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ESPN's "No-Longer-Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2015-16"

I'd say those rankings are more or less accurate. I think this year is going to be much more of a crap shoot than it was last year when you had a pretty good idea of who the elite teams were. This year any number of the top 20 could realistically get hot and take it all. Last year it wasn't an accident that Duke, Wisconsin and UK were in the final 4....Zona was the other one that should/could have been there but they lost to Wisconsin in the 8.

For the top 3 this year?
I do think there is a ton of pressure on Roy to deliver this year....this is going to be his undisputed best chance for the foreseeable future. If he doesn't get to the Final 4, THR might explode....but i'm sure it'll be the refs fault or the NCAA's fault.

Speaking of the NCAA and blaiming them for stacking the deck against them- UK is going to be extremely talented. RR is an interesting place i have to say- you have the sane logical fans and then the ones that just go off on tangents about how unfair it is that the media hasn't updated their recruiting rankings to give UK their deserved #1 ranking. Speaking of rambling on a tangent thats what i just did here. Joking aside, they'll be arguably the most talented team in the country if everything shakes out for them. But with that many new faces, like us, you just aren't always sure.

That brings me to UMD- I actually believe they'll be the best team in the country. I think lead by Trimble, they'll have the best starting 5 in the country- leadership, talent, athleticism. If i had to pick a winner in August, they would be my pick as much as it pains me. I'd rather have them win over UK or UNC though obviously.

As for Duke....lot of uncertainty, but a boatload of talent. We'll have our bumps in the road for sure, but you give K this much talent at every position and he's going to paint you something by the end of the year that will look beautiful to Duke fans.
 
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I love it that UNC is ranked #2. I wish they were ranked #1. Makes their expectations are lot greater and most of the time they don't live up to those expectations. I think Coach K will use this as motivation. Le's hope that Marcus Paige is a pre season All-American again. He hasn't made it yet. OFC
 
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I think #6 is possible, but I frankly think that's a best case scenario. IMO, we're not on the same tier with Maryland, UNC, UVA, and KU. Beyond them, I think we match up okay on a one-off basis against a lot of teams -- but I also have a feeling we're going to be far more up-and-down than a lot of teams in that second tier, such as ISU, Gonzaga, Nova. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we finish behind ND, FSU, and / or Miami in the ACC next season. I like the talent of the squad. But I think immaturity, lack of physical strength, and lack of togetherness (which typically is a problem for such a young squad) will all be issues.
 
aah555 said:
I think #6 is possible, but I frankly think that's a best case scenario. IMO, we're not on the same tier with Maryland, UNC, UVA, and KU. Beyond them, I think we match up okay on a one-off basis against a lot of teams -- but I also have a feeling we're going to be far more up-and-down than a lot of teams in that second tier, such as ISU, Gonzaga, Nova. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we finish behind ND, FSU, and / or Miami in the ACC next season. I like the talent of the squad. But I think immaturity, lack of physical strength, and lack of togetherness (which typically is a problem for such a young squad) will all be issues.
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aaa555 no total disagreement with your predictions but we all felt much like you are referring to just last season when we had lack of maturity and questions of togetherness and unproven strength (the very same possible issues you mention for the upcoming season but things turned out pretty well us didn't they. Who in their right mind thought we would win the NC with 3 starting freshmen. Its hard for me to predict UK would be ranked near the top after all after the players they lost from last season and with the way UNCheats played at times last year its strange to me to read predictions of them reaching the final 4 this season and Maryland ranked number 1 will take some getting used to. If I had excessive amounts of money to wager I don't know who I would favor.

Its definitely going to be a watered down top 25 this season and like someone said above a likely crapshoot.
 
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gottagonow said:
aaa555 we all felt much like you are referring to last season but things turned out pretty well us didn't they. Who in their right mind thought we would win the NC with 3 starting freshmen. Who could product UK would win it all after the players they lost from last season and with the way UNCheats played at times last year its strange to me to read predictions of them reaching the final 4 this season.

Its definitely going to be a watered down top 25 this season.
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Not all of us. I know there were quite a few that felt like I did, which was that with the most dominant Center we've had since Brand down low, and complimenting pieces around him including a stud PG we'd be as good as anyone. I said all year last year, that when we play our best there wasn't a team not named UK that could beat us. Not saying we'd lose to UK if we played our best, but I felt they were the only team that could, if we were on top of our game.

This year, there are a ton more question marks than last year. This year has so much versatility, but lacks the back to the basket scorer (unless Jeter shocks us with being that consistent threat). We have a ton more athletes this year and I think we have enough leadership from Grayson, Amile, Matty, Marshall to be just fine from that "youth" standpoint. However, this team has a lot of moving and interchangeable parts. It's not as clear cut as it was last year.
 
FWIW, I have no real argument with the rankings the way they are. But don't really take stock in them.

I do think this is really a building year. Apart of Ingram (and I'm not sure he's really a lock), I'm not sure if we lose any others to early entry for the Draft. If that is the case, and we get a solid recruiting class next year, I'm looking for the 16-17 year to be another year for a run for the NC.
 
I will wait to see team chemistry before I make any predictions. We have some incredible young men coming in, but becoming real men, like this years Champions is a tall order. Best of all, if somebody CAN do it twice, I'd say Mike Krzyzewski is the most likely candidate. HEART is plentiful for this team, I like heart.
 
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I think this is likely to be a year where someone unexpected wins the championship, much like UConn's two recent runs.

I still don't know what to think about UNC. They do return everyone, but it is a group coming off consecutive double-figure loss seasons. And they didn't add anyone of consequence. I know it is logical to expect some improvement from returners (particularly Jackson and Pinson), but is that enough?
 
Will Merryland's athletic department have enough money to get through the season?
 
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There is one thing for sure, with the schedule this team has, they should be battle hardened by the time March rolls around. I think they will lose some games ,but it is better to play a tough schedule and lose a few than to play a patsy schedule , then have reality to set in come March. I really like K's policy of playing tough games at neutral sites. I think it really helps the team later on. After all, you can't play the tourney on your home floor.
 
Duke: Another top recruiting class filled with great athletes and hard workers at every position that we lost last year along with the most frontcourt depth we have had in years. Add the best coach in basketball who is determined to end his career with multiple championships and you got the recipe for another successful run for a NC! I think we may lose a couple more games early on compared to last year but the lack of any really talented teams in the field this year will allow us to dominate once we gel together esp by tourney time.

UNC: The cheats will be ripped apart by any half decent fanbase throughout the season. I could see them off to a decent start against scrubs in the beginning of the year but once they start playing against real teams like NI & Maryland they will fall apart and begin a downward spiral that will only get worse once they get into ACC play.

UK: After Cal failed to win last year with the most talented team he has ever had, this year will show how awful he is as a coach. I see something happening like a first round loss in the NIT that occurred just a few years ago to the team (similarly after a loss of a bunch of talented players to the NBA). Cal also doesn't care about winning also as his only job is to get players into the NBA (players that would go pro if they went anyone else lol).

Maryland: Decent roster this year but poor coaching and sheed's attitude will lead to an exit from the tourney much earlier than expected. Their coach failed to plan for WVU's aggressive style of play and I fully except him to struggle again this year. Add in sheed's attitude that got him kicked off the team and his inevitable desire to make Duke regret getting rid of him will result in poor decisions costing them games throughout the season.
 
I feel as if 6 is a fair rating because our strengths are unknown. We have an idea of what guys can do but never seen them lace up at the collegiate level, or if they have, never in the role that they are about to take on. I understand Maryland, UNC, and UVA being rated high simply because of what they have coming back on teams that were pretty solid. But Duke has more star power than all 3 of those teams. Allen, Thornton, and Ingram are all NBA first rounders. Jeter and Kennard are also NBA talents that may stick around a little longer. Then you mix in some solid, hard nose glue guy upperclassman to mesh the young talent and the ceiling for this team is just as high or higher than anyone ranked ahead of them. We have one of the biggest and deepest frontcourts in the nation so we will not get bullied and then some guys that can fill it up on the wing. We will be a team that grows as the year goes but could be very scary come conference play if we gel and get the pieces aligned.
 
dukefan5151 said:
Duke: Another top recruiting class filled with great athletes and hard workers at every position that we lost last year along with the most frontcourt depth we have had in years. Add the best coach in basketball who is determined to end his career with multiple championships and you got the recipe for another successful run for a NC! I think we may lose a couple more games early on compared to last year but the lack of any really talented teams in the field this year will allow us to dominate once we gel together esp by tourney time.

UNC: The cheats will be ripped apart by any half decent fanbase throughout the season. I could see them off to a decent start against scrubs in the beginning of the year but once they start playing against real teams like NI & Maryland they will fall apart and begin a downward spiral that will only get worse once they get into ACC play.

UK: After Cal failed to win last year with the most talented team he has ever had, this year will show how awful he is as a coach. I see something happening like a first round loss in the NIT that occurred just a few years ago to the team (similarly after a loss of a bunch of talented players to the NBA). Cal also doesn't care about winning also as his only job is to get players into the NBA (players that would go pro if they went anyone else lol).

Maryland: Decent roster this year but poor coaching and sheed's attitude will lead to an exit from the tourney much earlier than expected. Their coach failed to plan for WVU's aggressive style of play and I fully except him to struggle again this year. Add in sheed's attitude that got him kicked off the team and his inevitable desire to make Duke regret getting rid of him will result in poor decisions costing them games throughout the season.
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how old are you?
 
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dukefan5151 said:
Duke: Another top recruiting class filled with great athletes and hard workers at every position that we lost last year along with the most frontcourt depth we have had in years. Add the best coach in basketball who is determined to end his career with multiple championships and you got the recipe for another successful run for a NC! I think we may lose a couple more games early on compared to last year but the lack of any really talented teams in the field this year will allow us to dominate once we gel together esp by tourney time.

UNC: The cheats will be ripped apart by any half decent fanbase throughout the season. I could see them off to a decent start against scrubs in the beginning of the year but once they start playing against real teams like NI & Maryland they will fall apart and begin a downward spiral that will only get worse once they get into ACC play.

UK: After Cal failed to win last year with the most talented team he has ever had, this year will show how awful he is as a coach. I see something happening like a first round loss in the NIT that occurred just a few years ago to the team (similarly after a loss of a bunch of talented players to the NBA). Cal also doesn't care about winning also as his only job is to get players into the NBA (players that would go pro if they went anyone else lol).

Maryland: Decent roster this year but poor coaching and sheed's attitude will lead to an exit from the tourney much earlier than expected. Their coach failed to plan for WVU's aggressive style of play and I fully except him to struggle again this year. Add in sheed's attitude that got him kicked off the team and his inevitable desire to make Duke regret getting rid of him will result in poor decisions costing them games throughout the season.
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I'll be happy to take this bet. BTW not trying to start a word war but can you name what he has done in the tourney since he has been at UK. If he doesn't want to win, I hope he keeps that mind set. This just isn't a very smart post from someone at Duke. Maybe it's just taking a shot at a rival. Jmo
 
I think it will be critical for Maryland to have team chemistry working -- I think their season can go very wrong.

I also think that UNC will cave if they have a few upsets. Solid talent (I would _really_ like Justin Jackson more if he wasn't a Tar Heel), but the team has a collective fragile psyche. I don't see any guys that can put the team on their back -- I don't think Paige is it.

The guys that I will be watching are UVA, Shockers, and the Fighting Irish. They have a better-than-most chance. Shockers in the Final 4. I called it first here.

That said -- I think Duke can repeat and will make it to at least the Elite-8. You're only a homer if it doesn't come to pass. Duke seems to make it happen more often than not. And am I a Duke Homer -- yeah, guess I am.
 
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LTDukeFan said:
I think it will be critical for Maryland to have team chemistry working -- I think their season can go very wrong.

I also think that UNC will cave if they have a few upsets. Solid talent (I would _really_ like Justin Jackson more if he wasn't a Tar Heel), but the team has a collective fragile psyche. I don't see any guys that can put the team on their back -- I don't think Paige is it.

The guys that I will be watching are UVA, Shockers, and the Fighting Irish. They have a better-than-most chance. Shockers in the Final 4. I called it first here.

That said -- I think Duke can repeat and will make it to at least the Elite-8. You're only a homer if it doesn't come to pass. Duke seems to make it happen more often than not. And am I a Duke Homer -- yeah, guess I am.
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I could see this Duke team getting to the Elite 8. After that it'll come down to matchups and a bit of luck, but I think come tourney time the team will have gelled enough to make a bit of a run.
 
I feel Maryland is way overrated. UNC probably is as well. I think we are top 10, but until I see aggressiveness and competitive fire from us, I don't know if we can truly be great.

I posted in the UNC forums but Maryland was 12-1 in games decided by 2 possessions or less and I think 6-1 in games decided by one possession or less.
(only counting Power 5 and NCAAT games).

Thus, Maryland was very close to being a team with a lot more losses. Yes a W is a W, but barely pulling out wins is also a sign of trouble. With Dez gone, I think you are looking at a double digit loss Maryland team, and I honestly didn't think Maryland would have been in the top 4-5 teams in the ACC last year.
 
Sheed >Dez and winning close games shows me they have that fire in the belly you wish cryolina had
 
Maryland should be really good. Lots of talent and something to prove. Trimble is the real deal, they have size and they pick up a proven scorer in Sulaimon....not to mention the senior Layman.

But I like UNC too. They didn't lose much, and what they did is replaceable. I've said it a number of times, Paige and Johnson kind of are what they are....good players that I don't see getting a whole lot better. Their big thing is going to be the improvement of the three sophomores, most notably Jackson and Berry. If they're vastly improved then I think tabbing UNC as the favorite isn't that far-fetched.

Really, Maryland and UNC have the least amount of question marks when comparing them to the other say, top 8-10 teams on paper. But neither are hardly unbeatable. If they don't play well both could go home by the Sweet 16. There's just a lot of balance this upcoming season and really no "great" teams right now.
 
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There does not seem to be any team this coming season as good as the top three or four teams last year. Last year's Duke, Wisconsin, and UK are quite a bit better than what 2016 seems to be offering, and the next tier of Arizona, Gonzaga, and even Notre Dame would probably be talked about as potential #1 teams if they were playing in 2016. But alas, that is not how things work, and among what is there I think Maryland is probably the best pick at #1. What separates them from UNC is that, while they are also banking on improvement from existing guys (I think Trimble will be an AA), they also added some big pieces. Stone and Sulaimon will likely both be starters and add a lot to that team. UNC will definitely be good, but they are returning the pieces of a 12 loss team and they added no one of note.
 
dukiejay said:
Maryland should be really good. Lots of talent and something to prove. Trimble is the real deal, they have size and they pick up a proven scorer in Sulaimon....not to mention the senior Layman.

But I like UNC too. They didn't lose much, and what they did is replaceable. I've said it a number of times, Paige and Johnson kind of are what they are....good players that I don't see getting a whole lot better. Their big thing is going to be the improvement of the three sophomores, most notably Jackson and Berry. If they're vastly improved then I think tabbing UNC as the favorite isn't that far-fetched.

Really, Maryland and UNC have the least amount of question marks when comparing them to the other say, top 8-10 teams on paper. But neither are hardly unbeatable. If they don't play well both could go home by the Sweet 16. There's just a lot of balance this upcoming season and really no "great" teams right now.
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I am hoping to the moon that Johnson can follow Henson's growth arc. Because Henson was a beast his final year and Johnson always strikes me as a lot like Henson.
 
Jackson is a tough player. If he continues to improve I'd tag him for ACC POY.

Part of me likes that UNC is highly rated but part of me doesn't. Sometimes a high ranking can give you confidence. And, that's what UNC has lacked. Sure, they've had false arrogance, but when push comes to shove they have long lost confidence in clutch situations.

Hoping for a few early season upsets (Roy is always good for at least one) and then some questioning of themselves. Then a spiral out of control. Yes ...

#tohatelikethisistobehappyforever
 
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I'll be keeping an eye on Wichita State and LSU. Maryland, Duke, UNC, UK will surely be in the mix. CBB is great.
 
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Showenuff said:
Henson and beast just don't go together. They just don't.
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Disagree.

I mean, if you watched Henson as a Freshman it was like wow this dude is brain dead and has no idea how to play basketball. The following years he gained IQ, then an amazing defensive presence, and then further amazingly a mid range jump shot. In culmination, he was a scary good player for the college ranks.

Had Anthony Davis not jumped off the planet to finger Henson's last second shot that year, UNC would have beaten Kentucky at the beginning of the year. And, heavens, surely even you guys can admit we would have won the championship that year if Creighton hadn't broken Marshall's wrist.
 
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imajericho said:
Disagree.

I mean, if you watched Henson as a Freshman it was like wow this dude is brain dead and has no idea how to play basketball. The following years he gained IQ, then an amazing defensive presence, and then further amazingly a mid range jump shot. In culmination, he was a scary good player for the college ranks.

Had Anthony Davis not jumped off the planet to finger Henson's last second shot that year, UNC would have beaten Kentucky at the beginning of the year. And, heavens, surely even you guys can admit we would have won the championship that year if Creighton hadn't broken Marshall's wrist.
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C'mon dude. Are we really gonna play the "if" game now? Okay, IF UNC hadn't cheated like hell for years and years and years, you guys could land at least a 4 star recruit every now and then. IF Roy Williams wasn't an absolute liar and actually admitted he knew SOMETHING was going on around your campus I could maybe respect him just a little. IF you hadn't used all those fake ass classes to get your hoops players through college, you wouldn't have so many fake ass banners hanging in the Dean Dome today.
But seriously, IF we used your IF tactics, we'd have 3 or 4 more Championships as well. Moral of the story, IF Grandma had balls, we'd all call her Grandpa.
 
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Showenuff said:
Henson and beast just don't go together. They just don't.
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When I read Imajericho's calling Henson a beast I thought at first it was Sky poking fun but then realized jericho was a THR dude. I think what he must have meant was Henson as a senior was not a frail as he was as a sophomore. Johnson already shows more tenacity that Henson ever did.
 
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