PEEGS 2015-16 PRESEASON TOP 25
The Peegs.com staff has voted and we present you our first annual, "Peegs Preseason Top 25." We're only a few weeks away from real competition so get up to speed on the most formidable teams across the nation in 2015-16.
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1) MARYLAND (3)
The Terps welcome Georgia Tech transfer Robert Carter and five-star freshman center Diamond Stone (#6 Rivals) to the frontcourt. Duke graduate-transfer Rasheed Sulaimon joins Melo Trimble in the backcourt. Carter's arrival at the four allows Jake Layman to slide out to the wing. Jared Nickens and Dion Wiley are nice offensive weapons off the bench. 6-11 senior center Damonte Dodd will back-up Stone inside along with 7-1 sophom*ore Michal Cekovsky, who is expected to be a very good player at some point. 6-9 forward Ivan Bender is also in the mix. The Terps are one of the most physically imposing rosters in college basketball.
G Melo Trimble 6-3 SO
G Rasheed Sulaimon 6-4 SR
F Jake Layman 6-9 JR
F Robert Carter 6-9 JR
C Diamond Stone 6-11 FR
Playmakers, high-volume scorers, perimter shooters, an elite point, athleticism, defensive toughness, exceptional size and tons of experience -- Mark Turgeon's group has it all. Maryland gets its first test on November 17 when it hosts Georgetown. A top-ranked showdown at Carolina looms on December 1. The B1G portion of the schedule has games at Michigan State, Wisconsin and Purdue. The Terps travel to Bloomington for the season finale.
2) KENTUCKY (1)
Tyler Ulis, Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee are all that returns for the 'Cats. John Calipari will look to fill holes the NBA Draft left with the best recruiting class for 2015, edging Duke with five-star guards Jamal Murray (#9 Rivals) and Isaiah Briscoe (#10 Rivals), five-star 7-0 Skal Labissiere (#1 Rivals), 7-0 Isaac Humphries, and four star shooting guards, Mychal Mulder (Vincennes JC) and Charles Matthews (#48 Rivals)
G Tyler Ulis 5-9 SO
G Jamal Murray 6-5 FR
G Isaiah Briscoe 6-5 FR
F Alex Poytthress 6-8 SR
C Skal Labissiere 7-0 FR
The 'Cats are here because of the influx of raw talent, Ulis and Calipari. But much is still unknown. There might be some early bumps, but expect a March monster once again.
3) NORTH CAROLINA
There's no one better inside five minutes in the country than Marcus Paige. Brice Johnson looks ready to be a household name, and sophom*ore shooting guard Justin Jackson looks to build on a solid rookie campaign. The Heels are big and deep inside. 6-9, 270-pound Kennedy Meeks and 6-10, 280-pound Joel James are a load. Theo Pinson looks to break in on the wing. The bench will feature Isaiah Hicks, four-star freshman shooting guard Kenny Williams (#89 Rivals) and three-star freshman forward Luke Maye.
G Marcus Paige 6-1 SR
G Justin Jackson 6-8 SO
F Theo Pinson 6-6 JR
F Brice Johnson 6-9 JR
C Kennedy Meeks 6-9 JR
Roy Williams hasn't taken the 'Heels past the Sweet Sixteen since 2012. Carolina was a top-10 offense and a top-50 defense last season. If Paige can stay on the court, Carolina is primed for a March run.
4) VIRGINIA
The Cavs had the top-ranked defense in college hoops last season. The pack-line feels as reliable as anything in college basketball, and this team will again be one of the best.
G London Perrantes 6-2 JR
G Malcolm Brogdon 6-5 SR
F Evan Nolte 6-8 SR
F Anthony Gill 6-8 SR
C Mike Tobey 7-0 SR
This lineup has played a combined 14 seasons of college basketball. Often overlooked is the fact that Tony Bennett has become a really good offensive coach, too. The Cavaliers had the 24th best offensive efficiency.
5) DUKE
Can you believe there was a time this spring when Mike Krzyzewski wasn't so sure about what kind of team he would have? Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Quinn Cook graduated. Six months later, and Duke doesn't look as if it expects to be disrupted. When the dust settled for Coach K, Duke had put together the second best recruiting class in the country.
G Derryck Thornton 6-1 FR (#14 Rivals)
G Grayson Allen 6-4 SO (#27 Rivals 2014)
F Matt Jones 6-8 JR/Luke Kennard 6-7 FR (#25 Rivals)
F Brandon Ingram 6-9 FR (#4 Rivals)
F Chase Jeter 6-10 FR (#16 Rivals)
Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee return and provide leadership and depth inside, along with Rice-transfer Sean Obi. Matt Jones started the National Championship game last season. Grayson Allen was the hero. Luke Kennard scored more points than LeBron in Ohio high school basketball.
6) KANSAS
Bill Self is one of America's premier defensive coaches. He's engineered top-10 defenses in eight of his 10 seasons in Lawrence. Like Virginia's Tony Bennett, the Jayhawks can almost always be counted on to provide elite defense. Offensively, Kansas goes as 5-11 junior Frank Mason III goes. Mason III shot 42 percent from deep with a 24.7 percent assist rate last season. A slew of Jayhawks return -- Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor, Wayne Selden Jr., Devonte' Graham, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Brannen Greene, Landen Lucas and former Arkansas transfer Hunter Mickelson are all back. Ellis and Selden are two guys with something to prove, and Cheick Diallo (#5 Rivals) could be everything Cliff Alexander wasn't last season, if he's eligible. Five-star forward Carlton Bragg (#21 Rivals) is an instant impact talent from day one. Four-star freshman shooting guard LeGerald Vick joins the most physically imposing roster in college basketball this year.
G Frank Mason III 5-11 JR
G Wayne Selden Jr. 6-5 JR
F Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 6-8 SO
F Perry Ellis 6-8 SR
C Cheick Diallo 6-9 FR/Landen Lucas 6-10 JR/ Hunter Mickelson 6-11 SR/Carlton Bragg 6-9 FR
7) IOWA STATE
One of the more intriguing storylines in college basketball this season is in Ames. Seth Greenberg on the job ahead for new coach Steve Prohm:
"I think Steve Prohm at Iowa State has the toughest job in college basketball because of who he's following and the expectations that come with that. Iowa State is 99-40 over the last four years. He's replacing an icon and a person who's revered. You don't get the nickname "The Mayor" unless people look up to you, and Fred Hoiberg delivered. Prohm is getting a team with an All-American in Georges Niang, a guy who has a 5-to-1 assist to turnover ratio in Monte Morris, a great blend guy in Nazareth Mitrou-Long not to mention rim protector Jameel McKay and forward Abdel Nader. People expect that team to go to the Final Four. It's a great job, but the pressure that comes with it, and the pressure to maintain it, is great. For a new coach, that's one of the toughest jobs in the country."
The timing of Hoiberg's decision may have cost the program five-star forward Cheick Diallo. But Niang and Morris will go a long way to helping Prohm in year one.
8) OKLAHOMA
Lon Krueger quietly assembled the best defense in the Big 12 last year. Most of the roster returns, led by All-American candidate Buddy Hield, a scoring machine who took 500 attempts from the field last season. Sharpshooter Isaiah Cousins (45 percent from three) bombs from deep, and 6-9 Ryan Spangler (120.5 offensive efficiency) is outstanding inside. The Sooners were tough to put points on last season, but how much will Ta'Shawn Thomas be missed defensively and on the backboards?
9) VILLANOVA
JayVaughn Pinkston and Darrun Hilliard graduated. Dylan Ennis left for Oregon (graduate transfer) after Jay Wright landed Jaylen Brunson (#20 Rivals) to run the point. Josh Hart (46 percent from three) could be a First Team All-American. Hart and Ryan Arcidiacono (37 percent from three) are as tough and gritty as they come. Daniel Ochefu, Kris Jenkins and Phil Booth are all largely responsible for last season's squad ranking fourth in offense and 13th in defense nationally.
G Jaylen Brunson 6-1 FR
G Josh Hart 6-5 JR 125.3 offensive efficiency
G Ryan Arcidiacono 6-3 SR 116.4 offensive efficiency
F Kris Jenkins 6-6 SR, 121.3 offensive efficiency
C Daniel Ochefu 6-11 SR, 118.1 offensive efficiency
The Wildcats had won 16 in a row last season before being upset in the second round by eighth-seed NC State. The offense could be the best in the country this season, and the defense should be a top-10 unit. This team has something to prove.
10) WICHITA STATE
Gregg Marshall has one of the best backcourts in college hoops, but questions remain upfront. The Shockers displaced Indiana and Kansas in the Tournament last year with undersized 6-7 center Darius Carter, but he's gone. Freddy VanVleet and Ron Baker are back. 6-4 Kansas-transfer Connor Frankamp is eligible at the Christmas break and gives WSU another perimeter deep threat. 6-8 Cleveland State-transfer Anton Grady chose the Shockers over Kansas and Kansas State, and will help inside, but the issue is far from settled. Four-star guard Landry Shamet will be solid in the backcourt for Marshall.
G Freddy VanVleet 6-2 SR
G Ron Baker 6-4 SR
G Connor Frankamp 6-4 JR/Landry Shamet 6-4 FR
F Evan Wessel 6-4 SR
C Anton Grady 6-8 SR
11) MICHIGAN STATE
Tom Izzo has the best recruiting class in the school's history waiting in the wings. But let's not forget about now. Denzel Valentine is back. West Virginia transfer Eron Harris, who averaged 17 per game two years ago, should be the team's best offensive weapon. But he's been in trouble since he arrived in East Lansing. Freshman Deyonta Davis (#26 Rivals) replaces Branden Dawson, and Lou-Rawls Nairn, Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello, Gavin Schilling, Marvin Clark and Alvin Ellis are all back. Texas four-star shooting guard Matthew McQuaid provides perimeter shooting off the bench.
G Lou-Rawls Nairn 5-10 SO
G Eron Harris 6-5 JR
F Denzel Valentine 6-5 SR
F Deytona Davis 6-8 FR
C Gavin Schilling 6-10 JR
If Harris can stay on-track, and Davis is as good as advertised, we all know Izzo owns March.
12) ARIZONA
Arizona and Kentucky were the only two teams with a top-ten offense AND defense last season. But like Kentucky, 'Zona got rocked by June's NBA Draft. Sean Miller does welcome a top-five recruiting class to Tuscon. Kaleb Tarczewski leads the way in the middle. Boston College transfer Ryan Anderson helps on both ends inside. Miller turns his team over to Parker Jackson-Cartwright after TJ McConnell's graduation. Gabe York hit 40 percent from deep last year. Allonzo Trier, a five-star shooting guard adds skill, depth and versatility. Five-star forward Ray Smith (#17 Rivals) will push for a look in the lineup. 6-10 freshman center Chance Comanche will see time. Five-star Justin Simon (Rivals #24) is another young, talented frosh. The Wildcats were 67-9 in the last two seasons, and while it might not win 30 games this year, the Wildcats will still be the crème of the crop out west.
13) INDIANA
Just three coaches have engineered top-10 offenses in three of the past four seasons -- John Calipari, Greg McDermott and Tom Crean (Mike Krzyzewski has four). Crean's offense should be even better than last year, which ranked ninth nationally. Yogi Ferrell is a Big Ten POY candidate, James Blackmon Jr. was good for almost 16 a game as a freshman, and Troy Williams is a future 2016 first-rounder. But it's the arrival of 6-10 Thomas Bryant (#27 Rivals) that gives the Hoosiers a chance to be really special. Four-star power forward Juwan Morgan (#109 Rivals) is a dunking machine, and athletic freshman O.G. Anunoby might be the next diamond in the rough for Crean. Michigan-transfer Max Bielfeldt adds leadership and depth inside. Collin Hartman and Nick Zeisloft were among the leaders nationally in offensive efficiency last year. But the defensive uncertainties and questions surrounding leadership have caused expectations to temper. Nevertheless, Final Four potential remains. There would seem to be few programs any more motivated than Indiana and Tom Crean.
14) GONZAGA
Mark Few might have the best frontcourt in the country on paper - Kyle Wiltjer is a match up nightmare. Przemek Karnowski is a beast. Domantas Sabonis is a future first-rounder. But unknown sophom*ore Josh Perkins is tasked with facilitating the offense now that Kevin Pangos is gone. Who becomes the defensive tough-guy now that Gary Bell is gone? Do the 'Zags have the guards to win?
15) CALIFORNIA
Cuonzo Martin adds two future NBA lottery picks to his 18-15 team from a year ago. The Bears will be an interesting team to watch - loaded with perimeter firepower but weak inside. Elite-wing Jaylen Brown (#3 Rivals) joins Isaac Raab (#7 Rivals) to give Martin a recruiting coup for 2015. Suddenly this team has high expectations. Point guard Tyrone Wallace (26 percent assist rate), Jordan Matthews and Jabari Bird surround the blue-chippers in Berkley, but will it work without a post presence?
16) NOTRE DAME
Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton are gone, but there's still a lot left to like in South Bend. There's 6-10 Zach Auguste inside, floor general Demetrius Jackson (42.6 percent from three), the most underrated player in America. There's 6-5 sharpshooter Steve Vasturia (41 percent from deep) and Bonzie Colson, who had a good freshman year. 6-7 Austin Torres and 6-9 senior Austin Burgett provide quality depth inside. 6-8 VJ Beachem should see more minutes, too. 6-4 four-star shooting guard Rex Pflueger will find the floor as the team looks to replace the 378 three-point attempts Grant and Connaughton combined to take last year. Mike Brey's group will be really good inside and out. The Irish will defend better. Don't sleep on ND.
17) WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia lost its best player (Juwan Staten), but Bob Huggins returns four starters - Devin Williams, Jonathon Holton, and sophom*ores Daxter Miles and Jevon Carter. The Mountaineers played the fastest tempo since Huggins took over in Morgantown while leading college basketball in defensive turnover percentage and steal percentage. Huggins adds a solid if not spectacular three-man class, which is highlighted by 6-7 four-star forward Esa Ahmad (#72 Rivals).
18) MICHIGAN
Michigan dropped non-conference games to Eastern Michigan and the New Jersey Institute of Technology last season. Then it lost its heart (Caris Levert) and soul (Derrick Walton) to season-ending injuries. Michigan lost nine of its final 13 after Levert and Walton went down to finish 16-16. Of the nine losses, four were in overtime, including at Wisconsin and at Michigan State.
G Derrick Walton 6-1 JR
G Caris LeVert 6-7 SR
F Zak Irvin 6-6 JR
F Moritz Wagner 6-9 FR
C Ricky Doyle 6-9 SO
LeVert and Walton return healthy and motivated in 2015-16, along with a talented young cast that now has experience. Zak Irvin will be really good. 6-6 small forward Aubrey Dawkins, 6-9 center Ricky Doyle and 6-1 sophom*ore Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman all got major minutes in place of its injured stars. 6-9 German power forward Moritz Wagner jumps into the lineup.
19) UTAH
Utah lost one of the best players in the country last season in Delon Wright, but Larry Krystkowiak returns great shooting, quality guards, and NBA prospect Jakob Poeltl in the pivot. Senior guards Brandon Loveridge, Dakari Tucker and Brandon Taylor are the heart and soul of the squad. Sophom*ore Brekkott Chapman was a top-100 recruit entering last season.
G Brandon Taylor 5-10 SR
G Brandon Loveridge 6-6 SR
G Dakari Tucker SR 6-5 SR
F Brekkott Chapman 6-8 SO
C Jakob Poeltl 7-0 SO
The Utes won't get a lot of hype or prime time coverage, but watch Utah as a sleeper in March.
20) LOUISVILLE
Louisville's lineup will look a lot different this year. Montrezl Harrell, Wayne Blackshear, Terry Rozier, Chris Jones, Anton Gill, all gone. Top returning scorer Quentin Snider (4.1 points), starting center Mangok Mathiang and Chinanu Onuaku lead a team that will rely heavily on a top-10 class and two of the most impactful fifth-year graduate transfers of the season - Trey Lewis (Cleveland State) and Damion Lee (Drexel). Lee averaged 21.4 points a game in 2014-15 after an ACL tear two years ago. Trey Lewis is a point guard who is also a good perimeter shooter. Four-star Donovan Mitchell (#31 Rivals), Deng Adel (#47 Rivals) and Raymond Spalding (#63 Rivals) will play pivotal roles.
G Trey Lewis 6-3 SR
G Damion Lee 6-4 SR
G Donovan Mitchell 6-3 FR/F Deng Adel 6-7 FR
F Raymond Spalding 6-10 FR
C Mangok Mathiang 6-10 JR
21) WISCONSIN
Bo Ryan is still coaching, Nigel Hayes is still playing, and Bronson Koening is back to starting for Wisconsin. What part of that still doesn't scare you, Big Ten?
Ryan will rely on a large freshman class to support Hayes and Koening. Returnees Zak Showalter and 6-8 forward Vitto Brown could start. Brevin Pritzl (#79 Rivals) headlines the freshman. Pritzl has missed time after surgery to repair a broken left foot he suffered in late summer, but he's expected back soon. Pritzl is the best pure shooter on the roster. He'll eventually work back into the lineup. Power forward Alex Illikainen (#146 Rivals), 6-8 forward Charlie Thomas, 6-11 post Andy Van Vliet, 6-9 redshirt freshman forward Ethan Happ, 6-5 redshirt freshman guard TJ Schlundt, and 6-5 freshman forward Khalil Iverson are all newcomers on the floor in Madison. The Badgers will again play near the top of the B1G.
G Bronson Koening 6-4 JR
G Brevin Pritzl 6-4 FR/Zak Showalter 6-3 JR
F Nigel Hayes 6-8 JR
F Vitto Brown 6-8 JR/Charlie Thomas 6-8 FR/Alex Illikainen 6-9 FR/Ethan Happ
C Andy Van Vliet 6-11/Alex Illikainen 6-9 FR
22) GEORGETOWN
The Hoyas exceeded expectations last year thanks in large part to D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. DSR dropped his second consecutive season with an offensive efficiency above 120. Joshua Smith, Mikael Hopkins and Jabril Trawick have all graduated. It's now up to DSR to bring along 6-9 Isaac Copeland (#23 for Rivals 2014). 6-5 L.J. Peak (#68 Rivals 2014) must improve his perimeter shooting (24 percent from three). 6-10 four-star center Jesse Govan (#40 Rivals), 6-7 four-star forward Marcus Derrickson (#87 Rivals) and 6-8 sophom*ore Paul White all get a shot inside. 6-2 sophom*ore Tre Campbell was good in a limited role last season.
23) VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt was led by a trio of freshman last year. Riley LaChance could be outstanding as a sophom*ore. He played to a 116.1 offensive efficiency while logging 82.8 percent of minutes. Wade Baldwin was nearly as productive (115 offensive efficiency on 71.7 percent minutes). Matthew Fisher-Davis combined with LaChance and Baldwin to make 42.9 percent of their attempts from deep (176-410). Even 7-1 Luke Kornet hit on 40 percent of his tries from deep. Center Damian Jones is on NBA draft boards.
24) PURDUE
The Boilers led the Big Ten in offensive rebounding last season. Purdue is loaded again up front with 7-0 AJ Hammons and 6-9 Caleb Swanigan (#19 Rivals). 7-2 Isaac Haas will get big minutes off the bench. 6-5 Raphael Davis returns for what should be a great senior campaign. 6-7 forward Vince Edwards is a sleeper for a huge breakout. Freshman sharpshooter Ryan Cline gives Matt Painter help on the perimeter, along with 6-6 junior Kendall Stephens. The question comes down to whether you believe in Johnny Hill at the point every night in the Big Ten? In six games versus top-100 teams last season at UT-Arlington, Hill's offensive efficiency was just 73.9. He struggled with turnovers, recording four or more seven times, including 11 in a game versus Georgia State. Place 5-10 PJ Thompson and 6-2 freshman Grant Weatherford on stand-by at the point.
G Johnny Hill 6-3 SR
G Raphael Davis 6-6 SR
F Vince Edwards 6-7 SO
F Caleb Swanigan 6-9 FR
C AJ Hammons 7-0 SR
25) BUTLER
Chris Holtzmann's first full year at Butler will be the last for seniors Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones. Dunham was spectacular with the ball as a junior. He shot 41 percent from deep and was a steady presence at a rough time for the program. The Bulldogs added 5-11 NC-State transfer Tyler Lewis, who replaces Alex Barlow at the point. Kameron Woods will be sorely missed. Finding a way past Villanova will be rough for the Bulldogs.
Others receiving votes: Texas A&M, Xavier, LSU, UCLA, Baylor, SMU, Oregon, Connecticut
EDIT: Another worth a mention - Cincinnati. Could be Cronin's best team yet. Bearcat fans have high hopes for season. Four starters back, good on both ends, and Octavius Ellis plays big inside.
