College Basketball: Kansas Preseason No. 1,
College Basketball October 29th. 2009, 12:45pm
Kansas, not surprisingly, is the coaches’ choice as the No. 1 team in college basketball. Michigan State, which lost in the National Title game, is No. 2, followed by Texas, UNC and Kentucky. Two eyebrow raisers: Duke at 8 despite its thin backcourt; California (12) ahead of Washington (13). We’ll get to the previews later, but if we had to pick a Final 4 sleeper – as much as a preseason Top 25 team can be a sleeper – it’d be between Ohio State and Georgia Tech.
In addition to the Rankings, the Naismith Player of the Year list was released today, as well.
1. Solomon Alabi (Florida State)
2. Cole Aldrich (Kansas)
3. Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest)
4. James Anderson (Oklahoma State)
5. Luke Babbitt (Nevada)
6. Talor Battle (Penn State)
7. Trevor Booker (Clemson)
8. Matt Bouldin (Gonzaga)
9. Craig Brackins (Iowa State)
10. Avery Bradley (Texas)
11. Da’Sean Butler (West Virginia)
12. Sherron Collins (Kansas)
13. Patrick Christopher (California)
14. Ed Davis (North Carolina)
15. Devan Downey (South Carolina)
16. Jerome Dyson (Connecticut)
17. Devin Ebanks (West Virginia)
18. Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech)
19. Luke Harangody (Notre Dame)
20. Manny Harris (Michigan)
21. Gordon Hayward (Butler)
22. Lazar Hayward (Marquette)
23. Xavier Henry (Kansas)
24. Robbie Hummel (Purdue)
25. Damion James (Texas)
26. Jerome Jordan (Tulsa)
27. Sylven Landesberg (Virginia)
28. Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech)
29. Kalin Lucas (Michigan State)
30. Tasmin Mitchell (LSU)
31. Greg Monroe (Georgetown)
32. A.J. Ogilvy (Vanderbilt)
33. Patrick Patterson (Kentucky)
34. Jerome Randle (Calfornia)
35. Scottie Reynolds (Villanova)
36. Samardo Samuels (Louisville)
37. Larry Sanders (VCU)
38. Kyle Singler (Duke)
39. Tyler Smith (Tennessee)
40. Isaiah Thomas (Washington)
41. Evan Turner (Ohio State)
42. Edwin Ubiles (Siena)
43. Jarvis Varnado (Mississippi State)
44. Greivis Vasquez (Maryland)
45. Kemba Walker (Connecticut)
46. John Wall (Kentucky)
47. Willie Warren (Oklahoma)
48. Terrico White (Ole Miss)
49. Nic Wise (Arizona)
50. Chris Wright (Dayton)
It is very rare to see a freshman win this award – Kevin Durant in 2007 … any other freshman on here? – so unless John Wall takes Kentucky to the Final Four or averages 25 points per game and scores 30+ regularly on TV, it’ll be difficult for him to win the award. Except that … there really is no clear-cut favorite. Is UNC’s Ed Davis going to morph into a 20-10 beast? If Luke Harangody averages 30 but the Irish don’t make the tournament, will he even warrant consideration? Duke’s Kyle Singler? Oklahoma’s Willie Warren? No and no.
So … it’ll probably be Wall. Our stab at the final four players in the mix for the award: Wall, Kalin Lucas, Sherron Collins, Harangody.
Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List announced (CBS Sports)
117 Responses to “College Basketball: Kansas Preseason No. 1,”
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October 29th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
So John Wall at #46 has a better chance than freshman Avery Bradley at #10?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
No way Wall wins the award.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Alphabetical order, Clown.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I’m not a big college basketball guy, so maybe I’m missing something, but why did you skip over 45 names and just concentrate on this kid like he’s the obvious choice to win?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Clown, the list is in alphabetical order.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
MSU – who you got?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Check how many guards duke had on its last NC team. 3 is fine if they are good
October 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
As for the Naismath Award winner…Scottie Reynolds.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Favors is also on the list as a Freshman.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
St. Bear, I tried to say exactly what you said but couldn’t put it into words.
How can you just single out a hyped HS player to win the award for the best player in the nation?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
jay v – what’s the buzz you hear on Wall?
(he, uh, knows people who know things?)
October 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Interesting that Favors made the list as a freshman as well.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
John Wall won’t even be the top contender from his own team.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
TBL making good use of the SI vault, I see.
“John Wall” sounds like a Madden generated RB.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Oops, my bad. I can’t believe they have Damion James over Jordan Hamilton or Sexy Dexy.
Crazy excited about the Longhorns this year. Two one and dones and two smoove veterans: it’s gonna be sick.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
You mean eligibility-wise? He may wind up sitting out a couple of games. Doubt it’ll be much of a big deal. Rules were definitely broken, but a 2-game suspension seems like the most likely outcome.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Three SEC teams in the top 25? What, they’re not gonna give the conference champion an 8 seed? The conference is now legit because a cheater joined it?
/still bitter about playing UNC in the second round last year
October 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
TBL, for me the top 5 before the season (in no order): Scottie Reynolds, Jarvis Varnado, Kalin Lucas, Luke Haragody, and Ed Davis/Greg Monroe (I figure one of them will break out to 20/10 type numbers)
October 29th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
NIT Champs!
October 29th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Why is Paulus giving his teammate a rub down?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
i love Lucas, but no way he finishes ahead of collins. he won’t score enough.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Kansas’s second 5 would be a top 25 team
October 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Msu, I happen to agree with your list almost intact, except that I would add De’Sean Butler…I also think Devan Downey might be better than any of them, but he won’t get the requisite hype to seriously contend.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Ohio State is a bunch of 6′4 to 6′7 kids who can play. They have two problems though.
1. After Lauderdale (who is a space eater and that’s about all), they have no big bodies. When I say none, I mean none.
2. They have no real point guard… sorry PJ Hill. Crater left last year and left a big hole (one that he wouldn’t have filled anyway).
The point guard position was their biggest weakness the last 2 years (when Conley left after 1) and it continues to bite Matta. It’s a problem for next year, because they have a freshman coming. If Craft can’t do it, they will waste another year of great talent because they have no floor leader.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Carolina got a first place vote? Buzz Peterson must have a vote this year
October 29th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Also the only way aldrich isn’t the poy is cause everyone around him is so good
October 29th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I’m sure it is Coach Cal hype … but he’s got Wall ahead of where Rose was coming as a freshman. Rose was very, very good.
Wall is already project as the No. 1 pick in 2010.
all of this can’t be over this dunk on stackhouse (though i could watch this dozens of times)
http://thebiglead.com/?p=17344
October 29th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Maybe I’m being a homer but I’ll pick Butler as the sleeper even though I don’t know if being ranked #10 we still qualify as a sleeper. Honestly, anything less than an elite eight this year is going to be considered a disappointed. When you have 2 legitimate POY candidates (Matt Howard, Gordon Hayward) and have 2 players on the U-19 national team, you’ve got something special. Not to mention, they actually have a pretty tough non-conference schedule.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Again?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I will check back the 2nd week of January.
/.500 season in B.R. this year
October 29th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
It is weird to see Minnesota ranked higher than Georgetown, Louisville, and Syracuse.
/not complaining
October 29th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’ve got so much catching up to do with ncaa basketball after missing the second half of last season. i don’t even know who won last year.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
His 25, 11 and 7 from last night didn’t hurt expectations either.
/Yes, it was just a scrimmage
//I’m on the POY list too’d
October 29th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I don’t think Monroe will get 20/10 in that offense but I could be wrong. Davis has the skills I just don’t he will get the touches/minutes because of the depth.
You guys are forgetting about #21 Hayward, I don’t think he will win it but he will be getting slurped up all year.
I will finally be making my first trip to Hinkle fiedhouse this year to see him in person, sad that with family in Indianapolis I have never gone to a game there before.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Isn’t everyone back this year? Damien Johnson might be the best “little things” player in the country. Love that guy.
I really don’t want Kentucky to be good. Can’t we just enjoy one more year where they suck?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
North Carolina shattered the Michigan Economy.
/CBS’d
October 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
okay, UNC won last year. first mystery solved.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
of course he does. he’d have me over Rose if he was trying to promote something that benefits himelf. if you ever believe the words coming out of his mouf, you’re a dummy.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Ocho Cinco v Skip Bayless on 1st and 10 is freakin awkward
October 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Roy Williams won, convincingly, with his own players.
/Fetch hates that
October 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
i’d go with Ed Davis. hes a beast, bottom line.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
No. You all had three or four years of it and that’s plenty.
Couldn’t be because Wall is freaking stud, no could it?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
If last nights scrimmage was any precursor to the season Louisville will take a while to get them team running up to Pitno standards.
Minnesota also has a stud freshman in Royce White, probably will be big ten freshman of the year.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
He did clown. That’s true.
/in the worst year for college bball in 20 years
October 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest)
Top 5, lock.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Wall is most definitely a stud. but, we’re not talking about Wall, we’re talking about Cal. that dude would try to sell me as a better man than his own son if he could get something out of it for himself.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Don’t care. Basketball, especially college, can get back to me in about January.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Big 10 and Big 12 are going to be slugfests.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
/in the worst year for college bball in 20 years
Oh, wait. So the ‘02 UMD team wasn’t the worst NC of the last 20 years?
/go fuck yourself
October 29th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Several freshman in Champaign-Urbana that aren’t too shabby.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Big 10 and Big 12 are going to be slugfests.
Is this before or after the ACC slaughters the Big Ten?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
No Osiris Eldridge on the list?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I never said they were Ill. I don’t think anyways
October 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
ha! +1
October 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Just imagine if they had Stallings or Painter coaching that team instead of the other ex-Keady assistant.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I’m not sure what Cal “gets” from pumping Wall up though. Sure, recruits will see him extolling his players, but they knew he’d do that before he came to Kentucky.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
but can they squeal like Weber?
October 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Xavier Henry is also a freshman.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
@Sparty
Tempo should be a little better this year, Illinos and Indiana will open it up and run more, I would expect Minny to increase their tempo as well.
Still going to have games where the tempo gets killed by defense, but we shouldn’t see another 30 point performance from the Illini at least.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Cal “gets” exposure. that’s all he wants. I know you’re new to this “Cal is my head coach” thing, but did you never hear him talk about how good CUSA was when Memphis was steamrolling through the conference? the goal was not to actually tell everyone how good the conference was, it was to try to sway enough people to believe that Memphis’ conference schedule and domination were worthy of 1-seeds.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
If Kentucky makes the title game, congrats on the national championship to whomever they play, either via a victory or cause that Final Four will be voided in 5 years.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Damn sparty, your boys are @UNC and @Texas before conference play even starts this year. Impressive. I can imagine how much little sparty fans everywhere want that win on Dec 1st.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Scottie Reynolds is the most overrated player in College Basketball.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Big 10 ball will still be about defense. always is.
we should win teh UNC game, but Texas is going to be hard as fuck to beat. We won on a “neutral” court last year against them. Durrell Summers went off. but this year we will be in Austin.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I imagine better talent with poor(er) coaching? Web’s a solid coach just couldn’t snag the talent.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Oh, he’s not a bad coach by any means, but the other two are better game coaches and recruiters. He did have a hell of a run with a loaded cabinet, though.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
won’t argue that excited to see Tyler Griffey, but Paul and Richardson are what weber needed and can actually push McCamey for minutes so he might stop taking nights off this year.
Also, keep an eye on Christian Watford from Indiana, team is going to struggle some nights but he has a Ebanks like game and should create some matchup problems.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I lived through Pitino at UK, so Cal is kinda old hat for me, thanks.
And tell me one coach that doesn’t pump their conference up. Speaking of Pitino, I remember one time when he called Conference USA a joke, but for the most part, coaches will always up-sell their current situation, especially when seeding and such is involved.
Or maybe you are trying to say Memphis didn’t deserve the number one seed, even though they made it to the Finals one year and the Sweet 16 the next.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Very true, I just think the league is better equipped top to almost bottom, Iowa not included to run when they need to this year.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Rs27…sure he is…and Villanova had no chance to make the Final Four…as you told me last January when I suggested they would be there.
/razzing
October 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
@sparty
Heard you all were getting Adrien Payne today. Congrats if it does happen that way.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
i thought Vazquez wasnt gonna be eligibile? i know he went undrafted but i thought he signed with an agent
October 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
the team that will be the thorn in everyones side in the big 10 will be indiana.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
The way to beat Villanova: Put Russell Robinson on Scottie Reynolds
/the horse isn’t dead yet
October 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
not quite. I think Memphis deserved 1-seeds three straight years based on success on the court in each of those seasons.
you’re missing the entire point of my original statement. that point was directed at TBL who hinted that he believed Cal really thinks Wall is better than Rose was.
and, regarding Cal and Pitino, did Pitino constantly make noise for self-promotion? did Pitino spend the beginning of every offseason looking for any availalbe “upgrade” job to leverage a larger salary?
Cal is a really good coach, especially if he’s coaching your team. but, as soon as he isn’t coaching your team anymore, you’ll realize how full of shit he is.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I can’t wait for Pearl to take down Calipari. The press conferences should be so petty and hilarious.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
He’s a great recruiter. I’m torn on his in-game ability still. Yes, he VERY self-promoting, but he’s not the only one by any means.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
did he announce? i had read that he might.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Pearl couldn’t beat Gillispie last year.
/Just sayin’d
October 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
This afternoon sometime, but Jody Demling apparently tweeted he was MSU-bound and I think a few others did too.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
That’s because we just never beat Kentucky. No matter where each program is at. This year I think it could change though, because the focus will be basically be like it was with Memphis.
/wishful thinking
October 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Sparty, personally I would be more worried about UNC then Texas, but I seem to be one of the few that thinks Texas is overrated/hyped. Strong recruiting class but I think Lucas will eat Bradley up.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Is it my imagination or is the Big 10 getting better by the year?
The coaching is top notch, with Tubby, Crean, Izzo, Beilein, Matta, Painter, et al… The newer guys are now recruiting quite nicely. The guys who have been there have talent as well.
I think the Big 10 race will be an absolute slugfest this year. Next year will be even stronger as OSU brings in a ridiculous class to add into several veterans that will be juniors and seniors next year.
And, yes, tempo should be better for some teams…
October 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
pat – Cal has a rep for being an excellent recruiter and mediocre in-game coach. you likely won’t see many in-game adjustments and it will often look like he’s “rolling the ball out there and letting ‘em play”.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
That’s OK. We NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER beat you in football, so I guess it’s even.
/20-something years now.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
that’s a big haul for Izzo. wow.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
by the way, I have absolutely no problem with his endless self-promoting. it’s just part of the game and basically required if you want to be successful and your name isn’t Tom Izzo. my inital beef was with TBL’s potential belief in the words coming out of Cal’s mouf.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I agree with that. Texas is really really good though.
That’s a very nice compliment, mize. How nice of you.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
the question is, are you the real patrick patterson?
October 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
24
/longest streak in college football
October 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Don’t jinx it. This year is a scary one.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
He did not go undrafted, he pulled out of the draft. No agent either.
He is fully eligible. I am surprised to see him on the list. He makes some amazing plays but also he can be very careless with the ball.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
i thought Vazquez wasnt gonna be eligibile? i know he went undrafted but i thought he signed with an agent
He never signed with an agent.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I do. I think he’s a prick and I can’t stand him.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I said that? Probably. I hate Scottie Reynolds. Ill advised shots, horrendous cold stretches. If he’s the best player on your team, your team is not very good. He was 21-60 from the floor during the NCAA tournament last year. One bad game, ok, I can see that. 5 bad games is not erased by a buzzer beater.
For my money Corey Fisher is the best guard on the team and Cunningham was the key of how far that team was going.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I’m confused, fetch.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Got to see one of their scrimmages, love the way the team is playing this year, they actually move without the ball and Crean was killing them for walking the ball up not pushing the tempo.
It is crazy how many close games they lost last year, without talent, now with it they should steal some of those. Rivers at the point will clear up the turnover issues, he looked real good coming out the screens plus going to a 6-5 point from a 5-11 walk on is huge in itself. Like I said earlier Watford will be in the Big10 FOY discussion and Verdell Jones should only improve playing more time on the wing.
Teams with strong frontcourts are going to tear them up though, they just don’t have the guys in there for a run through the big ten. Probably going to see a lot smaller sets with Watford who is more of a 3 playing the 4.
But hey I will be happy with a NIT birth this year.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I’m not over-explaining my joke mize.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Sean Jean – Pearl does the same thing, just with less slime. by the way, what do you think about Tennessee’s preseason ranking? I’m pretty surprised it’s that high.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
wonder if TBL is convinced yet on the Big 10 being a good conference. it was funny how he tried bashing them all last year and was so sure they would only get 5 teams at most.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Miz: Calipari is just mean spirited though. He’s sleezy and petty. Pearl doesn’t go after teams or make disparaging remarks. He’s just confident and has fun. Big difference imo. Calipari is just a shit stirrer.
As for the ranking, I’m pretty surprised too given how this team performed last year, but the talent is there, so then again it’s not that surprising. I am surprised how high UK is ranked.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
didn’t he lose a bet to you? has he paid up yet?
October 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
totally agree with you rs27 on scottie reynolds, he just sold high and went to the league as a freshmen before everyone found out about his flaws. There is a reason he is still playing college basketball and it wasn’t to get a degree.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Yeah, it seems MSU is Payne’s choice. Makes sense because he was very close to verballing to Dayton last year, but his HS coach convinced him to wait it out. Over time he decided leaving Ohio was the best option for him personally and MSU is the next closest thing to the Dayton Flyer style, seeing as how Dayton essentially is MSU lite (Gregory is an Izzo disciple).
October 29th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Sean Jean – I can go along with that view of Cal.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
man, if Delvon Roe has his explosion back, apparently he does, the front court for MSU could be nasty next year.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
it was too hard for him too. i kinda let it slide. yankee tickets were 1. expensive. 2 hard to get anyway.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
i should have told him the equivalent in i-tunes.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Yeah, but if Payne does indeed go Sparty temper the expectations on him. It may take 2 years before he looks like a 5 star recruit. His offensive game is very raw, very inconsistent. He’ll rebound and block shots from day 1 though.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
WTF!? I can’t believe you let him weasel out of paying up.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Miz: If Weezy isn’t first team All SEC this year, I consider it a disappointment. He has so much talent. Also, expecting a lot from Hopson and eager to see McBee play.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
SJ – I feel really bad for Negedu. last I heard is he may never play again. that really blows.
Hopson was pretty good last year, but he really needs to step up and become the big shot he’s supposed to be this year.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Taaahhhler Muckbaaayyy?
October 29th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Miz: Wow. I didn’t hear that. That is really terrible, but at least he is alive I guess.
/Glass half full
Hopson was pretty useless last year imo. He was tenative and just played 1on1. I’m hopeful he grew up a lot in the offseason. He clearly can play.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
+1 autoplaying Children’s Hospital commercial
October 29th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
in no particular order
Da’sean Butler
Kalin Lucas
Scottie Reynolds
Luke Harangody
Those are your finalists….
October 29th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I love WVU this year (disappearing act Ruoff is gone), but I think Evan Turner is a little better than Butler. Devin Ebanks is going to be on all sorts of GM’s radar after this year.
The real question is how many seeds will WVU jump with a single win in the Toooornament as MSG.