College Basketball: Instant Reaction to the Coaches' Poll

It's that time of the year again for the college basketball preseason coaches' poll to be released.  

Even though preseason polls mean about as much as James Harrison saying he is going to retire, it's still a good time for college basketball fans around the nation to buzz and complain. 

Look at it this way, in the words of my esteemed fellow Boilermaker Connor Bradley, "(The) coaches' poll came out today. Duke's sitting at No. 1 with a 0-0 record. I can hardly believe that a .500 winning percentage earns you a top spot in the polls."

With that being said, it's time to analyze this poll. 

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook.

The Big Ten is the Strongest Conference in Basketball

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 03: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Draymond Green #23 from the sideline while taking on the Butler Bulldogs during the National Semifinal game of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship o

The Big Ten looks like it will be the strongest conference in college basketball this season.  

Michigan State is ranked second in the country, and should be ranked No. 1. The Spartans return many key players from last season and have arguably the best guard in the country in senior Kalin Lucas.

The fifth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes join the Spartans in the top five. After the loss of Mark Titus and Evan Turner, the Buckeyes will have to do it without the Shark and The Villain.

They have a very talented team, however, and expect freshman Jared Sullinger to be one of the best big men in the country.

The Spartans and Buckeyes are joined in the top 10 by the eighth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, who return many key contributors from last season, including JaJuan Johnson and E'twaun Moore, both of which are potential All-Americans.  

Along with these two seniors, the Boilermakers look to return guards Lewis Jackson and Kelsey Barlow. With the loss of Hummel with another ACL tear, the Boilermakers will have to overcome a lot.

But they are still one of the top teams in the nation, unless you are an Andy Katz disciple. Then you think their season is over.

These top-10 teams are joined in the preseason top 25 by 16th-ranked Illinois and the 24th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers. Both of these teams will be right up to the top of the conference ranking this season.

In a conference that is as balanced as any, even Northwestern got a vote!

Kentucky is Overrated...Again

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SYRACUSE, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts as he coaches against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the east regional final of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Carrier Dome on March 27, 2010 in Sy

Just like last season, when Kentucky was weekly ranked toward the top of college basketball without proving they deserve to be there, it has happened again.

The Wildcats are ranked 10 in the coaches' poll. Kentucky, who last season was loaded with great freshmen, is looking to do the same this year. 

When are the coaches going to realize that just having talent doesn't win championships?  

John Calipari is a great recruiter, not a great college coach. He lacks the ability to motivate and develop players throughout their career, and facilitates the morally wrong one-and-done rule.  

The No. 1 Spot is Fine...for Now

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WASHINGTON - MAY 27: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) is presented with a plaque of a bracket by coach Mike Krzyzewski (L) of the Duke Blue Devils during a Rose Garden event May 27, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. Obama hosted the NCAA men bask

Duke is the defending national champion, and still deserves to be No. 1.

For now.  

However, Michigan State is the better team this season. But we will see, when we all get the treat of watching these two grind it out in the ACC vs. Big Ten challenge.  

Duke returns many key players, including Kyle Singler and the Plumlee twins. Never count out a Duke team, but I don't think they are that much better than everyone else to repeat as champions.

Who Was Left Out?

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 03: Head coach Bob Huggins consoles Da'Sean Butler #1 of the West Virginia Mountaineers after Butler injured his knee in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the National Semifinal game of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men'

The biggest snubs of the poll were West Virginia and Minnesota.

West Virginia, who is led by Bob Huggins, returns some key players this season, including Kevin Jones, and Darryl Bryant.  Both of these players were key to the Mountaineers last season, and expect this team to make some noise in the Big East once again.

Minnesota is somewhat of a darkhorse again. Minnesota lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season to Xavier, but still deserved to be given some credit. They barely made the tournament in the first place, with their main piece of their bid coming in a routing of Purdue.  

Minnesota returns Blake Hoffarber, Ralph Sampson III, and Devoe Joseph.  With a lot of experience in the Big Ten, and the great home-court advantage gained in the Barn, expect Minnesota to cause some of the top-tier Big Ten teams problems this season. 

My Final Four

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HOUSTON - MARCH 26: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils puts up a shot against Lewis Jackson #23, D.J. Byrd #21 and JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the south regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Reli

So everyone does it.

They predict a Final Four before the season, and I'm not different. As of right now, I will have to say Michigan State, Kansas State, Purdue and Baylor.  

Take it or leave it. I know it's out there, and I'll go ahead and say it right now.

Yes, I'm a Purdue fan. And no, I'm not off my rocker for choosing them after Hummel's injury.