Bob's Preseason Top 25

As the season draws closer and closer I thought it would be a good idea to put out a completely arbitrary list that has absolutely zero impact on the upcoming season whatsoever. Here is my preseason top 25. This is straight from my Reddit poll, so sorry for the lack of grammar.

1. Kentucky- Kentucky has everything needed to be a contender. Good perimeter defenders in Hagans and Johnson, Travis is a difference maker.

2. Kansas- Lots of depth. Only worry is how all the transfers mix together. Dedric Lawson is a stud. Good freshman guards in Grimes and Dotson too.

3. Gonzaga- I think Norvell has a breakout year. Tillie and Perkins lead an experienced group that can win a title.

4. Duke- Best recruiting class in the country, but I have to see how Barrett, Zion, and Cam play together before I predict anything too crazy. Bigs?

5. Tennessee- Love the Williams-Schofield combination. I'm not sold on guard play but Bone, Bowden, and Turner can be big for them.

6. Nevada- They return everything from a Sweet 16 team and they get back Lindsey Drew and add All-American Jordan Brown. What's not to like?

7. North Carolina- It all depends on how good Nassir Little and Koby White are going to be. First time in a while UNC is relying on freshmen to be good.

8. Virginia- I love the backcourt tandem of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome, but can they get production in front court? DeAndre Hunter is a stud too.

9. Auburn- Lost Mustapha Heron but they still have a strong backcourt and get back forwards Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley from suspension.

10. Michigan State- Winston is the driving force behind this team. Langford can be a breakout star. They also have Matty Ice (McQuaid).

11. Villanova- Eric Paschall and Phil Booth have to be the primary players on this year's team. Freshman Jahvon Quinerly looks to replace Brunson.

12. Oregon- Higher on Oregon than most. Favorites in the Pac-12. I like the recruiting class Altman brought in. Pritchard is a perfect college guard.

13. Syracuse- Return Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett from a surprise Sweet 16 team. Squarely in 4th place in ACC for me.

14. Kansas State- Another surprise Sweet 16 team. Dean Wade will be a special player once again.

15. Florida State- Basically return everyone from their Elite Eight run last season. Hopefully Leonard Hamilton calls timeouts this year.

16. LSU- I've been a Tremont Waters stan ever since he tore up the Maui last year. Now he gets two 5-star big men to play with.

17. Marquette- Markus Howard is probably the closest thing you'll see to Steph Curry this season. Need to improve defensively to solidify themselves.

18. Michigan- I like Beilein's system and Charles Mathews should break out even more this year. Jordan Poole is going to be a star in Ann Arbor.

19. Mississippi State- The Weatherspoon brothers and 5-star freshman Reggie Perry should have Ben Howland dancing for the first time in Starkville.

20. UCLA- Injuries have screwed them early, but Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes are back. Throw in freshman Moses Brown and you got a Pac-12 contender.

21. Virginia Tech- Justin Robinson leads an experienced group under Buzz Williams. Really excited about Kerry Blackshear Jr.

22. Nebraska- Nebraska went 13-5 in the Big Ten and didn't get in last year. That's not happening again. James Palmer Jr is a star. Glynn Watson leads.

23. Western Kentucky- WKU had some impressive performances in last year's Battle 4 Atlantis, and they added five-star freshman Charles Bassey. Class of C-USA

24. Butler- This team will go as far as Kamar Baldwin takes them. I believe that is going to be quite far. Don't sleep on Duke transfer Jordan Tucker.

25. Iowa State- Biggest wildcard in my top 25. I like the addition of Marial Shayok and Lindell Wigginton is a monster.


Others Considered:
Washington, Purdue, Providence, Loyola-Chicago, St. John's, Indiana, TCU, Texas, Alabama, USC, West Virginia, Xavier, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina State, Clemson, Central Florida, Wisconsin