September 19, 2011 – Allen Moll
With the NBA Lockout potentially lasting all season long, surely college basketball will get a big boost in viewership. That’s a good thing since with a number of the nation’s top underclassmen choosing to return to their respective teams rather than declare for the NBA Draft, competition for the 2012 National Title should be as fierce as ever.
This year’s consensus preseason #1 pick North Carolina is as talented and as deep as any school in recent memory led by 1st Team All American Harrison Barnes. Right on their heels are the Kentucky Wildcats, who in addition to bringing in the top rated recruiting class in the country, also will have the services of returning sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb. Arguably the most talented big man in the country, Jared Sulinger, decided to return to Ohio State and defending champion UConn got a late commitment from fabulous freshman Andre Drummond in hipes of repeating.
Here are my official preseason Top 25 Teams:
| Ranking | Team | Conference | ’10-’11 Record | Top Player |
1. |
North Carolina | ACC | 29-8 | Harrison Barnes(15.7 ppg) |
| With the return of Barnes for his sophomore campaign, in addition to a talented and experienced supporting cast of John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Dexter Strickland, and Kendall Marshall, the Tarheels have arguably the most talented starting 5 in the country. Add in returning SG Reggie Bullock and a Top 5 recruiting class highlighted by F James McAdoo and G PJ Hairston, UNC looks like the team to beat. | ||||
2. |
Kentucky | SEC | 29-9 | Terrence Jones(15.7 ppg) |
| Fresh off a Final Four appearance last season, Calipari’s Wildcats should be even more potent with the addition of the top ranked recruiting class for 2011, led by Anthony Davis, Mike Gilchrist-Kidd, Marquis Teague, and Kyle Wiltjers. Potential Lottery pick Terrence Jones and stellar SG Doran Lamb are back, along with seasoned vet Darius Miller to provide leadership. Coach Cal always does wonders with the nation’s best freshman. Now, armed with some experienced talent to guide the usual youth, the Cats should be in the hunt for another championship. | ||||
3. |
Ohio State | Big Ten | 34-3 | Jared Sullinger(17.2 ppg) |
| Despite losing 3 starters to graduation, the Buckeyes should once again be the class of the Big Ten behind returning future pros Jared Sullinger and William Buford. With prized 2nd year players Aaron Craft, Sullinger, Jordan Sibert, and Deshaun Thomas poised to get major minutes, along with yet another top flight recruiting class led by PG Shannon Scott and imposing C Amir Williams waiting in the wings, Coach Matta has enough talent to keep the Buckeyes ranked among the Top 10 teams all season. | ||||
4. |
UConn | Big East | 32-9 | Jeremy Lamb(11.1 ppg) |
| Despite losing one of the nation’s most dynamic players in Kemba Walker to the NBA, the defending National Champs return 5 of their top 6 scorers and emerged from a nasty recruiting scandal virtually unscathed. 2nd year SG Jeremy Lamb is a budding superstar, surrounded by ferocious rebounder Alex Oriakhi, and Shabazz Napier and Roscoe Smith from the perimeter. Coach Calhoun decided to return and brings with him an outstanding freshman class led by potential #1 Draft pick Andre Drummond, highly touted SF DeAndre Daniels, and PG Ryan Boatright. Do they have enough experience to repeat? | ||||
5. |
Syracuse | Big East | 27-8 | Kris Joseph(14.3 ppg) |
| Despite making an early exit in last season’s NCAA Tournament in dramatic fashion to conference rival Marquette, the Cuse are absolutely loaded heading into next season. They return 4 of 5 starters from a 27 win team, losing only Rick Jackson to graduation. In his place will be highly touted freshman center Rakeem Christmas, a Top 20 rated HS prospect. Fellow elite level frosh Michael Carter-Williams and Trevor Cooney join the returning Scoop Jardine, Brandon Triche, Dion Witers, and CJ Fair forming one of the deepest backcourts in the nation. This could be Coach Boeheim’s most talented squad since the 2003 Title team. | ||||
6. |
Arizona | Pac-12 | 30-8 | Josiah Turner(Freshman) |
| After suffering heavy losses due to graduation, transfers, or Derrick Williams leaving early for the NBA, many would think Coach Miller would be in for a long year. But thanks to a Top 5 rated recruiting class led by out of this world PG prospect Josiah Turner, elite SG Nick Johnson, and imposing big men Angelo Chol and Sidiki Johnson, many are calling the Cats the Kentucky of the West. The Wildcats also return Kyle Fogg and Jordin Mayes in the backcourt along with Solomon Hill and Kevin Parrom up front. Even with a team heavy on talent but lacking in experience, look for Arizona to be the class of the newly formed Pac-12. | ||||
7. |
Memphis | Conf USA | 25-10 | Will Barton(12.3 ppg) |
| With a full season of NCAA experience under their belts, Coach Pastner’s highly touted 2010 recruits Will Barton, Joe Jackson, and Tarik Black should have a much easier time dominating Conference USA this time around. Veteran leadership will be provided by pro prospect Will Witherspoon and DJ Stephens. Adding to the Tigers potency is highly touted freshman forward Adonis Thomas, who projects as one of the nation’s best one-and-done players. Memphis should be a mainstay in the Top 10 all season. | ||||
8. |
Duke | ACC | 32-5 | Austin Rivers(Freshman) |
| Losing 3 players of the caliber of Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, and #1 overall NBA pick Kyrie Irving would doom most squads for years to come. That’s not the case with this year’s Blue Devils as they look to retool rather than rebuild behind incument backcourt mates Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins along with Plumlee brothers Mason and Miles, and the rapidly improving Ryan Kelly down low. Coach K also brings in a Top 5 recruiting class led by #1 HS prospect Austin Rivers, Michael Gbinije, PG Quin Cook, and a 3rd Plumlee brother, Marshall, who arguably is the most talented in the family. | ||||
9. |
Pittsburgh | Big East | 28-6 | Ashton Gibbs(16.8 ppg) |
| Even though the Panthers lost 3 starters(Brown, Wanamaker, and McGhee) from a 27 win team last season, Coach Dixon will have arguably one of his most talented squads in his tenure. Luckily for him, one of the nation’s best PG’s Ashton Gibbs pulled out of the NBA Draft to return for his senior season. Experienced veterans Nasir Robinson, Dante Taylor, JJ Moore, Talib Zanna, and Lamar Patterson should get major minutes while top rated freshmen big men Khem Birch and Malcolm Gilbert should pay immediate dividends. Pitt should be right in the thick of the Big East along with Syracuse and UConn. | ||||
10. |
Baylor | Big 12 | 18-13 | Perry Jones III(13.9 ppg) |
| After an incredible Final Four run in 2010, the Bears took a step back last season, mainly because of lackluster PG play. That’s why Coach Drew hit the recruiting front hard to nab the top PG from the JUCO ranks, Pierre Jackson, to better feed the ball to one of the most talented frontcourts in the nation led by future NBA Lottery pick Perry Jones, Quincy Acy, J’Mison Morgan, and Anthony Jones. Adding Top 10 rated HS prospect Quincy Miller along with highlight reel dunker Deuce Bello could make Baylor the team to beat in the Big 12. | ||||
11. |
Florida | SEC | 29-8 | Erving Walker(14.6 ppg) |
| Although the Gators suffered some heavy losses in the starting lineup, with Macklin, Parsons, and Tyus using up their eligibilty, Florida may have the deepest backcourt in the nation. Returning on the wing are incumbent starters Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton, along with Scotty Wilbekin off the bench. They will also have the use of former Rutgers standout Mike Rosario, who sat out last season per NCAA transfer rules. The biggest key to their success may be the continued development of sophomore big man Patric Young, who is a future NBA player in waiting. Top 5 rated freshman SG Bradley Beal has already drawn comparisons to Ray Allen and should see valuable minutes as the season progresses. Florida could be a Top 10 team by season’s end. | ||||
12. |
Vanderbilt | SEC | 23-11 | Josh Jenkins(19.5 ppg) |
| With their Top 9 scorers returning from last season, including the entire starting five, the Commodores have a chance to be special coming out of the SEC, and could surprise everyone by being one of the final few standing come March. Backcourt mates Brad Tinsley and Josh Jenkins get some outstanding depth with the arrival of elite level SG prospect Dai-Jon Parker and 4 star PG Kedren Johnson. The frontcourt combo of NBA bound Jeff Taylor and Fetus Ezili, in addition to Steve Tchiengang is as good as they come. It’s a given they’ll be in the postseason but can they win in the NCAA Tournament? | ||||
13. |
UCLA | Pac-12 | 23-11 | Reeves Nelson(13.9 ppg) |
| After losing another two underclassmen(Honeycutt and Lee) early to the NBA, it would appear that the Bruins would have another mediocre year. That’s not the case since Coach Howland always recruits well and returns 8 of his top 10 scorers in addition to finally having the use of once highly touted Wear twins, who transferrred from UNC one year ago. 300lb imposing center Josh Smith, along with the underrated Reeves Nelson, and the Wears wil solidify the frontcourt, while the returning Lazeric Jones, Tyler Lamb, and one of the nation’s best freshman SG’s Norman Powell will bolster the perimeter. Could we see the Bruins return to college basketball’s elite? | ||||
14. |
Louisville | Big East | 25-10 | Peyton Siva(9.9 ppg) |
| While finishing 3rd in the Big East may be a good season to some, it’s a down year for a Pitino coached team. Don’t feel bad for the coach since he may be right back among the nation’s elite teams behind an outstanding recruiting class that features two impact freshmen in SG Wayne Blackshear and PF Chane Benehan, along with imposing 6’10 center prospect Zach Price, who should help ease the loss of Terrence Jennings. PG Peyton Siva is one of the nation’s most electric players and will star alongside sharpshooter Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith in the backcourt. Highly touted sophomore forwards Raheem Buckles and the shot blocking Gorgui Deng help solidify the frontcourt. Even with news that elite level SG Kevin Ware is ineligible, the Cardinals could be primed for another Final Four run. | ||||
15. |
Kansas | Big 12 | 35-3 | Thomas Robinson(7.6 ppg) |
| The Jayhawks suffered heavy losses with Josh Selby leaving early, the Morris twins selected as first round Draft picks, and Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar graduated. Coach Self has many capable players waiting in the wings like NBA prospect Thomas Robinson at PF, C Jeff Withey up front, and guards Tyshawn Taylor, Travis Relaford, and Elijah Johnson on the wings. Recent news that the Jayhawks’ incoming 3 man freshman class, highlighted by 4 star SF Ben McLemore has yet to be cleared by the NCAA complicates things but Kansas should still be in the running for yet another Big 12 title. | ||||
16. |
Wisconsin | Big Ten | 25-9 | Jordan Taylor(18.1 ppg) |
| As one of the better coaches in America, Bo Ryan annually keeps the Badgers among the Top 25 teams in the country without the help of many McDonalds All Americans. This season will be no different as he looks to ride the many talents of All American PG Jordan Taylor. Although they lost 6 seniors from a 25 win team, including leading scorer Jon Leuer to the NBA, the Badgers should finish near the top of the Big Ten once again. Taylor, along with Josh Gasser and Ryan Evans are strong from the perimeter, while the colorful yet hard-working Mike Bruesewitz and incoming freshmen Jarrod Uthoff and Frank Kaminsky provide help down low. | ||||
17. |
Xavier | Atlantic 10 | 24-8 | Tu Holloway(19.7 ppg) |
| Despite Butler’s recent run in the Tournament, Xavier was arguably the original mid-major powerhouse, currently on a streak of 6 consecutive Tourney births. The main reason for their recent string of succes is the play of All American guard Tu Holloway, who decided to return for his senior season. Balancing Holloway on the perimeter is the underrated Kenny Frease down low, who is arguably the best big man in the conference outside of Andrew Nicholson(St Bonaventure). Can Xavier hold off Temple for another A-10 crown? | ||||
18. |
Gonzaga | WCC | 25-10 | Elias Harris(12.4 ppg) |
| Although Coach Few lost his entire starting backcourt from last season(Goodson and Gray), he brings in an outstanding recruiting class led by the highly touted SG Gary Bell Jr and PG Kevin Pangos to take over. If Elias Harris returns to form from his freshman season and imposing big man Robert Sacre again dominates the paint, the Zags will again be the class of the WCC. | ||||
19. |
Missouri | Big 12 | 23-11 | Marcus Denmon(16.9 ppg) |
| New coach Frank Haith has the opportunity to step right in to a senior laden team poised to challenge for a Big 12 title. He returns everyone except the graduated Justin Safford, including 5 players who scored in double figures last year, led by leading scorer Marcus Denmon. PF Ricardo Ratliffe adjusted well to Division I and big man Lawrence Bowers is a force on both sides of the ball in the paint. Look for the Tigers to make a deep run come March. | ||||
20. |
New Mexico | Mtn West | 22-13 | Drew Gordon(13 ppg) |
| Now that Jimmer Fredette and Kawhi Leonard have left for the NBA, the Mountain West should be dominated by New Mexico and UNLV for the upcoming season. Behind the stellar play of senior forward Drew Gordon, my bet is that the Lobos will be one of the surprising teams out West. They return 3 of their top 4 scorers, including three who averaged double figures and an outstanding freshman class led by 4 star SG’s Dominique Dunning and Hugh Greenwood, who starred for Australia in the recent U-19 Championships. Boasting one of the best homecourt advantages in the nation, referring to “The Pit”, beware of the Lobos in ’11-’12. | ||||
21. |
Michigan | Big Ten | 21-14 | Tim Hardaway Jr(13.9 ppg) |
| Is this the year that the Wolverines have a breakout year and return to basketball elite? It got a little harder when standout PG Darius Morris left early for the NBA, but they still have a budding superstar in Tim Hardaway Jr, who starred for Team USA this Summer. Coach Beilein returns 4 starters including the sharpshooting Zach Novak and Evan Smotrycz down low. They get some added help from incoming freshmen Trey Burke at PG and SG Carlton Bundridge. How well they defend will determine how far they go in postseason play. | ||||
22. |
Cincinnati | Big East | 26-9 | Yancy Gates(11.9 ppg) |
| The Bearcats surprised everyone last season by getting out to a 15-0 start before faltering a bit in Big East Conference play. They even won a round in March Madness before running into a buzzsaw in eventual champion UConn. This season Coach Cronin is out to prove last year’s 26 wins were no fluke behind returning 4 of their Top 6 scorers from 2011. Their fortunes rest on the rather ample shoulders of big man Yancy Gates, who is one of the most physical post players in the nation. Stellar guards Dion Dixon and Cashmere Wright return along with 4 star freshman Shaquille Thomas providing help up front. Look for the Bearcats to make consecutive NCAA Tournaments fro the first time since ’04-’05. | ||||
23. |
Washington | Pac-12 | 24-11 | Abdul Gaddy(8.5 ppg) |
| The college game is run by how well you recruit. Husky fans are sure happy they have one of the best in coach Lorenzo Romar since he brings in another top flight 5 man class led by elite level PG Tony Wroten Jr, who should start from day one. Alongside Wroten is rising sophomore guard Terrence Ross, who is one of the better still unknown scoring wings in the country. Former McDonalds player Abdul Gaddy returns from a nasty ACL injury that limited the star recruit to only 13 games last season. Aziz N’Diaye is back to protect the paint, along with freshman Shawn Kemp Jr, who hopefully is half as good as his famous father once was. If the youngsters develop early, look for the Huskies to challenge UCLA and Arizona for a Pac-12 Title. | ||||
24. |
Villanova | Big East | 22-12 | Maalik Wayns(13.8 ppg) |
| After the disappointing way the Wildcats finished last season losing 8 of 10 contests, and leading to a surprising 1st round loss in March Madness, Nova Nation is looking for a bounce-back year. With standout guard Corey Fisher gone, coach Jay Wright hands over the reigns of the offense to former McDonalds player Maalik Wayns, who could have a breakout junior season. Fellow juniors PF Mouph Yarou and G Dominic Cheek, along with redshirt freshman F Jayvaughn Pinkston, aka “Baby Barkley” return forming an unusually balanced attack. A talented 4 man freshman class, headlined by PG Tyrone Johnson and near 300lb big man Markus Kennedy should play big minutes. | ||||
25 |
Michigan State | Big Ten | 19-15 | Draymond Green(12.6 ppg) |
| Far from the norm, Coach Izzo’s Spartans are flying under the radar this season. Fresh off a disappointing 19 win season, Chris Allen being thrown off the team, and program stalwarts Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers graduating, the Spartans are in an unfamiliar spot as underdogs. They still have the services of seniors Draymond Green and Delvon Roe, along with Derrick Nix and Adreien Payne up front, and talented guard Keith Appling and freshman Brandon Kearney at SG. If he can find playing time, freshman SF Branden Dawson is the real gem of the class. Learning from past experience, don’t ever count out an Izzo coached team until they are eliminated from postseason play. | ||||
Next 8:
Mississippi St, Illinois, Oregon, Alabama, Florida St, Miami, California, and Marquette
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
