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04-09-2013, 04:18 AM
After a horrible basketball seasons that showed Loserville winning, which doesnt happen often, UK fans are already thinking avout 2014.
Well, ESPN has released it earliest of polls.
UK back on top.
1. Kentucky Wildcats: Could the Wildcats really go from first-round NIT losers to NCAA champions? Absolutely. Kentucky's 2013 recruiting class is already being hailed as the best in college basketball history. The haul includes four players (Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle and James Young) ranked among the nation's top 10 prospects by ESPN.com. From a pure talent standpoint, this might be the best college basketball team ever assembled. But will it jell? Even though injuries and chemistry issues ruined his most recent team, John Calipari has proven to be excellent at coaching players who only plan to spend a year or two in college. He's great at getting them to play defense and share the ball. It will help that some of Kentucky's key players in 2012-13 (Alex Poythress, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kyle Wiltjer) will return to provide veteran leadership, which is something the program sorely lacked last season. Another huge difference will be the point guard position, which lacked stability last season. Andrew Harrison could become the next star under Calipari, who has coached Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight.
2. Louisville Cardinals: Rick Pitino's squad will be favored to make a third straight Final Four appearance. Point guard Peyton Siva is the only senior on the current roster. His leadership will be tough to replace, but Louisville signed two point guards (juco transfer Chris Jones and high school star Terry Rozier) who should more than make up for Siva's absence. Forwards Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear are poised for breakthrough seasons along with Luke Hancock and Montrezl Harrell, both of whom were rotation players this season. The biggest question surrounds leading scorer Russ Smith and top rebounder Gorgui Dieng, who are considering leaving school a year early for the NBA draft. The departure of Dieng, who is projected as a mid-first-round pick, seems likely. But if Pitino can get Smith to return, the Cardinals will be good enough to challenge Kentucky for the NCAA title.
3. Michigan State Spartans: Derrick Nix (9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds) was the only senior on the Spartans' roster, so Michigan State should be the slight favorite to win the Big Ten next season over Ohio State -- as long as everyone returns. Freshman shooting guard Gary Harris and junior forward Adreian Payne are both considered fringe first-rounders in the upcoming NBA draft. If they leave early it will knock Michigan State down a notch. The guess here is that at least one of them returns, if not both. Harris would have the chance to form one of the top backcourts in America alongside point guard Keith Appling. The twosome combined to average 26.3 points in 2012-13. Even with the loss of Nix, Michigan State -- as always -- will be one of the country's most physical teams in the paint with players such as Branden Dawson, who could really take off as a junior. Tom Izzo's team was good this season -- but a year from now, it could be special.
4. Arizona Wildcats: Sean Miller's squad loses three of its top four scorers (Solomon Hill, Kevin Parrom and Mark Lyons) but the Wildcats should still be the class of the Pac-12. Arizona's highly touted 2012 recruiting class started off slow, but post players Kaleb Tarczewski, Brandon Ashley and Grant Jerrett made huge strides in February and March and should enter next season full of momentum. Shooting guard Nick Johnson (11.5 points per game) emerged as a leader on the perimeter. He'll benefit the most from the addition of Duquesne transfer T.J. McConnell, the high-caliber point guard Arizona so glaringly lacked this season. McConnell averaged 11.4 points and 5.5 assists for Duquesne in 2011-12. Whether the Wildcats are a good team or an elite one will depend on the play of freshmen Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Gordon is the second-ranked power forward in the Class of 2013. Hollis-Jefferson is the fifth-ranked small forward.
5. Duke Blue Devils: The Blue Devils' top three scorers -- Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry -- were all seniors. Still, as much as their departures will sting, the Blue Devils' roster is far from bare. The biggest reason for optimism is incoming freshman Jabari Parker, a small forward who is the No. 2-ranked prospect in America by ESPN.com. Parker is good enough to make Duke the slight favorite for the ACC title and also a Final Four contender. Parker won't have to do it alone. Point guard Quinn Cook improved as much as any player in the ACC this season and should take it to an even higher level as a junior. Combo guard Rasheed Sulaimon was one of the best freshmen in the nation in 2012-13, averaging 11.6 points while playing nearly 30 minutes per contest. The X factor could be Mississippi State transfer Rodney Hood, who averaged 10.3 points as a freshman for the Bulldogs in 2011-12. The biggest area of concern will be replacing Plumlee's presence in the paint, where he snared 10 rebounds and blocked 1.4 shots per game.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes would probably rank No. 2 on this list if leading scorer Deshaun Thomas had opted to return for his senior season. One of the top pure scorers in America, Thomas averaged 19.8 points for the Buckeyes' Elite Eight squad and finished with 1,630 points in three seasons. Still, Ohio State should be one of the top teams in America in 2013-14, as each of the other four starters returns. It will be tough for point guard Aaron Craft to play much better on the defensive end than he did this season, but he can certainly become a more efficient shooter. Lenzelle Smith Jr., Sam Thompson and Shannon Scott all averaged more than 20 minutes per game. Forward LaQuinton Ross is a tough matchup who contributed 13.4 points per game during the NCAA tournament. It will be a stunner if Ohio State doesn't challenge Michigan State for the Big Ten title.
7. Florida Gators: The Gators lose their top three scorers in Mike Rosario, Erik Murphy and Kenny Boynton, but if they take a step down, it won't be a major one. Florida could have one of the better front lines in the SEC in rising senior Patric Young (10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds) and incoming five-star freshman Chris Walker, a 6-foot-10, 195-pounder with a versatile offensive skill set. Mix in returning forward Will Yeguete, who was playing as well as any Gator at the end of the season, and Billy Donovan's squad should be strong down low. The perimeter will be solid, too. Signee Kasey Hill is rated the No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2013 by ESPN.com. He could either share the backcourt with returning starter and defensive standout Scottie Wilbekin, or the two could split time. Either way, it's a nice situation to have.
8. North Carolina Tar Heels: Although no member of the trio has officially announced a decision yet, UNC's coaching staff is optimistic that wings P.J. Hairston and Reggie Bullock and forward James Michael McAdoo will all return. If that happens, it means the Tar Heels will have four starters (and their three leading scorers) back from the team that went 25-11 this season and lost in the NCAA round of 32 -- with a few key additions, as well. Not only will incoming point guard Nate Britt add some depth behind rising sophomore Marcus Paige, but highly recruited big men Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks should instantly compete for playing time in the post. If coach Roy Williams -- who went to a four-guard lineup late in the season -- can finally find a reliable center, he can return to his preferred two-post lineup, switch Hairston back to his natural shooting guard slot and boast a deep, fast veteran team worthy of a top-10 ranking.
9. Marquette Golden Eagles: If the 2012-13 season taught us anything, it's not to count out Marquette. Not as long as Buzz Williams is its coach. The Golden Eagles lost their two top players (Jae Crowder and Darius-Johnson Odom) from last season's squad, yet still managed to tie for the Big East title and advance to the Elite Eight. Almost every key piece of this season's team will return in 2013-14. That includes leading scorers Vander Blue (14.8 points) and Davante Gardner (11.5 points) as well as glue guy Jamil Wilson (9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds). Marquette will also add the Class of 2013's No. 3-ranked shooting guard in Memphis native JaJuan Johnson. Rising junior Todd Mayo and incoming freshman Duane Wilson will try to make up for the loss of Junior Cadougan and Trent Lockett in the backcourt. Marquette plays as hard as any team in the country. Next season could be special.
10. Syracuse Orange: The Orange lose two key seniors from their Final Four team in Brandon Triche and James Southerland. And there's a strong chance sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams will declare for the NBA draft. But no matter. Jim Boeheim finds ways to keep his team in the NCAA title picture every season, and 2013-14 shouldn't be any different. Leading scorer and rebounder C.J. Fair (14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds) should be back to lead the transition into the ACC. Small forward Jerami Grant showed flashes of brilliance while stepping in for a suspended Southerland early in conference play. Forwards Rakeem Christmas, Baye Keita and DaJuan Coleman should step into larger roles. Incoming freshman point guard Tyler Ennis will have a chance to start immediately in Syracuse's depleted backcourt while Tyler Roberson should be a factor in the paint.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...basketball
Well, ESPN has released it earliest of polls.
UK back on top.
1. Kentucky Wildcats: Could the Wildcats really go from first-round NIT losers to NCAA champions? Absolutely. Kentucky's 2013 recruiting class is already being hailed as the best in college basketball history. The haul includes four players (Andrew and Aaron Harrison, Julius Randle and James Young) ranked among the nation's top 10 prospects by ESPN.com. From a pure talent standpoint, this might be the best college basketball team ever assembled. But will it jell? Even though injuries and chemistry issues ruined his most recent team, John Calipari has proven to be excellent at coaching players who only plan to spend a year or two in college. He's great at getting them to play defense and share the ball. It will help that some of Kentucky's key players in 2012-13 (Alex Poythress, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kyle Wiltjer) will return to provide veteran leadership, which is something the program sorely lacked last season. Another huge difference will be the point guard position, which lacked stability last season. Andrew Harrison could become the next star under Calipari, who has coached Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight.
2. Louisville Cardinals: Rick Pitino's squad will be favored to make a third straight Final Four appearance. Point guard Peyton Siva is the only senior on the current roster. His leadership will be tough to replace, but Louisville signed two point guards (juco transfer Chris Jones and high school star Terry Rozier) who should more than make up for Siva's absence. Forwards Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear are poised for breakthrough seasons along with Luke Hancock and Montrezl Harrell, both of whom were rotation players this season. The biggest question surrounds leading scorer Russ Smith and top rebounder Gorgui Dieng, who are considering leaving school a year early for the NBA draft. The departure of Dieng, who is projected as a mid-first-round pick, seems likely. But if Pitino can get Smith to return, the Cardinals will be good enough to challenge Kentucky for the NCAA title.
3. Michigan State Spartans: Derrick Nix (9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds) was the only senior on the Spartans' roster, so Michigan State should be the slight favorite to win the Big Ten next season over Ohio State -- as long as everyone returns. Freshman shooting guard Gary Harris and junior forward Adreian Payne are both considered fringe first-rounders in the upcoming NBA draft. If they leave early it will knock Michigan State down a notch. The guess here is that at least one of them returns, if not both. Harris would have the chance to form one of the top backcourts in America alongside point guard Keith Appling. The twosome combined to average 26.3 points in 2012-13. Even with the loss of Nix, Michigan State -- as always -- will be one of the country's most physical teams in the paint with players such as Branden Dawson, who could really take off as a junior. Tom Izzo's team was good this season -- but a year from now, it could be special.
4. Arizona Wildcats: Sean Miller's squad loses three of its top four scorers (Solomon Hill, Kevin Parrom and Mark Lyons) but the Wildcats should still be the class of the Pac-12. Arizona's highly touted 2012 recruiting class started off slow, but post players Kaleb Tarczewski, Brandon Ashley and Grant Jerrett made huge strides in February and March and should enter next season full of momentum. Shooting guard Nick Johnson (11.5 points per game) emerged as a leader on the perimeter. He'll benefit the most from the addition of Duquesne transfer T.J. McConnell, the high-caliber point guard Arizona so glaringly lacked this season. McConnell averaged 11.4 points and 5.5 assists for Duquesne in 2011-12. Whether the Wildcats are a good team or an elite one will depend on the play of freshmen Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Gordon is the second-ranked power forward in the Class of 2013. Hollis-Jefferson is the fifth-ranked small forward.
5. Duke Blue Devils: The Blue Devils' top three scorers -- Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry -- were all seniors. Still, as much as their departures will sting, the Blue Devils' roster is far from bare. The biggest reason for optimism is incoming freshman Jabari Parker, a small forward who is the No. 2-ranked prospect in America by ESPN.com. Parker is good enough to make Duke the slight favorite for the ACC title and also a Final Four contender. Parker won't have to do it alone. Point guard Quinn Cook improved as much as any player in the ACC this season and should take it to an even higher level as a junior. Combo guard Rasheed Sulaimon was one of the best freshmen in the nation in 2012-13, averaging 11.6 points while playing nearly 30 minutes per contest. The X factor could be Mississippi State transfer Rodney Hood, who averaged 10.3 points as a freshman for the Bulldogs in 2011-12. The biggest area of concern will be replacing Plumlee's presence in the paint, where he snared 10 rebounds and blocked 1.4 shots per game.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes would probably rank No. 2 on this list if leading scorer Deshaun Thomas had opted to return for his senior season. One of the top pure scorers in America, Thomas averaged 19.8 points for the Buckeyes' Elite Eight squad and finished with 1,630 points in three seasons. Still, Ohio State should be one of the top teams in America in 2013-14, as each of the other four starters returns. It will be tough for point guard Aaron Craft to play much better on the defensive end than he did this season, but he can certainly become a more efficient shooter. Lenzelle Smith Jr., Sam Thompson and Shannon Scott all averaged more than 20 minutes per game. Forward LaQuinton Ross is a tough matchup who contributed 13.4 points per game during the NCAA tournament. It will be a stunner if Ohio State doesn't challenge Michigan State for the Big Ten title.
7. Florida Gators: The Gators lose their top three scorers in Mike Rosario, Erik Murphy and Kenny Boynton, but if they take a step down, it won't be a major one. Florida could have one of the better front lines in the SEC in rising senior Patric Young (10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds) and incoming five-star freshman Chris Walker, a 6-foot-10, 195-pounder with a versatile offensive skill set. Mix in returning forward Will Yeguete, who was playing as well as any Gator at the end of the season, and Billy Donovan's squad should be strong down low. The perimeter will be solid, too. Signee Kasey Hill is rated the No. 2 point guard in the Class of 2013 by ESPN.com. He could either share the backcourt with returning starter and defensive standout Scottie Wilbekin, or the two could split time. Either way, it's a nice situation to have.
8. North Carolina Tar Heels: Although no member of the trio has officially announced a decision yet, UNC's coaching staff is optimistic that wings P.J. Hairston and Reggie Bullock and forward James Michael McAdoo will all return. If that happens, it means the Tar Heels will have four starters (and their three leading scorers) back from the team that went 25-11 this season and lost in the NCAA round of 32 -- with a few key additions, as well. Not only will incoming point guard Nate Britt add some depth behind rising sophomore Marcus Paige, but highly recruited big men Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks should instantly compete for playing time in the post. If coach Roy Williams -- who went to a four-guard lineup late in the season -- can finally find a reliable center, he can return to his preferred two-post lineup, switch Hairston back to his natural shooting guard slot and boast a deep, fast veteran team worthy of a top-10 ranking.
9. Marquette Golden Eagles: If the 2012-13 season taught us anything, it's not to count out Marquette. Not as long as Buzz Williams is its coach. The Golden Eagles lost their two top players (Jae Crowder and Darius-Johnson Odom) from last season's squad, yet still managed to tie for the Big East title and advance to the Elite Eight. Almost every key piece of this season's team will return in 2013-14. That includes leading scorers Vander Blue (14.8 points) and Davante Gardner (11.5 points) as well as glue guy Jamil Wilson (9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds). Marquette will also add the Class of 2013's No. 3-ranked shooting guard in Memphis native JaJuan Johnson. Rising junior Todd Mayo and incoming freshman Duane Wilson will try to make up for the loss of Junior Cadougan and Trent Lockett in the backcourt. Marquette plays as hard as any team in the country. Next season could be special.
10. Syracuse Orange: The Orange lose two key seniors from their Final Four team in Brandon Triche and James Southerland. And there's a strong chance sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams will declare for the NBA draft. But no matter. Jim Boeheim finds ways to keep his team in the NCAA title picture every season, and 2013-14 shouldn't be any different. Leading scorer and rebounder C.J. Fair (14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds) should be back to lead the transition into the ACC. Small forward Jerami Grant showed flashes of brilliance while stepping in for a suspended Southerland early in conference play. Forwards Rakeem Christmas, Baye Keita and DaJuan Coleman should step into larger roles. Incoming freshman point guard Tyler Ennis will have a chance to start immediately in Syracuse's depleted backcourt while Tyler Roberson should be a factor in the paint.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...basketball
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04-09-2013, 04:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-10-2013, 02:43 PM by RunItUpTheGut.)
double post.
04-09-2013, 06:33 AM
I would rather think about 2014 that remember 2013 seasons!
I saw a commercial last night watching the final game. It assumed the NCAA tournament was including 264 teams. I must wonder if we'd made the cut this year.
I saw a commercial last night watching the final game. It assumed the NCAA tournament was including 264 teams. I must wonder if we'd made the cut this year.
04-09-2013, 06:35 AM
You need to get a moderator to delete this duplicate.
:lmao:
:lmao:
04-09-2013, 11:20 AM
No Michigan??? They'll lose a couple guys to the NBA, but they'll still be loaded
04-09-2013, 02:16 PM
Well, We all know how much pre season rankings mean with a new class coming in... If Gorgui and Russ return next season I like the chances for my cards to make another Final Four run and possibly repeat. I cant believe Michigan isnt on the list. They could be LOADED next season.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
IAJ
"IT'S ALL JESUS"
IAJ
"IT'S ALL JESUS"
04-09-2013, 04:02 PM
04-09-2013, 04:54 PM
theVILLE Wrote:Well, We all know how much pre season rankings mean with a new class coming in... If Gorgui and Russ return next season I like the chances for my cards to make another Final Four run and possibly repeat. I cant believe Michigan isnt on the list. They could be LOADED next season.
They aren't returning.
04-09-2013, 04:59 PM
When UK/UL meet next year, it will be one of the most hyped regular season games in recent memory. Hopefully they get everybody back and we're both undefeated going into it.
04-09-2013, 06:19 PM
I thought u was a uk fan? Fair weather .
04-09-2013, 08:06 PM
Russ Smith is going pro.
04-09-2013, 09:02 PM
As we all know pre season rankings mean nothing.. All you have to do is look at this past season, what did it get UK this year???
It's great to be consider #1 but unless we prove it don't mean squat!! Gotta play the games and just see how good we are. On paper there isn't a team better but on the hardwood is where it counts...
It's great to be consider #1 but unless we prove it don't mean squat!! Gotta play the games and just see how good we are. On paper there isn't a team better but on the hardwood is where it counts...
04-10-2013, 04:16 AM
Yeah what you said. Exactly my thoughts. On paper UK should go 40-0. But this years team should have been a 1 seed in NCAA. What you do on the court is what counts. I dont see UK or any team going 40-0. Everybody and every team will have a bad night. SEC play, yes UK should win by 40 every game.
04-10-2013, 07:07 AM
theVILLE Wrote:Yeah what you said. Exactly my thoughts. On paper UK should go 40-0. But this years team should have been a 1 seed in NCAA. What you do on the court is what counts. I dont see UK or any team going 40-0. Everybody and every team will have a bad night. SEC play, yes UK should win by 40 every game.
That's just wrong. Tennessee and Florida will both be very good next year. Vandy will be improved. Alabama will be solid. Arkansas should be solid. Missouri will be solid.
04-10-2013, 02:52 PM
UK wins it all going away.
04-11-2013, 10:31 AM
All of the preseason rankings were pretty close in top 10 except for UK. Louisville , Duke , Indiana allwere top five and they ended up that way. UK had a disaster season. Will certainly come back to top next year with the most dominant talent in NCAA.
04-11-2013, 12:05 PM
FBALL Wrote:That's just wrong. Tennessee and Florida will both be very good next year. Vandy will be improved. Alabama will be solid. Arkansas should be solid. Missouri will be solid.
Florida, maybe. The rest will be trash. Missouri will for sure be trash, pressey is gone. Vandy was teribble this season so they have to improve because they had no other way to go. Alabama will be decent.
04-11-2013, 12:45 PM
theVILLE Wrote:Florida, maybe. The rest will be trash. Missouri will for sure be trash, pressey is gone. Vandy was teribble this season so they have to improve because they had no other way to go. Alabama will be decent.
I much like you am not even sold on Florida they lose alot and only managed a 3 seed this year. I think the SEC is UK and everyone else. If Michigan State,UNC, or Louisville don't beat UK next year noone will on there schedule till perhaps tourney time.
04-11-2013, 04:14 PM
theVILLE Wrote:Florida, maybe. The rest will be trash. Missouri will for sure be trash, pressey is gone. Vandy was teribble this season so they have to improve because they had no other way to go. Alabama will be decent.
Tennessee will be good. Better than Missouri or Alabama or Vandy.
04-12-2013, 08:15 PM
Overall the SEC will be much better next year - LSU, Tenn, USC, UGA, Bama, Miss St will all be better. Florida loses quite a bit, but I love their two McDonald's AA's. I think they'll stay around a 3 seed, may drop to a 4. Not easy roads games next year for us. SEC could get 4 or 5 teams in the dance.
04-13-2013, 04:19 PM
Jason Marcum @UK_Fans 2m And from everything I'm hearing, Russ Smith will be back and UK and UL will likely be #1 and #2 when both squads face off in Rupp Arena.
04-14-2013, 10:36 PM
tomcatfan722000 Wrote:I much like you am not even sold on Florida they lose alot and only managed a 3 seed this year. I think the SEC is UK and everyone else. If Michigan State,UNC, or Louisville don't beat UK next year noone will on there schedule till perhaps tourney time.
Lol what? Florida doesn't lose much at all.
05-15-2013, 11:40 AM
[YOUTUBE="UK #1 recruiting class in history"]jagaWWoJp6w[/YOUTUBE]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/h...1665_n.jpg]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/h...1665_n.jpg]
05-16-2013, 03:52 AM
Aslan Wrote:Overall the SEC will be much better next year - LSU, Tenn, USC, UGA, Bama, Miss St will all be better. Florida loses quite a bit, but I love their two McDonald's AA's. I think they'll stay around a 3 seed, may drop to a 4. Not easy roads games next year for us. SEC could get 4 or 5 teams in the dance.
SEC get 5 teams in the dance? Are we talking about basketball? Noway do they get 5 teams dancing. TN will be trash, usc,uga, miss st will most
Def have to be better, I mean they cant get worse lol
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
IAJ
"IT'S ALL JESUS"
IAJ
"IT'S ALL JESUS"
05-16-2013, 10:52 PM
TheRealVille Wrote:[YOUTUBE="UK #1 recruiting class in history"]jagaWWoJp6w[/YOUTUBE]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/h...1665_n.jpg]
Amazing video! Thanks for sharing.
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