2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview

Yes, we know that the season has already started. But seeing as 339 of the 347 DI teams are still in pre-season mode, we don't feel bad.

Here is our complete 2009-2010 season preview.

TEAM PREVIEWS

BIAH Pre-season Top 25

• No. 1 Kansas
  
• No. 2 Kentucky
  
• No. 3 Texas
  
• No. 4 Michigan State
  
• No. 5 Villanova
  
• No. 6 Purdue
  
• No. 7 UNC
  
• No. 8 Butler
  
• No. 9 West Virginia
  
• No. 10 Washington
  
• No. 11 Duke
  
• No. 12 Tennessee
  
• No. 13 Clemson
  
• No. 14 Dayton
  
• No. 15 Oklahoma
  
• No. 16 Ohio State
  
• No. 17 UConn
  
• No. 18 California
  
• No. 19 Michigan
  
• No. 20 Minnesota
  
• No. 21 Louisville
  
• No. 22 Oklahoma State
  
• No. 23 Georgia Tech
  
• No. 24 Illinois
  
• No. 25 Tulsa
  

BEST OF THE REST

• Cincinnati
• Florida
  
• Florida State
• Georgetown
  
• Gonzaga
• Maryland
  
• Memphis
• Mississippi State
• Northern Iowa
  
• Ole Miss
  
• Siena
• South Carolina
• Syracuse
• UCLA
  
• Vanderbilt
• Wake Forest
  
• Washington State
  
• Xavier
  

All-Name Team
Best Dunkers
Breakout players
Freshman
Overlooked Stars
Top 50 Non-Conference Games

Point Guards
Shooting Guards
Small Forwards
Power Forwards
Centers

Top 10 Moments for '08-'09

• 10.
• 9.
• 8.
• 7.
• 6.
• 5.
• 4.
• 3.
• 2.
• 1.
  

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No. 1: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Kansas Jayhawks

2008-2009 Record: 27-8, 14-2 Big XII (1st)

Key Losses: None

Key Returners: Sherron Collins (18.9 ppg, 5.0 apg), Cole Aldrich (14.9 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.7 bpg), Tyshawn Taylor 9.7 ppg, 3.0 apg)

Newcomers: Xavier Henry, Jeff Withey, CJ Henry, Thomas Robinson, Elijah Johnson

Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich both may be first team all americans this year.
(photo credit: UMHoops)

Just one year removed from winning a national title and losing his top six players, Bill Self has completely retooled his roster. The Jayhawks are absolutely loaded this season. How loaded? Just take a look at the 12th, 13th, and 14th men on their roster. Travis Releford, a sophomore, was a top 75 recruit out of Kansas, picking the Jayhawks over the likes of Texas, UConn, and North Carolina. Jeff Withey, a redshirt freshman who will be eligible at the end of the 2009 semester after transferring from Arizona, was a top 50 recruit in 2008. CJ Henry was one of the best prospects of the 2005 class before choosing to play baseball in the Yankees organization. Those three guys would start for a number of Big XII schools, and may not even sniff the court for Kansas this year.

The biggest reason for the Jayhawks being the consensus number one team in the country is the inside-outside combination of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. Aldrich may be the most dominating presence in the paint this season. At 6'11" with the wingspan of a pterodactyl, he can control the glass and is one of the nation's best shotblockers. Offensively, he didn't show great back to the basket moves, but his jumper (despite being hideous looking) is soft and he is a good finisher at the rim. If he put in the work during the off-season, expect Aldrich to be improved on the block this year. Everyone should know about Collins. Built like a bowling ball, Collins can shoot it, he can drive to score or to pass, and he is a proven clutch performer that isn't afraid to take (and make) a big shot. Collins is a natural leader, which is perfect for a team that is still relatively young. With the amount of talent on this roster, expect Collins' scoring numbers to dip a bit this year as he spreads the ball around more.

The likely starters on the perimeter will be sophomore Tyshawn Taylor and freshman Xavier Henry. Taylor is an excellent role player to stick in the off-guard spot. He has the talent to be a 15 ppg guy, but he is used to filling a role on a loaded roster (his high school team at St. Patrick's had seven D1 players on it). He has the handle and the play-making ability to play a little bit of point guard this year, but where his biggest contribution will be is on the defensive end. His long arms and quick feet will make him a night mare for opposing two guards. Henry might be the missing piece for Self. With a dynamic point guard, size inside, and role players and shooters on the perimeter last year, the one thing this Jayhawk team was missing was a big time scoring talent on the wing. Henry, a strong, 6'6" two-guard, is exactly that. The only concern that Self will have with Henry is his attitude - will he understand that he is not "the man" on this Jayhawk team and defer to Collins and Aldrich?

The rest of the Kansas back court is talented as well. Tyrell Reed, who was the 2008 Kansas high school player of the year, is a shooter first and foremost. A coaches son, he is a smart kid that understands the game and can play a little point if necessary, but where he will be utilized by Self is as a spot-shooter on the perimeter that will help spread the floor. Mario Little is a JuCo transfer that struggled to get time on the court last season. When he did, he produced, averaging 4.7 ppg and 3.2 rpg in just 12 mpg. He is an athletic slasher that is at his best in the open floor. Brady Morningstar is a former walk-on who earned his starting spot last season. A pesky defender and excellent shooter, Morningstar may have cost himself this season with his DUI back in September. He will not return from suspension until the end of the first semester, and by then Self will likely have his rotation figured out.

Of this group, Elijah Johnson probably has the most upside. Similar to a guy like Collins, Johnson is a solidly built, 6'2" point guard. He's explosive, he can get to the rim, he can shoot it from deep, and he makes the game look effortless. His issue is that he has a rep for being lazy, for coasting during games. If Self, or maybe even Collins, can light a fire in this kid, he should be a more than adequate back-up for Collins and may end up being a first round pick down the road.

The most improved players this season may end up being the Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus. Last season, the two showed flashes of potential, but they weren't big or strong enough to handle the rigors of the Big XII. But over the summer, the twins spent quite a bit of time in the weight room, adding strength, mass, and improving their athleticism in the process. Marcus is a bit more developed on the offensive end while Markieff is a better defender at this point in his career. Regardless, expect a big season out of these two as they will provide energy and athleticism for Self, both on the defensive end and on the glass.

The other guy expected to see time in the front court rotation is Thomas Robinson. At 6'9", Robinson is a fantastic athlete that can get out and fill a lane on the break. He isn't the strongest player inside right now, but he can finish above the rim and has shown a decent offensive game around the rim. Similar to Marcus Morris, Robinson can also step out and play the high post. He has a solid 15 foot jumper, and his passing and ball-handling ability will make him a difficult match-up for any opposing post.

Outlook: Kansas had a bit of a tumultuous off-season, as the basketball team's multiple skirmishes with the Jayhawk football team made national headlines. But as much of an issue and as big of an embarrassment as it was for Bill Self, some took it as a good sign. This wasn't one guy on an island fighting 60-some football players. This was the whole team having the back of a couple players with an issue. While there were certainly better ways to solve the issue than to take it to fists, Self has to be happy that he has a team that is close-knit enough that they didn't hesitate to have each other's back. I don't think that it will be much of a distraction at this point. The bigger issue is going to be how Self handles having this much talent on his roster. Will there be enough shots and minutes to go around to keep everyone happy? If he can manage and massage egos, Kansas looks like the clear cut favorite to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.
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No. 2: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Kentucky Wildcats

2008-2009 Record: 22-14, 8-8 SEC East (t-5th)

Key Losses: Jodie Meeks (23.7 ppg)

Key Returners: Patrick Patterson (17.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Perry Stevenson (7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg), Darius Miller (5.3 ppg, 2.0 apg)

Newcomers: John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, Jon Hood, Darnell Dodson, John Calipari

Kentucky's crop of newcomers will carry the Wildcats.
(photo credit: Photobucket)

At this point, who doesn't know about the turnover the Kentucky program has had in the last eight months. In short, after two disappointing seasons with Billy Gillispie at the helm, Kentucky fired him and signed John Calipari, who brought with him one of the best recruiting classes in recent memory.

In terms of talent, Kentucky is as loaded as any team in the country. We'll start in the back court, where two freshmen, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe, will run the show. Everyone knows about John Wall by now. At 6'4", Wall is as good of an athlete as you are going to find at the point, and he has the skills to be one of the best point guards in the country. He has the handle and the quicks to break down any defender in the country one-on-one. He can elevate and finish above the rim with either hand. He doesn't quite have Ray Allen's jumper yet, but he is a good enough shooter that a defender has to show respect. Despite being a freshman, Wall is being touted as a possible player of the year candidate. The only thing that will hold him back this season is the transition to playing at the college level. He is a perfect fit for Calipari's dribble-drive motion offense, and should be a pleasure to watch this year.

While you may know about John Wall, what you might not know is that Eric Bledsoe is a heckuva player as well. Bledsoe is much less of a scorer than Wall. He is more of a pass first point guard with the ability to get into the lane, draw defenders, and find the open man. Another guy that is perfectly suited to the DDM, expect Bledsoe and Wall to share the back court and terrorize defenses for quite a few minutes this season.

There is not drop off on the rest of UK's back court, either. There are three returners on the wings in senior Ramon Harris and sophomores DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller. The 6'7" Harris will be a guy that Calipari is going to love having on his team. Not much of a factor on the offensive end, Harris is a blue collar player that will go out and defend, rebound the ball, and make the hustle plays. On a roster full of potential superstars, Harris is going to be the glue guy. Liggins is a bit of a conundrum. He has worlds of potential as he is 6'6" with the skills of a point guard. The problem is that he doesn't understand how to use his talent. Last season, Liggins forced too many bad shots and turned the ball over too much. But his ability to slash and to pass makes him the kind of guy that could be an impact player in the DDM assuming he figures out how to play. Miller is the best of the three. Miller is another guy that is 6'7" but plays almost as a point guard. He is a tremendous athlete that has shown the ability to be a play maker offensively, especially if his handle continues to improve.

The problem for Miller, as well as Harris and Liggins, is that they may never see the floor. That's because Darnell Dodson, a sophomore transfer from Miami-Dade, and Jon Hood, a freshman from Kentucky, also join the team. Dodson and Hood are probably going to be Kentucky's two best perimeter threats this year. Dodson looks to be a better overall offensive player as he has the ability to slash to the rim, but Hood has been very impressive in the early going, knocking down open threes and just playing an all-around tough brand of basketball. Both have looked like major contributors in the early going for Calipari.

Kentucky's front court is basically going to be a four man rotation of big, athletic, talented kids. The best of the group is Patrick Patterson, one of the best big men in the country. Patterson is a load to handle in the paint. His length and athleticism make him a great finisher - and, as was the case with Joey Dorsey and company in '07-'08, Patterson should catch quite a few lobs this season - but his strength when establishing position and holding off defenders is what makes him a dangerous scorer. Patterson averaged 17.9 ppg last season, and while Kentucky will likely be playing a bit of a faster pace under Calipari, Patterson's numbers may take a hit simply because of how much talent their is surrounding him.

Freshman DeMarcus Cousins looks likely to be the other starter up front. Cousins is a big, physical post with an outstanding array of scoring moves. He has quick feet and a strong base on the block, but he also has three point range, is capable of using the dribble to get to the rim, and is a solid passer. Cousins has a bit of a rep for being lazy - not hustling for rebounds, not running the floor - and having an attitude, but if anyone can put a mean streak into a player, it is Coach Cal. Orton may have a better low post game than Cousins. He has a stronger build and is tougher, but he does not have the perimeter game that Cousins does. Like Cousins, Orton is also a good passer, which should lead to some pretty high-low action between the two this year.

Senior Perry Stevenson is the odd man out. Stevenson, despite having a slender frame, has developed into a solid option inside. He is long and athletic, which allows him to be a good shot blocker and rebounder. While he struggles at holding position and he doesn't have much of an offensive game beyond catching-and-finishing, Stevenson's effort and athleticism alone would probably allow him to start for 95% of the teams in the country. Also expect junior Josh Harrellson to see some limited time.

Outlook: The talent is clearly there for the Wildcats. The issue for them is going to be how well they adapt to playing with each other and, for the younger guys, playing at the collegiate level. There are a lot of new faces on this team, including John Calipari, and the DDM is not an easy offensive to learn. If they can get it down quickly against some of their early season opponents, this team could go a long, long way this year. The other problem is going to be perimeter shooting. Jon Hood is really the only guy you would consider a "shooter" on this roster, but guys like Dodson, Miller, Wall, and Cousins are all capable of stepping out and hitting a three. Will there be enough shooting to keep spacing available inside?
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No. 3: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Texas Longhorns

2008-2009 Record: 23-12, 9-7 Big XII (t-4th)

Key Losses: AJ Abrams (16.6 ppg, 40% 3's), Connor Atchley (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg)

Key Returners: Damion James (15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Dexter Pittman (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Gary Johnson (10.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Justin Mason (6.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.0 apg)

Newcomers: Avery Bradley, Jordan Hamilton, Shawn Williams, J'Covan Brown

Damion James' versatility will be a major factor in the Longhorn's success this season.

The last three season's, Texas has essentially ridden the coattails of their star. From Kevin Durant, to DJ Augustin, to AJ Abrams, the offense that Rick Barnes has run during that span has not been much more than a variety of clearouts or one-on-one opportunities. Lacking a great go-to scorer this year, Texas is going to look quite a bit different this year.

For starters, they are going to be big. Really big. It will start with 6'10", 290 lb Dexter Pittman. Pittman has the talent to be an absolute monster in this league. Arguably the strongest player in the league, Pittman is very good at establishing position in the post. When he gets the ball within seven feet, Pittman has a soft touch, which combined with his nimble feet (especially when you consider his size) make him an excellent low block scorer. Pittman's problem is, and has always been, his endurance. He was only able to log 17 mpg last season, which is not a good thing when you consider Pittman was able to average double figures in those limited minutes. If he can get into better shape (which he reportedly has been), not only will it help improve his athleticism and explosiveness but it will allow him to spend more time on the court.

Pittman, as good as he can be, won't be the best front court player for the Longhorns. That will be Damion James. For the numbers James has put up throughout his three years in Austin, he really doesn't get the national credit he deserves. The reason is probably because James has never really developed into much more than a role player, albeit an extremely good one. James is as good of an athlete as you are going to find. A strong 6'8", James is one of the better rebounders in the country despite being more of a combo forward than true power forward. Offensively, James is a threat to knock down a three, but he is most effective when putting his athleticism to work; be it cutting to the basket or attacking the offensive glass. Texas does not really have anyone that is going to be a real threat in the half court this season. If James can develop into a guy that can create his own shot, it will make Texas just that much better.

Gary Johnson is another guy that has not really received much attention during his time at Texas. Despite being just 6'6", Johnson is a load to handle inside. He is an athletic and strong kid with energy to burn, but he also added a decent 12-15 foot jumper to his repertoire last season. Johnson will likely see some time as a starter this season.

Not only will Texas be big this season, they will be deep. Three more guys will see time in the front court. Alexis Wangmene, a 6'7" sophomore, will be back after suffering a season ending knee injury last year. Wangmene is long and fairly athletic, but he is still quite raw and needs to develop a better feel for the game. Clint Chapman, a 6'10" junior, showed some signs of being an impact player last season. He is athletic, has a great motor, and plays with a lot of energy, but he needs to improve his decision making. Matt Hill is a 6'10" junior that had a promising start to his career, but has battled injuries and may struggle to really crack the rotation.

The Longhorns are going to be just as deep in the back court, but the key this season is going to be at the point. Last season, Texas had issues as no one ever emerged as a point guard capable of leading the team. Justin Mason was probably their best option last year, but he is not a point guard. He is their best perimeter defender, an excellent rebounder, and a capable play maker from the wing, he just simply never seemed to feel comfortable in the point guard role. Being able to drive and draw a defender is a a far cry from the ability to run a team. Simply put, he is most effective playing off the ball.

This season, there will be four guys competing for minutes at the point. The best of the bunch may be freshman J'Covan Brown. Brown was supposed to join Texas last season, but he had trouble gaining eligibility and ended up sitting the year out. The reason Brown might be the Longhorns best option is that is he dynamic with the ball. He can score and he can create, and on a team that will be lacking offensive explosiveness, that will be a valuable trait. Jai Lucas, a transfer from Florida who will be eligible for the second semester, is probably their second best option. The son of John Lucas and brother of Oklahoma State's John Lucas III, Jai is much less of a pure scorer than Brown is expected to be, but he may be a better true point guard.

Varez Ward and Dogus Balbay were the two guys that handled the point for Texas down the stretch last season. Ward is a solid player - pretty good at setting up the offense - but he is not a great scorer or shooter and may end up being the guy lost in the shuffle. Balbay, on the other hand, can create and get to the rim, where he will finish with reckless abandon, but he is such a bad shooter that teams defended him inside the foul line when he had the ball at the top of the key.

Three freshmen will be thrown into the mix in the back court. Avery Bradley looks to be the best of the three. Bradley has drawn praise from everyone that has seen him play for his efforts on the defensive end. When he and Mason share the back court, opposing guards are going to have a rough go of it. Offensively, he is a terrific athlete that excels when playing in the open floor and slashing to the rim. If he can add a consistent three point shot, forcing defenders to respect his range, he could end up being one of the best players in the country by the time he leaves Texas.

Jordan Hamilton and Shawn Williams are both tall (6'7") and talented wings. Williams is still basically just an athlete, although he has gotten recognition for his perimeter shooting ability. Hamilton, on the other hand, could be a very important piece for Barnes. A gifted scorer, he has the potential to be unstoppable offensively. He is quick, athletic, a good shooter, and has a feel for being able to score. Like I said with Brown, Texas lacks explosiveness offensively, and having a guy like Hamilton that can get his own shot will be valuable.

Outlook: Texas is going to be big, deep, and tough this season, especially on the defensive end. Where they are going to run into issues are on the offensive end. Is someone going to step up and take control of the point guard spot? Will guys like James, Hamilton, and Brown be able to create their own shots in the half court? Who is going to be the proverbial zone-buster - will there be enough perimeter shooting to force teams to come out of a zone? If Barnes can find a suitable answer to those questions, Texas will have the horses to make a run at not just the Big XII title, but a national championship.
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No. 4: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Michigan State Spartans

2008-2009 Record: 31-7, 15-3 Big Ten (1st)

Key Losses: Goran Suton, Travis Walton

Key Returners: Kalin Lucas (14.7 ppg, 4.6 apg), Raymar Morgan (10.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Durrell Summers (8.6 ppg), Delvon Roe (5.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

Newcomers: Garrick Sherman, Derrick Nix

Kalin Lucas will lead MSU as Sparty looks to make a return trip to the Final Four.
(photo credit: MLive)

More than any other team in the top five, Michigan State lost some valuable pieces in the off-season. Leader and defensive stalwart Travis Walton graduated, as did versatile big man Goran Suton. But, if it is possible for a team that reached the title game while beating Kansas, Louisville, and UConn along the way, Michigan State was operating at a diminished capacity last season.

Delvon Roe and Raymar Morgan, who are the likely starters in the two forward spots, were both limited last season, Roe due to microfracture surgery on his knee the season before and Morgan because of a bout of walking pneumonia and a broken nose. Roe's knee injury really cost him last season. More than anything, it was due to how weak his knee was. He didn't have the explosiveness he had as a high schooler and he wasn't able to defend as well as he is expected of a Tom Izzo post player. But when healthy, Roe is dangerous. He is athletic, energetic, and really able to get up and down the floor. His post game is still developing, but Roe should add an extra dimension offensively for the Spartans with his mobility and ability to finish above the rim in traffic.

Morgan is a bit of a conundrum. He came into last season hyped as one of the best combo forwards in the country, but he was extremely inconsistent and unreliable as a result of his injuries and illnesses. When Morgan is at 100%, the guy is as strong and aggressive a player as you will see on the wing, to the point that he is essentially a perimeter oriented power forward. Morgan's weakness at this point in his career is his relative lack of ball handling skills and his poor jump shot. With his ability to slash to the basket and score inside, especially on the offensive glass, if he has improved his perimeter game, Morgan will be a terror offensively for Izzo.

Joining those two up front is a solid group in sophomore Draymond Green, junior Tom Herzog, and freshmen Derrick Nix and Garrick Sherman. Green will probably see the most minutes, at least early on. At 6'6", 235 lb, Green isn't going to impress anyone with his offensive ability or his athleticism. But where he will be effective is on the defensive end and on the glass. He is a strong guy with a lot of determination in the paint. Herzog is a seven footer that saw very limited minutes last season, but expect him to get more consistent playing time this year as size off the bench with Idong Ibok's graduation. Nix and Sherman are similar players. Both are big, strong kids (Nix is 6'8", 280 lb, and Sherman is 6'10", 235 lb) and excellent on the glass. Sherman is probably a bit more polished offensively at this point, but given the talent on this roster, it won't be points that Izzo looks for out of these two - it will be toughness inside, defensively and on the glass.

As good as Michigan State's front court is, their back court is probably better. It will be headlined by reigning Big Ten player of the year Kalin Lucas. Lucas is as good of a point guard as you will find. Lucas is capable of playing on the ball or off of it. When he has the ball in his hands, he is able to break down a defender due to his crisp handle and an exceptional stop-and-go ability and quickness changing direction. He is good at finding the open man when he draws an extra defender as well. Perhaps his most dangerous weapon offensively is his jumper, which is good enough that a defender must respect it, making his ability to create all the more dangerous. As the Spartans will look to get out and run this year, Lucas will be counted upon to lead the break and orchestrate the Spartan offensive attack.

Joining Lucas on the perimeter will be a number of talented wings. Junior Durrell Summers is probably the best of the bunch. An exciting athlete, the 6'4" Summers developed an effective three point stroke during his sophomore season. Summers is going to be a terror running a lane on a fast break, but as he continues to expand his offensive arsenal, Summers may be primed for a break out season. Chris Allen and Korie Lucious will also see significant minutes this season. Allen entered East Lansing with a reputation as a big-time scorer and shooter, but has yet to really find a level of consistency playing at this level. Lucious averaged just 3.2 ppg in limited minutes as a freshman, but he showed flashes of being a good scorer. As minutes open up with Travis Walton's graduated, don't be surprised is Lucious turns into a consistent and effective scoring option.

Outlook: As you should be accustomed to by now, Michigan State will once again be the class of the Big Ten. While they do lose some key pieces from last year's team, the Spartans may be better than last year simply due to the natural development of some of their younger guys and playing this season at 100%. While the loss of Walton will hurt them - he was easily one of the most dominant perimeter defenders last year - it will provide increased minutes for more offensive-oriented guys like Chris Allen and Korie Lucious. The loss of Suton's size should be mitigated by the expected emergence of Delvon Roe and the addition of a couple big freshmen. Michigan State should be expected to run a little bit more this season than last, and if Morgan and Summers provide two legitimate scoring threats on the wings, another Big Ten title and Final Four trip should be expected.
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No. 5: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Villanova Wildcats

2008-2009 Record: 30-8, 13-5 Big East (4th)

Key Losses: Dante Cunningham (16.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Dwayne Anderson (9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Shane Clark (5.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Key Returners: Scottie Reynolds (15.2 ppg, 3.4 apg), Corey Fisher (10.8 ppg, 2.8 apg), Corey Fisher (9.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42% 3's)

Newcomers: Maalik Wayns, Mouphtaou Yarou, Isaiah Armwood, Dominic Cheek

Scottie Reynolds and Jay Wright are both back after flirting with the NBA this summer.
(photo credit: beliefnet)

Villanova did lose some talent during the off-season as Dante Cunningham, Shane Clark, and Dwayne Anderson all graduated. But when you consider the recruiting class that Jay Wright brings in and the amount that the three teams above Nova in the Big East last year lost, the Wildcats look primed to make a run at a Big East title.

As was the case during their last Big East title in 2006, Villanova will very much be a perimeter oriented team. It all starts with Scottie Reynolds. Reynolds had an excellent freshman season, as he averaged almost 15 ppg, which resulted in a lot of expectations being thrown his way. He never quite lived up to those expectations, however, although a lot of that is a result of the Villanova team as a whole improving quite a bit. When he was a freshman in '06-'07, Nova had just lost Allan Ray, Randy Foye, and Kyle Lowry, and desperately needed someone to step in and be a scorer on the perimeter. Reynolds filled that void.

Reynolds can score, there's no doubt about that. He is an above average shooter from deep, and can really be dangerous once he gets it going offensively. While he isn't the quickest or the most explosive guy in the country, he has a knack for keeping a defender off-balance and is creative when finishing in the lane. He uses his body well to absorb contact and create space, but he also has a dazzling array of floaters, pull-ups, fade-aways, turn-arounds, etc., that he can use off the dribble from about 8-10 feet.

Part of the reason that Reynolds' number have not exploded has been the addition of the two Coreys, Fisher and Stokes. Stokes is a big, strong two guard. He is not a great athlete, doesn't really put the ball on the floor well, and has an average floor game. What he does well is shoot. He is one of those guys that, when given an inch, will make you pay. And when he gets it going, watch out, because he has range out to about 25 feet. Fisher is one of the most underrated guards in the conference. He is a great complement to Reynolds. While Fisher is not the greatest shooter in the world, he is a quick, dynamic play maker at the lead guard spot. He can really break down a defense, creating looks for himself in the lane or drawing defenders and finding an open man.

As much as I want to say Fisher is going to have a breakout season, I don't think he will simply because Villanova's back court is going to be so good. In addition to the three guys mentioned, Villanova also returns Reggie Redding, who will join the team after a semester's suspension. Redding is a perfect glue guy for this team. He rebounds the ball, he can defend multiple positions, and he can create open looks for his teammates off the bounce.

Villanova also adds two freshman stars to the fray. Maalik Wayns is an athletic, 6'1" play maker. Not much of a shooter yet, Wayns has break-your-ankles handle and quickness, and will be very tough to keep out of the lane. His biggest issue right now is learning to harness his ability. He is always going full speed, which will result in some charges, turnovers, and tough shots early on. Wayns was also noted for his ability to pressure the ball defensively, which will earn him minutes with Wright. Dominic Cheek is the other freshman guard Villanova brings in. Cheek is a long, slender two-guard, standing 6'6" but weighing just 175 lb. He has the frame to develop into an excellent defender once he adds some strength, but right now he seems to be more of a threat offensively. He is solid at getting out and running the floor, but he biggest weapon offensively is his jumper, with range extending well beyond the three point line.

The place where Villanova is going to be hurting is inside as they lost their two leading rebounders in Dwayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham. They do bring back Antonio Pena, who is a solid big man, but he is still the same Antonio Pena. He's big and strong, will play good positional defense, and will grab you some rebounds, but he isn't a scoring or a shot-blocking presence inside. That may be provided by freshman Mouphtaou Yarou. Mouph is a load on the block. Standing a muscular 6'9", 230 lb, Yarou is not the world's greatest athlete, but he more than makes up for it with hustle and desire. He has some decent post moves, especially using a drop-step, but this season he is going to get most of his offense off of dump-offs and offensive rebounds. Isaiah Armwood, another highly regarded freshman, is a 6'8" athletic specimen. He is of slender build and is quick enough to defend on the perimeter, which means that he may see some time on the perimeter this season. Where Armwood excels at this stage in his development is when he is allowed to let his natural ability take over - getting out and running a lane on the break or crashing the offensive glass.

Outlook: Villanova has great guard play. They have great leadership. They have enough inside to at least hold their own against some of the bigger front lines in this league while taking advantage of mismatches on the offensive end. What Villanova is missing this year, and what was so critical to their success last year, is the defensive toughness and versatility of Dwayne Anderson and Shane Clark. Both of those guys could, legitimately, defend one through five. That ability is part of what made Villanova's switching man-to-man defense so devastating. Without them, the Wildcats are not going to be as good on the defensive end, which means that they are going to be relying more on their offense. The question is whether or not Reynolds and company will be up to the task. Personally, I think they will be, and expect Nova to win the Big East.

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No. 6: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Purdue Boilermakers

2008-2009 Record: 27-10, 11-7 Big Ten (t-2nd)

Key Losses: Nemanja Calasan (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Marcus Green (4.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Key Returners: E'Twaun Moore (13.8 ppg, 3.0 apg), JaJuan Johnson (13.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 bpg), Robbie Hummel (12.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Keaton Grant (7.9 ppg)

Newcomers: Stevie Loveless, Kelsey Barlow, Dru Anthrop, Kyle Coleman, DJ Byrd, John Hart, Patrick Bade, Sandi Marcius

Robbie Hummel, Chris Kramer, and JaJuan Johnson will lead an experienced Boilermaker team.
(photo credit: Lafayette-Online)

Two years ago, Purdue came out of nowhere to make the NCAA tournament on the strength of three freshmen - Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore, and JaJuan Johnson. Last season, those three led a beat-up Purdue team to the Sweet 16. Now fully healthy and returning six of their top seven scorers, the Boilermakers looked primed to make a run at the Big Ten title.

Purdue's team is centered around team play, execution, and defense. There may not be a team in the country that plays better fundamental defense that the Boilermakers. Whether its getting to the charge spot, jumping to help side, or perfectly rotating when the ball swings, Purdue hangs their hat on the ability to make every shot a difficult one. The best defender on the team is Chris Kramer, who won the 2008 Big Ten defensive player of the year. Kramer is tough as nails and routinely defends an opponent's best perimeter player. He even slid down to the four spot defensively when Hummel was injured.

While Purdue is strong on the defensive end, that doesn't mean that they don't have some talent on the offensive end. Their best offensive weapon is probably Hummel. Hummel played last season with a painful stress fracture in his back which forced him to wear a brace on his back, even when he wasn't playing. He is now 100%, which is great news for Matt Painter. Hummel is a versatile offensive player in that skill-wise, he is a small forward but he plays the power forward spot on this team. He stands 6'8", but his is at his best playing on the perimeter thanks to his excellent jump shot. He is mobile and a heady player, resulting in a lot of easy baskets moving without the ball. Where Hummel struggles is when he is forced to put the ball on the floor. He has a decent handle, but his limited-at-best athleticism stifles his ability to get by a defender and finish at the rim.

Joining Hummel up front is JaJuan Johnson. Johnson came into Purdue as a rail thin, 6'10" center, but in his two seasons he's beefed up 40 lbs to 210 and can now bench 285 lbs. Johnson is a shot blocker that has a decent back to the basket game and a solid jumper out to about 15 feet. He is easily the best NBA prospect on the Boilermakers roster, a testament to his development as he played JV as a high school junior. Johnson still could use some added strength to help him battle the Big Ten's biggest and needs to improve his rebounding, especially on the offensive end, but his presence inside will be so important as Purdue does not have much else up front.

On the perimeter for Painter is E'Twaun Moore and Keaton Grant. Moore has led Purdue in scoring the last two seasons. He isn't a flashy player or an overly athletic guy, but he's smooth on the offensive end with good instincts and a better jump shot. He won't blow by a defender every time, but can get to the rim when the opportunity is there. Likewise, he isn't going to be shooting 25 footers all game, but he can knock down open jumpers at a pretty good clip. In short, Moore is a smart player that picks his spots well. Grant had a fantastic sophomore season in '07-'08, averaging 11.2 ppg and shooting 44% from deep. He struggled a bit last season as he, too, was beat up, but one thing that's for sure is that Grant can shoot when he is healthy.

Lewis Jackson will run the point for Purdue. Jackson had an up and down freshman season, but should be expected to come back strong during his sophomore campaign. Jackson is a jet with the ball and should help the Boilermakers get some easy baskets in transition. He proved to be better than expected in the half court, however. Given his diminutive stature (5'8"), he will probably never be a dominant player a la Kalin Lucas. But Purdue doesn't need that. They need a guy that won't turn the ball over and can get the ball to their stars in a position to score. Jackson should be able to do that this year.

I mentioned it earlier, but the biggest issue for Purdue this season is going to be depth. Outside of the six guys I just mentioned, who else will be able to contribute minutes, especially up front? Sophomore Ryne Smith is a shooter, but played just 18 games last season. 6'10" Croatian freshman Sandi Marcius was expected to contribute minutes, but he will be out for about another month with an injury. After that, there are a lot of freshman that will battle for role playing minutes. Patrick Bade, a 6'8", 235 lb forward, may see some reserve minutes up front. On the perimeter, DJ Byrd and Kelsey Barlow are both talented enough to see some time as well.

Outlook: A lot of people had Purdue pegged as a potential Big Ten champion and Final Four team last season. But a rash of injuries kept the Boilermakers from playing at full strength most of the season. With everyone back, and three potential Big Ten player of the year candidates, it is feasible to believe that Purdue could outlast Michigan State and win the conference. If they do, it will be a result of their defense. I'm not sold on them being a Final Four candidate this year, however. Unless they have some interior depth surface, Jackson develops into a more consistent PG, and either Moore or Hummel turns into a dominant go-to scorer, I just don't see Purdue being a team built for March.
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No. 8: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Butler Bulldogs

2008-2009 Record: 26-6, 15-3 Horizon (1st)

Key Losses: None.

Key Returners: Gordon Hayward (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 45% 3's), Matt Howard (14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Shelvin Mack (11.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.5 apg), Willie Veasley (8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Newcomers: Andrew Smith, Chase Stigall, Emerson Kampen

Butler returns their entire team from last year's 26 win season.
(photo credit: IndyStar)

Brad Stevens has quite a program in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons, making the Sweet Sixteen in 2007 under Todd Lickliter. They won 30 games in Stevens' first season at the helm before losing basically everyone, including Mike Green and AJ Graves. Not much was expected out of Butler last year, but on the strength of an excellent recruiting class, the Bulldogs won 26 games and their third consecutive regular season title. The best news? They bring everybody back.

Butler's recruiting class last season was anchored by Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack, who both made the U19 team over the summer. Hayward, who stands 6'8", ends up playing the power forward spot for a good number of minutes, but he is much more of a perimeter oriented player. Easily one of the best shooters in the country (he knocked down almost 45% of his threes), Hayward uses the threat of his jumper effectively to sell pump fakes. His biggest limitation as a prospect is his limited athletic profile, but he makes up for it with incredible smarts and craftiness. He knows how to get a defender off balance using jabs, fakes, and hesitations, and once he gets in the lane is satisfied with finding an open teammate instead of forcing a tough shot in the paint. Defensively is where the issue lies. Hayward, as I said, is a match-up nightmare on the offensive end because he plays the four, but his slight frame doesn't hold up against some of the bigger guys on the block.

Mack is as good of a point guard as you are going to find. He is strong with the ball, an excellent defender, and a very good rebounder for his size. He isn't the quickest guy when he puts the ball on the floor, but he is big and strong enough (6'3", 215 lb) that if he gets his shoulders by a defender, he is going to get to the rim. Butler is going to be very talented this season, which means that Mack, once again, won't have to carry the load offensively as much as he will be asked to run Stevens' system. But, as he did last year, Mack is a good enough scorer that if things start to get bogged down, he can carry the team.

Butler likes to lay a four-out, one-in offense, meaning the surround one post with four perimeter players. The other two guys that will be starting on the perimeter are sophomore Ronald Nored and senior Willie Veasley. Nored is a tenacious defender that will harass opposing point guards. He is quick and can get to the rim and out in transition, but he really struggles offensively otherwise, hitting just 23% from deep and 46% from the line. Willie Veasley, a 6'3" wing, is the perfect senior for this team. He does everything well on the court - he can shoot when open, he rebounds the ball, he defends. He turns the ball over a little more than one would like, but beyond that he is exactly what you look for out of a senior leader.

The "one-in" on this team may be the most valuable guy on this roster. Matt Howard, a 6'8" junior and reigning league player of the year, is a bit of a throw back big man. A land warrior, Howard does not have the overwhelming athleticism of many guys playing on the blocks these days. To compensate, he is excellent at gaining position, sealing his man, and finishing inside. He is a strong kid, and has developed a very nice back to the basket game. As the only real threat in the post, Howard is going to be so important to how far Butler can make it this year.

The Bulldogs don't have the deepest bench, but they do have some quality role players. Zach Hahn, a 6'1" junior, is the Bulldogs resident sharp shooter. 6'0" Shawn Vanzant is a scrappy point guard coming off the bench. Avery Jukes, a 6'8" senior, is the guy that will spell Howard inside. And don't be surprised when 6'11" freshman Andrew Smith, who has a nice game on the block and plays with a great deal of energy, sees some quality minutes this season.

Outlook: Butler has been very good for a while now, but this is probably their best team to date as Hayward, Howard, and Mack form one of the best inside-outside-wing combos in the country. Their biggest issue is going to be inside, where they are smaller than most power conference teams. Hayward will need to play big on the block if the Bulldogs have any hope of reaching a Final Four. That said, expect the mismatch that Howard creates to force teams to go small to match-up with them. An excellent defensive team that plays with a great deal of smart, Bulldog fans should expect another Horizon League title, and 30 wins and a deep tourney run is well within their reach.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Point Guards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.

Best Freshman:

• John Wall, Kentucky
• Abdul Gaddy, Washington
• Maalik Wayns, Villanova

Best of the Rest:

• Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
• Chris Warren, Ole Miss
• Courtney Fortson, Arkansas
• Jimmer Fredette, BYU
• Trevon Hughes, Wisconsin
• Mac Hobson, Idaho
• Corey Fisher, Villanova

Top 10:

• 10. Talor Battle, Penn State: Talor Battle was the major reason that Penn State was relevant down the stretch last season. Battle's offensive game is based on his ability to shoot, where he is excellent, especially in the clutch as he knocked down a couple game-winners last year. When he puts the ball on the floor, Battle is good at getting into the paint and is a solid finisher in the lane despite lacking outstanding explosiveness. If he improves his ability to create for his teammates (he averaged 5.0 apg last season, but a lot of that was simply the result of moving the ball around the perimeter), this ranking may end up being too low by the end of the year.


• 9. Shelvin Mack, Butler: Mack is one of the more underrated point guards in the country. Playing on a team with Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard in the Horizon League will do that to you. But don't doubt his ability. Mack is an effective scorer, capable of carrying the Bulldogs if Hayward and/or Howard happen to be struggling. A big, strong kid (6'3", 215 lb), Mack is an excellent defender and a good rebounder from the guard spot. He needs to improve on his quickness getting into the lane, as well as add some consistency to his perimeter jumper, but the bottom-line is that Mack is the guy that runs the shows for Butler, who most believe will be a top 10 or 15 team this season.

Shelvin Mack is one of the most underrated point guards in the country.
(photo credit: Horizon League)

• 8. Nic Wise, Arizona: Arizona caught a huge break when Nic Wise decided to return to school. With all the turnover in the Arizona program, Wise declared for the 2009 NBA Draft and expected to end up playing overseas this season. But when Sean Miller was able to sign five top 100 recruits this summer, Wise decided that the Wildcats just might have enough talent to be a factor this year. Arizona is going to go as far as Wise carries them. After slimming down before his junior season, Wise had an exceptional junior campaign, at times carrying a Wildcat team with two NBA draft picks on it. While he is capable of creating opportunities for others, Wise is going to be asked to shoulder much more of a scoring load this year as the young Wildcats adjust to the college game.


• 7. Scottie Reynolds, Villanova: Reynolds doesn't get the national credit that he deserves. He's not a guy that is going to be a great pro, as his athletic limitations will limit his effectiveness at the next level. But at the collegiate level, his smarts allow him to get by. Reynolds is a deadly three-point shooter, but when he is playing his best, he is putting the ball on the floor and going to the rim. Despite an underwhelming vertical, he finishes well in the paint because he is able to use his body to shield his man. He has had his play-making duties reduced with the emergence on Corey Fisher along side him. Where Reynolds is at his best in the clutch. He is the guy that Jay Wright is going to go to when he needs a basket.


• 6. Jerome Randle, Cal: I've said it before and I'll say it again - Jerome Randle might be my favorite player in the country to watch. The catalyst for Cal's resurgence last season, Randle should once again carry the team that was picked to win the Pac-10. Randle is the perfect fit for the spread system that Mike Montgomery is running in Berkeley. Very solid with the ball in his hands, Randle is adept at beating his man off the dribble thanks to his fantastic ability to change speeds. But you cannot lay off of him as he is one of the best shooters in the country. If Cal is going to win the Pac-10, it will be Randle's play that will carry them there.

Despite his small stature, Jerome Randle is one of the best scorers in the country.
(photo credit: DailyCal)

• 5. Devan Downey, South Carolina: Downey is small, even for a point guard, but he is unbelievably quick. Downey can flat out score. He is at his best when he is attacking the rim, where an effective floater and an impressive ability to create space through contact with the defender allows him to finish inside. Downey tends to settle for threes, but when he is on he can hit four or five in a row from deep. Downey is a high-risk, high-reward kind of guy. He takes a lot of tough shots, but makes a good number of them. He tries quite a few risky passes and gambles for steals on the defensive end, but again, he is successful enough of the time that it isn't a huge issue. Expect big numbers once again from Downey, as his speed and ability to create in the open court will be instrumental in Darrin Horn's uptempo, pressuring style of play.


• 4. Kemba Walker, UConn: Walker came into UConn as a much-herald recruit out of NYC's Rice High, but was stifled a bit last season by UConn's slower tempo and the presence of all-american AJ Price. With UConn being a smaller, more athletic team this season, expect Jim Calhoun to play a much faster pace with Walker being the catalyst. He is an absolute menace on the defensive end as he may be the quickest player in the country. Offensively, he is near impossible to stay in front of. Despite his small size, Walker can finish at the rim, but he is at his best when he collapses a defense and finds an open man - be it a big at the rim or a shooter on the perimeter. While his jump shot could still use some improvement, Walker is going to be the motor that makes the Huskies engine run this season.


• 3. Greivis Vasquez, Maryland: Simply put, Vasquez will be the most exciting player in the ACC this season. While his time in College Park has been maddeningly inconsistent, Vasquez improved his decision making last year. He didn't force as many tough shots and more often settled for the smart, easy pass as opposed to the highlight reel play. When he is playing well, Vasquez can completely take a game over, even against a much more talented team (see his triple-double is MD's win over UNC last year). He still will need to focus on making the smart play this year, but in terms of pure talent, Vasquez is good enough to carry an undermanned Terp team to a second straight NCAA tournament.


• 2. Kalin Lucas, Michigan State: Lucas is the perfect fit for the team-oriented offense that Tom Izzo likes to run. He can play on the ball or off, and is excellent at picking his spots to attack. Not the quickest player in the world, he is excellent at changing speed and direction when putting the ball on the floor. Lucas is going to be instrumental for the Spartans this season as Izzo is going to look to play a quicker pace than he did last year. Lucas is valuable for a talented MSU team because he can run a team and keep an offense moving without dominating the ball, but if the shot clock is winding down, he is more than capable of creating a good shot, either for himself or for a teammate.

Sherron Collins and Kalin Lucas are the two best point guards in the country.
(photo credit: daylife)

• 1. Sherron Collins, Kansas: Collins is an easy pick atop these rankings. First team pre-season all-american and the star player and leader for the consensus best team in the country. Collins is a great scorer at this level. He is strong enough to get to the rim on just about anyone, but he has three-point range well beyond NBA line. What makes Collins so good is he really developed into a point guard last season. While he had to shoulder a bulk of the scoring load for a young Jayhawk team, he was a good decision maker. He knew when he should pass and he knew when he needed to shoot. But the biggest difference between Collins and anyone on this list is his ability to make a big play when you really need it. If you are down one with 15 seconds left on the clock, is there anyone in the country you would rather have with the ball in their hands?

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No. 9: 2009-2010 Team Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers

2008-2009 Record: 23-12, 10-8 Big East (t-7th)

Key Losses: Alex Ruoff (15.7 ppg, 3.3 apg)

Key Returners: Da'Sean Butler (17.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Devin Ebanks (10.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Truck Bryant (9.8 ppg, 2.9 apg), Joe Mazzulla (5.6 ppg, 3.7 apg)

Newcomers: Dalton Pepper, Danny Jennings, Deniz Kilicli

Da'Sean Butler might be the best player in the country you never hear about.
(photo credit: ESPN)

It didn't take long for Bobby Huggins to mold West Virginia into his kind of team. In his third season at the helm, Huggy Bear is at the helm of the best Mountaineer team in recent memory.

Last season, West Virginia was a team known for their toughness on the defensive end and their ability to hit the glass, especially on the offensive end. Not much will change this season, as the Mountaineers return their entire front line. The best of the bunch is 6'9" Devin Ebanks. Ebanks developed into one of the most productive freshman in the country by the end of last season, especially in the Big East Tournament (he twice set career highs of 20 and 22 points, and set his career high in rebounding with 18). Still quite raw, where Ebanks excels is using his exceptional tools. He is long, active, athletic, and very tough. Most of his offense last season came in transition, on the offensive glass, or off of assists. Where he really struggled was with his perimeter jumper, to the point that he stopped shooting threes all together. He also needs to improve his handle to effectively transition to the three full time, but if he put in the work this summer, Ebanks has all the potential in the world to be a big time player for WVU.

Joining Ebanks up front is a slew of guys standing about 6'8". Senior Wellington Smith started at center last season, and there is no reason to expect that to change. A tough rebounder (especially at the offensive end as he grabbed more offensive rebounds than defensive) and with a fantastic leaping ability, Smith is probably the Mountaineers best interior defender. He can also step out and knock down a perimeter jumper if he is left open. A lot is going to be expected out of sophomore Kevin Jones after he had a productive freshman season off the bench. Jones is not the best athlete in the group, but he might be the strongest and plays as hard as anyone in the country. Junior Cam Thoroughman played sporadically throughout the season, but he is a tenacious offensive rebounder that will play defense hard. Junior John Flowers is not as strong as the other three, but is more of an athlete and can defend on the perimeter as well. Freshman Danny Jennings, a top 100 recruit out of St. Thomas More, will also provide some quality minutes up front. Another freshman, Deniz Kilicli, may see some time at the end of the season, but was recently suspended for the first 20 games but the NCAA for playing on a team in Europe with a professional.

In fewer words, the West Virginia front line is going to be deep, they are going to be tough, and they are going to be athletic. These six guys are essentially interchangeable, which means that minutes are going to be difficult to come by. Playing for Huggins, these kids are going to be asked for defense, physicality, and rebounding out of this group. Whoever provides that, on what may become a game-to-game basis, is going to be who plays. These guys are going to work hard every minute they are on the floor, so if you don't box out against WVU, they are going to kill you on the glass.

Where WVU struggled last season was in the half court. Losing second leading scorer Alex Ruoff is going to hurt them offensively, but the Mountaineers did catch a couple breaks this off-season as both Truck Bryant and Joe Mazzulla will be returning to the team (both players were suspended indefinitely over the summer for off-the-court issues). Mazzulla was a key player for West Virginia in 2007-2008 when the Mountaineers upset Duke en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. Mazzulla is a perfect glue guy at the lead guard spot. He defends, he rebounds, but most importantly he was able to get into the paint a create opportunities for others. He missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but he should be healthy to start out this year.

Bryant, a sophomore, proved to be a worthy replacement last season. Also a tough defender, Bryant is a better scorer than Mazzulla, but not quite as good of a creator. Bryant struggled with his decision-making at times, but it was nothing you wouldn't expect from a freshman forced to start in last season's rugged Big East. I'd expect these two to share the back court quite a bit this season, as it would provide Huggins with two guards capable of getting points on the board in a half court set.

The guy that is going to carry the load for the Mountaineers will be Da'Sean Butler. Butler is one of the best kept secrets in the country, leading the Mountaineers with 17.1 ppg last season. He is an above average jump shooter, especially when he gets time to get his feet set. This will be all the more important for WVU with Ruoff's graduation, as Butler is really the only shooter they are going to have on the floor much of the time. While he is 6'7", long, and mobile, he is not the most explosive player and struggles at times when putting the ball on the floor. When he does get into the paint, he is able to finish, either by going up strong or by using a floater. Butler does excel around the rim, however, as he is a good offensive rebounder from the wing and has shown a decent post game. If Butler can improve his ability to create shots for himself form the perimeter using the dribble, he might be the most dangerous wing scorer in the Big East.

Freshman Dalton Pepper is another guy that will see some time on the perimeter. Pepper is a similar player to Butler. More of a small forward than a two guard, Pepper has three point range, but is not a shooter. At 6'5", he has shown the ability to score on the offensive end, but is known more for his ability to defend, his smarts, and his potential to be a system guy.

Outlook: West Virginia is going to play a lot of low scoring games this season. This team is built around toughness on the defensive end and on the glass. With the athletes on their team, they can use so many potential line-ups. They can go small by sliding Butler to the three, or even the four with Ebanks inside, and playing two point guards. Or they can also go big by putting him at the two and allowing Ebanks to play the wing. Whatever Huggins decides to do, when you play West Virginia you better be read for a physical battle.
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No. 10: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Washington Huskies

2008-2009 Record: 26-9, 14-4 Pac-10 (1st)

Key Losses: Jon Brockman (14.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg), Justin Dentmon (14.4 ppg, 2.7 apg)

Key Returners: Isaiah Thomas (15.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Quincy Pondexter (12.1 pg, 5.9 rpg), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (6.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Newcomers: Abdul Gaddy, Clarence Trent, CJ Wilcox, Tyreese Breshers

Isaiah Thomas will team with Abdul Gaddy to form one of the most exciting back courts in the country.
(photo credit: Tucson Citizen)

Washington won the Pac-10 last season, and despite losing two of their top three scorers, many are predicting a second title in as many years for the Huskies.

The biggest reason for that is their back court. Sophomore Isaiah Thomas and freshman Abdul Gaddy will be as exciting as any duo in the country this season. We know what to expect out of Thomas this season. He is an excellent scorer, especially when he is putting the ball on the deck and getting to the paint. Despite being just 5'8", he is able to finish amongst the trees thanks to an array floaters and scoop shots. Thomas is at his best when he is playing in the open court, thanks to his shiftyness and his ability to handle the ball. Where he could still use some improvement is in his jump shot. He was inconsistent as a freshman, especially from beyond the three point line.

The biggest key for Thomas this season may actually be the addition of Abdul Gaddy. Thomas is better when he plays off the ball, looking to score first. Gaddy is more of a natural point guard that has drawn some comparisons to Mike Bibby. Gaddy's strength lies in his ability to handle and pass the ball. He isn't overly quick or bouncy, but his crossover is deadly and he can throw any pass with either hand on the money. His stroke has been much improved of late, and may end up being a strength for him at this point.

Joining those two in the back court will be Venoy Overton. Overton may be the best perimeter defender in the country. He is a ball hawk that will provide Lorenzo Romar with a defender for 94 feet. Offensively, he will get some points in transition, and knock down a three here and there. Sophomore Elston Turner and freshman CJ Wilcox will also see time in the back court. With the graduation of Justin Dentmon, the Huskies are going to need another scoring punch from the wing. Lorenzo Romar will be counting on one of these two to step up.

The front court is where the question marks are going to be. Gone is Jon Brockman, one of the best big man in the history of the Pac-10 conference. Brockman controlled the glass for the Huskies, and had a motor that couldn't quit. The issue was that, despite the fact he ran the floor hard, Brockman was far from what you would call a great athlete. So while his loss will no doubt hurt, given the Huskies increased emphasis on an uptempo style of play, getting more minutes from Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Darnell Gant may not be a terrible things.

Junior Bryan-Amaning is more talented than Gant, and will be counted on more for production. At 6'9", he can run the floor and finish, but his rebounding and defense will need to be improved. Gant is more of a hustle guy. As a redshirt freshman last season, he struggled a bit offensively and with his consistency. Redshirt freshman Tyreese Breshers should also see some minutes in the post.

Perhaps the key for Washington this year will be Quincy Pondexter. Pondexter was a highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, but until last season he really struggled with his ability and consistency. As a junior, Pondexter really began to develop an offensive game. He averaged 12.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg, scoring a lot of points as a result of his hustle and athleticism. Justin Holiday is another guy in similar shoes. Also 6'6", Holiday is a rangy athlete that is still coming into his own talent wise. Both Holiday and Pondexter should be able to thrive playing the forward spot in an uptempo system like Washington will play.

Outlook: The Huskies do have a ton of talent. Their back court is loaded with Thomas and Gaddy, and Bryan-Amaning and Pondexter both look primed for excellent seasons. The issue is going to be with how the Huskies can handle this change of style. Will their big guys be able to play against teams with bigger and stronger front lines? Will the athleticism on this roster be taken advantage of when they are in the open court? Will someone outside of Thomas develop into a shooter? Those are a lot of questions to be answered, but the Huskies will have time as they play in a watered down Pac-10. The league title will come down to U-Dub and Cal.

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No. 11: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Duke Blue Devils

2008-2009 Record: 30-7, 11-5 ACC (t-2nd)

Key Losses: Gerald Henderson (16.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Elliot Williams (4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg), Greg Paulus (4.9 ppg)

Key Returners: Kyle Singler (16.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Jon Scheyer (14.9 ppg, 2.8 apg), Miles Plumlee (1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Nolan Smith (8.4 ppg)

Newcomers: Andre Dawkins, Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly

Kyle Singler may end up being the ACC player of the year.
(photo credit: Duke Basketball Forever)

The last few seasons, Duke has been notorious for two things - relying on the three-ball to score and their pressuring, over-playing, man-to-man defense. But as the Blue Devils lose so much from their perimeter - Gerald Henderson, Elliot Williams, and Greg Paulus - we are going to be seeing a much different Duke team.

The biggest reason is that the Devils are going to be loaded on the interior this season. It starts with seniors Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas. Zoubek had some fairly high expectations coming out of high school, but has never really found the consistency to be a real factor in ACC play. He isn't strong enough to battle down low and he isn't quick enough to really be a threat on the offensive end. Thomas has been a solid role player in this three years. An excellent athlete with a great motor, Thomas, who may end up coming off the bench, will provide Duke with defense and hustle.

The fact that two seniors may be relegated to the bench should tell you about the potential of this Duke front line. The crown jewels are the Plumlee brothers. Miles, a sophomore, had trouble earning a spot in the rotation last season. He struggled a bit offensively and seemed to get lost at times on the defensive end, but there is no denying his potential. At 6'10", 240 lb, Miles has the build to be an excellent shot blocker but he also has the skills and the athleticism to be a dangerous player on the offensive end. The question is will he put it all together?

Mason, a freshman, might have even more potential. He is a better athlete and more skilled offensively, and while Miles will be stronger in the paint this season after a summer in the weight room, Mason seems to be more of a face-up player. Mason will wreak havoc on the defensive end with his length and should be very dangerous in the open floor.

The other freshman big man is Ryan Kelly. Kelly should be able to fit in at Duke immediately. A lot of scouting reports you read about him are going to say that he plays a "European style". What that means is that the 6'10" Kelly has an offensive game based on the perimeter. He is an excellent shooter with range out to the college three, but he is also a decent ball handler and an excellent passer. Kelly may need a year to become an ACC caliber player on the defensive end, but he definitely will be contributing to the Devils right away.

And then there is Kyle Singler. What can I say about Singler that hasn't already been said? He is one of the best forwards in the country, and will get a chance to prove his ability playing almost exclusively as a three this season. He can shoot, he can get to the rim, he will defend, he can pass, he can rebound. The kid is simply a basketball player, and one of the best in the country. ACC player of the year and first team all-american? Its very possible.

As I said, the back court is where the issues will be this year. Duke only has three guards on the roster - Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, and Andre Dawkins. Smith is the guy a lot of people are saying will be the x-factor of this team. He is going to be starting at the point, and Duke is going to need to him to live up to the hype he had coming out of high school. An excellent defender and athlete for the point guard spot, Smith's offensive ability has been a bit inconsistent in his first two seasons. While he has shown flashes, he hasn't been the all-around scorer and playmaker he was expected to be.

You know what you are going to get out of Jon Scheyer. He's a heady scorer with a knack for hitting tough shots in the mid-range. An under-appreciated defender, Scheyer is a kid who was looked over a bit from a national perspective. The biggest issue for Scheyer is that he struggles when he has to play off the ball. Not because he doesn't have the ability, but because he is unable to take advantage of his size and strength against bigger defenders. Scheyer played his best basketball last season when Elliot Williams was moved into the starting line-up. All of a sudden, the big, strong, and athletic ACC two-guards were defending Williams, and Scheyer was able to go against the smaller point guards, taking advantage of his superior size and strength.

Which is why the signing and development of Andre Dawkins will be so important. Dawkins, who decided to enroll at Duke early instead of attend a fifth year of high school, is an extremely athletic 6'4" wing. He can score, he can defend, and he can get to the rim and finish. But will he be able to compete in the ACC as an 18 year old? If yes, than that will allow Scheyer to play a lot of minutes on the ball. If not, than Dawkins is still going to be playing a lot of minutes. Duke has no one else.

Outlook: The Blue Devils have a lot of potential on this team, and it is too early to peg them right now. I can see this team putting it all together and winning the ACC en route to a Final Four trip. But I can also see their bigs struggling inside, Nolan Smith unable to carry the torch, and the Dukies ending up outside the top 25 most of the year. With their size, length, and athleticism across the front line, and thanks to Coach K's time spent this summer with Jim Boeheim, Duke will be playing more zone than in years past. Will these guys learn to be effective in it? My prediction: 11-12 ACC wins, 24 or 25 wins on the year, and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen as a 4 or 5 seed.
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No. 12: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Tennessee Volunteers

2008-2009 Record: 21-13, 10-6 SEC East (t-1st)

Key Losses: Josh Tabb (3.4 ppg), Emmanuel Negedu (1.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg)

Key Returners: Tyler Smith (17.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 apg), Wayne Chism (13.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg), JP Prince (9.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 spg), Bobby Maze (8.2 ppg, 3.3 apg)

Newcomers: Melvin Goins, Josh Bone, Skylar McBee

Tyler Smith will be the Vols leader once again.
(photo credit: YouGotDunkedOn)

As has been the case since Bruce Pearl arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee will be loaded with talent, athletes, and potential. The Vols get their top seven scorers back from last season, and a lot is going to be expected of this team.

The best player will once again be Tyler Smith. Smith is such a difficult match-up on the floor. He plays the power forward spot, but his skill set is much more suited to being a small forward. His offensive game is perimeter oriented, as he is the most successful when he is putting the ball on the floor and attacking. Smith is the best creator for the Vols, and since so many other guys on the floor are going to struggle to create their own shots, he will be instrumental in the Tennessee offense.

Joining Smith up front will be Wayne Chism. Chism is a big body in the post and has shown an ability to score with his back to the basket, but he has a tendency to fade to the perimeter. While Chism is not a bad shooter, in fact it is an asset because he does have some ability to put the ball on the floor, he will sometimes fall in love with the shot. The more he stays in the paint, the more effective Chism is. Brian Williams is the other big man on this roster. Williams has a soft touch and is an effective rebounder, but he has battled weight and conditioning issues throughout his career. Freshman Kenny Hall will also provide a lot of minutes. Hall gained a lot of hype throughout his senior season in high school. He is a 6'9", athletic big man that has shown signs of having a decent back-to-the-basket game.

At the point is where Tennessee had some issues last year. They were a bit thin to start the year as Ramar Smith, who was expected to share time with Bobby Maze, was kicked out of the program before the season started. Maze had a solid, if unspectacular, junior campaign. He showed flashes of being a big-time point guard, but all in all he was inconsistent. Tennessee is going to need more play-making from the point guard spot this year, and junior Melvin Goins may be able to help. Goins is a strong ball handler and creator, but he isn't the scoring presence that Maze is. He should also add some defensive intensity, which will be just as important.

On the wings, Tennessee has a number of guys that will play. JP Prince, Cam Tatum, Scottie Hopson, and Renaldo Woolridge will all play significant minutes. And to be honest, there is not a lot of difference between these guys. Prince is probably the best, as he is an excellent defender and can create off the bounce offensively. Cam Tatum was probably the most dangerous of the group on the offensive end. He is a bit streaky, but when he is hot he can score in bunches. Scottie Hopson and Renaldo Woolridge are similar players - they are both long, athletic perimeter guys with a ton of potential that have yet to really learn how to utilize their physical tools. When its all said and done, these four guys are essentially interchangeable, but if the Vols want to win the SEC, someone from this group is going to need to step up their game and become an all-league caliber player.

Outlook: Tennessee did not press as much as last season as many people expected. Why? Because they were young and Pearl did not think that they had the ability, especially in the back court, to be effective. This season, expect the Vols to play at a much quicker pace. Offensively, Tennessee is going to be at their best when they are playing in the full court. Outside of Smith, they really don't have anyone that opponents will fear in the half court. Maze is decent, Chism and Hall can be good, but overall they were stagnant and forced too many tough threes last season. If guys like Maze, Tatum, Goins, and Prince can provide the first level of defense on the Vols press, than Tennessee has a chance to be very, very good simply because there are so many guys that are long and athletic. Think about how effective Louisville's press was last season with Terrence Williams and Earl Clark wreaking havoc picking off passes. My biggest worry with Tennessee is that they did, in fact, bring everyone back. The Vols were a disappointing team given their talent level last season. Unless some of their key guys developed during the off-season, this ranking could look way too high come March.
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No. 13: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Clemson Tigers

2008-2009 Record: 23-9, 9-7 ACC (t-5th)

Key Losses: KC Rivers (14.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Terrence Oglesby (13.2 ppg, 38.8% 3's), Raymond Sykes (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Key Returners: Trevor Booker (15.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Demontez Stitt (8.7 ppg, 3.8 apg), David Potter (4.9 ppg)

Newcomers: Milton Jennings, Devin Booker, Noel Johnson, Donte Hill

Trevor Booker dunks as hard as anyone in the country.
(photo credit: YouGotDunkedOn)

The Tigers of the last few seasons have been notorious for winning a lot of early, non-conference games, only to struggle down the stretch of ACC play and fizzle out in the NCAA Tournament. Last season was no different as Clemson was upset in the first round of the ACC Tourney and lost to Michigan in a 7-10 game in the Big Dance.

Hopefully for Oliver Purnell, this is the year that changes. Yes, the Tigers lost two of their top three scorers as KC Rivers graduated and Terrence Oglesby left for Norway, but he does return one of the best big men in the ACC in Trevor Booker. Booker has turned into a beast during his time at Clemson. Booker is not the most talented guy, but there may not be a more athletic and aggressive power forward in the country. He defends hard, he rebounds hard, he posts hard, he goes the rim hard. When Booker is on the floor, you know you are going to be getting 110% out of him, and when your star player is leaving everything he has on the floor, it is tough for the rest of the team not to follow suit.

What makes Booker so good for Purnell's system is his athleticism. He is mobile enough to play up front on the Tigers excellent press, but he is also big and strong enough to control the glass and defend the post. He can also play inside and outside on the offensive end. You don't want him taking six threes a game, but he has developed a good enough stroke that if you leave him open from the perimeter he can knock down some jumpers (he was 9-22 from deep last season). But if he is being guarded by the opposing four, he is able to put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles either direction and get to the rim. An 18 and 10 season is not out of the question.

Joining Booker up front will be a typical Clemson front line, meaning they are loaded with long, rangy, athletic fours. The best of the bunch may end up being freshman Milton Jennings when it is all said and done. Jennings is 6'9" and very skilled, especially on the perimeter, but he still needs to improve his strength and get tougher inside. But skilled, rangy big men are the perfect fit for the system run at Clemson, and Jennings will thrive playing for Oliver Purnell. Jerai Grant and Devin Booker, Trevor's brother, will also see significant minutes up front. Grant is not overly skilled, but he plays hard, runs the floor, and is athletic enough to grab a few boards and block a few shots. The younger Booker is about where the elder was at this stage. He is an excellent athlete with some polished post moves, and if he can work as hard as Trevor, he should be an impact player immediately. Don't be surprised is 7'2" sophomore Catalin Baciu sees some increased minutes this season.

The point guard spot is going to be held down by junior Demontez Stitt, who I personally believe is one of the more underrated guards in the ACC. Stitt is an excellent on the ball defender, which makes him extremely valuable to Purnell. Offensively, he is quick with the ball and able to penetrate. As he gains more confidence in his scoring and passing ability, he will become more effective. His development will be crucial to the Tigers success this year as they lost a lot of scoring the past two seasons.

Perhaps the most important player on this team will be 6'6" freshman Noel Johnson. Johnson joins the Tigers with a reputation as a shooter and scorer from the perimeter, and with their only two perimeter threats leaving, he will be asked to contribute a lot immediately.

Joining Stitt and Johnson on the perimeter will be David Potter, Tanner Smith, and Andre Young. Potter and Smith are both excellent defenders with a lot of size (6'6" an 6'5", respectively). You know what you are going to get from those two in terms of defense and hustle, but they are going to need to increase their scoring if Clemson wants to become a player in the wide open ACC. Young is a quick, 5'9" sophomore that will back up Stitt. He may be a better offensive player than Stitt at this point in his career, taking better care of the ball and being a better shooter. But until he proves the ability to score inside the arc (he was just a 36% shooter from two) he will be just a role player. Also expect Brian Narcisse and Donte Hill, and extremely athletic 6'4" freshman, too provide quality minutes as well.

Outlook: I really like this Clemson team. While they lost some of their scoring from last season, they are going to be much more athletic this year. Trevor Booker will be in the conversation for ACC player of the year, so as long as guys like Stitt and Johnson live up to their expectations, and the role players on this team play hard and defend, Clemson should be in the race for the ACC crown. The Tigers run a tough press, and with the number of quality guards that left the ACC, it is feasible to believe that Clemson could bring home an ACC crown.
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