and their frontcourt includes two Athlon Sports projected All Big-12 second and third teamers in Jonathan Holmes and Cameron Ridley.
5. Arizona
Freshman Stanley Johnson has a lot of hype, and I think he can live up to it. I have heard that he is a phenomenal defender, and can score as well. Brandon Ashley is a returning Junior. He got hurt towards the end of last year, and they weren't the same team without him. Everyone thinks they will see big things out of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and I have seen him twice as a 1st team all-american. I don't think he can be this good, personally I like Ashley and point guard TJ McConnell better. Also about Jefferson, I think he may be the 1st player on multiple preseason all-american 1st teams that didn't even score 10 points a game the previous year.
6. Kansas
I looked at the stats of their first game, and saw that Cliff Alexander didn't even start. He was supposed to be up there with Stanley Johnson and Jahlil Okafor, but I was disappointed as a Kansas fan when I saw that he didn't start. One guy that I love is Devonte Graham, who originally committed to Appalachian State (Are they even D-1??). He then changed his commitment to sign with Kansas, after bolting up the rankings. I expect another solid year from Perry Ellis, and Kelly Oubre should be another fantastic freshman. Add Sviatoslav Myhailiuk, a Ukrainian who just turned 17 and can shoot, pass and drive, and Kansas should have another solid year.
7. Wichita State
Fred Van Vleet is a star. The way he controls games amazes me. I don't know if they will, but I think all NBA GMs should consider drafting Van Vleet no matter what point in the draft it is. He plays calmly under pressure, and man people forget how he was one of the best players in the country last year, as a sophomore, and he could have 2 more years. Ron Baker has been on many preseason all-american lists, and he can definitely shoot. Tekele Cotton and Darius Carter should be solid double digit scorers, but this team needs to find depth. Their top 2 may be better than any other teams', but their depth is weak.
8. North Carolina
Marcus Paige returns to try to contend for player of the year, and I think he can. I love how smoothly he plays and he has a beautiful shooting stroke. I think UNC will miss James Michael McAdoo inside, but Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks should be able to step up. Meeks and fellow frontcourt player Joel James are both HUGE, each at 280 pounds. Sometimes when they are both on the floor, I wonder if UNC is playing 7 guys.
9. Florida
Dorian Finney-Smith and Michael Frazier were both key contributors last year, but they need to step up. Last year, they often had shots created for them by the talent of their teammates, but this year they won't have the same talent or experience. Chris Walker will definitely improve, but how much he will is Florida's million dollar question. Kasey Hill will start and point guard, and he needs to improve his decision making if he wants to get better. Also, I love his name (just not the spelling).
10. Gonzaga
I love this team. Kevin Pangos is such a fun shooter, as is Gary Bell. I feel like they have been there forever. What are they, in like their 10th year now? I can't even remember Zags basketball without them. Gonzaga's only other big contributor that returns is Przemek Karnokowski, a 7 foot 1 center who makes Joel James and Kennedy Meeks look tiny. He weighs 300 pounds. The keys for Gonzaga will be two of the top transfers in all of college basketball in Byron Wesley (who averaged 17.8 ppt and 6.4 rpg for USC) and Kyle Wiltjer, a former Kentucky McDonald's All American.
11. Louisville
Montrezl Harrell not only has a silent "L" in his name, but also is one of the top 2 or 3 players in the country. Their big problem, their two beststarting guards each shot 40.1 percent or less from the field last year.
12. Villanova
Darrun Hilliard and JayVaughn Pinkston are great, but how will they replace sweet shooting guard and hard-working team leader James Bell.
13. Oklahoma
Buddy Hield and Ryan Spangler are All Big-12, but Jordan Woodard and Isaiah Cousins need to take the next step.
14. San Diego State
The big problem for them is who will replace Xaiver Thames, I think Winston Shepard will be the one to do it.
15. Virginia
I have never liked their slow style of play, but I am realizing that it works. Malcom Brogden will only get better, but Mike Tobey seems to be all hype.
16. Ohio State
D'Angelo Russell could be Ohio State's next big scorer after LaQuinton Ross and DeShaun Thomas, and their defense plus Sam "SLAM" Thompson should continue to step up.
17. VCU
I think this could be Shaka Smart's year to advance to the Elite 8 or later again. Melvin Johnson had 20 first half points in their first game, which was against a solid opponent in Tennessee.
18. Syracuse
Don't we all love Jim Boeheim and his 2-3 defense? Unless of course, you've lost to them in the last couple years (which represents a lot of the population). Syracuse will be good again, especially if Kaleb Joseph can replace Tyler Ennis and if Chris McCullough can prove himself as a freshman.
19. Connecticut
The national champs lost a lot, but Ryan Boatright and Daniel Hamilton lead another solid Kevin Ollie team.
20. Michigan State
I was not impressed at all by their first game. Beating Navy by a mere 5 points! NAVY! I mean, Navy is very, very bad. But… they will definitely improve, and they definitely have some talent with Travis Trice and Branden Dawson. As long as coach Tom Izzo keeps them in the IZZONE, they will be fine.
21. Arkansas
Bobby Portis and Michael Qualls are two athletes that should power their way through the SEC this year.
22. Michigan
Their guards are up there with the best in the country, but their big guys are severely lacking. I don't know if any of their starting big men would start for any of the other teams in my top 25.
23. SMU
Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy are solid and SMU has a big game this week versus Indiana.
24. Stanford
Chasson Randle (pronounced CHASE-in) is a great shooter from Chicago, but Stanford needs to show that they have a decent big man.
25. Utah
I absolutely love Delon Wright. He is a 6-5 PG who is one of the top point guards in the country, possibly number one. He is the definition of a stat-sheet-stuffer, he averaged 7 boards and 5 assists last year, and he can shoot, averaging 16 ppg.
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