TODAY: Ranked #10 by ESPN !!! ... fwiw

[LineSkiCat14]

I would just think after seeing what Mark Pope did in year 1 at UK, getting a #3-seed, with a 100% new roster, one that likely doesn't have a single 2025 draft pick.. that we'd have been given a LITTLE more benefit of the doubt here.

I mean look at how they are evaluating Pat Kelsey and Louisville. Last year an 9-seed and a 1st round exit, with a more unproven coach.. but tempering expectations doesn't seem to apply to them..

 

[yoshukai]

You might enjoy Kentucky basketball more (and this board) if you allowed yourself to, instead of being a Johnny Raincloud. Easily, 99% of BBN is pretty happy and positive right now. Maybe ask yourself why you aren't. Just a thought.

Do you think that dude actually wants to enjoy Kentucky basketball though? I don’t know what his deal is but he’s no UK basketball fan .

 

[RuppnRoll]

Kansas was #1 last year FWIW ... everyone here should know what your rank is at the beginning of the season NEVER ever matters at the end of the season.

 

[OmahaCats]

The elite shooter omission may come back to haunt us or Johnson or chandler could go off and fill it. We ll see but I expect we will have to earn respect. I doubt the top or second best team in the sec is only ranked at 9.

Yeah but who knows if Kentucky will be one of the top 2 teams in the sec. I think for sure too 3-4. Possibly 1 or 2. We’ll see

 

[jr40831]

Duke's not in the top 5? Well, blow me down.

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

I think we have a top 5 roster.

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

Comical poll

 

[Padsfs07]

I mean it’s fine to put Purdue at 1 but there is no way they are winning the title. Smith and the big are good college players, but let’s be real. Why would Houston not be ahead of them.

Houston, Duke, Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee are, imo, living off the previous years' success, which is a mistake. You can't replace your three best players with a similar number of transfers/freshmen that are clearly not as good.

Houston went from Uzan, Cryer, and Roberts to Flemings, Isaacs, Harwell, and Cenac Jr. - Not the same.
Duke went from Flagg, Proctor, Knueppel, and Maluach to Boozer - Obviously a major drop
Auburn lost Pettiford, Kelly, Baker-Mazara, and Broome gaining Overton, Freeman, Hall, and Murphy
Florida lost Clayton, Martin, Richard, Condon, and Aberdeen gaining just Lee and Ingram
Tennessee lost Zeigler, Lanier, Mashack, and Milicic gaining just Gillespie, Ament, and Carey
Texas Tech is also overrated.

These are not your typical switch-outs like a Bulter/Krissa to Lowe/Aberdeen...

 

[bucsrule8872]

Houston, Duke, Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee are, imo, living off the previous years' success, which is a mistake. You can't replace your three best players with a similar number of transfers/freshmen that are clearly not as good.

Houston went from Uzan, Cryer, and Roberts to Flemings, Isaacs, Harwell, and Cenac Jr. - Not the same.
Duke went from Flagg, Proctor, Knueppel, and Maluach to Boozer - Obviously a major drop
Auburn lost Pettiford, Kelly, Baker-Mazara, and Broome gaining Overton, Freeman, Hall, and Murphy
Florida lost Clayton, Martin, Richard, Condon, and Aberdeen gaining just Lee and Ingram
Tennessee lost Zeigler, Lanier, Mashack, and Milicic gaining just Gillespie, Ament, and Carey
Texas Tech is also overrated.

These are not your typical switch-outs like a Bulter/Krissa to Lowe/Aberdeen...

The SEC should be down a bit.

Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee had to replace guys that have been in their program for multiple years. They have to replace a lot of those fifth year “super” Seniors that had been with them for 2-3 years, some had been with them all five years.

The Cats should be poised to leap frog those teams this season.

We had a lot to replace, but not as much as they did.

I think Oweh and Quaintance are the key players.

Keep Oweh (we should) and get Quaintance healthy and we are really good. Those two should be hard to handle and with the defense focusing on them, Lowe, Aberdeen, etc. should cook.

 

[Worf88]

You all really think your negativity is validated because you agree with Jeff Borzello?! Here is his horrific preseason top 25 last year: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...eason-top-25-mens-college-basketball-rankings

Florida at #22. Jeff is an absolute moron across the board.

Idgaf what Jeff says. What I KNOW is this team will be a worse shooting team than the one we just had and the one before that.

With a roster being so close to a title contender and it only missing one great shooter, it’s frustrating and pisses me off. ESPECIALLY if the story about the team NIL being $20M for next year. How in the ever loving hell do you rack up a $20M nil yet get beat out for a player anytime it turned into a bidding war? Anytime the rumored number was $2M or more we missed on the recruit. Atleast one of which we lead on for awhile.

Only way shooting is adequate and not a reason we lose game is if MULTIPLE players take big steps up in the shooting department.

 

[brianpoe]

Idgaf what Jeff says. What I KNOW is this team will be a worse shooting team than the one we just had and the one before that.

With a roster being so close to a title contender and it only missing one great shooter, it’s frustrating and pisses me off.

 

[Cleatortoises]

A lot of yall are setting yourself up for disappointment thinking this is a top 1-5 roster. There’s a big hole at SG. It’s missing a big shooter/go to scorer.

Well the guy that started there last year and scored 17 per game will be back.
I feel ok.

 

[YardCat]

Who gives a crap about Pre-season rankings? It’s where you are ranked at the end of the year. I was hoping that we were ranked lower, need more to inspire the players to prove their worth and ranking.

 

[RunninRichie]

To be honest I think Houston and Purdue are rightfully 1 and 2. Most of 3-10 are guesswork. If we play the way I think we will, I’m expecting an elite eight at minimum, be top 10 all year and absolutely trash a lot of teams. If pope gets these cats on the same page, look out.

Painter has turned Purdue into a powerhouse. And easily the #1 basketball school in that state.

 

[NociHTTP]

I think we have a top 5 roster.

Based on what, rebounds?

 

[MidseasonTweaks]

Based on what, rebounds?

Defense, rebounding, athleticism. Shooting will be good too.

 

[NociHTTP]

Defense, rebounding, athleticism. Shooting will be good too.

I was trying to be funny, and failed, lol. Those things are great, but we saw a lot of that with Cal's teams. Fingers crossed that a great shooter or two emerges from the group.

 

[fatguy87]

We are 9th in barttorvik.

14 in offensive efficiency
7th in defensive efficiency

 

[Creed Bratton]

Because we have no proven shooters in our starting lineup...proven shooters meaning 37% plus behind the arc. We will probably have like the 35th-40th best offense and around 10th-15th best defense.

I guess if Florida would've had more players beside Walter Clayton Jr (38.5%) that were proven shooters they probably would have been 40-0. 🤣

 

[BlueBloodedCat96]

Idgaf what Jeff says. What I KNOW is this team will be a worse shooting team than the one we just had and the one before that.

With a roster being so close to a title contender and it only missing one great shooter, it’s frustrating and pisses me off. ESPECIALLY if the story about the team NIL being $20M for next year. How in the ever loving hell do you rack up a $20M nil yet get beat out for a player anytime it turned into a bidding war? Anytime the rumored number was $2M or more we missed on the recruit. Atleast one of which we lead on for awhile.

Only way shooting is adequate and not a reason we lose game is if MULTIPLE players take big steps up in the shooting department.

I think we will shoot the three well this season. As far as the guys we lost out on I expect them to have a great season individually with not much team success. We don’t want me guys.

 

[Anthony B]

The rebounding factor alone should make us better than last year's team. If we don't shoot the 3 as well this year, it shouldn't be a problem as long as they can rebound the misses. That's something they couldn't do last season when the chips were down.

 

[JimboBBN]

The rebounding factor alone should make us better than last year's team. If we don't shoot the 3 as well this year, it shouldn't be a problem as long as they can rebound the misses. That's something they couldn't do last season when the chips were down.

I feel similar. We are going to take a hit (a small one in my opinion, almost everyone on the team can shoot it but no snipers like Brea or Jax) but everything else should be improved. Athleticism, defense, and rebounding will all be much better than last season. It’s a net positive without a doubt.

 

[Edgarman]

Cool story bro. I’m going to enjoy watching a team that can get a freaking stop or grab a defensive rebound when we really need it.

We HOPE they get stops & D rebounds when needed. Nothing proven yet.

 

[BBNinSC]

Idgaf what Jeff says. What I KNOW is this team will be a worse shooting team than the one we just had and the one before that.

With a roster being so close to a title contender and it only missing one great shooter, it’s frustrating and pisses me off. ESPECIALLY if the story about the team NIL being $20M for next year. How in the ever loving hell do you rack up a $20M nil yet get beat out for a player anytime it turned into a bidding war? Anytime the rumored number was $2M or more we missed on the recruit. Atleast one of which we lead on for awhile.

Only way shooting is adequate and not a reason we lose game is if MULTIPLE players take big steps up in the shooting department.

I believe Pope spent the NIL money wisely and didn’t overpay just because he had the resources. I can find nothing to complain about with our roster. I expect a starting line up of
Lowe
Oweh
Williams
Garrison
JQ
There are lots of shooters coming off the bench as I expect better shooting numbers from Chandler and Noah. You’ll see.

 

[Skyguyb27]

Can’t be. Everyone in the world knows this was the best portal class I. The history of mankind per this board.

Bros mad we gonna be good.

 

[fatguy87]

We may not shoot as well from 3 nexts season, but we should be better on the offensive glass and defending.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think we are top 5 good now that the dust has settled.

I’m not buying the UF hype.

They will be good, I don’t doubt that. That frontcourt will dominate the boards, but we all know backcourts win titles.

You don’t just replace that backcourt with new guys from the portal. Some analysts are acting like Clayton, Richard, Martin, annd Aberdeen are easy guys to replace.

It took a second year at UF for Clayton to reach his potential. Not expecting Lee and Fland to do it in their first season. That’s just unfair to them.

UF is top 10, because of the frontcourt, but I’m not taking them over us next season. They had to replace some incredible guards, especially Clayton. That dude was a beast.

My top 10:

1. Houston
2. Purdue
3. UK
4. St. John’s
5. Michigan
6. UConn
7. Arkansas
8. Auburn
9. UF
10. Duke

UofL, with Khalifa, might bump Duke. Duke is another overhyped team. Cam Boozer is not Flagg 2.0. And replacing Proctor won’t be easy, either.

 

[BlueBloodedCat96]

My question is why are we ranked 10 and below by most people? My opinion and the overall vibe around BBN is we are loaded and almost expected to be a final four team. The SEC will not be as good and we should be better than last year which was pretty good given all the injuries. So what am I missing? Do I have the blue shades on or are there teams that really did better than us in the portal? I’m missing something although I like being underrated it still don’t seem to match.

 

[Digger-Cat]

My question is why are we ranked 10 and below by most people? My opinion and the overall vibe around BBN is we are loaded and almost expected to be a final four team. The SEC will not be as good and we should be better than last year which was pretty good given all the injuries. So what am I missing? Do I have the blue shades on or are there teams that really did better than us in the portal? I’m missing something although I like being underrated it still don’t seem to match.

We were ranked 10th on April 23rd, that's when this thread was started, we have added a lot of guys since that ranking was put out.

 

[bucsrule8872]

We were ranked 10th on April 23rd, that's when this thread was started, we have added a lot of guys since that ranking was put out.

Most of the updates I have seen still have us outside the top 5. CBS Sports (Parrish) has us outside the top 10.

The so-called experts love them some UF, since they added Fland and Condon decided to return.

But remember these experts had KU preseason #1 last season.

 

[bucsrule8872]

The more I delve into it, the less I am liking Auburn. Pettiford was a nice piece to get back, but they are replacing everyone else who played mainly with transfer and recruits.

I think they might struggle after losing all that experience.

 

[Fox2monk]

Is this minus Oweh? No he was a on there.

We are the Chinese pilot. Wi Tu Lo

This doesn't matter now.

I am your co-pilot Ho Lee Fuk.

 

[Fox2monk]

The more I delve into it, the less I am liking Auburn. Pettiford was a nice piece to get back, but they are replacing everyone else who played mainly with transfer and recruits.

I think they might struggle after losing all that experience.

Pearl will have them competitive but we will take belt to ass to them this year and I hope Oweh does it mid court to them.

 

[Fox2monk]

You all really think your negativity is validated because you agree with Jeff Borzello?! Here is his horrific preseason top 25 last year: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...eason-top-25-mens-college-basketball-rankings

Florida at #22. Jeff is an absolute moron across the board.

Yeah that was a garbage top 25 overall, he has major misses on half of them.

 

[Fox2monk]

That might be the weakest top 10 I've ever seen.

Kentucky will have the talent to hang with all of those teams.

I Think Us, Purdue, Louisville, Houston, and St. John’s will all be Elite. Arkansas, Bama, UT will be very good. UConn, BYU, and Michigan will be solid. I think the top 4 are by far the favorites either way 4-5 others who could make a final four with the right draw or production. Zona will be interesting because Lloyd is a good coach who can’t seem to break thru when it matters at Zona. They played very well last year though and I really like Koa and Burries as elite freshman.

Texas Tech lost a lot off a very good team and guys who returned to college that could have come back to them. Williams was a huge loss for them.

Having Florida as low as he does is criminal as well.

The article is from the 23rd so I’ll be interested to see an update with final decisions made. He lists Oweh in the lineup but questions if he will be back in the snippet. That was before his return as well as no Boogie Fland for Florida or Condon. As well as the huge last day NBA departures like Philon and crew.

 

[Digger-Cat]

Most of the updates I have seen still have us outside the top 5. CBS Sports (Parrish) has us outside the top 10.

The so-called experts love them some UF, since they added Fland and Condon decided to return.

But remember these experts had KU preseason #1 last season.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out why they love Florida so much. Florida was good last year because they had the best guards, they won't have close to the best guards this year.

I can understand putting UK at 6 ot 7, but outside the top 10? No way.

 

[un4getables]

Can we please quit the hand wringing that we don't have any shooters. Pope's teams have always been some of the best in nation with scoring. We were 7th last year I think with guys on the injury list constantly.

This year we have some real athletes and plenty of guys who can score and shoot. Scoring won't be an issue. Last year all the comments were we don't have athleticism, rebounding and defense. That has all been addressed now folks are acting like we won't break 60 a game .

Thank you... Nailed it and should be pinned to the top. This is absolutely the truth. In fact I have said and I believe we will score more points per game next year then we did this year. Shooting will NOT be a problem. Period. We have Multiple shooters.

 

[un4getables]

Idgaf what Jeff says. What I KNOW is this team will be a worse shooting team than the one we just had and the one before that.

With a roster being so close to a title contender and it only missing one great shooter, it’s frustrating and pisses me off. ESPECIALLY if the story about the team NIL being $20M for next year. How in the ever loving hell do you rack up a $20M nil yet get beat out for a player anytime it turned into a bidding war? Anytime the rumored number was $2M or more we missed on the recruit. Atleast one of which we lead on for awhile.

Only way shooting is adequate and not a reason we lose game is if MULTIPLE players take big steps up in the shooting department.

You couldn't be more wrong if you tried. Horrible take. This team will be a good shooting team AND will out pace last years team per game on score. Give me a break. Just because we don't have a "Brea" type player doesn't mean we won't be a good shooting team. We have MORE players that shoot better percentage then last years team. I have no idea where fans are getting this kind of take and worry.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Idgaf what Jeff says. What I KNOW is this team will be a worse shooting team than the one we just had and the one before that.

With a roster being so close to a title contender and it only missing one great shooter, it’s frustrating and pisses me off. ESPECIALLY if the story about the team NIL being $20M for next year. How in the ever loving hell do you rack up a $20M nil yet get beat out for a player anytime it turned into a bidding war? Anytime the rumored number was $2M or more we missed on the recruit. Atleast one of which we lead on for awhile.

Only way shooting is adequate and not a reason we lose game is if MULTIPLE players take big steps up in the shooting department.

Kam Williams- 41% from 3 on 153 attempts as a Freshman. That’s elite shooting and he will only get better in Pope’s system. Brea shot 44%, so he’s not far from Brea level. And unlike Brea, he does a lot of other things well, like play great defense.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

Can’t be. Everyone in the world knows this was the best portal class I. The history of mankind per this board.

Why don't you go play in the street