College Basketball Rankings 2011-12: Predicting the Top 25
Kemba Walker and the UConn Huskies finished off a great season by winning the National Championship in convincing fashion against the Butler Bulldogs.
Since then, Walker has declared for the NBA draft, leaving UConn without their leader and star performer. Only time will tell how the Huskies will be effected by Walker's absence, and it will be very interesting to see the how far they've slipped in the AP top 25.
Until the preseason rankings come out, we can't do anything besides try and guess who the top teams will be going into the 2011 season.
No. 25. Gonzaga Bulldogs
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Mark Few and Gonzaga are ranked somewhere in the top 25 nearly every season, and I don't think 2011 will be any different.
Even with the loss of star Steven Gray, Gonzaga has other players who can step up, like junior Marquise Carter.
BYU is moving into the WCC, and will give Gonzaga some additional competition, but the Bulldogs should still be able to make a run at the conference title.
No. 24. Florida Gators
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Florida's elite starting five will be severely hurt, with the loss of Chandler Parsons, Vernon Macklin and Alex Tyus.
There is no way that they'll be ranked as high as they finished last season, but with a couple of nice freshman additions, the Gators should still be able to crack the top 25.
No. 23. Missouri Tigers
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Tiger fans are really hoping that stars like Laurence Bowers and Kim English return to school, because it would be a much tougher road without them.
Missouri has a tremendous amount of experience throughout the roster, and will look to repeat their nice season last year with new coach Frank Haith.
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No. 22. Texas AM Aggies
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Texas A&M lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to a surprising Florida State squad, but they have a good lot coming back next season and should still be a dangerous team.
Khris Middleton has a chance to be one of the elite players in the Big 12, and a good freshman class should be able to provide quality support.
No. 21. Alabama Crimson Tide
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The Crimson Tide didn't collapse when the NCAA committee declined to invite them to the NCAA Tournament.
In fact, they used that as motivation, performing at a very high level throughout the NIT. Tony Mitchell has a great chance to lead Alabama to an SEC West title, and the preseason rankings should show that.
No. 20. Cincinnati Bearcats
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The Bearcats have a great incoming class, led by Shaquille Thomas.
They are also returning their best players from 2010, and should have at least as good of a season as they had last year. With the Big East losing a lot of its talent, Cincinnati has a chance to make some noise.
No. 19. Butler Bulldogs
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This ranking may be a bit high if Shelvin Mack leaves for the NBA, but his return would definitely put Butler in the top 20.
Either way, the Bulldogs should be fine next year, with Khyle Marshall and head coach Brad Stevens leading the way. This team has so much experience that they should be easy favorites to get back to the NCAA tournament in 2011.
No. 18. Pittsburgh Panthers
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With Ashton Gibbs hopefully returning to school, the Panthers should still be pretty good, even with the loss three seniors.
Pittsburgh is always a threat to win the Big East, and next year should be no different. A top 20 ranking is deserved, no matter which path Gibbs follows in the end.
No. 17. Xavier Musketeers
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Xavier will once again be favorites to win the A-10 title, led by star Tu Holloway.
The Musketeers earned a sixth seed in the NCAA Tournament last season, and have the talent to make a run at the top five seeds in 2011. No other teams in their conference will be near them when the season begins.
No. 16. Michigan Wolverines
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Michigan nearly made a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, and will have the chance to do so again next season.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is definitely returning, and if Darius Morris returns as well, the Wolverines will be a dangerous Big 10 team.
No. 15. UCLA Bruins
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Tyler Honeycutt left UCLA for the NBA draft, but the Bruins still have a lot of talent on their roster.
Malcolm Lee and Josh Smith are returning, which should be enough talent to compete in the Pac-10. Not only that, but the Wear twins are transferring from North Carolina, and will provide quality support for the stars.
No. 14. Marquette Golden Eagles
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Marquette dazzled fans at the NCAA Tournament with upset victories over Xavier and Syracuse.
Everyone on the roster will be returning, with the exception of Jimmy Butler. The Golden Eagles have a legitimate chance to take home the Big East title if the experienced players can play up to their potential.
No. 13. Wisconsin Badgers
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Wisconsin lost senior star Jon Leuer to the NBA draft, but will get back Jordan Taylor and Mike Bruesewitz.
They still have to contend with Ohio State, but the Badgers will be among the elite in the Big Ten. They advanced to the Sweet 16 last season, and should be able to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament this year.
No. 12. Arizona Wildcats
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Derrick Williams decided to leave Arizona, but the Wildcats are bringing in another elite freshman class and should still be amongst the top teams in the country.
Arizona will be the favorite to win the Pac-10, even with the tough competition from UCLA. Looking to repeat their great tournament run, a top 15 preseason rank is a good start.
No. 11. Kansas Jayhawks
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Kansas took a severe hit, with the Morris twins and Josh Selby leaving for the NBA draft.
They have yet another awesome recruiting class for next season, and should be in the mix for the top 10 once again. Plus, if Thomas Robinson returns to school, Kansas should still be an elite team overall.
No. 10. Vanderbilt Commodores
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After being upset by Richmond in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Commodores will look to make a much deeper run in 2011.
Jeffery Taylor may be leaving for the NBA, but John Jenkins should be back, and Vanderbilt will be among the elite in the SEC.
No. 9. Memphis Tigers
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Memphis looks to get to that elite level once again with another appearance in the top 10.
Josh Pastner has an excellent recruiting class, and a lot of experience returning to the team. The Tigers should be an easy favorite to win Conference USA.
No. 8. Louisville Cardinals
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The Cardinals lost Preston Knowles, but have their core returning for another season.
Rick Pitino is still one of the best coaches in college basketball, and will look to win yet another conference title in 2011. Louisville also has a good incoming class which should bolster their roster even further.
No. 7. Syracuse Orangemen
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Just like Lousville, Syracuse has the core of their roster returning for next season.
The Orangemen were ranked as high as number one last season, and have a great shot to make it back in 2011. Plus, they will be looking to advance further than they did in the NCAA Tournament last year, after losing to Marquette in the second round.
No. 6. UConn Huskies
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Even with the loss of Kemba Walker, the Huskies should still have a chance to repeat their outstanding championship run.
Jeremy Lamb is returning, among others, and will be one of the elite players in the Big East. Being ranked just outside the top five is impressive for the quality of talent that UConn will be losing.
No. 5. Duke Blue Devils
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The Blue Devils lost a tremendous amount of talent to the NBA draft, with Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and Kyrie Irving all deciding to declare.
Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry are talented enough for Duke to still be ranked in the top five. Coach K knows how get his team to play well, and should still find a way to be at the top of the ACC.
No. 4. Texas Longhorns
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Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson may declare for the NBA draft, and if they do, Texas probably won't be in the top five.
They do have a lot of other talent both returning and incoming, and should have their eyes set on another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Cory Joseph will have to step up and take over the team though, if Hamilton and Thompson end up leaving.
No. 3. North Carolina Tarheels
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Tyler Zeller and John Henson are returning, and that alone should be enough to boost North Carolina into the top 5.
It was almost a disappointment that the Tarheels failed to make the Final Four last season, but they have enough talent to make another title run in 2011.
No. 2. Kentucky Wildcats
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If Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones go to the NBA, the Wildcats will lose a ton of talent.
Regardless, they still have a lot of remaining talent returning to school, and have another great freshman class incoming to replace Knight and Jones. The Wildcats could have easily made the finals in the NCAA Tournament, and have the chance to get back to the Final Four in 2011.
No. 1. Ohio State Buckeyes
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The Buckeyes are tremendously lucky to have Jared Sullinger returning, because it gives them a chance to be even better then they were last season.
Ohio State was ranked number one for the majority of 2010, and there's no limit to how good they can be in 2011. Sullinger and company will be looking for nothing less than a national championship, and should be the top ranked team to start the year.
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