Updated "Way-too-early" Top 25

[HuffyJB]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...ldcats-stay-atop-revised-way-too-early-top-25

I apologize if this has been posted, but this was updated today. Duke at #7 with the new additions. UK and UNC at 1 & 2. UVA at #5.

 

[dukiejay]

It's hard to really argue with any of that. They are, after all, predictions for a season that doesn't start for another seven months. I think we can be pretty good....and because I don't see what I'd call a truly "elite" team we may even have a chance to make another run.

 

[HuffyJB]

He echoed some of the things I feel about UNC: "Are we to assume, as a rule, that everyone from a 12-loss team will automatically get better?"

With what is shaping up to be something of down year in college bball, they have as many likely pieces as anyone.

I think Kansas is looking like a top five team.

 

[Crank_it_loud]

UK at 1 is a joke.

 

[dukiejay]

He echoed some of the things I feel about UNC: "Are we to assume, as a rule, that everyone from a 12-loss team will automatically get better?"

With what is shaping up to be something of down year in college bball, they have as many likely pieces as anyone.

I think Kansas is looking like a top five team.

If it wasn't for Justin Jackson and Joel Berry I'd be more apprehensive too....but I think those two take pretty big strides and make UNC is a much better team. Paige, B. Johnson, and Meeks are likely the same players, relatively-speaking, but they will still have that experience. I dislike the Heels as much as anyone, but I think, on paper, they're clearly one of the top preseason teams in the country.

 

[HuffyJB]

UK at 1 is a joke.

I think as much as anything it is a byproduct of there being no real, clear-cut elite team. There doesn't seem to be a single team as good as last year's Duke, Wisconsin, UK, and Arizona. That might change once the ball goes up, but that's how it looks now.

 

[aah555]

I think the UK ranking at #1 is pretty speculative at this point when you've got other teams with established players. I would have them down around us (in the #5-8 range). Poythress and Marcus Lee may turn out to be great players, but nothing we've really seen over the past couple seasons would really support that they're anything more than great natural athletes. Also, unless they make another couple major additions, they don't really have any bigtime wing scorers (it looks as if they intend to start Poythress and Briscoe -- a PG prospect who doesn't shoot the ball particularly well) or really many guys who you'd give the ball to and say make a play. Ullis can do some of that, but it's going to be a whole different world for him now that teams will be focusing their attention on keeping him out of the lane. While there's clearly talent on this roster, I'm not sure how well it all fits together or whether they have the shooting / playmaking to have any consistency at that end of the court. It looks to me that they'll have a very good defensive team that you won't want to face on nights they're hot, but which will have a tough time scoring on a lot of nights -- i.e., maybe a slightly better version of Louisville this season.

 

[HuffyJB]

If it wasn't for Justin Jackson and Joel Berry I'd be more apprehensive too....but I think those two take pretty big strides and make UNC is a much better team. Paige, B. Johnson, and Meeks are likely the same players, relatively-speaking, but they will still have that experience. I dislike the Heels as much as anyone, but I think, on paper, they're clearly one of the top preseason teams in the country.

UNC probably has the fewest questions of any team in the country as far as who plays where, who gets minutes, etc. That is a nice luxury to have. They know the assembled parts, and they are pretty good. Can they be great?

 

[HuffyJB]

Favorite line from the article:
Baylor had "an unexpectedly strong season that ended with a bit role in the Saga of Ron Hunter's Scooter"

 

[DukeDenver]

If Duke finds a closer or two (Allen and Ingram/Thornton maybe?), we'll be in the Sweet 16.