Pre-Season College Basketball Discussion 2007-08

[Nate 0]

I didnt see a pre-season disscussion for College Basketball so here's one, the preseason Polls have been released, via ESPN.com:

 

ESPN/USA Today Poll

1. North Carolina (10) 0-0 739

2. UCLA (12) 0-0 734

3. Memphis (8) 0-0 731

4. Kansas (1) 0-0 669

5. Georgetown 0-0 625

6. Louisville 0-0 620

7. Tennessee 0-0 598

8. Michigan State 0-0 503

9. Indiana 0-0 479

10. Washington State 0-0 464

11. Duke 0-0 390

12. Marquette 0-0 381

13. Oregon 0-0 360

14. Gonzaga 0-0 252

14. Texas A&M 0-0 252

16. Texas 0-0 216

17. Arizona 0-0 205

18. USC 0-0 189

19. Arkansas 0-0 173

20. Pittsburgh 0-0 160

21. Stanford 0-0 158

22. Kentucky 0-0 155

23. Southern Illinois 0-0 137

24. North Carolina State 0-0 119

25. Villanova 0-0 111

 

someone correct me if I'm wrong but didnt Florida win the Tourney last year, the first Game is on November 5th with Memphis vs Tennessee-Martin on ESPNU

 

[Danville_Wrestling 0]

Well the ESPN ticker says Florida got 26 votes but they are unranked. The SEC writers and AP guys voted them to finish 3rd in the SEC East behind Tennessee and Kentucky this year.

[MFer 0]

Well Florida did lose basically everyone that made a significant contribution last year (other than the coach of course). But yeah, it's still pretty amazing that they're not thought of enough to even be in the top 25. Surely, they've got some good recruits that can step in do a decent job, no?

[treble 0]

Disscussions weren't made until the the late 1990s.

[Guest Smues]

I'm going to try to go to a day of games at the Great Alaskan Shootout this year. I'd go to the whole thing but I'll be leaving town partway through it. I think the teams this year are University of Alaska Anchorage (of course), Butler, Gonzaga, Michigan, Texas Tech, Western Kentucky, Virginia Tech, and Eastern Washington. I say I think because I know some teams (like WSU) dropped out and were replaced, but for some reason I've had a hell of a time finding the updated list. I think those are the eight teams though. Looks like it could be a pretty good field overall. And of course I have to go see Eastern Washington play because I went there.

[CanadianChris 0]

Well Florida did lose basically everyone that made a significant contribution last year (other than the coach of course). But yeah, it's still pretty amazing that they're not thought of enough to even be in the top 25. Surely, they've got some good recruits that can step in do a decent job, no?

Maybe, but there's no way such an inexperienced squad should be thought of as a contender right now. They might do all right with the non-conference schedule, but they're going to have a rough time of it in SEC play.

[Danville_Wrestling 0]

This is the year of put up or shut up for Courtney Lee at Western Kentucky. Granted, it's not like he's surrounded with great talent (although it got an upgrade in the off-season) but people here are expecting him to get the Hilltoppers into the NCAA's after falling short the last several seasons in the Sun Belt.

[cabbageboy 0]

I posted this in the other thread but it might be more appropriate here:

 

1. UNC: Agree with this. They should have the best team returning and the guys that left aren't so critical they can't be replaced.

 

2. UCLA: I don't buy this for some reason. They lost Afflalo and frankly UCLA just can't score enough points to win it all. They've gotten to the FF the past two years due to never having to leave CA in the tourney. If they had to step outside the state, they might go down.

 

3. Memphis: They'll win a bunch of games again, and of course lose in the Elite Eight yet again.

 

4. Kansas: They'll be in the mix, but let's face it....is there a bigger choker team come tourney time?

 

5. Georgetown: Not sure why they are ahead of U of L considering they lost Jeff Green. Green was the only consistent threat they had last year, so where are all the points coming from?

 

6. U of L: I like that we might be a little underrated. Everyone is back and provided the usual injuries can be avoided I think we have a real shot at the FF.

 

7. Tennessee: If the Vols can improve a bit defensively they will be a major threat. In fact I have them in my very early FF picks.

 

8. Michigan State: Bleh. Sweet 16 and that's about it. At least god I hope so.

 

9. IU: I'd like to see IU go far this year, but for some reason I just can't see them getting farther than the Sweet 16.

 

10. Washington State: Ha. Probably a 2nd round upset waiting to happen, like last year.

 

11. Duke: Duke will be better than last year (could they be worse?). That said, this is still just a Sweet 16 team at best.

 

12. Marquette: I actually think Marquette will finish 2nd in the conference behind U of L. Who knows how they will fare in the tourney, since I don't really trust Tom Crean if there isn't Dwyane Wade.

 

13. Oregon: Eh, they'll be pretty good but not much beyond 2nd round or maybe Sweet 16.

 

14. Gonzaga: They lost Raivio so I dunno who will step up to lead this team. 2nd round and done.

 

14. Texas A & M: This is a joke right? They lost the one good player they had and their coach as well. They might be an NIT team.

 

16. Texas: No Durant, so I don't see them going all that far. They really didn't go all that far WITH Durant. Could be a first round upset.

 

17. Arizona: Probably ranked just out of habit, but I don't think this team is going much of anywhere. One and done.

 

18. USC: I dare say these guys might be a bit underrated, but who knows how Mayo will turn out. They may well repeat their Sweet 16 efforts.

 

19. Arkansas: I'm surprised this team is actually ranked. They might make the tourney, but I can't see anyone being scared.

 

20. Pitt: They'll be their usual boring, plodding selves. Rack up wins vs. scrubs, then struggle a bit more in conf. Sweet 16 is the glass ceiling for Pitt.

 

21. Stanford: I see that Brook Lopez has been suspended, which makes me hesitant to think these guys will go far. Just a slow, plodding team really, which has always hurt the Cardinal in March.

 

22. UK: Without Morris I have no idea who UK is going to use at center, and the guards are the same dubious Tubby era guys like Bradley and Crawford. UK will make the tourney as usual, but it might be the time they are 1 and done.

 

23. S. Illinois: They have Falker. They have Shaw. They have the same physical defense. Why is this team so low? Bias against the mid majors? Gonzaga is ahead of them and I think SIU would beat the crap out of the Zags.

 

24. NC State: I honestly have no feelings on this one way or the other. About a 6 seed, which is what this ranking would indicate.

 

25. Villanova: Can Reynolds flat out carry a team? I don't know. Depending on his development they could either make a surprising NCAA run or end up in the NIT.

[Guest]

USC will be an Elite Eight team if Mayo and Gibson can stay healthy. If Mayo is as good as advertised, we're going to be in for a fun season in LA.