<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Is this the season Ben Howland turns around the UCLA program? That's what I want to know... anyhow....I think Pitt needs consideration for preseason #1. Aren't they returning most of their players? A couple of players lost won't hurt the program much anyway because of the style they play...that rugged yet balanced play. They don't really have a main player after Bradin (sp?) Knight left a couple of years ago.... UNC is an obvious pick but they never seem to live up to expectations...they got a bunch of players with NBA agendas.... I'm not sure about Wisconsin but that's a bold pick Wave...I'll give u credit for that...</div> I'll certainly cover Pittsburgh and include them in my top 25. However, to consider them as a top pick is a stretch. As STC said, they lose Page and Brown. Arguably, those were the two most important players on their team last year. Either way, they play a great style of ball like you pointed out. Someone's bound to step up like Chris Taft did this year. They also return Chevon Troutman and Carl Krauser. I'm not sure about UCLA. You obviously know more about them than I do, but it just seems that the usual excuses I'm used to hearing used when their poor play comes up is that they are young. Well, last year their three best players were Juniors and Seniors, yet they had a bad season none the less. However, aside from Cummings most of their team returns, so you have to consider them for a top 25 spot. I'm not sure if I'd call them a top ten team though. Anything we should look for out of UCLA next season in particular? BTW - No one is ever sure about Wisconsin. They're almost never in preseason polls, but they always end up in the polls once the season ends. Also, yes, it was a bold pick in a way. I got a lot of great buzz for it too.
Lol, 2 pages on the number 1. If you do the math, 50 pages when Wave is through. Amazing idea to bring some buzz to the College Forum Wave, even though it was mostly you and STC posting. Wisconsin is never well known for their basketball talent, but next year MIGHT be their year. It might just be UNC and Wisconsin in the National Finals, but UNC will undoubtedly prevail.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post"> I'm not sure about UCLA. You obviously know more about them than I do, but it just seems that the usual excuses I'm used to hearing used when their poor play comes up is that they are young. Well, last year their three best players were Juniors and Seniors, yet they had a bad season none the less. However, aside from Cummings most of their team returns, so you have to consider them for a top 25 spot. I'm not sure if I'd call them a top ten team though. Anything we should look for out of UCLA next season in particular? </div> Well, the timetable for UCLA's return is the season after next....because right now, Ben Howland is coaching Steve Lavin's recruits...its going to take time to filter them out... UCLA will have 4 top recruits (2 mcdonald all-americans) coming in next season...but I expect more of the same, they are just a bunch of freshmans...perhaps 12-15 wins....by no means a top 25 team or tournament team...not even NIT ...btw, who won NIT anyway? I had picked FSU to take it...
Michigan won the NIT. This year will probably be a good year for UCLA. Depending on how there freshman play, they could have a good year. Jordan Farmar is going to be a real good PG, and Trevor Ariza, there big recruit from last year, has show some promise. They won't be a top 25 team, but they will compete in the Pac 10, and probably have a 500 record in conference play.
<font color="Red">***I just updated the rankings as promised. I placed Kansas at #2, for reasons read my explanation.***</font>
I think Kansas should definitely be a top 5 team. Its difficult to predict this early i know so yea 2 is a possibility. Simien returning is a big factor and he should lead the Jayhawks further in the NCAAs this year.
Simien might win the Wooden Award next year, so Kansas is obviously a no-brainer in the Top few spots. But where's UNC? Will they be Number 3?
i agree with trip UNC is gonna be good Mccants and SMith with be great as the guards, but if deng doesnt go pro Duke will be good.
You mean Felton and Smith at the guards? McCants is a SF. Smith is a very good recruit though. They say his shot resembles Reddicks alot. If so, he will be a deadly shooter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Simien might win the Wooden Award next year, so Kansas is obviously a no-brainer in the Top few spots. But where's UNC? Will they be Number 3?</div> You'll just have to see. I'll post the #3 team late tonight once I can get my other computer working.
Oh, I thought McCants was always SF. My bad. But I think it would work better with him at SF and Felton and Smith at the guards.
i would hav to agree. ive seen felton and hes sick, and j.r. smith judging from mcdonalds allstar weekend will excel as well.
Also, I think Texas will be a good team. They lose the 4 seniors(Mouton, Boddicker, Ivey, and Thomas), but they are bringing in some good recruits. They bring in Aldridge, Gibson, and Williams. They will have a good year I think. They still have Buckman and Klotz, and the addition of Aldrige, which will help them dominate the boards.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jdawg909:</div><div class="quote_post">Also, I think Texas will be a good team. They lose the 4 seniors(Mouton, Boddicker, Ivey, and Thomas), but they are bringing in some good recruits. They bring in Aldridge, Gibson, and Williams. They will have a good year I think. They still have Buckman and Klotz, and the addition of Aldrige, which will help them dominate the boards.</div> Come on now, aside from the great possibility that at least one of their big recruits will declare for the draft, you can't replace four vital seniors with Freshmen unless the Freshmen happen to be the Fab 5.
Oh I know, but what im saying is the Freshman they are bringing in are good recruits and can make up for a little bit of loss for the LongHorns. I mean I dont think the freshman can make up for the defense they lose wit Ivey, or the streky shooting with Mouton who can hit the 3. They are just bringing in good recruits and will have a good year, in my opinion.
Rashad McCants did play SF at the end of the year when Melvin Scott was starting at SG. And JR Smith may not even start. Marvin Williams may start, and JR Smith could come off the bench. Someone tell me how Andy Katz ranked Illinois higher than UNC in his preseason poll? UNC beat Illinois last season, and brings in a MUCH better recruiting class. UNC brings in 4 top 100 players, including 2 top 10 guys who are All Americans. Illinois brings in 1 top 100 player, who is ranked in the 70s, Shaun Pruitt. Ridiculous.
Duke is going to be very good.We have to wonderful freshmen coming in.And with Deng at PF still and Redick getting better and better we oughta atleast be Top 5.I know were the Yankees of NCAAB but come on you guys gotta admit were going to be pretty damn good!
Duke has 3 top 100 freshman coming in, 2 All Americans in Shaun Livingston and DeMarcus Nelson. The third is a top 80 prospect, Dave McClure. Livingston may never play a game at Duke. They will be a real good team though. They have Daniel Ewing, JJ Redick, Sean Dockery, and DeMarcus Nelson in the backcourt. Then upfront they will have Luol Deng, Shavlik Randolph, and Shelden Williams up front. They are not a very deep team, but they are a good team. I personally think UNC is the better team, but Duke is still a good top 10 team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Smooth:</div><div class="quote_post">Duke is going to be very good.We have to wonderful freshmen coming in.And with Deng at PF still and Redick getting better and better we oughta atleast be Top 5.I know were the Yankees of NCAAB but come on you guys gotta admit were going to be pretty damn good!</div> First of all, a freshman point guard guard can not fill the void that an All-American senior leader leaves. I do not think Livingston will go to Duke anyway. Second of all, they aren't the "Yankes of NCAAB". If any team that is the Yankees of the NCAAB it's either UCLA or Kentucky. You could make a case for Duke being the Yankees of the last decade of the NCAAB, but don't call them the Yankees of the NCAAB again. Combined, UCLA and Kentucky have about 15 more titles. Anyway, I'll have the rankings posted tomorrow. I was limited to access at the library, since my computer at home was waiting for a part to come in.
