Our Top 25 is out -- and now what?
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:58 PM
Filed Under:
2009-10 season previews
Phew. After 5,500 words, several revisions and agonizing over teams 23, 24 and 25, the 2009-10 college hoops is finally finished. You can read it all here.
I tended to favor experienced teams who returned a lot of their players, with some exceptions to those who brought in great recruiting classes. To my thinking, there is a clear No. 1, seven more teams who are serious Final Four contenders, another dozen who will move up and down the Top 20, and 15 others switching in and out of the Top 25.
That said, the teams and order is pretty close to what I was thinking in June, but with some changes and additions.
Robert Galbraith/AP |
Robbie Hummel and Purdue are Final Four contenders this season.
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Duke dropped
Elliot Williams transferred to Memphis, leaving the Devils without their most explosive guard. That was enough to drop the Devils to ninth.
Belief in the Boilers
Purdue’s had the same core of players for two years. With the Final Four in Indy, it seems like an ideal year for them to finally get over the hump. They may not win the Big Ten, but they’re Final Four good.
Don’t dismiss Butler
Moved up the Bulldogs into the Top 10 after Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack turned in stellar summers with USA basketball.
Miss State need Sidney
Freshman Renardo Sidney is still awaiting word if he’ll be able to play this season. Until then, Miss State isn’t a Top 25 team.
Bummin’ Buckeyes?
Moved Ohio State down a few spots mostly ‘cause I’s curious if David Lighty is fully healthy. And as of now, Dallas Lauderdale isn’t.
Misery for the Tigers?
Missouri’s out of the Top 25, though it’s one move I may regret. A lot. The Tigers lost 3 starters from last year’s Elite Eight squad, but they’re still loaded with good, quick guards.
Siena & Northern Iowa?
Didn't want to ignore two mid-majors that return most of their roster from last year. Siena beat Ohio State in the Big Dance and the Panthers gave Purdue all it could handle. Both should be good again.
Here's the complete Top 25. Comment away.
1. Kansas
2. Kentucky
3. Purdue
4. Michigan State
5. Villanova
6. North Carolina
7. Texas
8. West Virginia
9. Duke
10. Butler
11. Cal
12. Tennessee
13. Washington
14. Connecticut
15. Ohio State
16. Oklahoma
17. Dayton
18. Michigan
19. Siena
20. Minnesota
21. Oklahoma State
22. Georgetown
23. Louisville
24. Maryland
25. Northern Iowa
So where’s everyone else? That’ll be Sunday’s post: 10 teams seeking respect and 5 mid-majors to watch.
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