With the college basketball season starting in just a few short weeks, the USA Today Coaches Poll recently released the top 25 best teams in the preseason. There is no surprise that Kentucky is again number 1 in the top 25 poll after another strong recruiting class . New recruits include New Jersey 5 star recruit in point guard Isaiah Briscoe, from Roselle Catholic Highschool. Other recruits include 4 star recruit, Skal Labissiere, Isaac Humphries, Charles Matthews, Mychal Mulder, and Jamal Murray. Key departures include: Karl Anthony Towns, Marcus Lee, Tyler Ulis, Willy Cauley-Stein, and Devin Booker. All were selected in the 1st round of the 2015 NBA draft. Kentucky now looks to remain number 1, even though key losses plague the chemistry. Key players are needed in order to fulfill the expectations after Kentucky's perfect season fell apart last season in the NCAA tournament.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the poll is North Carolina Tar Heels coming in at number 2. With the return of Marcus Paige and Kennedy Meeks, along with one of the best recruiting classes in several years, the Tar Heels are poised to finish in the top 10 in the country going into the NCAA tournament. However, with an ongoing investigation over NCAA violations, the season could be destroyed depending on when the NCAA hands down the penalties.
Maryland University is also a surprise in the poll. Coming in at number 3 in the top 10, the Terraphins are a team to watch in the upcoming season. Melo Trimble, who averaged 16.3 PPG and 3.1 assists per game, and the addition of Rasheed Sulaimon, former Duke shooting guard who was ineligible last season, could easily have one of the most underrated back courts in college basketball. Maryland is also big down low. Damonte Dodd, Diamond Stone and Michael Cicovsky are also a force down low. All 3 are taller than 6'11.
Duke looks to go on a title defense run this season without Jahlil Okafor. However, the veteran presence in Miles Plumlee and the new young talent coming up are looking to replace Okafor's production. The Duke play style will most likely change because of the lack of size in the post area. Coach K will most likely roll with a 4 guard offense to start off the season, until a proven center emerges to make the offense more conventional.
Kansas University ranks number 5. After a disappointing season just a year ago, Kansas looks to re emerge as a top program in the AP top 25 poll after another strong recruiting class. The addition of 6'9 5 star recruit Chieck Diallo will help fill the void left by the departure of Cliff Alexander. The agile forward will provide valuable minutes off the bench for the Jay Hawks this season as he looks to learn from Perry Ellis and Jamari Traylor. When he gets the opportunity, Diallo could help the Jay Hawks in the later stretch of the season.
Other notable teams in the Top 25 that could make a run this season: Villanova- Nova currently ranks number 9 in the preseason rankings. The addition of 5 star recruit Jalen Brunson and the return of Ryan Archidiacono, makes the back court tough to deal with. The defense will most likely improve as the season continues and the chemistry improves. The loss of talented small forward Darren Hilliard could hold the team back this season. The vital hole at small forward and a lack of height could lead to tough games against ranked opponents throughout the height. LSU- LSU currently ranks number 19 in the top 25 preseason rankings. The addition of Ben Simmonds (Projected to be number 1 overall pick in 2016 NBA Draft) and 5 star recruit Antonio Blakeney, will propel LSU into many tough debates this season. The team itself lacks experience, but once the chemistry between Blakeney and Simmonds heats up, the outlook on this team will heat up as well. Another contributor in the offense needs to emerge as well.
Teams on the bubble that will have good seasons: Cincinnati- After nearly beating Kentucky last season, Cincinnati continues to improve. Farad Cobb and Octavius Ellis will most likely carry the team once again. Although, Cincy right now is unproven, key conference wins could make them a contender leading up to March Madness. Davidson-Davidson is on the outside looking in right now before the season. With 5 players on the roster 6-10 and larger, Davidson could easily be one of the best defensive teams in the country, especially on the defensive and offensive glass. Finding a leader and a high quality scorer is pivotal to Davidson's success this season.
