What in tarnation is going on with these preseason rankings?!

[Runt#1969]

It seems to me that there is some more clarity in how the preseason take should look like :

ACC : dUKe, Louisville
SEC : UK, Fla., Ark.
Big 12 : Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, Kansas
Big East : St. John's, UConn
Big Ten : Purdue, Michigan

where's UNC*** & UCLA ??? (top 25ish?)
where's Indiana ? top 25ish?

and this doesn't take into account that you've got Izzo @ Michgian State, Pearl @ Auburn, Oates @ Bama'. Has Gonzaga and Mark Few disappeared ? I think not on all such counts, but you have to start there at least for a preseason list. Iowa State looks to be in the mix, Tennessee should be as well. Missouri is already underrated. They won't be for long. Baylor and Drew may not make an NCAA tournament with his roster ? Well .... far cry from what many wanted here to coach us..... Illinois should be a top 25 team. Marquette? Creighton ? Wisconsin ?

And what about teams like Kansas State ? Vandy ? NC State ?

well, put it in a blender., baby !

Runt's June preseason Top 25 for college basketball 25-26 season

1. Houston
2. Purdue
3. UK
4. UConn
5. dUKe
6. Michigan
7. Florida
8. St. John's
9. Texas Tech
10. Louisville
11. BYU
12.a. ArKansas
12.b. Kansas
14.a. Auburn
14.b. Alabama
16. Michigan State
17. Oregon
18. Arizona
19. Tennessee
20. Iowa State
21. Missouri
22. UNC***
23. Gonzaga
24. Illinois
25. UCLA

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Folks said the same thing last year. When we were healthy, we were a FF team.

I don't think the season hinges on JQ, tbh. We'll enjoy his rebounding and shot blocking, but F/C is our team strength even without JQ.


Ditto.
-------
As far as crap pre-season rankings, these outlets are putting us so low because it riles us up like a mower going over a yellow jacket nest. They're farming clicks and getting ad revenue off of horrifically bad takes because we reward them for doing so.

UK fans react, click, engage, get their posts more views which leads to opposing fan bases dunking on each other... It's a racket. If I had my druthers and if it was even remotely feasible (it isn't), I'd make it a crime to rage bait and engagement farm. The internet is a sh*thole nowadays.

What's more, these experts are qualifying their horrible rankings by saying we have a ton of new pieces. Pope took one of the most unathletic teams in 2023-24 and made them a top 25 crew. A marginally more athletic team, riddled with injuries, and who had never worked together before last year (in the best conference, btw) was a top 10 team.

We more or less maintained our skill level, improved our defensive presence and rebounding, returned our best player, and substantially improved athleticism. It is inexcusable to have us so low. So yeah, Occam's Razor points to engagement farming.

I wouldn't take it personally. It's gonna happen when livelihoods live and die by creating controversy.

I think a lot of pollsters also view teams snd say do they have a AJ Dybantsa, Cooper Flagg, etc type players or even multiple future NBA players. Sometimes that isn’t the case like a Houston, but even then they played together 4 years and had one or two NBA caliber guys and fringe prospects. I’d say top 10 is fair not knowing how all the new pieces align but either way a very high ceiling and Floor. We probably won’t drop past 20 all year with a chance to be top 5.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

It seems to me that there is some more clarity in how the preseason take should look like :

ACC : dUKe, Louisville
SEC : UK, Fla., Ark.
Big 12 : Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, Kansas
Big East : St. John's, UConn
Big Ten : Purdue, Michigan

where's UNC*** & UCLA ??? (top 25ish?)
where's Indiana ? top 25ish?

and this doesn't take into account that you've got Izzo @ Michgian State, Pearl @ Auburn, Oates @ Bama'. Has Gonzaga and Mark Few disappeared ? I think not on all such counts, but you have to start there at least for a preseason list. Iowa State looks to be in the mix, Tennessee should be as well. Missouri is already underrated. They won't be for long. Baylor and Drew may not make an NCAA tournament with his roster ? Well .... far cry from what many wanted here to coach us..... Illinois should be a top 25 team. Marquette? Creighton ? Wisconsin ?

And what about teams like Kansas State ? Vandy ? NC State ?

well, put it in a blender., baby !

Runt's June preseason Top 25 for college basketball 25-26 season

1. Houston
2. Purdue
3. UK
4. UConn
5. dUKe
6. Michigan
7. Florida
8. St. John's
9. Texas Tech
10. Louisville
11. BYU
12.a. ArKansas
12.b. Kansas
14.a. Auburn
14.b. Alabama
16. Michigan State
17. Oregon
18. Arizona
19. Tennessee
20. Iowa State
21. Missouri
22. UNC***
23. Gonzaga
24. Illinois
25. UCLA

Personally I don’t know if Indiana has enough quality depth to be top 25 but they do have a coach who seems like he’s an actual college coach who had done more with less rosters in the past.

 

[BBUK_anon]

If we had on Duke uniforms it would be the greatest team ever assembled, let them under estimate us to their
hearts content. If Pope can re-create the chemistry on this year's team that they had last season we may be
in for a really fun ride. Several new faces in key roles but more big time experience than last year

I'm sorry, I forgot you were there, you may stay now.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Oweh gives us a potential star player on the wing.

Lowe (underrated) gives us a potential star at PG.

Quaintance (if healthy gives us a potential star inside.

Aberdeen and Dioubate are glue guys with winning (Championship/Final Four) pedigrees.

And then a deep, deep bench of mostly proven D-1 players and elite Freshmen.

How many teams have that kind of potential?

I’d say Purdue and Houston (but they are relying on a couple of Freshmen to be stars). Maybe Florida, though the transition from the Ivy League to the SEC is a big question mark for their PG.

I think we are right there in the mix.

 

[PoBilly]

I dont mind preseason low rankings. That should put a big chip on the shoulders of the players/coaches and such.

They will want to prove everyone wrong, they will want to hopefully squash every teams hope that gets on the same floor.
Will be up to our group to do it.
Plus most media members love to hate Kentucky Wildcats Mens basketball. Let em hate us. Just prove them wrong.

 

[Mad Max]

 

[TortElvisII]

 

[fatguy87]

Lowe (underrated) gives us a potential star at PG.

That's a major cause of the discrepancy between our assessment of the team and the media's.

Much of our success hinges on the development of Lowe. He has to be far more efficient than he has been so far in his career for us to be an elite team. The board will see him as you do while the national media will tend to be more skeptical. We see diamond in the rough who just needs some elbow grease and love to shine. The media might see a player who will be just a tad better than last season.

 

[bucsrule8872]

That's a major cause of the discrepancy between our assessment of the team and the media's.

Much of our success hinges on the development of Lowe. He has to be far more efficient than he has been so far in his career for us to be an elite team. The board will see him as you do while the national media will tend to be more skeptical. We see diamond in the rough who just needs some elbow grease and love to shine. The media might see a player who will be just a tad better than last season.

I trust Pope on this one. Pope is known for running an efficient offense. If Lowe is his guy, then I’m good with Lowe running the show.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

Agree 1,000 percent! I saw Vitale's ranking that had Purdue at number 1 and all I could do was laugh. People laughed at Cal for losing to St. Peters as a 2 seed in the tournament and then Painter did as well as a 3 seed.

 

[Broker]

UK is going to be very strong this year. In fact, had there not been so many injuries last year I’m not so sure they wouldn’t have been in the mix with UF and Auburn to dominate the SEC and make a deep tournament run. I’m not even a UK fan, I’m a Gator, but I feel you all were as good as anyone last year when healthy.

I think we will have a very very good team but the logic of the rankings is other teams have assembled great talent as well. We tend to look at our team and forget that other schools have not been sitting on their ***. Just in the SEC, look at FL, Ark, TN, AUB, and Bama. They all have a tough squad assembled. There are half dozen non SEC schools that will be a force as well. That is why we are ranked where we are. No longer will we recruit head and shoulders above everyone else in the SEC. It is called NIL and revenue sharing and we do not have more money than several schools in the SEC. TX, aTm, Bama, TN, and FL have deep pockets. Remember that Kids seem to care less about the Jersey name but only the $$$$.

 

[Haggin_Hall_1983]

They have hated us for years.

It's good to be hated again. Everyone loves us when we lose 10+ games, and get bounced in the first round.

 

[Trinity45]

And we know this board isn't biased too lol.

I don't pay attention enough to other teams but based on our overall roster we seem like a top 5 level team with a good chance at a final four.

Preseason is meaningless anyways and always has been. Not much else to talk about n June though so I get it.

This board is bias but it is a UK fan site, those who vote are not supposed to be bias but we know how that goes.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

It seems to me that there is some more clarity in how the preseason take should look like :

ACC : dUKe, Louisville
SEC : UK, Fla., Ark.
Big 12 : Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, Kansas
Big East : St. John's, UConn
Big Ten : Purdue, Michigan

where's UNC*** & UCLA ??? (top 25ish?)
where's Indiana ? top 25ish?

and this doesn't take into account that you've got Izzo @ Michgian State, Pearl @ Auburn, Oates @ Bama'. Has Gonzaga and Mark Few disappeared ? I think not on all such counts, but you have to start there at least for a preseason list. Iowa State looks to be in the mix, Tennessee should be as well. Missouri is already underrated. They won't be for long. Baylor and Drew may not make an NCAA tournament with his roster ? Well .... far cry from what many wanted here to coach us..... Illinois should be a top 25 team. Marquette? Creighton ? Wisconsin ?

And what about teams like Kansas State ? Vandy ? NC State ?

well, put it in a blender., baby !

Runt's June preseason Top 25 for college basketball 25-26 season

1. Houston
2. Purdue
3. UK
4. UConn
5. dUKe
6. Michigan
7. Florida
8. St. John's
9. Texas Tech
10. Louisville
11. BYU
12.a. ArKansas
12.b. Kansas
14.a. Auburn
14.b. Alabama
16. Michigan State
17. Oregon
18. Arizona
19. Tennessee
20. Iowa State
21. Missouri
22. UNC***
23. Gonzaga
24. Illinois
25. UCLA

Other than Kansas, not sure what you're seeing there, this is close to how I see the top 25

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

Is Yosemite Sam a fan of little brother? He's sporting a LOT of red on that face...and he always seems so frustrated?

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

The only things most rankings mean is fodder for fans and journalists to ***** about.

That’s why we keep score and that’s all that matters in the end.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Agree 1,000 percent! I saw Vitale's ranking that had Purdue at number 1 and all I could do was laugh. People laughed at Cal for losing to St. Peters as a 2 seed in the tournament and then Painter did as well as a 3 seed.

Vitale’s rankings were the last rankings I saw before making this post. I think he had us at 11 or 12.

 

[BBUK_anon]

Vitale’s rankings were the last rankings I saw before making this post. I think he had us at 11 or 12.

No more Huh?

 

[Digger-Cat]

…… No longer will we recruit head and shoulders above everyone else in the SEC. It is called NIL and revenue sharing and we do not have more money than several schools in the SEC. TX, aTm, Bama, TN, and FL have deep pockets. Remember that Kids seem to care less about the Jersey name but only the $$$$.

UK spent the most money on its roster this year and with regards to other SEC teams, it wasn't close. Are you sure those programs have deeper pockets…. For basketball?

 

[FitchandMurray29]

We’re underrated imo. Personally I think the difference in perception is JQ.

Do you think we have one of the best centers in the country on the team? Or do you think we have a 17 year old that can’t shoot a basketball coming off a torn ACL, so you limit expectations for him?

While I have some hope for BG to take a step, the drop off between those is noticeable to me at least.

 

[deputy assistant]

How many teams have that kind of potential?

I’d say Purdue and Houston (but they are relying on a couple of Freshmen to be stars). Maybe Florida, though the transition from the Ivy League to the SEC is a big question mark for their PG.

I don’t know how UF would be a “maybe”. Defending champs returning Condon, Haugh, Chinyelu, and Handlogten, not to mention adding Boogie Fland. Returning Klavzar, got both Brown brothers annd CJ Ingraham. Agree questions on Xiavian Lee’s transition to Ivy League, though.

But calling the defending champs a maybe seems a bit strange. I don’t think they are the favorites, but certainly should be in any preseason convos about most likely contenders.

 

[WildcatsAndBourbon_rivals395121]

I think we will have a very very good team but the logic of the rankings is other teams have assembled great talent as well. We tend to look at our team and forget that other schools have not been sitting on their ***. Just in the SEC, look at FL, Ark, TN, AUB, and Bama. They all have a tough squad assembled. There are half dozen non SEC schools that will be a force as well. That is why we are ranked where we are. No longer will we recruit head and shoulders above everyone else in the SEC. It is called NIL and revenue sharing and we do not have more money than several schools in the SEC. TX, aTm, Bama, TN, and FL have deep pockets. Remember that Kids seem to care less about the Jersey name but only the $$$$.

Normally I hate all of the lame insult nicknames for other programs. They are the lowest form of insult, like a bully 3rd grader on the playground. That said, Texas AtM is a pretty darn good one.

 

[Broker]

Normally I hate all of the lame insult nicknames for other programs. They are the lowest form of insult, like a bully 3rd grader on the playground. That said, Texas AtM is a pretty darn good one.

The big issue with TX A&M is they have a new style "Bucky Ball" that will be a ***** to deal with when he gets the type of kids that can run his offense. It will be like a football team that runs triple option and kids just don't see it often enough to effectively stop it.

 

[Digger-Cat]

I don’t know how UF would be a “maybe”. Defending champs returning Condon, Haugh, Chinyelu, and Handlogten, not to mention adding Boogie Fland. Returning Klavzar, got both Brown brothers annd CJ Ingraham. Agree questions on Xiavian Lee’s transition to Ivy League, though.

But calling the defending champs a maybe seems a bit strange. I don’t think they are the favorites, but certainly should be in any preseason convos about most likely contenders.

IDK, those 3 Florida guards were special. Clayton was a next level guard and was as clutch as they come.
I don't think Florida replaced whst they lost. That was the best backcourt in the country and Walter Clayton was, IMO, the best guard in the country, heck, probably the best player in the country period,
I don't see any guard on this new roster that can do what WC did.
Keep in mind, WC pulled Florida out of the fire in almost every game of the NCAAT, several teams had them beat, but WC was just too good. Is Lee, or Fland at his level? I don't think so.
College basketball is a guard dominated game, you better have a top backcourt if you want to win big. Having a great front court is awesome, but if your guards are not elite, that front court will be wasted.

 

[bucsrule8872]

IDK, those 3 Florida guards were special. Clayton was a next level guard and was as clutch as they come.
I don't think Florida replaced whst they lost. That was the best backcourt in the country and Walter Clayton was, IMO, the best guard in the country, heck, probably the best player in the country period,
I don't see any guard on this new roster that can do what WC did.
Keep in mind, WC pulled Florida out of the fire in almost every game of the NCAAT, several teams had them beat, but WC was just too good. Is Lee, or Fland at his level? I don't think so.
College basketball is a guard dominated game, you better have a top backcourt if you want to win big. Having a great front court is awesome, but if your guards are not elite, that front court will be wasted.

This.

Perfectly stated.

Lee and Fland will be good, but not amazing like Clayton and Richard were.

They will be more comparable to 23-24 UF than 24-25 UF.

If they make a deep run, Golden bolts for the NBA this time next year. JMO.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Most of these preseason rankings have this UK team ranked between like 11-20! What?! Look, I know we have a bunch of new pieces. However, every player we had last season was new! If not for injuries, that was a top 5 team, and they proved that on the court. No fluke. Only team with no returning production to ever make a S16, AND that was with several injuries to key players!

Idk, I just can’t look at this roster and see them as anything below a legit top 10 team. IMHO, I would have them top 5. Hell, many pundits are asking the question, whether this UK is too talented?! Huh?! Yet, have them ranked outside the top 10. Lmfao these guys, man.

You definitely aren't going to get any disagreement out of me or most of us. I agree with all of what you said what I think really pisses me off is that every year when Cal was here we seemed to be ranked all the time in the top 5 to start the season with unproven freshmen coming in. Now that Pope is actually getting proven college players and proven what he could do last year with an injury filled roster for most of the season breaking a record for most top 15 wins in a season and definitely upgrading the roster 110% this off season. I'm definitely with you I don't get why we are even out of the top 5 let alone the top 10 to start this upcoming season!

 

[Digger-Cat]

This.

Perfectly stated.

Lee and Fland will be good, but not amazing like Clayton and Richard were.

They will be more comparable to 23-24 UF than 24-25 UF.

If they make a deep run, Golden bolts for the NBA this time next year. JMO.

If Florida wins tge SEC and makes another deep run, I will fully buy in on Todd Golden being rated one of the top 2 or 3 coaches. I onow he's great, but those guards made him look better than what I believe he is.
I'm also not a believer in Condon. I think he has potential, but he has weak hands and he made too many losing plays that put Florida in a hole in multiple NCAAT games. He gets stripped and pushed around too easily for my taste.
Now , Chinyelu (sp?), he's a beast. Give me that guy on my squad any day.

 

[bucsrule8872]

If Florida wins tge SEC and makes another deep run, I will fully buy in on Todd Golden being rated one of the top 2 or 3 coaches. I onow he's great, but those guards made him look better than what I believe he is.
I'm also not a believer in Condon. I think he has potential, but he has weak hands and he made too many losing plays that put Florida in a hole in multiple NCAAT games. He gets stripped and pushed around too easily for my taste.
Now , Chinyelu (sp?), he's a beast. Give me that guy on my squad any day.

I like Condon, though I do think he is a bit overhyped. He was just a Sophomore this past season, so he should get better. I expect him to improve and have an outstanding Junior year.

Chinyelu, on the other hand, is underrated.

Their frontcourt is stout for sure, and their backcourt should be pretty good, but it will be a step back from last year’s. It has to be. If Lee and Fland are as good year one as Clayton and Richard, then Golden is the best coach we’ve seen in college in a long, long time. And they could very well cut down the nets.

I just always go back to the pressure of repeating and how many other teams have tried and failed, some of them with just about everyone back. A team with a brand new backcourt, no matter how talented, is not going to be as strong as the previous year. And everyone is going to be up to play them. They won’t sneak up on anyone this season. No one is going to underestimate the defending champs.

They will be good, but I see them being closer to ‘24 good than ‘25 good.

They are top 10 good, Sweet Sixteen to Elite Eight good, but if they are Final Four good, then anoint Golden the next in line for college basketball’s Mt. Rushmore.