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| Reclass 5 Star Freshman Elliot Cadeau aims to breathe life into the new look Heels this season. |
A day late, but certainly not a dollar short. Here, we try (again) our hand at sustained rankings throughout the season, assuming this one doesn't go as off the rails as last year did.
This is an in depth look at preseason expectations by Will, which will be updated this season weekly as a poll with weekly observations. Graham will jump in for his thoughts as well throughout.
Hopefully we'll find time to get to a podcast and an article or two, but we're 40 years old with a combined 6 kids and 3 dogs now...so this just isn't as easy as it used to be.
Without further adieu...
Jump Around’s Preseason Top 25
1. Kansas
2. Tennessee
3. Arkansas
4. UConn
5. Purdue
6. Duke
7. Creighton
8. Marquette
9. Carolina
10. Gonzaga
11. Michigan State
12. Baylor
13. Arizona
14. Texas A&M
15. Houston
16. Wisconsin
17. Miami
18. Alabama
19. Texas
20. San Diego State
21. Clemson
22. Maryland
23. Illinois
24. USC
25. Drake
Just Out
Memphis, Kentucky, Villanova, College of Charleston, Colorado, Kansas St.
Not In The Discussion, Yet
SDSU, St. John’s, UVA, Auburn, TCU, UCLA
Preseason Thoughts
If recent history tells us anything, it's that nothing is what it seems in college basketball. On paper there are 8-12 teams poised to make a run at the Natty this year, and when it's all said and done one or possibly two teams that were not mentioned at all will be in the Final Four. This is simply the new normal in the transfer portal era, and it would be unwise to bet against surprises. Let's not forget, last year featured a 2 seed, a 5 seed, and two 9 seeds in the Final Four.
There are some teams that are seemingly loaded but it's too early to call. Kansas and Duke are no strangers to the top of the polls, and both teams return important talent. They also have new faces, Kansas by way of transfer and freshman, Duke by way of freshman. But both of these teams were first round exits last season and anointing them king by name alone would likely be a mistake. They could be there in the end, but look no further than last year's Carolina team to know that a high ranking and returning starters could be a recipe for disaster.
It can also be a recipe for tremendous success, so I think it's a safe bet to pick one of them to land in Phoenix in April, 2024.
Then there's the bounce back grouping led by a resurging Carolina, along with Tennessee, Baylor, Alabama, Kentucky, and Purdue, looking to find their way back into the conversation off of let downs a season ago. Jump Around has not one, but two of these teams showing up in April.
And there are those looking to get over the hump and win it all like Gonzaga, Arkansas, Miami, Houston, and Creighton who have been close with no cigar to light under the "champion" marquee.
It's a new season and anything goes. Week to week, let's enjoy the ride and jump around. And with that, we'll leave you with the fool's errand of making preseason Final Four picks:
Graham:
Arkansas | Carolina | Kansas | Baylor
Will:
Arkansas | Carolina | Kansas | Miami
Jump Around, ya'll.
