2011: Early Top 50 Ranking

Like every year, I had a lot of fun putting together the annual early Top 50 ranking. It might seem too early to rank teams, but I nailed all four of this year's Final Four participants in last April's ranking: Duke #1, Michigan St #5, West Virginia #9, and Butler #10. It goes without saying that a lot can change in coming weeks as final Draft decisions are made and the final recruits get "hired" by their respective programs. A Brandon Knight or a Josh Selby could put a contender over the top.. so there will be an updated off-season Top 50 sometime in May.

 

 

Definitely post your thoughts on places where you agree or differ.. there's certainly many debates to be had.

 

2010-11 Super-Early Top 50 Ranking: April 5th

by Shawn Siegel: Collegehoops.net Editor

 

	Team	2010*
1	Purdue	11
	If the big 3 return like indicated, then the Boilers will be a true national title contender.
2	Michigan State	18
	Morgan is the only senior, and newcomer Payne might be a better forward anyways.
3	Duke	2
	Scheyer made this team tic, but there's another load of top-level talent joining the fray.
4	Syracuse	6
	Rautins & Johnson are certainly big losses. But Boeheim welcomes the Big East's top class.
5	Kansas St	5
	So long as Pullen returns, there's more then enough returning talent to make this squad legit once again.
6	Butler	7
	Gordon Hayward is going pro but Matt Howard, Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored all return. Khyle Marshall is an intriguing freshman at the same position as the departed Hayward.
7	West Virginia	3
	Will take a step back without do-everything Da'Sean Butler, but still a quality squad.
8	Pittsburgh	19
	The core of the team returns intact, and Dixon has a nice new extension.
9	Villanova	16
	Season ended on a sour note, but Cats might go into next season underrated.
10	Xavier	17
	I'm counting Jordan Crawford among the returnees.. if he's gone, things get much more dicey.
11	Kansas	1
	Assuming both Henry & Aldrich both leave, this team will lack a dominant force. There is young talent hiding on the roster though.
12	Texas	36
	Forget the end of the season slump, there's more then enough talent on the roster and Tristan Thompson eases the loss of Damion James.
13	Ohio State	20
	The loss of Turner is obviously huge, but the Buckeyes welcome another loaded Matta class.
14	UNC	62
	Even moreso then Ed Davis' NBA decision, success will depend on whether the 5-star class excels or plays like the 09 crew.
15	Vanderbilt	27
	Despite losing Jermaine Beal, Vandy has a chance to make some serious noise in the SEC.
16	Missouri	43
	A couple seniors depart, but this is still an improving team with some underrated freshmen joining the fold.
17	Memphis	58
	With Williams returning along with a Top 5 class, Memphis returns to national prominence in 2010.
18	Kentucky	4
	Who knows what UK's roster will end up looking like, but you have to assume Calipari will manage to snag at least one of the remaining unsigned studs.
19	San Diego St	25
	With everyone of note returning from the MWC champs, Aztecs are one of the best out west.
20	Tennessee	9
	Lose Chism, Prince, Maze. Tobias Harris is their name freshman, but Jordan McRae might be the true star.
21	Wisconsin	22
	Losing Hughes & Bohanon will hurt, but Bo Ryan always finds a way.
22	Florida	57
	Only lose Dan Werner. All of the young talent will eventually gel, and when they do, look out.
23	Baylor	8
	Carter was a senior, and Udoh will likely head for the pros. Can Fr Perry Jones offset Udoh's departure?
24	Temple	10
	With Fernandez & Allen returning, the Owls will be solid once again.
25	BYU	24
	If Fredette returns, Cougars are MWC contenders once again.
26	Georgetown	14
	Who will step up in the middle to replace Greg Monroe (who we assume will eventually declare for the Draft)?
27	Illinois	68
	Coming off a weak season, Illinois returns everyone of note along with a top-notch 3-man class.
28	Florida State	44
	The usual FSU-type team.. good, but not great. A lot of depth, but no dominant players. This assumes Alabi goes pro.
29	Clemson	41
	Booker is the big loss, but there's more then enough depth remaining.
30	Ole Miss	50
	The Rebels always seem on the verge of making some noise, so maybe this is the year it happens.
31	New Mexico	15
	I think Hobson will ultimately enter the Draft, and Martinez is a senior. Though the freshmen are quality, there will be a drop.
32	Richmond	26
	Kevin Anderson returns to lead the improving Spiders.
33	Gonzaga	31
	The Bouldin loss can be overcome. The big news is that Harris doesn't plan on going pro.
34	Marquette	54
	Lazar Hayward is a big loss, but look out for newcomer Vander Blue.
35	Arizona St	72
	Glasser is an important loss, but Keala King has a chance to be special, and Herb Sendek knows how to coach.
36	Washington	34
	Will be hard to make up for Pondexter loss, but you have to look how this team came together as the season wore on.
37	Utah St	38
	Senior Quayle is the only loss, but the Aggies are still the team to beat in the WAC.
38	Maryland	23
	Vasquez is the big loss, but 2 other seniors leave. One of the Terps better classes in recent years joins fray.
39	UTEP	42
	Except for Derrick Caracter, the core of this underrated team returns. Tim Floyd is a step down though.
40	Texas A&M	12
	Lose top 3 players, but the freshmen class is underrated, and A&M can fall back on good team D.
41	Murray St	48
	On the verge of becoming the Butler of the OVC?
42	VCU	66
	This assumes Sanders returns. If not, they'll still be underrated but not Top 40.
43	Old Dominion	28
	With Lee graduating, it will be up the solid core of current juniors to lead the way.
44	Cincinnati	65
	All the pieces for a tourney team are there, it's just a matter of putting it all together.
45	Alabama	103
	Could be an underrated squad heading into the year. Green & Mitchell have pro talent.
46	Minnesota	61
	Loss of Westbrook not that big of a deal. This team will win about 10 games in the Big Ten.
47	Georgia Tech	30
	Will likely lose 4 of top 6 scorers. Fr Jason Morris could be an impact ACC player.
48	UAB	47
	Elijah Millsap is legit and this is a relatively well-coached team.
49	Wichita St	51
	Do lose their best player in Clevin Hannah, but enter the season the MVC favorite in my estimation.
50	St Louis	86
	Rick Majerus quietly possesses a young roster that's quickly learning how to win games.

 

**2010 ranking based on Final 4 RPI

 

Next Ten (alphabetical)

Arizona

Nic Wise was the only senior, but newcomer Bejarano has a chance to step in and score from day one.

Louisville

Lose Samuels, Sosa, Smith and the newcomers aren't terribly exciting.

Mississippi St

This squad couldn't even make the dance with Varnado in the middle. His loss will be felt.

Northern Iowa

The core of the team is decimated by graduation, but Jacobson will find a way.

Ohio

With Bassett & Cooper leading the way, and senior departures at other league contenders, Ohio is the team to beat in the MAC.

St. John's

This team is on the verge of returning to the tourney regardless of Lavin.

St Mary's

Graduations decimate the frontcourt, but you can't deny the amount of backcourt quality that returns.

UCLA

Despite the disappointment and turmoil, the pieces are still there for UCLA to once again contend for a Pac-10 title.

UCONN

It was only a matter of time until UCONN's glory run slowly eroded. In the running for some star recruits though, so that would certainly change things.

Virginia Tech

If Delaney returns, then Hokies move up substantially.

5 More to Watch

Notre Dame
Oklahoma St
UNLV
Wake Forest
Wofford

 

Check back soon for individual writer Top 25 lists, and then later in May for our post-NBA decision Top 50 update.