Tygorz's Week Pre-Season Ballot
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas | Absolutely loaded with Dickenson, Mayo, Storr, and a couple other transfers. Kansas will be hungry after a disappointing season |
| 2 | Alabama | Transfer portal has been kind, maybe the most stacked team in the country |
| 3 | Houston | 4 starters back from a 30+ win team |
| 4 | UConn | Two-time defending champion, returns Karaban and adds a few from the portal. Someone needs to beat them to drop. |
| 5 | Gonzaga | Returns a handful of players, played really well late in 2023-24 |
| 6 | Iowa State | Not sure they will be better than last year, but return most of the scoring from last year |
| 7 | Duke | Flagg and Kneuppel (top 20 recruits), couple returners, and some scoring transfers. Maybe 3 top 10 draft picks here. |
| 8 | North Carolina | RJ Davis will repeat as an AA, perhaps top player in the nation. I like Tyson from Belmont here as well. |
| 9 | Baylor | Great guard play, and Edgecombe could be special |
| 10 | Tennessee | Lots of transfers, but the system will launch a bunch of threes. Might take some time to gel, but will be very good |
| 11 | Arizona | Caleb Love is back, Townsend from Oakland will also light it up |
| 12 | Creighton | Always around this part of the poll, Ashworth is back and Isaacs from TTU will contribute |
| 13 | Purdue | Likely big ten champ, Braden Smith could be POY, Jacobson could be a star |
| 14 | Auburn | Broome is back, and the Furman transfer will contribute right away |
| 15 | Kentucky | Full of transfers who can shoot. Kentucky could be anywhere due to the new coaching staff, but this feels like the right spot given what they have |
| 16 | Marquette | 3 starters back, Shaka will have the team ready and a lot of wins in a top-heavy conference |
| 17 | St. John's | Two good transfer guards, and a few other transfers will contribute for Pitino who has turned the program around |
| 18 | Texas | Pope, Kaluma, and Mark headline a fantastic portal squad. Super tough conference again this year. |
| 19 | Arkansas | Calipari has his hands full as he was hired a little late. Johnell Davis is a SUPER good pickup, could be the best transfer at the end of the year |
| 20 | Illinois | Transfer portal U, plus some European flavor. Will be a top 10 team later in the season |
| 21 | Michigan State | Fidler will be a good fit for Sparty, and Zapala is REALLY big. Izzo will have the team ready and deserve this spot |
| 22 | Saint Mary's | Marciulionis is back as the reigning player of the year. Lots of wins built in to the schedule |
| 23 | UCLA | New conference, Cronin has a lot to prove after last season. Tons of transfers, but in the Big Ten will get a lot of wins |
| 24 | Indiana | Lots of transfers including Ballo, Goode, Rice and Carlyle. I don't think Woodson is a great coach, but they are top 25 worthy |
| 25 | Texas A&M | I'm probably a little lower on TAMU than others, but do return Taylor IV and Coleman |
Overall Rationale
Based on who the projected starters/bench will be, basis on how 2024 ended.