bballnut90
LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2011
- Messages
- 7,159
- Reaction Score
- 31,444
Might be jumping the gun a little bit but figured I'd get the ball rolling...here's my very early (and quickly drafted) top 15 right now, assuming players are healthy and there aren't transfers. I'm sure this will be tweaked quite a bit before it's all said and done:
1. Oregon-if Ionescu comes back, they should be the prohibitive front runners. Everyone is back aside from Cazorla, plus they bring in the younger Sabally.
2. Baylor-they'll be loaded once again with their sophomore class plus Cox. Big losses are Brown and Jackson, but the development of players like Scott-Grayson, Egbo and Decosta should help offset that.
3. Connecticut-they lose 2 greats but still have a very good core of Dangerfield, Williams and Walker. Look for ONO to make strides in the offseason. Aside from that, the cupboard is very thin but look for them to be in the hunt for a grad transfer/international player.
4. South Carolina-after an up and down season they should be back in Final Four form 2 years post A'ja. They return good backcourt play plus Herbert Herrigan upfront and bring in the #1 class.
5. Notre Dame-this is assuming Jackie Young returns. Notre Dame will still be strong with a young roster that will be centered around Jackie Young. Muffet is among the best when it comes to developing talent, so I don't see Notre Dame dropping out of the top 7-8 unless Young goes pro.
6. Oregon State-up and down year for OSU that finished with a disappointing Sweet 16 showing. They have almost everyone back and should get a boost from Aquino.
7. Texas A&M-everyone is back for the Aggies. Question is will they run a more balanced offense or will it be the Carter show?
8. Maryland-everyone is back for the Terps including potential POY candidate Kaila Charles.
9. Stanford-they lose Smith but will be strong with a great cast of players returning in addition to Jones and Belibi. If Sniezek decides to use her 5th year at Stanford, the Card could get a big boost in the backcourt.
10. Louisville-massive losses with Carter, Durr and Fuerhing. Much depends on if Walz stays and how the team adjusts without Asia.
11. NC State-they have a good roster back and should get a boost from their injured players returning. Leslie is a big loss.
12. Mississippi State-can't see them dropping too far down with Schaefer at the helm. They lose 4 starters but returning 2 stud outside shooters in AEH and Bibby. Also had some good contributions from Scott this year and look for Promise Taylor to make an impact in Starkville.
13. Tennessee-a lot depends on who is coaching them, but no question Tennessee has top 10 talent on its roster. A starting 5 of Horston, Westbrook, Green, Davis and Collins could be outstanding.
14. Miami-all key contributors are back aside from Hoff.
15. Texas-on paper they look dangerous with Holmes, Sutton, Collier and Higgs all back. Plus Sedona Prince should be healthy. Whether they'll be good or not is a different story.
Others to keep an eye on:
Kentucky-Howard is back and Patterson is eligible
MTSU-bring in 2 former top 10 players in Rellah Boothe (coming off ACL) and Anastasia Hayes
UCLA-good talent returning, although lose Drummer and Burke
Syracuse-stud PG is back
Teams that may suffer the biggest drop offs include:
-Notre Dame
-Mississippi State
-Louisville
-Connecticut
1. Oregon-if Ionescu comes back, they should be the prohibitive front runners. Everyone is back aside from Cazorla, plus they bring in the younger Sabally.
2. Baylor-they'll be loaded once again with their sophomore class plus Cox. Big losses are Brown and Jackson, but the development of players like Scott-Grayson, Egbo and Decosta should help offset that.
3. Connecticut-they lose 2 greats but still have a very good core of Dangerfield, Williams and Walker. Look for ONO to make strides in the offseason. Aside from that, the cupboard is very thin but look for them to be in the hunt for a grad transfer/international player.
4. South Carolina-after an up and down season they should be back in Final Four form 2 years post A'ja. They return good backcourt play plus Herbert Herrigan upfront and bring in the #1 class.
5. Notre Dame-this is assuming Jackie Young returns. Notre Dame will still be strong with a young roster that will be centered around Jackie Young. Muffet is among the best when it comes to developing talent, so I don't see Notre Dame dropping out of the top 7-8 unless Young goes pro.
6. Oregon State-up and down year for OSU that finished with a disappointing Sweet 16 showing. They have almost everyone back and should get a boost from Aquino.
7. Texas A&M-everyone is back for the Aggies. Question is will they run a more balanced offense or will it be the Carter show?
8. Maryland-everyone is back for the Terps including potential POY candidate Kaila Charles.
9. Stanford-they lose Smith but will be strong with a great cast of players returning in addition to Jones and Belibi. If Sniezek decides to use her 5th year at Stanford, the Card could get a big boost in the backcourt.
10. Louisville-massive losses with Carter, Durr and Fuerhing. Much depends on if Walz stays and how the team adjusts without Asia.
11. NC State-they have a good roster back and should get a boost from their injured players returning. Leslie is a big loss.
12. Mississippi State-can't see them dropping too far down with Schaefer at the helm. They lose 4 starters but returning 2 stud outside shooters in AEH and Bibby. Also had some good contributions from Scott this year and look for Promise Taylor to make an impact in Starkville.
13. Tennessee-a lot depends on who is coaching them, but no question Tennessee has top 10 talent on its roster. A starting 5 of Horston, Westbrook, Green, Davis and Collins could be outstanding.
14. Miami-all key contributors are back aside from Hoff.
15. Texas-on paper they look dangerous with Holmes, Sutton, Collier and Higgs all back. Plus Sedona Prince should be healthy. Whether they'll be good or not is a different story.
Others to keep an eye on:
Kentucky-Howard is back and Patterson is eligible
MTSU-bring in 2 former top 10 players in Rellah Boothe (coming off ACL) and Anastasia Hayes
UCLA-good talent returning, although lose Drummer and Burke
Syracuse-stud PG is back
Teams that may suffer the biggest drop offs include:
-Notre Dame
-Mississippi State
-Louisville
-Connecticut