College Basketball Preview:h Epic Guitar Solo

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This was going to be written along with the rest of my college preview, but I either got lazy, or decided to watch a couple of games first to make the analysis a little more potent(I'll let you decide). Without further ado, here's the guitar solo, or the grand finale of my humble little college basketball preview where I pick my favorite team to win it all.     



10. Baylor Bears
Last Year: 18-13
League: Big 12
Studs:  Quincy Acy Sr.F, Perry Jones Soph. F, Quincy Miller Frosh. F
Baylor has gotten off to a 6-0 start with Jones missing the first 5 of these games. They haven't beaten anybody of merit other than San Diego St, but they look as though their guard play is much improved with the addition of Pierre Jackson from the junior college ranks. It seemed like last year it was the "4 dudes stand around while this dude with the crazy ass name LaceDarius goes one on three" offense, while this year they have multiple options with both Perry and Anthony Jones, Acy, and Frosh. Quincy Miller, who has been one of the best freshman in the country so far. The major strength the Bears have is depth inside, which no one in the Big 12 is going to be able to hang with. Kansas has Thomas Robinson and Jeff Withey, Mizzou has Ricardo Ratliffe and a bunch of guards, and A&M has the numbers but not the same height and length. I still feel like the Big 12 is Baylor's to lose, and if Perry Jones can regularly score 27 a game like he did in his debut the other night, and Jackson can run the offense without turning the ball over, they might have a Final 4 run in them.

9. Florida Gators
Last Year:29-8
League:SEC
Studs: Kenny Boynton Jr G,  Erving  Walker, Sr. G. Patric Young F Soph.
Florida is off to a 5-1 start, and their loss to Ohio St. on the road doesn't look quite as bad now after Duke got curbstomped in Columbus on Tuesday night. We knew going in that the Gators guards would be the key, and so far the quartet of Boynton, Walker, Mike Rosario, and Bradley Beal are combining to shoot 42 percent from deep and are scoring 67 percent of the teams points. Beal has been especially impressive, as he was described as the next "Ray Allen." He's does a lot more than just shoot though, averaging 6.5 rebounds and 1 block so far. The Gators will struggle against any team with size, because as talented as Young is, he can't do it all by himself. The emergence of 6'7 Soph. Will Yeguete may very well be the key to the Gators whole season, as if he gives them another banger to take the pressure off of Young having to do all of the dirty work by himself, then Florida can let the guards shoot them deep into March.


8. Pitt Panthers
Last Year 28-6
League:Big East
Studs: Ashton Gibbs Sr G, Nasir Robinson, Jr. F, Travon Woodall  Jr. G
Pitt stays here for now even though they lost to my #39 ranked Long Beach St. squad (Westside mutherfucka). I still like the potential here, although losing Woodall, who may be the MVP of the team so far for a month is going to cause them to drop in the rankings quite a bit. "Tre" is averging 8.3 assists so far and shooting 46% from three, arguably out playing Gibbs. They have a bunch of scrappy overachievers as per usual, with Robinson, Lamar Patterson, Khem Birch, and Dante Taylor all having their moments so far on the boards and defensively. I'd like to see Gibbs use Woodall's abscence to take over and make this his team, as he's going to have to now handle the ball and score. This honestly could be good for the Panthers as they head into Big East play. They'll probably still flame out like they always due in March, but this will be another quality regular season team that will finish at the top of the Big East, with the potential to ride a Gibbs hot streak into a Final Four berth.

7. Vanderbilt Commodores
Last Year:23-11
League: SEC
Studs: John Jenkins Jr. G.  Jeffery Taylor Sr. F. Festus Ezeli. Sr. C
Dear Festus,

Please come back. We've already lost twice and we need you inside or our season will be ruined by January. We're letting other teams shoot 46% from the field and we've already lost twice, with a good chance to lose tonight at Louisville which will probably take us from number 7 in the Brody preseason poll to out of the top 25 in the national poll that actually matters. John and Jeffery can't do it all by themselves. Calipari is already talking shit to me about how Anthony Davis is going to block 25 shots when we play them. Billy Donovan is texting me that his team and his hair are better than me. I'm going to flip out. We need you now more than ever.
Sincerely,

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Coach Stallings                             

6. Duke Blue Devils
Last Year: 32-5
League: ACCG
Studs: Austin Rivers Frosh. G, Seth Curry Jr. G, Mason Plumlee, Jr. F
This was going to be suprisingly complimentary and positive until I witnessed the ass kicking the Buckeyes put on the Dookies Tuesday. It exposed all of their flaws, and the flaws that they've had pretty much since the days of J.J. Redick. Mainly, that Duke always lives by the three and dies by the three. Right now, they have one person who can get his own shot without spotting up, and that's an inconsistent freshman in Rivers. Mark Titus talks about him having a "punchable face," and I can only nod my head in agreement with the ESPN.com writer. His shitty body language has gotten better, but I get the impression his team doesn't like him very much. When they're clicking, the Curry's, Dawkins' and Ryan Kelly's of the world can light it up, enabling Duke to beat anyone, but when they're off, it's going to be ugly. I'm still not scared of the Plumlee's and unless they step up, and Rivers turns into Kyrie Irving, Duke will be second in the ACC and will lose in the Sweet 16.


5. Syracuse Orange
Last Year:27-8
League: Big East
Studs: Kris Joseph Sr. F, Scoop Jardine, Sr. G, Brandon Triche, Jr. G
In the midst of all the Bernie Fine controversy, Cuse arguably has the best team they've had since the Carmelo days. The main reason is their depth. They don't have a 1st Team All-American on the roster (although Joseph has been really good so far), but they can bring guys like Dion Waiters, C.J. Fair, and James Southerland off the bench, offsetting any foul trouble concerns and letting Boeheim play whoever has the hot hand. Jardine and Triche are the major keys, and if they step it up and can knock down shots from the perimeter, combining with all the size in the middle of their 2-3 zone, then Cuse is a legit national title threat. I'm very curious how it turns out tonight against Florida, as they have the guards to test the zone.

4. UCONN Huskies
Last Year:32-9 (National Champs)
League: Big East
Studs: Jeremy Lamb, Soph. G, Shabazz Napier, Soph. G, Andre Drummond, Frosh. C
The loss to UCF notwithstanding, UCONN still has the potential to be extremely good this year. One reason is the emergence of Lamb into maybe the best player in college ball, instead of just Kemba's loyal sidekick. Napier has also improved greatly, and now with Ryan Boatright back from suspension, they have the guard play that you need. Chemistry might be an issue, as Alex Oriakhi has been bitching on twitter about playing time already. Drummond is obviously a huge talent, but his numbers haven't been that great so far other than his 2.9 blocks a game. This happens in the pros all the time, as once a team wins a championship, the dreaded "disease of more" rears its ugly head. People want more shots, more playing time etc, forgetting the sacrifices they made to win it all. It will be interesting to see what direction Calhoun goes with his rotation
and whether the Oriakhi's and the Roscoe Smith's of the world can handle losing minutes after starting on a National Title team.

3. Ohio St. Buckeyes
Last Year:34-3
League: Big 10
Studs: Jared Sullinger, Soph. F, William Buford, Sr. G, Aaron Craft, Soph. G
It's amazing that this is a team that only has one senior and one junior, yet they play like they have all upperclassmen. Craft might be the most improved player in all the land, and so far the slimmed down Sullinger has averaged 19 and 10 boards. There's so much talent on the bench, it bears watching whether Thad Matta extends his rotation and plays 9-10 guys instead of the 7 that he usually employs. It's working right now with 7, and as Deshaun Thomas continues to be that third scorer to go along with Buford and Sullinger, and Craft continues to be an absolute pest on defense, the Buckeyes have to be a clear cut favorite in the Big 10, and right now is probably the best team in the country.


2. Kentucky Wildcats
Last Year:29-9
League: SEC
Studs: Terrence Jones, Soph. F, Doron Lamb, Soph. G, Anthony Davis, Frosh. C

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Don't get me wrong, I still don't like Coach Cal and am not a big fan of Kentucky much like in years past. I can't wait for Carolina to beat their asses tomorrow on their own floor. I did however catch myself smiling as a basketball fan watching the second half of their game against Kansas a couple of weeks ago. It's as though Calipari had a gigantic cattle prod, with he used to collectively poke the whole team into playing an absolute dominant half of basketball. They have size, athleticism, speed, swagger, shooting, and could honestly go undeafeated if they beat UNC. They are also very young and with that, prone to having a bad game or 5. I think the two most important "glue guy" type of players that will determine their fate will be Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Darius Miller. Miller isn't shooting the ball well (24% from deep) and has lost his starting spot as a senior, which isn't always easy to take no matter how much of a team guy you are. He was the SEC tourney MVP last year, and has played with a who's who of NBA players in the last two seasons. If they get him going, he and Lamb give Kentucky the shooting they need. MKG will be the defensive stopper that can lock down four positions. I'm really hyped to see how he does against Harrison Barnes tomorrow. The ceiling is unlimited, but I hope Calipari finds a way to fuck it up.

1. UNC TarHeels
Last Year:29-8
League: ACC
Studs: The Whole Roster
I'm going to divide my UNC analysis into two parts, what my head says and what my heart says.

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Heart: When Harrison Barnes came back to school, it all but wrapped up the national title race before the season even started. Kendall Marshall is the best college point guard passer since Jason Kidd. John Henson is a freak of nature who will average 15 rebounds and 5 blocks a game. Tyler Zeller is going to average 20 and 10, and P.J. Hairston and James Michael McAdoo will dominate playing 15 minutes a game. Dexter Strickland will be the "Dex Factor" all year, and will shut down whatever guard he needs to. Carolina won't lose in the ACC and is going to romp to the championship with ease.

Head: Pump the breaks, losing to UNLV and allowing them to get whatever shot they wanted all over the court does not make you a national championship contender. Losing Leslie McDonald's shooting and leadership is going to hurt more than they realize. Marshall still can't shoot, Barnes is still a little inconsistent, and Zeller is still getting bullied inside. McAddo looks lost, Reggie Bullock isn't all the way back from injury, and God help us if teams decide to play "Hack a Shaq" defense on Henson.

The answer, as always lies somewhere in the middle. Carolina is still really good, and still has to be considered a firm Championship contender. There are little things that worry me however. Tomorrow will tell a lot. In terms of how I actually feel about the TarHeels chances, I'd go with the heart argument. I've never been very good at using my brain, so why start now.

College Basketball Preview: Verse 3

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20. Wisconsin Badgers:
Last Year: 25-9
League: Big 10
Studs: Jordan Taylor, Sr. G, Josh Gasser, Soph. G, Mike Bruesewitz, Jr. F
I feel stupid picking Wisconsin here, but then again I feel stupid for not putting them higher. No matter what they lose, they seem to always plug guys in to run their swing offense and end up ranked most of the season. Jordan Taylor is back and he's a potential All-American. Mike Bruesewitz had a nice NCAA tourney, and he has cool hair. Other than that, you're guess is as good as mine. Gasser could be very important, as he blended in for the most part, but had his moments like posting a triple-double in one game, and hitting a buzzer beater against Michigan. If Gasser plays the Jeff Ament role to Taylor's Vedder, then don't sleep on the Badgers.

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19. UCLA Bruins
Last Year: 23-11
League: Pac 10
Studs: Reeves Nelson, Jr. F, Joshua Smith, Soph. C, Lazeric Jones, Sr. G
It's good to see the Pac 12 back to being somewhat relevent once again. Two years ago was brutal, as the Mountain West was arguably better. Zona made some noise last year, and now they've got 4 teams in my Top 25. As for the Bruins, they have maybe the best frontline outside of UNC and Kentucky. Smith will be huge, literally and figuratively, but if he can keep his weight down and his stamina up, he'll be a difference maker. Nelson has a nice David Lee type of game, and his 14 and 9 from last year will go up with Tyler Honeycutt gone. The guards are the key. If they get anything from Jones, and newcomers Norman Powell and De'End Parker, this will be the best UCLA team since the Kevin Love-Russell Westbrook days. 

18. Xavier Musketeers
Last Year: 24-8
League: Atlantic 10
Studs: Tu Holloway, Sr. G, Mark Lyons, Jr. G, Kenny Frease, Sr. C
Why Terrell Holloway changed his name to Tu, I do not know. Why he came back to school is because he has a chance to carry the flag for the next potential mid-major juggernaut and have an iconic senior season to boot. Getting Brad Redford back is large because he can hit 3's, and last time I checked this is a pretty important aspect of college basketball. Frease is suspended right now, but if/when they get him back, they'll have the guards and a big man to make a nice little run and get back in the Sweet 16, if not further.

17. Florida State Seminoles
Last Year: 23-11
League: ACC
Studs: Bernard James, Sr. C, Michael Snaer, Jr. G, Ian Miller, Soph. G
I'd say I'm swinging for the fences here a little bit with this pick, but in actuality, the rest of America is just not paying attention. It's almost hurting FSU that the ACC has been so horrid outside of Chapel Hill and Durham the last couple of years that it has put a bias in peoples brains that their can't be another good team from this conference. Last time I checked, the Seminoles went to the Sweet 16 last year, only lost Chris Singleton (who they played most of the season without anyway), and Derwin Kitchen. Everyone else is back, they are a matchup problem for everyone they play against with their size, and have two highly regarded guards in Snaer and Miller that are poised to make the leap. As a Carolina fan, they scare the shit out of me.

16. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Last Year: 25-10
League:WCC
Studs: Elias Harris, Jr. F, Robert Sacre, Sr. C, Marquise Carter, Sr. G
Pretty amazing that a college basketball preview paying homage subliminally to Seattle grunge rock has Gonzaga only 16th. (To be fair, they're located in Spokane. So I should have said this about Washington. My bad). The Zags best player probably should be in the NBA by now, but Elias Harris regressed quite a bit last year. If he's healthy, and can regain his play of his freshman year, the Bulldogs will run through the WCC. Throw in Bobby Sacre, John Stockton's kid, and a couple of highly regarded freshman guards in Gary Bell and Aussie Kevin Pangos, and just sit back and watch the Zags put together they're usual 25 win season.

15. Arizona Wildcats
Last Year: 30-8
League: Pac 12
Studs: Kyle Fogg, Sr. G, Jordan Hill, Jr. F, Jesse Perry, Sr. F
This is the only team that I've had the chance to see play, and so far I'm not impressed. I think this ranking is about right however, because the pieces are definitely in place for Arizona to win the Pac 12. Jesse Perry has had double-figure rebound games in the first two, proving maybe that he can pick up where Derrick Williams left off. Zona is loaded with freshman, and I like what I've seen out of Nick Johnson and Angelo Chol so far. They still need to get athletic wing Kevin Parrom back (he got shot), and when they do, they'll be rolling. Lots of depth, Sean Miller as a coach, and the number one recruiting class next year have people in Tuscon thinking championships again.

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14. Michigan Wolverienes
Last Year: 21-14
League: Big 10
Studs: Tim Hardaway Jr. Soph. G, Jordan Morgan, Soph. C, Zach Novak, Sr. G
This really has no reason to be in this post, but I can't wait for "White Thunder", aka Mitch McGary to suit up in the Maize and Blue next season. He broke a damned backboard already and he's like 17. Anywhoo, This seasons Michigan squad will feature Tim Hardaway Jr, a taller and better scoring version of his famous father. Hardaway had a break out freshman campaign, and good be a First Team All Big 10 player if things break right. Morgan showed flashes of being a legit big man, and with a plethora of role players that can all shoot, as Beilein's teams tend to need in his system, Michigan can maybe challenge Ohio St. and be an Elite 8 team.

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last Year: 17-14
League: SEC
Studs: Dee Bost, Sr. G, Renardo Sidney, Jr. F, Arnett Moultrie, Jr. F
Alright so MSU has already lost to Akron. And this is probably way too high for them to be ranked. I almost changed my whole rankings and reevaluated ever writing about basketball ever again. But then I realized, it's one game. This pick is based upon potential anyway, and I never said they would be undefeated heading into the SEC slate. The reason I have them this high is because I'm drinking the Renardo Sidney koolaid. I'm banking on him finally getting it together, being a dominant force, and combining with UTEP transfer Moultrie to cause some havoc mixing it up with the Kentucky's and Vandy's of the world. Dee Bost is undervalued, as I remember him going blow for blow with John Wall in the SEC Championship two years ago. Throw in a 6'8 freshman shooter in Rodney Hood, and you have a team that is being slept on, that could be dynamic, throwing another wrinkle in what could be a 5 team SEC race.

12. Memphis Tigers
Last Year: 25-10
League: Conference USA
Studs: Joe Jackson, Soph. G, Will Barton, Soph. G, Wesley Witherspoon, Sr. F
All the hype surrounding Memphis is with their sophomore class. The key for the Tigers is Witherspoon however. He started out last year as the best player on the team, then got suspended, turning into a role player. He's a talented underachiever that hasn't fufilled expectations( there seems to be a theme here with he extolling the virtues of these type of players. Maybe it's like looking in a mirror for me), but if Memphis gets anything from him, in addition to all of the sophomores getting a lot better with a year under their belt, Memphis could be in the Final Four.

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11. Louisville Cardinals,
Last Year: 25-10
League: Big East
Studs: Peyton Siva, Jr. G, Kyle Kuric, Sr. G, Chane Benahan, Frosh. F
It's argued that Louisville was a year ahead of schedule being as good as they were last year. Losing freshman Wayne Blackshear to injury will hurt them, but they get back Jared Swopshire after a medical redshirt, so this should cancel this out a bit. Elsewhere, Louisville is stupid deep, they have the best white boy dunker in the country in Kuric (Notre Dame's Scott Martin is still having nightmares), and a bunch of quality wings to go along with him. Two large variables to keep an eye on will be; how good can Peyton Siva be as a point guard and as a leader, and can they get Gorgui Dieng to protect the rim like Terrance Jennings did. If Siva and Dieng can do this, and Benahan becomes a go to scorer like he has been in the exhibition games, then Louisville will be a national factor.

College Basketball Preview: Verse 2

                                                               Verse 2

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

College Basketball Preview: Verse 1

cre·scen·do

noun

Music.

a.

a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.

b.

a musical passage characterized by such an increase.

c.

the performance of a crescendo passage: The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.

2.

a steady increase in force or intensity: The rain fell in a crescendo on the rooftops.

3.

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the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak: The authorities finally took action when public outrage reached a crescendo. (http://www.dictionary.com/)

                                                       

It's time for college basketball, and I'm going to start slow with my top 40, beginning today with my 40-31 ranked teams, some of whom I don't know too much about. I'm going to pick up the intensity over the next couple of days as I get into my top 25, as I know a lot more about the majority of those teams. Hence the definition at the beginning of this post. While I might not have much to say about the St.Mary's and the Long Beach State's of the world, I can and will make a lot of noise once we get to the Duke, UNC, and Kentucky portions of the program. Without further ado, my top 40.

40. Creighton Blue Jays
Last Year: 23-16
League: Missouri Valley
Studs: Doug McDermott, Soph. F, Antoine Young, Sr. G, Gregory Echenique, Jr. C
All I know is that Harrison Barnes' ex high school teammate McDermott blew up this summer playing for the U19 national team. Combine that with Young, and former Rutgers player Echenique and you have a team that not only is a threat in the Valley, but also could do some damage nationally. Gonzaga transfer Grant Gibbs will add another option on the perimeter.

 39. Long Beach St. 49ers
Last Year: 22-12
League: Big West
Studs: Casper Ware, Sr. G, Larry Anderson, Sr. F, T.J. Robinson  Sr. F

The 49ers have former Gonzaga and Minnesota coach Dan Monson at the helm, and possibly the best player in the league in Ware. They've been waging war with UC Santa Barbara in the Big West the past couple of seasons, and I look for this year to be breakthrough time. Plus I'd pay money to see both Snoop sitting courside behind their bench at the tourney, followed by Gus Johnson making obscure hip hop references throughout the telecast.

                                              

 38. St. Mary's Gaels
Last Year: 25-9 
League: WCC
Studs: Matthew Dellavadova Jr. G, Rob Jones, Sr. F, Mitchell Young, Jr. F

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The Gaels have been around before, and are once again Aussie heavy with their lineup. Dellavadova was their point guard on the Sweet 16 team two years ago, and Jones averaged 14 pts and 8 rbs as an undersized post player last season. Their RPI will be better with BYU joining the conference.

37. Purdue Boliermakers
Last Year: 26-8
League: Big 10
Studs: Robbie Hummel, Sr. F, Lewis Jackson, Sr. G, Ryne Smith, Sr. G
The major key with the Boilers will be how much Hummel has left after two knee surgeries. If he can regain the form of two years ago, when he was arguably the best player on a team with two future pros (Etwan Moore and Jajuan Johnson), then Purdue can be a factor in the Big 10. They have pretty much everyone back except for Moore and Johnson, so this could be a team that jumps much higher than this ranking.

36. Kansas St. Wildcats
Last Year: 23-11
League: Big 12
Studs: Rodney McGruder Jr. G, Jamar Samuels, Sr. F, Jordan Henriquez, Jr. C

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I picked Kansas St. to go to the Final 4 last preseason, and they basically didn't get their collective shit together until the very end of the year. Losing Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly will hurt them, but I think with Frank Martin scaring referees and his players all season, they won't slip as much as people may think. It also might be a matter of addtion by subtraction, as the seniors looked a bit distracted last year. I look for McGruder to break out and become a star, and the Wildcats to finish in the upper half of a wide open Big 12.

35. Butler Bulldogs
Last Year: 28-10
League: Horizon
Studs: Robert Nored, Sr. G, Andrew Smith, Jr. C, Khyle Marshall, Soph. F
As we know from the past two seasons, this is probably way too low of a ranking. The Dawgs have one of the best coaches in the country, and while they've lost a lot, they have a roster littered with deep tourney experience. Hopefully Nored found a jumpshot this summer, because outside of that problem, he's an ideal point guard and leader. Marshall gained valuable experience playing overseas with the U19's, and look for newcomers Roosevelt Jones and Jackson Aldridge to make an impact before all is said and done. Sleep on Butler at your own peril.

34. Oklahoma St. Cowboys
Last Year: 20-14
League: Big 12
Studs: LeBryan Nash, Frosh. F, Keiton Page, Sr. G, J.P. Olukemi, Jr. G/F
I'm taking a big leap of faith in the abilities of Nash with this pick. I think in a balanced league that lost a lot of talent to the NBA, that he'll come in and have a huge impact. Page is smaller than me, but makes plays and has range from 30 feet in. If they get bruiser Darrell Williams back from legal troubles, and contributions from JC transfer Phillip Jurick, they'll have two big bodies to go along with the skill on the wings. I'm loving the Big 12 race already.

 33. UNLV Runnin' Rebels
Last Year: 24-9
League: Mountain West
Studs: Chace Stanback, Sr. F, Oscar Bellfield, Sr. G, Anthony Marshall, Jr. G
New Coach Dave Rice inherits four starters back from a team that was pretty good last season living in the shadows of Jimmer and San Diego St. Rice played on the Rebs' early 90's teams, as has vowed to put the Run back in the Runnin' Rebels. They have a little bit of everything with experienced guards combined with impressive size up front. Stanback has the ability to be conference player of the year, and with their depth, UNLV should compete with New Mexico for the top spot in the conference.

 32. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last Year: 20-14
League: Big 10
Studs: Brandon Paul, Jr. G, D.J.Richardson, Jr. G, Meyers Leonard, Soph. C
Another addition by subtraction team, as the Illini lost a ton, but it could be for the best. All of last years seniors underperformed for much of the season, leaving Illinois with a new group that, best case scenario, will gell and play with much more intensity. Noted Chicago Area talent scout Wayne Brody (my father who goes to a shit ton of high school games in Illinois) says that the class they brought in is really good. I grew up going to Chicago Catholic League games throughout my early childhood, and Illinois brought in 3 players from that conference in Tracy Abrams (Mt. Carmel), Mike Shaw(De La Salle) and Nnanna Egwu( St. Ignatius). This has to count for something.

31. New Mexico Lobos
Last Year: 22-13
League: Mountain West
Studs: Drew Gordon, Sr. F, Phillip McDonald, Sr. G, Kendall Williams, Soph. G
After a great season two seasons ago, New Mexico fell back a bit last season, missing the tournament. They'll be much better now, with Gordon likely battling with UNLV's Stanback for The Jimmer Fredette Memorial Cultural Phenom Player of the Year Trophy (I renamed it). The Lobos are a little guard heavy, and they need senior A.J. Hardeman to help Gordon with the dirty work.