Bengjumping's Week Pre-Season Ballot
| Rank | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn | Bias aside they're #1 until they lose |
| 2 | Kansas | I really like the makeup of their team. The transfers they brought in will only help Dickinson and crew this season. |
| 3 | Alabama | Essentially brought back a final 4 team with few losses. They also have a true center now with Cliff. |
| 4 | Iowa State | They should be able to build upon their sweet 16 appearance last year and will be very good this year. |
| 5 | Houston | Should be really good again this year. Should contend with a Big 12 title as well |
| 6 | Gonzaga | Mark Few is one of the better coaches in college basketball. Doesn't hurt that he's built a very good team. |
| 7 | Duke | A team with an abundant of talent. Very young, but should be the ACC favorites this season |
| 8 | Baylor | I love the addition of Norchad Omier for this team. They should contend for a Big 12 title as well |
| 9 | North Carolina | They should be really good on offense. Defense on the other hand is a question especially without a true center |
| 10 | Creighton | Bringing back Kalk and Ashworth along with the addition of Pop Issacs should help the blue jays not only contend for a BE title, but also a final 4 spot |
| 11 | Arizona | Caleb Love is one of if not the most entertaining players in CBB. The addition of Trey Townsend should help minimize the loss of Ballo |
| 12 | Purdue | Zach Edey is a major loss for the boilermakers. Having Smith, Loyer, and TKR should still be able to have Purdue be a top 15 team. |
| 13 | Arkansas | Not sure how high I should put them. On paper they're very good, but it can sometimes be a struggle to have a brand new team mesh. |
| 14 | Auburn | Not a big fan of Bruce Pearl, but you can't deny how good they were last year. The addition of Pegues should only help them improve. |
| 15 | Tennessee | 3rd straight SEC team in a row. The loss of Knect will not go unnoticed. Lanier should help minimize the effect, but not sure he can come close to replicating. |
| 16 | Xavier | 3rd Big East team. Last year was not great for Sean Millers bunch, but injuries didn't help. With Freemantle and Hunter coming back along with Crowell joining the squad they should be much improved. |
| 17 | UCLA | Mick Cronin's team was young and inexperienced last year. The addition of Kobe Johnson from USC should help bring much needed backcourt stability in a very physical Big 10 |
| 18 | Cincinnati | Easily Wes Miller's best team since he's been at Cincy. Jizzle James is a very good player with a very funny name. |
| 19 | Indiana | Not necessarily a make or break season for Woodson, but it might as well be. The addition of Ballo, Carlyle, and Tucker along with Mgbako and Galloway returning should hopefully bring success |
| 20 | Marquette | Kam Jones is the BE player of the year. Ben Gold has the potential to make an all BE team. Shaka is a very good coach that will get the most out of his team |
| 21 | Texas A&M | Wade Taylor is a stud. The real question is will the aggies get off to another slow start this season? |
| 22 | Texas | Tre Johnson will be one of the best freshmen this season. Tramon Mark should help solidify the backcourt and Kaluma will give the longhorns more athleticism. Would not be surprised to see this age bad |
| 23 | Illinois | Illinois has a lot of new comers including Boswell, Jakucionis, and Riley. If they put it all together and mesh as a team they will be really good |
| 24 | St. John's | Rick Pitino has utilized the portal and has done it well. Kadary Richmond will be one of the best 2 way guards in college basketball this season. If he struggles then the Johnnies might be as well |
| 25 | Wake Forest | I am really high on the Demon Deacons this season. Hunter Sallis should be a first team all ACC member and Efton Reid will be a force down low |
Overall Rationale
The preseason top 25 can be a tough decision especially at the back end. I am more projecting for Wake, SJU, and Illinois, but until we watch actual games we truly won't know how any team actually is. That's why we all love the sport.