ESPN way too early Top 25

[ShockerFever]

nope, still can't find the sCUm.

Love it!

The abyss so beckons that program and fine city. It's gonna be hilarious watching the mass exodus.

[Ricardo del Rio]

From ESPN's Jay Bilas.

The read is extended. WSU is #14.

After another fun, exciting and competitive NCAA tournament, our attention immediately turns to next season -- and predicting that which we annually confirm we cannot accurately predict. Instead of basking in the glow of the most geographically spread out Final Four in history (evidenced by the fact it was the first Final Four named after a general region rather than a city), we instead focus on the next Final Four, and a city in which we can walk from place to place and actually use its name publicly. We will not be in the Central Till Plains region of the United States, but will be allowed by the NCAA to call it "Indianapolis," as long as we don't carry the actual name of the city in an unsanctioned or unsponsored NCAA cup.
While we wait for walk-ons from NIT and CBI teams to decide whether to turn pro, and wait out the recruiting process for every fifth-year senior who may wish to pursue graduate degrees elsewhere (not to mention those that may receive a free tattoo or place this entire multibillion dollar enterprise in mortal jeopardy by playing in a summer league the NCAA has not blessed with its infinite wisdom), The Bilastrator is happy to reveal to you the 15 programs that will vie for the top spots in The Bilas Index next season.
Of course, The Bilas Index is more reliable than any resource ever invented to measure basketball accomplishment. It relies upon all of the best metrics in the game, especially ESPN's Basketball Power Index, but also has access to the greatest evaluator of basketball prowess and capability and achievement: the massive brain of The Bilastrator. If this allows you to place a small wager on the eventual 2014-15 national champion now, well, you're welcome.


1. Duke Blue Devils
With a recruiting class that will rival Kentucky's from this past season, Duke will have a formidable team. If Rodney Hood or Jabari Parker come back, Duke will have the best team, by a fair margin. Of course, there is no earthly way that either Hood or Parker comes back, is there? After all, this is 2014. Still, Duke will have Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee to go along with the likes of incoming freshmen Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones.



2. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers return Frank Kaminsky, Josh Gasser, Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes, Traevon Jackson ... OK, Bo Ryan loses only Ben Brust, which denies him one of the nation's best shooters and cutters. Otherwise, everybody is back and will be better.


3. Kansas Jayhawks
If Andrew Wiggins comes back ... isn't that fun?! Wiggins and Joel Embiid are gone, and Wayne Selden Jr. is probably thinking about it, too. It doesn't matter. The only guy Kansas needs to worry about returning every season is Bill Self. Selden will come back, have a monster season, and Perry Ellis will be one of the best big guys in the Big 12. With freshmen Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre coming in, Kansas will still be very good.


4. Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats were an injury away from making it to North Texas this season, and perhaps cutting the nets down. Gone will be Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson (he is unlikely to improve his NBA draft status with another season and therefore very likely to leave), Sean Miller will have T.J. McConnell, incoming star freshman Stanley Johnson and frontcourt mates Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley. (Although don't be shocked it Tarczewski and Hollis-Jefferson bolt for the NBA, too. That's the world we're living in.)


5. Florida Gators
Billy Donovan loses most of his starting lineup, but that doesn't mean the guys who were playing behind them weren't capable of much more. Dorian Finney-Smith and Michael Frazier II are capable of more, and Eli Carter can come in and put up points right away. Expect Chris Walker to take off for the NBA, too, unless the NCAA catches him playing basketball this summer.


6. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Heels were actually a good story this season, and The Bilastrator was impressed with their fight and resilience through some really tough times. More impressive was how Roy Williams and his staff stuck with them and never threw anyone under the bus. The only question for this team next season will be shooting, as some of its best shooters are taking off. Marcus Paige coming back is the real key, along with some solid pieces around him. Freshmen Theo Pinson and Justin Jackson will be counted upon to provide immediate minutes.


7. Kentucky Wildcats
The Bilastrator is operating under the impression that nobody is coming back and, if you believe Twitter, John Calipari is on the fence. (Of course, if you believe Calipari, he is coming back and he's said as much.) But, there is no question that Cal will have Kentucky stocked with enough talent to compete with anyone. Point guard Tyler Ulis is a four-year player, Karl Towns and Trey Lyles are top shelf big guys. If anyone comes back, Kentucky will be just fine.


8. Villanova Wildcats
Jay Wright had perhaps the most underpublicized team in the country last season, and almost everybody is back for the Wildcats. The Bilastrator does not want Ryan Arcidiacono to leave early, but a name change would be welcomed. Well, Archie-Dee-Oc-Oh-No returns at the point, Darrun Hilliard II will join him in the backcourt and JayVaughn Pinkston and Daniel Ochefu come back up front.



9. Texas Longhorns
Everybody is back, and the Longhorns welcome a very good freshman in Jordan Barnett (and might add another in Myles Turner). Rick Barnes did a tremendous job with a younger team that had been bruised up, and you can expect Texas to take another step forward next season. Isaiah Taylor will be better, and he was pretty good in his first season.



10. SMU Mustangs
Larry Brown did a terrific job with the SMU program to get it to this point, and this is the season the Mustangs get over the top-25 hump and stay there. The key will be the arrival of Emmanuel Mudiay, a McDonald's All American who is the real thing. Mudiay, the No. 5 prospect in ESPN's recruiting rankings, will be featured, and SMU will be very good.



11. Virginia Cavaliers
Tony Bennett has a style of play that is really difficult to deal with, and the Cavaliers will have enough weapons back to challenge for the ACC title again. Losing Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell will be a challenge to overcome, but having Malcolm Brogdon and London Perrantes back is perhaps a bigger deal. In the last month, Perrantes was the equal of, if not better than, Tyler Ennis.



12. Connecticut Huskies
After winning a title, and when the Huskies answered the bell every time they were doubted, it seems odd not to have UConn at No. 1. But, with Shabazz Napier leaving for the NBA with two National Championships under his belt, The Bilastrator sees UConn as just outside the Top 10. Ryan Boatright should return, as should DeAndre Daniels. N.C. State transfer Rodney Purvis will be eligible and give Kevin Ollie an outstanding transition scorer.



13. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Mark Few loses Sam Dower, but keeps the rest of his lineup and adds former Kentucky big man Kyle Wiltjer, who could have a Kelly Olynyk-type of impact. Is Wiltjer as good as Olynyk? Probably not, but nobody thought that Olynyk was as good as Wiltjer until the season started. Keeping Kevin Pangos healthy will be key, as this team will shoot the lights out.


14. Wichita State Shockers
How do you keep this program out of The Bilas Index? The answer is, you don't. The Bilastrator still believes that Wichita State got the shaft from the committee, who put a mis-seeded Kentucky in its path. That mistake was pointed out on Selection Sunday, and was proven to be a mistake. Wichita State had a season to remember and cherish, and it should have been protected from committee error. Cleanthony Early is gone, which is a big loss. But, everybody else is back, and after getting little respect from the committee, the Shockers should really play angry next season. Perhaps a Shabazz Napier-style message from the podium while accepting the trophy? Why not?



15. VCU Rams
The Rams will be really good, and if they can shoot it better, they'll be as good as any team in the country. Depth and athleticism will be this team's calling cards, and the improvement of wild card Mo Alie-Cox, a big man who has arms longer than an airplane and plays with a lot of energy, could be a difference-maker.

[molly jabali]

From ESPN's Jay Bilas.

The read is extended. WSU is #14.

After another fun, exciting and competitive NCAA tournament, our attention immediately turns to next season -- and predicting that which we annually confirm we cannot accurately predict. Instead of basking in the glow of the most geographically spread out Final Four in history (evidenced by the fact it was the first Final Four named after a general region rather than a city), we instead focus on the next Final Four, and a city in which we can walk from place to place and actually use its name publicly. We will not be in the Central Till Plains region of the United States, but will be allowed by the NCAA to call it "Indianapolis," as long as we don't carry the actual name of the city in an unsanctioned or unsponsored NCAA cup.
While we wait for walk-ons from NIT and CBI teams to decide whether to turn pro, and wait out the recruiting process for every fifth-year senior who may wish to pursue graduate degrees elsewhere (not to mention those that may receive a free tattoo or place this entire multibillion dollar enterprise in mortal jeopardy by playing in a summer league the NCAA has not blessed with its infinite wisdom), The Bilastrator is happy to reveal to you the 15 programs that will vie for the top spots in The Bilas Index next season.
Of course, The Bilas Index is more reliable than any resource ever invented to measure basketball accomplishment. It relies upon all of the best metrics in the game, especially ESPN's Basketball Power Index, but also has access to the greatest evaluator of basketball prowess and capability and achievement: the massive brain of The Bilastrator. If this allows you to place a small wager on the eventual 2014-15 national champion now, well, you're welcome.


1. Duke Blue Devils
With a recruiting class that will rival Kentucky's from this past season, Duke will have a formidable team. If Rodney Hood or Jabari Parker come back, Duke will have the best team, by a fair margin. Of course, there is no earthly way that either Hood or Parker comes back, is there? After all, this is 2014. Still, Duke will have Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee to go along with the likes of incoming freshmen Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones.



2. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers return Frank Kaminsky, Josh Gasser, Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes, Traevon Jackson ... OK, Bo Ryan loses only Ben Brust, which denies him one of the nation's best shooters and cutters. Otherwise, everybody is back and will be better.


3. Kansas Jayhawks
If Andrew Wiggins comes back ... isn't that fun?! Wiggins and Joel Embiid are gone, and Wayne Selden Jr. is probably thinking about it, too. It doesn't matter. The only guy Kansas needs to worry about returning every season is Bill Self. Selden will come back, have a monster season, and Perry Ellis will be one of the best big guys in the Big 12. With freshmen Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre coming in, Kansas will still be very good.


4. Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats were an injury away from making it to North Texas this season, and perhaps cutting the nets down. Gone will be Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson (he is unlikely to improve his NBA draft status with another season and therefore very likely to leave), Sean Miller will have T.J. McConnell, incoming star freshman Stanley Johnson and frontcourt mates Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley. (Although don't be shocked it Tarczewski and Hollis-Jefferson bolt for the NBA, too. That's the world we're living in.)


5. Florida Gators
Billy Donovan loses most of his starting lineup, but that doesn't mean the guys who were playing behind them weren't capable of much more. Dorian Finney-Smith and Michael Frazier II are capable of more, and Eli Carter can come in and put up points right away. Expect Chris Walker to take off for the NBA, too, unless the NCAA catches him playing basketball this summer.


6. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Heels were actually a good story this season, and The Bilastrator was impressed with their fight and resilience through some really tough times. More impressive was how Roy Williams and his staff stuck with them and never threw anyone under the bus. The only question for this team next season will be shooting, as some of its best shooters are taking off. Marcus Paige coming back is the real key, along with some solid pieces around him. Freshmen Theo Pinson and Justin Jackson will be counted upon to provide immediate minutes.


7. Kentucky Wildcats
The Bilastrator is operating under the impression that nobody is coming back and, if you believe Twitter, John Calipari is on the fence. (Of course, if you believe Calipari, he is coming back and he's said as much.) But, there is no question that Cal will have Kentucky stocked with enough talent to compete with anyone. Point guard Tyler Ulis is a four-year player, Karl Towns and Trey Lyles are top shelf big guys. If anyone comes back, Kentucky will be just fine.


8. Villanova Wildcats
Jay Wright had perhaps the most underpublicized team in the country last season, and almost everybody is back for the Wildcats. The Bilastrator does not want Ryan Arcidiacono to leave early, but a name change would be welcomed. Well, Archie-Dee-Oc-Oh-No returns at the point, Darrun Hilliard II will join him in the backcourt and JayVaughn Pinkston and Daniel Ochefu come back up front.



9. Texas Longhorns
Everybody is back, and the Longhorns welcome a very good freshman in Jordan Barnett (and might add another in Myles Turner). Rick Barnes did a tremendous job with a younger team that had been bruised up, and you can expect Texas to take another step forward next season. Isaiah Taylor will be better, and he was pretty good in his first season.



10. SMU Mustangs
Larry Brown did a terrific job with the SMU program to get it to this point, and this is the season the Mustangs get over the top-25 hump and stay there. The key will be the arrival of Emmanuel Mudiay, a McDonald's All American who is the real thing. Mudiay, the No. 5 prospect in ESPN's recruiting rankings, will be featured, and SMU will be very good.



11. Virginia Cavaliers
Tony Bennett has a style of play that is really difficult to deal with, and the Cavaliers will have enough weapons back to challenge for the ACC title again. Losing Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell will be a challenge to overcome, but having Malcolm Brogdon and London Perrantes back is perhaps a bigger deal. In the last month, Perrantes was the equal of, if not better than, Tyler Ennis.



12. Connecticut Huskies
After winning a title, and when the Huskies answered the bell every time they were doubted, it seems odd not to have UConn at No. 1. But, with Shabazz Napier leaving for the NBA with two National Championships under his belt, The Bilastrator sees UConn as just outside the Top 10. Ryan Boatright should return, as should DeAndre Daniels. N.C. State transfer Rodney Purvis will be eligible and give Kevin Ollie an outstanding transition scorer.



13. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Mark Few loses Sam Dower, but keeps the rest of his lineup and adds former Kentucky big man Kyle Wiltjer, who could have a Kelly Olynyk-type of impact. Is Wiltjer as good as Olynyk? Probably not, but nobody thought that Olynyk was as good as Wiltjer until the season started. Keeping Kevin Pangos healthy will be key, as this team will shoot the lights out.


14. Wichita State Shockers
How do you keep this program out of The Bilas Index? The answer is, you don't. The Bilastrator still believes that Wichita State got the shaft from the committee, who put a mis-seeded Kentucky in its path. That mistake was pointed out on Selection Sunday, and was proven to be a mistake. Wichita State had a season to remember and cherish, and it should have been protected from committee error. Cleanthony Early is gone, which is a big loss. But, everybody else is back, and after getting little respect from the committee, the Shockers should really play angry next season. Perhaps a Shabazz Napier-style message from the podium while accepting the trophy? Why not?



15. VCU Rams
The Rams will be really good, and if they can shoot it better, they'll be as good as any team in the country. Depth and athleticism will be this team's calling cards, and the improvement of wild card Mo Alie-Cox, a big man who has arms longer than an airplane and plays with a lot of energy, could be a difference-maker.

I'll just say it...I love Bilas!

[Mr. Pickle]

More than just ESPN, I found a list off a Mountain West site that has quite a few early top 25s. Some are more legit than others, but we seem to pretty much be a consensus top 15 team entering next year. Pretty darn cool.

http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/4/9/5597560/early-look-at-2014-15-college-basketball-rankings

[Slam21]

Willie Cauley-Stein and Marcus Lee turned down NBA jump. That moves UK into the top 5. If Poy and twins stay at UK the roster will be unreal.

I really hope a home and home is set up between UK and the Shocks.

[wsushox1]

Willie Cauley-Stein and Marcus Lee turned down NBA jump. That moves UK into the top 5. If Poy and twins stay at UK the roster will be unreal.

I really hope a home and home is set up between UK and the Shocks.

WCS did not make a good decision. KAT and ML will be hard to keep on the bench.

[BostonWu]

Willie Cauley-Stein and Marcus Lee turned down NBA jump. That moves UK into the top 5. If Poy and twins stay at UK the roster will be unreal.

I really hope a home and home is set up between UK and the Shocks.

Don't hold your breath.

[WstateU]

I really hope a home and home is set up between UK and the Shocks.

[Dan]

WCS did not make a good decision. KAT and ML will be hard to keep on the bench.

WCS does not want to take the pay cut from UK to the D League.

[Cdizzle]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20140501/power-rankings-kentucky-duke-wisconsin-arizona-kansas/?eref=sihp

Luke Winn has Shox at #7

[Cdizzle]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11214190/smu-mustangs-prospect-emmanuel-mudiay-headed-overseas

I can't help but read headlines like these as "WSU Moves Up 1 Spot in Latest Preseason Poll" Good times.

Also, turns out you still shouldn't beat out KU and UK for a recruit, as you'll have the NCAA on your doorstep.

[DUShock]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...eaded-overseas...Also, turns out you still shouldn't beat out KU and UK for a recruit, as you'll have the NCAA on your doorstep.

Some things never change.

[im4wsu]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...eaded-overseas

I can't help but read headlines like these as "WSU Moves Up 1 Spot in Latest Preseason Poll" Good times.

Also, turns out you still shouldn't beat out KU and UK for a recruit, as you'll have the NCAA on your doorstep.

I'm lost. Where is this headline?

[WSUwatcher]

I know the ESPN list shown in this thread had SMU ahead of WSU in its grossly premature 2014-15 top 25, but both SI's Luke Winn and the Sporting News had WSU in their top 10s with SMU down a few more spots.

So I'm guessing that SMU would actually not have been ahead of the Shocks when the "real" pre-season polls finally came out anyway (although this obviously clinches it). As a result, I don't think this news really moved the Shocks up, although it WAS seriously bad for SMU -- but looking at any of these rankings is pretty cool regardless. The Shocks are keeping fast company (at least in terms of name brands) these days, and if they weren't already a name brand themselves after last season, they should be one by next fall.

[shock]

I'm lost. Where is this headline?

It's not. He implied that WSU is so good that any slipping from any other program means WSU moves up in the polls.