2010: EarlyTop 50 Ranking

    
April 10th, 2009 by Shawn Siegel
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I had more fun putting together this list than most. Unlike this year when UNC was a clear favorite before the season and before the tournament, next year certainly looks much more interesting. A host of talented freshmen should be a major boon to the overall quality talent of the top teams, and there's more than enough solid players returning. Outside of Blake Griffin and the UNC guys, there's no one who the average college basketball fan will particularly miss next year.

 

It goes without saying that a lot can change in coming weeks as final Draft decisions are made and the final recruits get hired by their respective programs. As I allude to, adding Xavier Henry could put Kansas over the top.. then again John Wall could shake things up as well.

 

Definitely post your thoughts on places where you agree or differ.. there's certainly many debates to be had.

 

2009-10 Super-Early Top 50 Ranking: April 10th

by Shawn Siegel: Collegehoops.net Editor

 

  Team 08-09
1

Duke

w/o Henderson, Wlliams & Smith need to step up big time

 9
2

Kansas

popular #1 pick could use a money shooting guard..

 10
3

Villanova

lose Cunningham, but loaded in the backcourt

 8
4

UNC

superior frontcourt talent, but do they have the guards?

 1
5

Michigan State

young forwards like Roe & Green need to step up

 3
6

Purdue

improving every year, serious Final Four threat

 16
7

Clemson

lose KC Rivers, but still athletic, deep, and improving

 20
8

Tennessee

had disappointing season, but will be underrated

 41
9

West Virginia

with a healthy set of guards, Huggins team will be solid

 27
10

Butler

formidable trio of Howard, Hayward, and Mack

 22
11

Michigan

perhaps Manny Harris i Big Ten's 2010 POY

 37
12

Illinois

Weber did an amazing job this year, solid recruits coming in

 23
13

Gonzaga

Bouldin has taken next step. Need Daye to do same

 12
14

Texas

have a 15-10 guy in Pittman. Avery Bradley is no joke.

 26
15

Washington

have the guards and wings, but who can replace Brockman?

 17
16

California

assuming Christopher returns, Bears have core back

47
17

Xavier

will PG issues ever be resolved?

 14
18

Ohio State

have one of the game's biggest talents in Evan Turner

 34
19

Dayton

same core back. Chris Wright should be even better

 25
20

Kentucky

depends on if Meeks/Patterson return. Cousins is bonus

 NA
21

Syracuse

all depends on Jonny Flynn's final decision

 13
22

Georgetown

loss of Summers no biggie. Monroe, Wright, Freeman return.

 NA
23

Minnesota

in Tubby I trust.. everyone relevant returns

 45
24

Florida

if Calathes returns, will join Boynton in superb backcourt

 48
25

Wake Forest

wouldn't give up on Teague returning just yet

 15
26

Mississippi St

team on rise with likes of Varnado, Stewart, Bost

 NA
27

Ole Miss

return of Chris Warren is huge

 NA
28

Texas A&M

Bryan Davis improves every month. Sloan is no slouch.

 33
29

Connecticut

lose Adrien, Price, Thabeet.. but its still UCONN

 2
30

Kansas St

coming off solid season. Wally Judge is top recruit

 NA
31

Memphis

will obviously take step back, but still best of CUSA

 7
32

UCLA

lose 3 senior contributors, but still a lot of emerging talent

 18
33

Siena

Hasbrouck is major loss, but still many of the same pieces

 28
34

Louisville

hard to overcome loss of Williams & Clark

 6
35

Maryland

only senior loss is Neal, so can't forget about Gary's guys

 NA
36

Oklahoma State

lose Eaton & Harris. But loading up on solid players

 32
37

BYU

outside of Cummard, everyone important is back

 36
38

Wisconsin

there's no reason to ever discount a Bo Ryan squad

 30
39

Florida State

Douglas is huge loss, but Snaer joins talented youngsters

 29
40

Georgia Tech

top notch recruiting class, plus Shumpert is back

 11
41

Oklahoma

deep recruiting class joins backourt of Warren, Crocker

 5
42

Penn State

couple losses, but Talor Battle gives them a chance

 39
43

Boston College

play of PG Biko Paris will be the key question

 43
44

Davidson

if Curry returns, they'll be dangerous once again

 NA
45

Tulsa

if Jerome Jordan returns, forms solid combo with Uzoh

 4
46

Pittsburgh

success depends on how good freshman are

 4
47

USC

luckily have talent coming in to help offset losses

 42
48

Creighton

Woodfox is the big loss. But always a contender

 49
49

Nevada

look out for Luke Babbitt & Armon Johnson next year

 NA
50

Missouri

losses of Carroll, Lyons, Lawrence tough to overcome

 11

  

Dropping Out

 
19

LSU

 19
24

Arizona State

 24
31

Utah

 31
35

Utah State

 35
38

Arizona

 38
40

Saint Mary's

 40
44

San Diego St

 44
46

Western Kentucky

 46
50

Temple

 50

Pre = Preseason CHN Top 144 Ranking

Week = Last Week in Top 50

* = losses this week

 

Don't forget to check out the CHN Top 50 Power Ranking every Sunday night! Check out past week's rankings and this week's AP Top 25.

 

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