Thebballchemist16's Week Pre-Season Ballot
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke | Duke's ceiling will depend on how generational Cooper Flagg really is |
| 2 | Kansas | I am not sold on Kansas, but they have the fewest question marks of any team in my opinion, so they are safe bet at the top. |
| 3 | Alabama | If Alabama can become consistent on defense, they might have the highest ceiling in the country. Cliff Omouryi should help with that |
| 4 | UConn | Danny Hurley needs to prove they don't belong in the top 5 before I consider moving them down. |
| 5 | Iowa State | Otz's muscles alone should make ISU top 5. |
| 6 | Houston | I know analytics love Houston, but I don't love analytics that much. |
| 7 | Baylor | Baylor's offense will be electric, but can their defense hold up to the top 10? |
| 8 | North Carolina | UNC's ceiling is determined by their backcourt and floor by their frontcourt. UNC is an intriguing team to keep an eye on. |
| 9 | Gonzaga | While not the same level of roster as Mark Few's had in the past, the Bulldogs should domniate the WCC again. |
| 10 | Arizona | Another high ceiling, low floor team. Caleb Love giveth, Caleb Love taketh |
| 11 | Tennessee | Can Tennessee replace the production of Dalton Knecht? |
| 12 | Texas | There's a lot to like about Texas--Tre Johnson, Tramon Mark, Arthur Kaluma, etc.. They'll contend for the SEC title. |
| 13 | Auburn | Johni Broome is a stud, but I am not sold on Auburn as an analytics darling yet. |
| 14 | Texas A&M | Wave Taylor IV is as dynamic a player as there is in college basketball. |
| 15 | Purdue | A lot to like about Purdue, but an Edey sized hole needs to be filled. |
| 16 | Indiana | Kanaan Carlyle might be flying under the radar next to Oumar Ballo. Can Woodson unlock their potentials? |
| 17 | Creighton | The loss of Baylor Scheierman may limit Creighton this year |
| 18 | Wake Forest | Hunter Sallis is a dude. Paired with Efton Reid and Omaha Billew you have a team that should be top 20 ish |
| 19 | Illinois | The talent is there, but with so much turnover will they gel enough to succeed? |
| 20 | Kentucky | Kobe Brea Should fit well with Mark Pope's scheme, but how will the Wildcats fair this year? |
| 21 | Marquette | Shaka Smart has got things going well in Wisconsin. |
| 22 | Michigan State | Tom Izzo. |
| 23 | Rutgers | Rutgers will be a great test on the merit of freshman talent this year. |
| 24 | Arkansas | Seeing Cal at Arkansas will be a shock. They have the pieces to be good, but need to show how good that can be. |
| 25 | Saint Louis | Robbie Avila will make SLU must watch. |
Overall Rationale
With a lot of mix up over this off season, its hard to choose from continuity, but I feel I have a good mix of betting on coaches (Hurley, Izzo, Cal, etc.), mixed with high end talent (Texas, Wake Forest, Rutgers, etc.).