Andy Katz (ESPN) Top 25 for 2007-08

[Da Coach]

Andy Katz of ESPN has his 2nd poll for 2007-2008, this one after the deadline for declaring for the NBA draft. He picks Memphis #1, then UNC #2, Kansas #3, Georgetown #4, then at #5-Washington State!

A couple other relevant teams--
He has Michigan State at #10.
Gonzaga at #11, one of ony 3 midmajors in the poll (see SIU and Davidson below)
Duke at #19, the lowest preseason slot they have been picked in a few years.
SIU at #23, the only MVC to get any mention.
Mississippi State (beat Bradley in NIT) at #22.
And Davidson at #25!

Of the 18 teams "missing the cut", only 2 are midmajors, VCU and Butler.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2853904

[tornado]

Here's another early preseason Top 25, but it has been adjusted for players who are leaving early to the NBA.

Therefore, Florida has dropped from #1 to #25...

Note the total absence of midmajors in the Top 25, but they do give Butler and Gonzaga a little note in the "also receiving votes".


Rivals.com Preseason Top 25


North Carolina takes over the top spot in a unanimous vote. Three teams enter the top 25 that weren't there the last time. Here is the second installment of the Rivals.com 2007-08 Preseason Basketball Top 25:


Rivals.com 2007-2008 preseason poll
1. NORTH CAROLINA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 3
The Tar Heels lose Brandan Wright but return Tyler Hansbrough (18.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), Ty Lawson (10.2 ppg, 5.6 apg) and Wayne Ellington (11.7 ppg). All three considered making the leap to the NBA to varying degrees, but all three made the correct decision to return to Chapel Hill. Wright obviously will be missed, probably more on the defensive end where he ranked sixth in the ACC in blocks.

2. MEMPHIS ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 8
Ten of the top 11 scorers return for John Calipari's Tigers, including leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts (15.4 ppg) and frontcourt beast Joey Dorsey (8.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg). The lone loss is a key one - senior Jeremy Hunt was Memphis' second-leading scorer and leader in 3-pointers. But the Tigers' recruiting class - led by five-star point guard Derrick Rose - is ranked No. 11 in the country by Rivals.com. The Tigers are ready to roar.

3. UCLA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 4
Junior guard Arron Afflalo has departed for the NBA and will not return. He was the Bruins' leading scorer (16.9 ppg), a top-notch defender and an on-court leader. Ben Howland did hang on to point guard Darren Collison (12.7 ppg, 5.7 apg) and forwards Josh Shipp (13.3 ppg) and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (8.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg). UCLA also welcomes Rivals.com's 14th-ranked recruiting class, led by five-star center Kevin Love.

4. LOUISVILLE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 9
The top seven scorers return for Rick Pitino's Cardinals from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Forward Terrence Williams, a rising junior, showed the kind of all-court game (12.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.8 apg) about which coaches dream. Put him with guard Edgar Sosa (11.4 ppg) and center David Padgett (9.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and you've got the makings of a Final Four team.

5. TENNESSEE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 11
The Vols had one senior last season, starter Dane Bradshaw. He led UT in assists, but truthfully Bruce Pearl's team should have little trouble compensating for the loss. Associated Press SEC Player of the Year Chris Lofton (20.89 ppg) considered the NBA but will be back for his senior season. Other key returnees include Jajuan Smith (15.2 ppg), Ramar Smith (10.7 ppg) and Wayne Chism (9.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

6. KANSAS ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 6
The good news for Bill Self is that last year's roster didn't include a senior. The bad news is not everyone is returning. Leading scorer Brandon Rush (13.8 ppg) and leading rebounder Julian Wright (7.8 rpg) have entered the draft. Still, there is plenty of talent in Lawrence. The Jayhawks will have second-leading scorer Mario Chalmers (12.2 ppg), big man Darrell Arthur (9.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Sherron Collins (9.3 ppg) to lean on next season.

7. INDIANA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 14
The Hoosiers climb the ranks in our poll on the strength of the return of D.J. White and a recruiting class that Rivals.com ranks ninth nationally. White (13.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg) mulled leaving for the NBA but made the right call to return. The gem of the recruiting class is five-star shooting guard Eric Gordon, the No. 2 overall prospect in the country. He'll pick up much of the scoring slack left by senior guards Rod Wilmont and Earl Calloway.

8. MICHIGAN STATE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 12
Tom Izzo's young Spartans took a few punches last season without a senior on the roster. They figure to be delivering the punches in 2007-08 behind guard Drew Neitzel (18.1 ppg, 4.3 apg) and forward Raymar Morgan (11.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg). Michigan State also looks forward to the addition of a recruiting class ranked 10th nationally by Rivals.com that includes a trio of four-star prospects.

9. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 10
It's not often a team can lose its top three scorers and still check into a preseason poll in the top 10. It speaks volumes for what Tim Floyd is doing at USC. Underclassmen Nick Young (17.5 ppg) and Gabe Pruitt (12.5 ppg, 4.3 apg) have entered the draft, and Lodrick Stewart (13.8 ppg) finished his eligibility. But the Trojans will look to big man Taj Gibson (12.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Rivals.com's No. 2 recruiting class, led by O.J. Mayo.

10. KANSAS STATE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 16
The biggest departure from the Wildcats program wasn't leading scorer Cartier Martin (17.1 ppg), it was coach Bob Huggins. But K-State managed to keep the rest of the staff intact by promoting Frank Martin to head coach and hanging on to assistant Dalonte Hill. That satisfied former five-star prospect Bill Walker, who mulled a transfer. The Wildcats also maintained their No. 1-ranked recruiting class, which is headed by Michael Beasley - Rivals.com's top-ranked prospect in the nation.

11. ARIZONA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 18
Another big mover in our second poll, Lute Olson's Wildcats rise on the strength of the return of forward Chase Budinger (15.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and the arrival of a recruiting class ranked fourth nationally by Rivals.com. The incoming group includes a pair of five-star prospects - shooting guard Jerryd Bayless and small forward Jamelle Horne. The Wildcats lose leading scorer Marcus Williams (16.6 ppg) early to the NBA.

12. STANFORD ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 20
Nine of the top 10 scorers return for the Cardinal, which snuck into the NCAA Tournament a year ago. There will be no sneaking this time around with Lawrence Hill (15.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Anthony Goods (12.8 ppg) and the 7-foot Lopez twins leading the way. Brook Lopez posted 12.6 points and 6.0 rebounds, and Robin Lopez contributed 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and a Pac-10 leading 2.3 blocked shots per game.

13. WASHINGTON STATE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: NR
The Cougars under Rivals.com 2007 National Coach of the Year Tony Bennett narrowly missed out on our first poll, but come scratching and clawing their way in this time. Everyone returns save for senior Ivory Clark (8.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg). Among those returning are guards Derrick Low (13.7 ppg) and Kyle Weaver (11.2 ppg). WSU led the Pac-10 in scoring defense and figures to smother opponents again next season.

14. DUKE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 23
The Blue Devils were dumped unceremoniously in the first round of the NCAA Tournament but look to bounce back behind leading scorer DeMarcus Nelson (14.1 ppg), Greg Paulus (11.8 ppg) and Jon Scheyer (12.2 ppg). Duke will miss Josh McRoberts (13.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg), who departed for the NBA after just two years. But Mike Krzyzewski has inked a class Rivals.com ranks No. 8. The headliner of the group is five-star prospect Kyle Singler.

15. CONNECTICUT ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 25
You just don't expect to see a Jim Calhoun team roughed up like the Huskies were last season, finishing 12th in the Big Ten. The good news is everyone returns, including 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet - who considered entering the NBA Draft after a freshman season in which he finished third nationally in blocked shots (3.8 per game). Jeff Adrien (13.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and Jerome Dyson (13.8 ppg) are the leaders.

16. NORTH CAROLINA STATE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 19
Former four-star prospect Brandon Costner led the Wolfpack in scoring (16.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg) and was the only redshirt to make any of the three Rivals.com Freshman All-America teams. N.C. State had five players average in double figures last season and four return, including Costner and fellow big man Ben McCauley (14.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg). Sidney Lowe also inked Rivals.com's No. 19 recruiting class.

17. SYRACUSE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 21
The departing senior class made a major contribution for the Orange last season and will be missed. Perhaps the scoring slack from Demetris Nichols (18.9 ppg) can be made up, but the rebounding of Terrence Roberts (8.1 rpg) and Darryl Watkins (7.5 rpg) will be tough to replace. Jim Boeheim will look to Eric Devendorf (14.8 ppg), Paul Harris (8.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and the nation's third-ranked recruiting class.

18. TEXAS ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 7
You can't fault Kevin Durant for heading to the riches of the NBA after one season. He was brilliant in his short time in Austin. But don't fret for the Longhorns because Durant's classmates D.J. Augustin (14.4 ppg, 6.7 apg), Justin Mason (7.6 ppg) and Damion James (7.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg) will be that much better as sophomores. Throw in A.J. Abrams (15.5 ppg), and you can forget about any huge drop-off.

19. GEORGETOWN ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 5
The Hoyas will have to scratch their heads and dream about what could have been if center Roy Hibbert and forward Jeff Green had stayed in school. Instead, it will be up to sharpshooter Jonathan Wallace (11.4 ppg, 49 percent from 3-point range), DaJaun Summers (9.2 ppg) and Jessie Sapp (9.1 ppg) to rally the troops. Georgetown can look to its No. 23 recruiting class to pick up some of the scoring slack.

20. OREGON ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: NR
The key loss is guard Aaron Brooks, and that's a big hole to fill. Brooks led the Ducks in scoring (17.7 ppg) and assists (4.3 apg). Ernie Kent's team had five players average in double figures last season, though, and the other four return. Malik Hairston (11.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Bryce Taylor (14.1 ppg) at least had thoughts of leaving, but both elected to return. Freshman dynamo Tajuan Porter (14.6 ppg) will be a focus for opposing teams.

21. PITTSBURGH ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: NR
One thing is for certain: The Panthers will field their smallest team in four years with the departures of seniors Aaron Gray (7-0) and Levon Kendall (6-10). Jamie Dixon's recruiting class does have a pair of 6-10 centers, but both are three-star prospects who don't project to have an immediate impact. The keys to next season are guards Mike Cook (10.5 ppg), Levance Fields (9.2 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Ronald Ramon (8.8 ppg).

22. ALABAMA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 24
The success or failure of the Tide hinges on the same thing it did last season: the health of Ronald Steele. The point guard had surgery on both knees in early April. As a sophomore he averaged 14.3 ppg, 4.3 apg and 3.7 rpg. Hobbled last season, he dipped to 8.6 ppg, 4.0 apg and 1.7 rpg. If he's up and running, he'll team with Richard Hendrix (14.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Alonzo Gee (12.6 ppg) and Mykal Riley (12.6 ppg) to make the Tide roll again.

23. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: NR
Is the glass half full or half empty? The Salukis lose leading scorer Jamaal Tatum (15.2 ppg) and backcourt mate Tony Young (9.9 ppg), but they return frontcourters Randal Falker (12.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Matt Shaw (11.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg). Guard Bryan Mullins, the other starter and the leading assist man (3.5 apg), will have to deliver a big season. The good news is SIU hung onto coach Chris Lowery, which can't be underestimated.

24. OHIO STATE ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 2
Thad Matta knew he wouldn't have Greg Oden on campus for more than a season, but he probably didn't figure on losing Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook, too. Suddenly the Thad Five is the Sad Two, with junior college transfer Othello Hunter (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and rising sophomore David Lighty (3.7 ppg) left behind. Jamar Butler (8.5 ppg) is the leading returning scorer, but Matta has inked another terrific class (ranked sixth by Rivals).

25. FLORIDA ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: 1
You'll need a program to recognize the Gators. Gone are the familiar faces that propelled UF to consecutive national championships. The leading returning scorers are guard Walter Hodge (5.7 ppg) and Marreese Speights (4.1 ppg). Billy Donovan welcomes a bevy of fresh faces that Rivals ranks at the No. 5 recruiting class. The group is led by five-star guard Nick Calathes and four-star forward Chandler Parsons, a pair of high school teammates.

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Arkansas, Butler, Gonzaga, Marquette, Mississippi State, Villanova, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

RANKED IN FIRST POLL BUT DROPPED OUT
Georgia Tech (13), Marquette (15), Mississippi State (17), Washington (22)

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=rivals-122726&prov=rivals&type=lgns

[MacabreMob]

Note the total absence of midmajors in the Top 25...


23. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ???ぎ??? Rank in first poll: NR
Is the glass half full or half empty? The Salukis lose leading scorer Jamaal Tatum (15.2 ppg) and backcourt mate Tony Young (9.9 ppg), but they return frontcourters Randal Falker (12.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Matt Shaw (11.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg). Guard Bryan Mullins, the other starter and the leading assist man (3.5 apg), will have to deliver a big season. The good news is SIU hung onto coach Chris Lowery, which can't be underestimated.