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To think that college basketball is starting up next week is almost crazy, but it’s true!
From the looks of it, this season is going to be an exciting one. Kentucky is definitely looking good, but there are a lot of talented teams out there.
Kansas will have a healthy mix of young and experienced players led by Udoka Azubuike, while Michigan State is bringing back potential player of the year PG Cassius Winston to try and lead the Spartans back to the Final Four.
Other teams like Louisville are getting a lot of hype in the preseason due to their performance last season mixed with a top 10 recruiting class. It is going to be a competitive battle for those Final Four spots.
With all that said, is the season really that close if Dickie V hasn’t exclaimed the word baby to everyone yet? He just dropped a list of his top 40 teams in the country. Check them out:
- Kansas Jayhawks
- Michigan State Spartans
- Kentucky Wildcats
- Duke Blue Devils
- Louisville Cardinals
- Florida Gators
- Gonzaga Bulldogs
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Maryland Terrapins
- Virginia Cavaliers
- Memphis Tigers
- Villanova Wildcats
- Arizona Wildcats
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Seton Hall Pirates
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Auburn Tigers
- Oregon Ducks
- Purdue Boilermakers
- LSU Tigers
- Illinois Fighting Illini
- Baylor Bears
- Xavier Musketeers
- Colorado Buffaloes
- Utah State Aggies
- St. Mary’s Gaels
- Washington Huskies
- Marquette Golden Eagles
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Michigan Wolverines
- Davidson Wildcats
- Georgetown Hoyas
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- Florida State Seminoles
- NC State Wolfpack
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- VCU Rams
- Texas Longhorns
- Houston Cougars
- Creighton Bluejays
A lot of really good teams on this list. It’s interesting to see the returning champs Virginia (10) and Texas Tech (14), ranked where they are. They both lost some talent after their championship run, but both still have very viable coaching staffs and systems, so it will be fun to see how they both bounce back this year.
Another team that should be pointed out is the Memphis Tigers at 11. After all of the hype this offseason which includes the No. 1 recruiting class and the No. 1 overall recruit in James Wiseman, you have to wonder why Dickie V put them at 11 and not inside the top 10.
Here’s what he had to say about putting the Wildcats at No. 3:
“John Calipari has Big Blue Nation smiling. Every year, he loses talent to the NBA and reloads. PJ Washington and Tyler Herro are gone, but the Wildcats have lots of talent baby! Newcomers Kahlil Whitney and Tyrese Maxey should have an immediate impact. Ashton Hagans will have a big year in the backcourt and EJ Montgomery should step up his game. Having veterans like Nick Richards back gives the Wildcats depth and leadership.”
I know I’m excited, and I know you are too. Let’s get this thing going!