That even after the Ingram commitment we are only #7 or #8 in the early preseason polls? I know these mean absolutely nothing, but I thought for sure we would be in the top 5, even top 3 conversation. I see the love for Maryland (I think they will end up being ranked #1 for some time). And while ISU lost in the first round I think they will be top 3 the whole year if they play to their capability. But is UNC really that good? They are basically saying that they expect everyone else to be worse than last year, which with this down recruiting class could be a possibility but come on. UNC gains nobody and loses their best perimeter defender. And UK is in everyones top 3, which I think is crazy. They lost 7 of their best 9 players. Ulis, Poythress, and Skal can't do it all by themselves. I think they will lose easily more than 5 games. And Kansas may have Ellis and their guards, but they showed last year that none of them have that "Best player on the court" mentality. Honestly with the momentum we have, and with all the incoming talent, I can see us having a season very similar to last year. We will not be as good, but nobody will be.
Is anyone else surprised?
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I'm not particularly surprised. Those 4 guys that won't be back next year were REALLY good. I think that's a fair ranking.
I think if we can develop through the season like this year we can be special in the postseason.
I think if we can develop through the season like this year we can be special in the postseason.
How is UK number 1 in some polls?
UNC will be really good next year - they had Duke down twice and played Wisky tight last year. They have the talent.
That being said, I hope they lose every single game. GTHC.
UNC will be really good next year - they had Duke down twice and played Wisky tight last year. They have the talent.
That being said, I hope they lose every single game. GTHC.
Cal probably deserves the edge when it comes to reloading quickly, based on more recent examples. We have the #1 recruiting class again, but I don't think it's as impressive as this past year's. Still, I am surprised to hear we're still as low as #7.
I read you there, but they aren't landing a monster class compared to years past IMO. I just do not see the instant talent or depth to have them at number 1. Maybe it is the UK logo that is driving it?
The ACC should have three teams in the top ten to start the year. UVA was getting a little #1 talk before Anderson left, but without him they should still land somewhere high. UNC is an interesting case. On one hand they return virtually everyone. On the other hand, those guys they return are from a 12 loss team that didn't have a lot of moxy or killer instinct, and they aren't adding any pieces. It will be interesting to see how much they improve.
As far as Duke, they are also hard to peg. There is a lot of versatility and depth, but is there a preseason 1st team All ACC player?
As far as Duke, they are also hard to peg. There is a lot of versatility and depth, but is there a preseason 1st team All ACC player?
I have a feeling Duke will go through a time period where the young guys don't earn the right to be considered championship caliber. I know Grayson, Matt, Amile and Marshall will be working hard. That will be huge if someone is slacking off. The older guys with young guys dynamic may carry us to the FF again. This time it will be defense and rebounding.
Good point. Their incoming class is ranked high, but it isn't very big. That there were so many undecided top recruits into the off-season -- every one of which had a UK offer -- seemed like a clear indication Cal was about to reload, but they haven't added a single one of them so far. I do think Cal has earned the benefit of the doubt for being competitive despite a lot of turnover, but preseason #1 is a bit silly.
Man, they really aren't adding anyone! One guy, ranked in the 90s, right? I do think they will see a lot of improvement. Their '04 team didn't win a 20th game until the NCAAT, iirc, and the next year they won it all. I love kicking Roy when he's down, but I know he's going to get up again.
Duke shouldn't have a preseason 1st team ACC player. Grayson or BI would be the likely candidates, and I don't want that kind of expectation on either of them.
Yeah, our returners w/ FF experience will be really helpful for setting the tone. It took Quinn until his senior year to develop that leadership (and did he!) w/o the benefit of that type success.
Last year's freshmen were among the most ready-to-play frosh I've seen and they joined a very solid, very experienced class. Plus, after some growing pains and departures, they played really well together.
Next season could be great but it isn't nearly as clear that the frosh will be as ready or that the parts will integrate as effectively. Certainly there's plenty of talent as well as adequate depth at most positions. But how will they click?
There isn't as much raw talent at UNC, but experience makes up for a lot. For UNC to be successful they need to be really good out of the gate. And with that much experience, they should be. But because they have no high-rated new blood, they almost certainly have a lower ceiling for improvement. That may not be true, since several guys were injured last season - so if they return healthy, that could be like getting new blood. But they also lost a starter, so that may be more of a wash.
Duke, on the other hand, has plenty of new blood and loads of talent. It may take a while to get everything clicking, but the upside is high.
I figure that accounts for the pre-season rankings. UNC is a safer bet. For now.
Next season could be great but it isn't nearly as clear that the frosh will be as ready or that the parts will integrate as effectively. Certainly there's plenty of talent as well as adequate depth at most positions. But how will they click?
There isn't as much raw talent at UNC, but experience makes up for a lot. For UNC to be successful they need to be really good out of the gate. And with that much experience, they should be. But because they have no high-rated new blood, they almost certainly have a lower ceiling for improvement. That may not be true, since several guys were injured last season - so if they return healthy, that could be like getting new blood. But they also lost a starter, so that may be more of a wash.
Duke, on the other hand, has plenty of new blood and loads of talent. It may take a while to get everything clicking, but the upside is high.
I figure that accounts for the pre-season rankings. UNC is a safer bet. For now.
Unlike football polls which determine who goes to the 4 team playoffs, basketball polls mean little . Duke will struggle I believe this year for a while. Hopefully , by late Feb., K will have a team that has come together. That is when the polls will have real meaning. I really believe this team has too much talent not to be really special by the time the acc tourney rolls around. I really don't see the tarholes as being NC material , but , that might be wishful thinking.
For UNC, the primary issue seems to be what you get from Pinson and Berry. They, along with Jackson, were UNC's recent "big gets," supposed to be the guys who helped put them back in the hunt. It definitely took Jackson longer than expected. He probably had the least impact of any of last year's incoming top ten recruits (meaning ones who actually played, so discount Alexander and Mudiay), and is actually the only one of the top ten recruits returning for a second year. But late in the year he showed flashed and I think it is realistic to expect him to consistently be the guy we saw in the last part of the season. Guys like Paige, Johnson, and Meeks are who they are (which is good mind you), and I don't there is going to be any drastic statistical jump for those guys, beyond maybe an increased FG% for Paige if he is healthy. Pinson and Berry are the question marks.
Also, collectively, can they develop more savvy and more "killer instinct"?
Also, collectively, can they develop more savvy and more "killer instinct"?
I'm not surprised a bit. I I am surprised that UK is so high. I think we are pretty much in the same but as us. like someone said this is a good recruiting class but not near the caliber of last years. We do have a BUNCH of potential. But I can definitely see us hovering around the 7 to 10 range or evening dropping a little more at some points next year. We are going to have some struggles. That's for sure. But I am very excited to see what this team can do at its best
You can tell we're spoiled when preseason rankings only have us in the top eight.
Honestly, that's probably about right. We could be better and could be much worse. The big thing for our guys is how they adjust to the college game. We have some excellent leaders returning but they primarily played supporting cast roles all season. I'm not sure I see one freshman from our incoming group that excites me (on the surface) like Jahlil, Tyus and Justise did. They were special. And that's not to say next year's class can't be either, but I understand the apprehension.
Honestly, that's probably about right. We could be better and could be much worse. The big thing for our guys is how they adjust to the college game. We have some excellent leaders returning but they primarily played supporting cast roles all season. I'm not sure I see one freshman from our incoming group that excites me (on the surface) like Jahlil, Tyus and Justise did. They were special. And that's not to say next year's class can't be either, but I understand the apprehension.
I agree with all of that dukiejay, but I would say DT is as exciting of a PG for me as Tyus was coming in. For different reasons though. Tyus was a leader and a great PG. I think DT has those same traits but goes about it differently on the court. He is a great prospect.
As far as where Duke is ranked, I would say that is a great spot. I think they could be ranked anywhere from 7-15 preseason and it would make sense.
I don't care where we are ranked pre-season. I don't care where we are ranked in our recruiting class. I do care where we are ranked in the FINAL ranking. Everything else is of questionable / little / no value.
Yeah all 3 of Winslow, Jones and Okafor where physically and mentally ready to play a full college season. It already seems like people are forgetting how rare those players were...let alone having 3 of them.
To me Ingram is the perfect example. He may have a lot of trouble physically in college and it doesn't take long watching highlights to see he isn't mentally anywhere near the same level as our 3 starting freshmen from last year.
What do you mean in that last bold part? I totally agree about the rest, but I haven't noticed that last bit. What stands out about that to you?
As I mention below, dropping lower wouldn't surprise me, but I wouldn't cap us at 7, or describe it as "hovering." We'll click for stretches and challenge for top 3 in the polls, too.
I could see us playing to as low a ranking as 15 during the season, but knowing how preseason polls tend to go, I'm surprised we're as low as 7.
I am glad we are not in the top 3. The team will have to know it has to work hard to get there. It is difficult to know how ready the freshmen and Obi will be. But I do think the nucleus is there to become a very good team.
To me it will come down to how well the young guys buy into K and especially how well they buy into the defensive side. Last year it took until they tournament before they team became a good defensive team. But I think this team has greater defensive potential. They just need to be tough and physical. If they are, then the sky is the limit, imo.
To me it will come down to how well the young guys buy into K and especially how well they buy into the defensive side. Last year it took until they tournament before they team became a good defensive team. But I think this team has greater defensive potential. They just need to be tough and physical. If they are, then the sky is the limit, imo.
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