2007-2008 College Basketball Pre-Season Rankings
Now that we know who's in and who's out of the NBA Draft, here's an early pre-season College Hoops Top 10 poll for the 2007-2008 season.
1. UNC Tar Heels- The top team for next season 
definitely has to be the Tar Heels. Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, and Wayne Ellington all return. They have everybody returning but Reyshawn Terry and Brandan Wright. Wright will be missed greatly but they still have a lot of fire power. Look for UNC to be in the Final Four and possibly that national championship game.
definitely has to be the Tar Heels. Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, and Wayne Ellington all return. They have everybody returning but Reyshawn Terry and Brandan Wright. Wright will be missed greatly but they still have a lot of fire power. Look for UNC to be in the Final Four and possibly that national championship game. 2. Memphis Tigers- The 2007-2008 squad will return 5 of their top 6, plus the additions of recruits Derrick Rose and Jeff Robinson will help a lot. Especially the addition of Rose, he should be able to come in right away and help fill in for the lone loss in Jeremy Hunt. After back to back Elite 8 finishes the past two seasons, Memphis finally has what it takes to get over the hump and into the Final Four. They were the lone team that wasn't affected by the draft deadline date.
3. Kansas Jayhawks- The Jayhawks also have a great number of players returning and will be the top team in the Big 12. With the return of Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, freshmen sensation Darrell Arthur, Sherron Collins, Russell Robinson, Sasha Kaun, and Darnell Jackson, KU will barely miss a beat. The decision for Rush to stay is a huge sign of relief for KU and he will benefit from it a lot, unlike his brothers. KU also brings in quality recruit Cole Aldrich to help fill the loss of Julian Wright.
4. Georgetown Hoyas- Roy Hibbert is one of the "Big Two" to return. Jeff Green decided to stay in the draft at the last minute. If Green stays Georgetown is no doubt the top team. The Hoyas will return everyone excluding Green from a team that lost out in the Final Four. Those key returnees are Hibbert, Jon Wallace, DaJuan Summers, Jessie Sapp, Patrick Ewing Jr. and Vernon Macklin. Oh and how about a 5-star stud in Austin Freeman to add to the list.
5. UCLA Bruins- The Bruins will look to make another run at a Final Four berth with nearly everyone back. Their top scorer Aaron Afflalo jumped into the draft and will be missed dearly. But the Bruins return a solid nucleus with Josh Shipp, Darren Collison, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Lorenzo Mata, Michael Roll, and Alfred Aboya. UCLA lacked a premier post presence this past season, but the addition of 2007 recruit Kevin Love will help and should get immediate playing time. Look for the Bruins to be one of the top teams in the country again.
6. Louisville Cardinals- L'Ville returns 7 of their top 8 and should be one of the premier teams in the Big East. Terrence Williams, Edgar Sosa, David Padgett, Juan Palacios, and Derrick Caracter all return and should be one of the best starting five's in the land. Look for Rick Pitino's Cards to make a great run next season.
7. Washington St. Cougars- The Cougars return everyone but Ivory Clark and should benefit with all the experience returning. Last season was no fluke and the Cougars will show just that by competing for a Pac 10 title and possibly an Elite 8 or even a Final Four berth.
8. Tennessee Volunteers- Remember how the Vols nearly stunned the Buckeyes in the Big Dance? Well the Vols return everyone, including Chris Lofton. Because of Lofton's decision, Tennessee is my early favorite to win the SEC.
9. Indiana Hoosiers- IU should be the early favorite to win the Big Ten. D.J. White is back and should be better than ever. Armon Bassett, AJ Ratliff, Lance Stemler, and Mike White all return as well; you can also add Eric Gordon (inset) to that list, one of the top recruits in the country and he won't disappoint. Not to shabby for Kelvin Sampson's second year.
10. USC Trojans- The Pac-10 will be very tough again next season, which is why I have USC as low as 10 here. Also, the loss of Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt doesn't help either. But Taj Gibson is returning and I heard new signee OJ Mayo is pretty good.
Other teams to keep an eye on:
Marquette, Georgia Tech, Michigan St., Kansas St., Ohio St., Oregon, Gonzaga, Arizona, and Pittsburgh.
33 comments:
Interesting... I would probably knock UNC down a few pegs just because Wright left early as well, but I can't disagree too much. Looks like a pretty solid list.
Im lovin the Jayhawks at 3. Nice post Ming.
so you're telling me no one should be ranked number one then Jon?
That wouldn't really work... I just mean with the loss of Wright I don't like the Tar Heels as much as some other teams... such as maybe Memphis, Kansas, Georgetown, or maybe even UCLA.
With Deon Thompson, Alex Stepheson and Mike Copeland, the Heels will have no trouble replacing Brandan Wright. Stepheson and Thompson played for an injured Wright in the Arizona game at Arizona -- scoring a combined 24 points -- in which the Tar Heels handed Arizona their worst home loss in 24 years, 92-64. The Tar Heels lose Wright and Terry, but gain redshirt freshman William Graves, who was the 2006 North Carolina High School Player of the Year. So Wright gets replaced by Thompson, Stepheson and Copeland, and Terry gets replaced by Graves -- who will be much better than Terry was. It's pretty hard to argue that the Heels don't deserve that preseason #1.
I believe UCLA goes to the top with the best passing big man since Walton...the gators would have been Bruin bait had Love been there last year.
what the hell? why is no one talking about the vols? they lost to eventual national runner-up on a blocked lay up by a freshmen which was blocked by a man the likes of ncaa basketall hasnt seen in years. not to mention they've knocked off the two time defending national champions three out of the last four meetings. lastly, as for the roster, all that freshmen talent from last year ago has a year's experience to go with tyler smith (big ten freshman of the year) being cleared to play right away and j.p. prince (tayshaun's cousin, and former arizona wildcat) being eligible after christmas. oh yeah, and did i metion chris lofton (arguably the game's most clutch and/or best shooter) is back this year? come on.
looks like you can't read... i have them at 8th and even said they're my early favorite to win the SEC, is that not enough love? so chill out buddy
The Bruins have too much firepower. The boards/blocks/and low post scoring will be covered by Moute, Aboya, Mata, and Love. They got shooters in Shipp and Roll and a quick backcourt with Collison and Westbrook. Final Four 2 years in a row with only Afflalo gone (replacing him with the Gatorade High School Player of the Year)? Sounds like good things to come. SEC looks good as well. Also watch out for USC this year and next, they got Mayo comin in, but have by far the best pointguard next year in Brandon jennings, the kid's ridiculous!
i think you should at least have Marquette in your teams to look out for. With arguably the best defender in college basketball Jerel McNeal, along with Wesley Matthews and Dominic James. I think these guys are going to show something this year.
Also i like your Kansas State choice with Michael Beasley and Bill Walker they are going to be really explosive.
Washington St. Cougars are you kidding? At least Duke isn't up there
at least put oklahoma on the teams to watch out for
i did mention marquette, yes they will be good again.
washington st. could be even better then last year. they return everyone but clark.
and where is arkansas? where they belong... nowhere to be found in my post
Clemson will be very good this year. They will be better than Tennessee and Indiana for sure.
I'd say Memphis is number 1. Gotta consider Butler, but overall, very accurate rankings.
Clemson better than Indiana and Tennessee? Good thing you wrote anonymously...
Ok, this year is going to be amazing for me. I'm from L.A. but live have lived in Tenn. for 20 years. I pull for both teams. No way North Carolina is #1. Obviously I think Ucla is LOADED. On the bench too. Memphis is sick, and USC will be a top five, promise you. TN will be the fastest team in the nation, and with the addition of the transfer, easy top five. Remember, they lost to Ohio state not once, but twice by ONE point! I have to pull for my Bruins though. And don't look for them to slow down next year either. They have 4 of the top 50 recruits coming in!!!!
Why consider Butler after they lose 5 seniors and will only have 1 senior this year. Graves carried them through the season last year scoring in every way and playing the best defense i've seen in a long time. I only live an hour away from Butler, I'm a fan of Butler, but I realize where they stand.
I think USC could be a big surprise this year depending on how good Devon Jefferson is. Remember he spent an extra two years in post-graduate land, so he is not the typical freshman in terms of age or size. He played in the post-season high-school all-star games a couple of years ago when he was UNLV bound.
This could make both him and OJ Mayo a one-and-done duo but USC may get a Final Four trip along the way - in a best case scenario that is.
I didn't go to any of these top pick colleges, but from what I've read about Memphis this year, they should be at the top of anyone's list. With this new Rose kid (top HS prospect in the COUNTRY), and bringing back 5 of 6 starters, these guys should be sniffing the Natl Championship this year. I'll take the Tigers over any team this year.
Have any of yall ever heard of the word depth? Cause thats what UNC had last year. Theres a load of sophmores and jrs. on this team who most could start for memphis and kansas. The role players like Bobby Frazor, Marcus Ginyard, Dion Thompson, Alex Stephenson, and Danny Green are very experianced. The loss of Wright, Terry, and Miller will not be felt with the fire power of this team. Excpecialy when you have the fastest point guard in the country, one of the best shooters, and the best bigman (with or without the mask). DO NOT DOUBT THEM HEELS. And to top it off the only real team they play non-confrence is Ohio St. The Heels could run the table.
GO SIU. kansas BARLEY avioded the choke. 3? they stuggle against the "mid-major" MVC every year. testament to the emerging conference.
EAT EM UP SALUKIS
Georgetown will get an easy trip to the final four and maybe even the national championship game. Dejuan Summers Jessie Sapp Roy Hibbert Vernon Macklin. Even without Jeff Green the hoyas are the best team in basketball.
I agree with the rankings, Tyler Hansbrough is probably the best player in the country, and they are solid. Memphis is very athletic, the entire team, and will give anyone trouble. We have to remember coaching also comes into play, I think the placement is pretty good. Who knows, the end is always different, even for professional critics.
This is intresting, cant say i totally agree with it USC in the top ten, id probably drop them to 15 or so cause the pac-10 isnt the basketball powerhouse they use to be. UCLA shouldnt be this high either after losing Afflalo, id put them maybe at 12 or 13. MSU should also be a lot higher then "a team to watch." MSU returns everyone except joseph who only averaged about 3 mins a game. Id be even as bold ot put MSU in my top 5. Izzo always has his team ready to play for the tourney. Expect them to make atleast a final four run and perhaps even a trip to the national title game.
Finally someone mentioned MSU. Hate to tell you guys this but they return everone but a couple of walkons, Have five quality big men, two returning guards, three highly recruited guards, and have some quality forward play. This is your 2008 National Champion. They will play great D as all Izzo Teams do, but are deep enough and fast enough to run the floor. By far, this is the best team Izzo has ever put on the court.
What about Connecticut? They didn't lose anybody and the only reason they weren't good last year was because of the inexpierience. They will be good now that Hasheem Thabeet has matured along with Stanley Robinson, and did I mention the one freshman they brought in was amazing.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS! THEY WILL BE BACK.
I like your rankings except I think Michigan St. could stand to be up there. Other than that it was good. I'm happy to see that Duke's not there or NCSU
The Tar Heels should be preseason number 1 simply beacuse they will be able to run the court better than any other team in the nation, and with a returning hansborough they have to be ranked at the top. not to mention the fact that they will have a possibility at the perfect season with roy williams at the helm and besides, they are in the ACC, the hardest conference in college BB
I agree with the poll for the most part. I agree how could anyone but UNC be #1. No i am not a UNC fan but they have the best coach with atleast a top five talent team if anyone can lead them to the top Roy can. Yes Memphis is a good team and 1 on 1 they might can beat UNC but they are not a better team. But i do disagree how can the ACC be the hardest conference if Duke and NCSU don't deserve to be mentioned. I know Duke is young but they have Coach K. And NCSU is not proven but they are loaded with talent. Neither team should be in the top 10 or maybe in the top 15. But they do deserve some credit.
hey, whats going on with the uconn?? they have a good young, lineup, what are they ranked natioinally ??
WILDCATS (UK) SUCK, EVERYONE KNOWS IT PATRICK PATTERSON IS THE MOST OVERRATED LITTLE GIRL!!! DC... ON THE OTHER HAND.... DOMINATION!!
GO CARDS!!!
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