Winn's Pre-2009 Season Top 10 (Already!)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/ncaa_tourney/2008/

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.

I agree with most, but putting dook at #9 IN THE NATION? Holy crap, when will the dook overrating stop???!!!???

 

three big east teams in the top 10 and nine in the top 30. two and three for the ACC.


quick, someone call the RPI Police

 

Is that police force as big a joke as the RPI?

 

A lot of "if's" for Carolina. You can talk about Hansbrough and Lawson leaving but what about Wayne Ellington? Nobody talking about the potential of him leaving which I think the chance is higher than a lot of people think. If Ellington leaves you have absolutely no 2-guard that can take over a game like he can. Ginyard can't do what Ellington does and Green knows his role of being the 6th man. Larry Drew will be more than capable with Bobby Frasor to run the point if it comes to that.

This team is most talented team in the nation that nobody knows about. Jim Calhoun better do some big things with this group next year. I thought they under-performed this season.

UCLA has a good class coming in but its time for them to drop off for a couple years.

Big 10? Who cares...

KU will be a legit Sweet 16 contender next year...just not enough pieces to repeat

Augustin will be the key...they got Final Four potential with him next year.

The Mountaineers will be a middle of the road team in the Big East...

Mark my words, Greg Monroe is seriously overrated...they'll be wishing they had Hibbert for another year

Uh, you got MAYBE half the nucleus needed for a Final Four. Duke needs a legit post presence and a consistant perimeter threat and I don't see either coming next year. If Henderson were to decide to leave then Duke would be in real trouble.

I know a lot of people like Bruce Pearl but I get the feeling the love affair in Knoxville begins to crumble next season.

 

Nice to sepculate, but that's about all anyone can do this early. To many unknowns. That list is garbage until all the defections play out.

 

Exactly

 

I want to see the 2010 preseason rankings. when will those come out?

 

ESPN had their final poll for the season

1. Kansas
2. Memphis
3. UNC

Davidson was 9th I believe

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/usatpoll.htm

1. Kansas 37-3 775 4

2. Memphis 38-2 744 3

3. North Carolina 36-3 708 1

4. UCLA 35-4 687 2

5. Texas 31-7 631 7

6. Louisville 27-9 602 13

7. Tennessee 31-5 554 6

8. Xavier 30-7 543 12

9. Davidson 29-7 512 23

10. Wisconsin 31-5 499 5