(yahoo images)30. Temple Owls
Last Year: 26-8
League: Atlantic 10
Studs: Ramone Moore, Sr. G, Scootie Randall, Sr. F, Juan Fernandez, Sr. G
Temple returns a wealth of experience, specificly at the guard position. They can go 5 deep in the backcourt with the above mentioned, plus Aaron Brown and Khalf Wyatt. The key will be replacing the production of Lavoy Allen inside. If Rahir Jefferson improves, and if Michael Eric can come back from the injury that ended his season, Temple could definitely give Xavier a run in the A10. Bill Cosby nods approvingly.
(yahoo images)29. Cincinnati Bearcats
Last Year: 26-9
League: Big East
Studs: Yancy Gates, Sr. F, Dion Dixon, Sr. G, Sean Kilpatrick, Soph. G
I never really bought in on Cincy being any good last year, as they cracked the top 25 without playing anyone of consequencet. They suprised me however by going 11-7 in league play, and now bring back the core group from that team. They need Gates to consistently dominate, and PG Cashmere Wright needs to score the ball more for Cincy to move up.
28. Missouri Tigers
Last Year:23-11
League: Big 12
Studs: Marcus Denmon, Sr. G, Kim English, Sr. G, Ricardo Ratliffe, Sr. F
Mizzou would be a lot higher if Laurence Bowers had not gone down with an ACL injury. They're bringing in Frank Haith from Miami, meaning they have to learn a different system. Denmon was one of the most efficient guards in all the land last year, and Flip Pressey has the tools to be the best point guard in the Big 12. If Haith can get the seniors to buy in, and Mizzou finds someone to help Ratliffe down low, they might not slip as much as I think they will.
27. Michigan State Spartans
Last Year: 19-15
League: Big 10
Studs: Draymond Green, Sr. F, Keith Appling, Soph. G, Adreian Payne, Soph. C
This just feels like one of those years where no one excepts much from Michigan St, yet they'll somehow go on some run and get hot in March after losing 12 games in the regular season. No one is talking about them that much, which I'm sure after last years high expectations, is right where Izzo wants to be. Green is an outstanding player even though he's not gettting much NBAt love from the mock drafts of the world. He's an all-around threat, and is also a better leader than any of the seniors last year. If Payne and a slimmed down Derrick Nix can make this a vintage "kick everybody's ass on the boards" type of sqaud, and Appling can handle the point, I wouldn't bet against ole Sparty.
26. Kansas Jayhawks
Last Year: 35-3
League: Big 12
Studs: Thomas Robinson, Jr. F, Tyshawn Taylor, Sr. G, Elijah Johnson, Jr. G
This is where Kansas should be ranked. Not 13 or 12 like the preseason polls say. I wouldn't be suprised if Kentucky beats them by 30 next week. They have Robinson, an inconsistent underachiever in Taylor, and a low impact recruiting class. I know everyone is saying "but it's Kansas." It doesn't matter. Even I feel stupid having them this high. This feels a lot like when Carolina was terrible two years ago. Sometimes the blue bloods fall, and when they do, they fall hard. Sorry Kansas, it's not going to be a good year in Jayhawk land.
25. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Year: 25-12
League: SEC
Studs: JaMychel Green, Sr. F, Tony Mitchell, Jr. F, Trevor Releford, Soph. G
I never really saw Bama play last year, but from what I've read they were prettty good. The run in the NIT was a nice stepping stone for what should be an even better year for Anthony Grant's team. Green played really well for the National Team this summer, and Releford had a steady hand as a first year point guard. The key will be how well freshman Levi Randolph and Trevor Lacey get acclimated to what will be a great SEC this year.
24. Marquette Golden Eagles
Last Year: 22-15
League: Big East
Studs: Darius Johnson-Odom, Sr. G, Jae Crowder, Sr. F, Vander Blue, Soph. G
This is the portion of the program where Marquette alum and father to be Dan Brody reads where I pick Marquette, then checks out to go do lab work or something. (He's a Chem grad student at Pitt, and also my brother, for those scoring at home). I love Buzz Williams, and DJO would be a top 10 pick if he was 6'6 instead of 6'2. Marquette has a lot of new pieces to incorporate into their offense, but the talent is there. Obviously the Big East is loaded, but Marquette will be a factor come March.
(yahoo images)23. Texas A&M Aggies
Last Year: 24-9
League: Big 12
Studs: Khris Middleton, . G, David Loubeau, Sr. F, Elston Turner, Jr. G
A&M has been consistently solid the last couple of seasons. They haven't been great, but they've been in or around the top 25. Now they lose Mark Turgeon to Maryland, and have questions with the health of new coach Billy Kennedy. I still think they have a chance to be just as good as anybody in the Big 12 outside of maybe Baylor, but Middleton is going to have to take the leap for that to happen. Keep an eye on bigs Ray Turner and Kourtney Roberson. If they can combine for about 15 boards a game, the Aggies will be really good.
22. Cal Golden Bears
Last Year: 18-15
League: Pac 10
Studs: Jorge Guiterrez, Sr. G, Harper Kamp, Sr. F, Allen Crabbe, Soph. G
Cal brings about everyone of merit back from last year's team that probably overachieved a bit. Guitierrez was the glue guy/defensive stopper on the team that gave Duke a run in the round of 32 two years ago. He evolved into one of the better all-around players in the Pac 12 last year, and combined with Kamp and Allen Crabbe forms a really solid nucleus. Minnesota transfer Justin Cobbs impact will go a long way as the Pac 12 race is wide open.
(yahoo images)21. Washington Huskies
Last Year: 24-11
League: Pac 10
Studs: Terrence Ross, Soph. G, Abdul Gaddy, Jr. G, Tony Wroten, Frosh. G
UDub loses one of my favorite college basketball players of the last couple of years in Isaiah Thomas. I really wish he would have stayed in school, but the Huskies are more than set at that position with returnee Abdul Gaddy, and freshman Tony Wroten. The Grunge Capitol also gets Terrence Ross back, who is actually a lot more similar in skill to Jeremy Lamb than people think. Ross may be the POY in the league when its all said and done. Washington will struggle some early with not much inside, but I look for them to have a good March, as they've had the last couple of years.
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