Preseason top 25
Jun 25, 2005 7:34:33 GMT -5
Post by Big D on Jun 25, 2005 7:34:33 GMT -5
June 24, 2005
By Gregg Doyel
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Gregg your opinion!
We've got a flip-flop at the top of CBS SportsLine.com's preseason Top 25. In early April, our Pre-Preseason Top 25 had Oklahoma at No. 1, followed by Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina. In the 2½ months since, those schools have lost nine key underclassmen -- seven to the NBA, two to transfer. Hence, SportsLine.com's new ... and improved ... Post-NBA Draft Deadline, Pre-Preseason Top 25.
1. Duke: The Blue Devils lost only junior Shavlik Randolph to the NBA Draft, which is like throwing a deck chair -- or an underachieving, 6-foot-10 forward -- off the Titanic: It doesn't matter. April rank: Second.
2. Oklahoma: After being anointed No. 1 in April, Oklahoma saw two guards transfer: Drew Lavender to Xavier, and Lawrence McKenzie to Minnesota. Whether they add draft-jilting Brandon Rush, the Sooners still will be loaded. April rank: First.
3. Louisville: We knew they'd lose Francisco Garcia to the NBA. We thought they'd lose Amir Johnson, to the NBA or academics. We had no idea 7-foot recruit Clarence Holloway wouldn't qualify. Still, the Cardinals rise because, frankly, everyone around them is falling. April rank: Fifth.
4. Gonzaga: Adam Morrison didn't even flirt with the NBA. April rank: Seventh.
5. Connecticut: Charlie Villanueva (NBA) and Antonio Kellogg (naughtiness) were thought to be gone in April, but we had no idea that recruit DeSagana Diop, er, Andrew Bynum would become an NBA pick. Then again, Bynum wasn't going to contribute much as a freshman. No -- he wasn't. Before they can be great, though, the Huskies still must clear one last hurdle: the legal situations of Marcus Williams and A.J. Price, who are reportedly being investigated for theft. We're just jolly enough to assume that'll all work out. April rank: Sixth.
6. Arizona: Hassan Adams stayed, and Chris Rodgers is coming back (whew). April rank: Eighth.
7. Nevada: Nick Fazekas was true to his word -- you should try it, Randolph Morris and Shavlik Randolph -- and put off the NBA. April rank: 10th.
8. Memphis: Memphis lost nobody to the NBA Draft. Sophomore Sean Banks and recruit Ricky Sanchez don't count; Banks was gone in February, and Sanchez wasn't going to be eligible. April rank: 15th.
9. Texas Tech: The only news out of Lubbock was an offseason knee injury to reserve Damir Suljagic, but he'll be ready by December. April rank: 14th.
10. Villanova: None of the juniors turned pro, but the health issues of Curtis Sumpter and Jason Fraser scare us. April rank: Ninth.
11. George Washington: Juniors Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Mike Hall pulled out of the draft. LSU transfer Regis Koundjia becomes eligible in December. No wonder Karl Hobbs is always smiling. April rank: 17th.
12. Texas: C.J. Miles did what? Entered the draft? And stayed in it? C.J., tell your father you love him ... but shut up. April rank: 11th.
13. Washington: The Huskies lost Nate Robinson (expected) and Martell Webster (expected), but it could have been worse. Brandon Roy returned for his senior season, and a great recruiting class will surround him. April rank: 19th.
14. Ohio State: Sorry, Thad Matta. You can't stay under the radar. Coaches all over the country are talking up your program. April rank: Unranked.
15. West Virginia: The June transfer of freshman reserve Luke Bonner to Massachusetts will hurt the Mountaineers' depth, but Kevin Pittsnogle smartly withdrew from the NBA Draft. April rank: 13th.
16. Illinois: Dee Brown's broken foot was great luck for the Illini. With Brown, the Illini will challenge for the Big Ten title. April rank: 20th.
17. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys lost no one unexpectedly, though recruit Mario Boggan might not make it -- and Keith Brumbaugh is considering OSU after withdrawing from the draft. Either way, JamesOn Curry will come back a new player after a summer of international ball. April rank: 23rd.
18. Boston College: The fall suspension of center Sean Williams, and the transfer of backup point guard Steve Hailey, hurts. If it weren't for Al Skinner, we'd drop the Eagles much farther. April rank: 12th.
19. Kansas: After being hurt in a brawl in which his role has not been determined, J.R. Giddens is TBA. Same goes for Kansas. April rank: 18th.
20. UCLA: Everyone's back that should be back. That's one heck of a spring and summer. April rank: 24th.
21. Syracuse: Losing Billy Edelin is addition by subtraction of distraction. April rank: 25th.
22. Stanford: Chris Hernandez withdrew from the draft, but we always expected him to return. So, no change. April rank: 22nd.
23. Kentucky: With Morris and Kelenna Azubuike stupidly in the draft, Tubby Smith is the only reason the Wildcats are ranked at all. April rank: Third.
24. Wake Forest: It will be tough to stay in the Top 25 without Chris Paul. It would've been impossible without Eric Williams, who withdrew from the draft. April rank: 21st.
25. Michigan State: All the underclassmen returned, and drop-offs elsewhere opened this spot. April rank: Unranked.
www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/8593178/1
By Gregg Doyel
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Gregg your opinion!
We've got a flip-flop at the top of CBS SportsLine.com's preseason Top 25. In early April, our Pre-Preseason Top 25 had Oklahoma at No. 1, followed by Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina. In the 2½ months since, those schools have lost nine key underclassmen -- seven to the NBA, two to transfer. Hence, SportsLine.com's new ... and improved ... Post-NBA Draft Deadline, Pre-Preseason Top 25.
1. Duke: The Blue Devils lost only junior Shavlik Randolph to the NBA Draft, which is like throwing a deck chair -- or an underachieving, 6-foot-10 forward -- off the Titanic: It doesn't matter. April rank: Second.
2. Oklahoma: After being anointed No. 1 in April, Oklahoma saw two guards transfer: Drew Lavender to Xavier, and Lawrence McKenzie to Minnesota. Whether they add draft-jilting Brandon Rush, the Sooners still will be loaded. April rank: First.
3. Louisville: We knew they'd lose Francisco Garcia to the NBA. We thought they'd lose Amir Johnson, to the NBA or academics. We had no idea 7-foot recruit Clarence Holloway wouldn't qualify. Still, the Cardinals rise because, frankly, everyone around them is falling. April rank: Fifth.
4. Gonzaga: Adam Morrison didn't even flirt with the NBA. April rank: Seventh.
5. Connecticut: Charlie Villanueva (NBA) and Antonio Kellogg (naughtiness) were thought to be gone in April, but we had no idea that recruit DeSagana Diop, er, Andrew Bynum would become an NBA pick. Then again, Bynum wasn't going to contribute much as a freshman. No -- he wasn't. Before they can be great, though, the Huskies still must clear one last hurdle: the legal situations of Marcus Williams and A.J. Price, who are reportedly being investigated for theft. We're just jolly enough to assume that'll all work out. April rank: Sixth.
6. Arizona: Hassan Adams stayed, and Chris Rodgers is coming back (whew). April rank: Eighth.
7. Nevada: Nick Fazekas was true to his word -- you should try it, Randolph Morris and Shavlik Randolph -- and put off the NBA. April rank: 10th.
8. Memphis: Memphis lost nobody to the NBA Draft. Sophomore Sean Banks and recruit Ricky Sanchez don't count; Banks was gone in February, and Sanchez wasn't going to be eligible. April rank: 15th.
9. Texas Tech: The only news out of Lubbock was an offseason knee injury to reserve Damir Suljagic, but he'll be ready by December. April rank: 14th.
10. Villanova: None of the juniors turned pro, but the health issues of Curtis Sumpter and Jason Fraser scare us. April rank: Ninth.
11. George Washington: Juniors Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Mike Hall pulled out of the draft. LSU transfer Regis Koundjia becomes eligible in December. No wonder Karl Hobbs is always smiling. April rank: 17th.
12. Texas: C.J. Miles did what? Entered the draft? And stayed in it? C.J., tell your father you love him ... but shut up. April rank: 11th.
13. Washington: The Huskies lost Nate Robinson (expected) and Martell Webster (expected), but it could have been worse. Brandon Roy returned for his senior season, and a great recruiting class will surround him. April rank: 19th.
14. Ohio State: Sorry, Thad Matta. You can't stay under the radar. Coaches all over the country are talking up your program. April rank: Unranked.
15. West Virginia: The June transfer of freshman reserve Luke Bonner to Massachusetts will hurt the Mountaineers' depth, but Kevin Pittsnogle smartly withdrew from the NBA Draft. April rank: 13th.
16. Illinois: Dee Brown's broken foot was great luck for the Illini. With Brown, the Illini will challenge for the Big Ten title. April rank: 20th.
17. Oklahoma State: The Cowboys lost no one unexpectedly, though recruit Mario Boggan might not make it -- and Keith Brumbaugh is considering OSU after withdrawing from the draft. Either way, JamesOn Curry will come back a new player after a summer of international ball. April rank: 23rd.
18. Boston College: The fall suspension of center Sean Williams, and the transfer of backup point guard Steve Hailey, hurts. If it weren't for Al Skinner, we'd drop the Eagles much farther. April rank: 12th.
19. Kansas: After being hurt in a brawl in which his role has not been determined, J.R. Giddens is TBA. Same goes for Kansas. April rank: 18th.
20. UCLA: Everyone's back that should be back. That's one heck of a spring and summer. April rank: 24th.
21. Syracuse: Losing Billy Edelin is addition by subtraction of distraction. April rank: 25th.
22. Stanford: Chris Hernandez withdrew from the draft, but we always expected him to return. So, no change. April rank: 22nd.
23. Kentucky: With Morris and Kelenna Azubuike stupidly in the draft, Tubby Smith is the only reason the Wildcats are ranked at all. April rank: Third.
24. Wake Forest: It will be tough to stay in the Top 25 without Chris Paul. It would've been impossible without Eric Williams, who withdrew from the draft. April rank: 21st.
25. Michigan State: All the underclassmen returned, and drop-offs elsewhere opened this spot. April rank: Unranked.
www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/8593178/1