USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 Preseason Poll

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Ohio State is just outside the top 25.....

USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 Preseason Poll
Updated Oct. 28, 2005.
First regular season poll will be released Nov. 21.

Rank
School (first-place votes)
2004-05 record
Points
2004-05 final ranking
1.
Duke (28)
27-6
767
7​

Outlook: Blue Devils could return to top of Atlantic Coast Conference and contend for national honors behind experienced group led by Fs Shelden Williams and Lee Melchionni and Gs J.J. Redick and Sean Dockery. Youth will be served with high school All-Americans C Eric Boateng, F Josh McRoberts and G Greg Paulus aboard. Opens: Nov. 14 vs. Boston University in Preseason NIT (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m. ET).​

2.
Connecticut
23-8
692
17​

Outlook: Status of G Marcus Williams (suspended) could determine how well Huskies do in Big East, but they're solid elsewhere with Fs Josh Boone and Rudy Gay, Ed Nelson, Denham Brown and Hilton Armstrong and G Rashad Anderson. Opens: Nov. 18 at Pepperdine (ESPNU, 11:30 p.m. ET).​

3.
Texas (2)
20-11
683
NR​

Outlook: As long as F LaMarcus Aldridge is healthy and F P.J. Tucker is eligible, Longhorns should be much improved from last season's 9-7 Big 12 record. G Daniel Gibson provides steady floor leadership, and F Brad Buckman is solid. Opens: Nov. 15 vs. Sacramento State in Guardians Classic.
​

4.
Villanova (1)
24-8
644
13 ​

Outlook: After heartbreaking loss to North Carolina in the Sweet 16, Wildcats return with a loaded lineup, featuring Gs Allan Ray, Randy Foye and Mike Nardi. But 'Cats received serious blow with F Curtis Sumpter's knee injury. Health of F Jason Fraser also must be watched. Opens: Nov. 18 vs. Stony Brook.​

5.
Michigan State
26-7
632
4​

Outlook: After looking up at Illinois in Big Ten all season, Spartans got hot at right time and drove to Final Four. C Paul Davis and Gs Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown and Drew Neitzel hope to lead return trip. Opens: Nov. 19 at Hawaii.​

6.
Oklahoma
25-8
617
20​

Outlook: Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout help lead dynamic frontcourt, and G Terrell Everett came into his own last season. Sooners should again be in thick of Big 12 hunt and are threat to go very far in March. Opens: Nov. 19 vs. Samford.​

7.
Gonzaga
26-5
540
18​

Outlook: Ronny Turiaf is gone, but Bulldogs will be looking to make up for last season's early NCAA ouster behind Fs Adam Morrison and J.P. Batista and steady point guard Derek Raivio. Opens: Nov. 18 vs. Idaho.​

8.
Louisville
33-5
536
3​

Outlook: Coming off first Final Four appearance of Rick Pitino era and heading into Big East play, Cardinals should be strong again behind F Juan Palacios, G Taquan Dean and 6-11 Kansas transfer David Padgett. Palacios (ankle) and Padgett (foot) have been hampered by injuries, however. Opens: Nov. 19 vs. Tennessee-Martin.​

9.
Arizona
30-7
532
6​

Outlook: Channing Frye and Salim Stoudamire have departed, meaning Gs Hassan Adams and Mustafa Shakur and F Ivan Radenovic are among those who have to step up. Expect Wildcats to be more balanced as they strive for Pac-10 honors. Opens: Nov. 21 vs. Kansas in Maui Invitational at Lahaina, Hawaii (ESPN, 9 p.m. ET).​

10.
Kentucky
28-6
511
5​

Outlook: Eligibility issues surrounding C Randolph Morris notwithstanding, Wildcats should again be Final Four threat behind Gs Rajon Rondo and Patrick Sparks and deep cast of youngsters who gained valuable experience a year ago. Opens: Nov. 13 vs. South Dakota State in Guardians Classic (ESPNU, 8 p.m. ET).​

11.
Boston College
25-5
484
19​

Outlook: Eagles started 20-0 a year ago but went out in second round of NCAAs. Fs Craig Smith and Jared Dudley and G Louis Hinnant lead deep, veteran team that should be immediate contender in first year in ACC. Opens: Nov. 18 vs. Dartmouth.​

12.
Memphis
22-16
354
NR​

Outlook: Tigers look like class of new-look Conference USA and could go deep into March behind talented cast that features F Rodney Carney and G Darius Washington. Opens: Nov. 15 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Preseason NIT.​

13.
Stanford
18-13
331
NR​

Outlook: Return to good health of G Dan Grunfeld (knee) is key for Cardinal. PG Chris Hernandez and F Matt Haryasz will be that much more effective if Grunfeld's all-around game is back in force. Opens: Nov. 19 vs. UC-Irvine.​

14.
Alabama
24-8
295
NR​

Outlook: Kennedy Winston and Earnest Shelton depart from last season's NCAA team. If Crimson Tide are to rise in Southeastern Conference, big years will be needed from Fs Jermareo Davidson and Chuck Davis and PG Ronald Steele. Opens: Nov. 15 vs. Miami (Ohio) in Preseason NIT.​

15.
West Virginia
24-11
265
12​

Outlook: After narrowly missing Final Four trip, Mountaineers should be major factor in Big East behind sharp-shooting C Kevin Pittsnogle, G J.D. Collins and F Mike Gansey. Opens: Nov. 12 vs. Louisiana-Monroe in Guardians Classic.​

16.
Syracuse
27-7
210
21​

Outlook: Level of success for Orange probably will depend on development of C Darryl Watkins and F Terrence Roberts, who will be called on to do a lot more after departure of All-America F Hakim Warrick. G Gerry McNamara returns for his final season, and freshman G Eric Devendorf is one to watch. Opens: Nov. 8 vs. Bethune-Cookman in 2K Sports Classic (ESPNU, 8 p.m. ET).​

17.
Illinois
37-2
201
2​

Outlook: Last season's runner-up will miss Gs Deron Williams and Luther Head but welcomes back G Dee Brown and C-F James Augustine. This team will be young in spots and quality depth might be issue, but freshman F C.J. Jackson is one to watch. Opens: Nov. 18 vs. South Dakota State.​

18. (tie)
UCLA
18-11
190
NR​

Outlook: Coach Ben Howland's rebuilding job starting to bear fruit. Bruins return four starters from last year's team that made NCAA tournament and could be ready to take the next step behind Gs Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo, F Josh Shipp (temporarily sidelined by hip surgery) and C Michael Fey. Opens: Nov. 15 vs. New Mexico State in Preseason NIT (ESPN2, 10 p.m. ET).​

18. (tie)
Wake Forest
27-6
190
11​

Outlook: All-America point guard Chris Paul left for the NBA, and Fs Vytas Danelius and Jamaal Levy have also departed. C Eric Williams and G Justin Gray are mainstays returning to retooled team that still should be able to make some noise in ACC. Opens: Nov. 10 vs. Mississippi Valley State in 2K Sports Classic.​

20.
Iowa
21-12
176
NR​

Outlook: With veteran cast, including Gs Jeff Horner and Adam Haluska and F Greg Brunner, returning from last season's NCAA team, Hawkeyes hope to take next step in Big Ten. Consistency was issue last season, but experienced roster should help there. Opens: Nov. 14 vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore in Guardians Classic.​

21.
Maryland
19-13
167
NR​

Outlook: Terrapins disappointed in NIT bid last year, but this is veteran team that should make run for NCAAs. Fs Nik Caner-Medley, Travis Garrison and Ekene Ibekwe and Gs Chris McCray and Mike Jones all have plenty of experience. Opens: Nov. 18 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson.​

22.
Indiana
15-14
153
NR​

Outlook: Hoosiers could be heard from in Big Ten with four starters returning, including F D.J. White, 2005 Big Ten freshman of the year. Also coming aboard are two solid transfers from Auburn, F Marco Killingsworth and PG Lewis Monroe. Opens: Nov. 18 vs. Nicholls State (ESPNU, 6 p.m. ET).​

23.
Iowa State
19-12
118
NR​

Outlook: Cyclones qualified for NCAAs for first time in four years by knocking off some Big 12 royalty in waning weeks of last season. Behind Gs Curtis Stinson and Will Blalock, they should be back in mix for league honors. Opens: Nov. 20 vs. Mountain State (W.Va.).​

24.
George Washington
22-8
109
NR​

Outlook: Best news in offseason was that Fs Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Mike Hall pulled out of NBA draft. Their return, along with that of G J.R. Pinnock, could mean best season in a long time for Colonials. Opens: Nov. 23 vs. Kennesaw State.​

25.
Nevada
25-7
88
NR​

Outlook: Wolf Pack again look like team to beat in Western Athletic Conference and have good inside-outside balance with F-C Nick Fazekas and Gs Ramon Sessions and Kyle Shiloh leading eight returning letter-winners. Opens: Nov. 19 vs. Sacramento State.​

Others receiving votes: North Carolina State (21-14) 76; Ohio State (20-12) 72; Washington (29-6) 57; Kansas (23-7) 56; Wisconsin (25-9) 52; Texas Tech (22-11) 51; LSU (20-10) 45; Michigan (13-18) 35; Charlotte (21-8) 34; Oklahoma State (26-7) 34; North Carolina (33-4) 16; Old Dominion (28-6) 13; Georgetown (19-13) 10; Florida (24-8) 7; Northern Iowa (21-11) 7; Miami (Fla.) (16-13) 6; Vanderbilt (20-14) 3; Western Kentucky (22-9) 3; California (13-16) 2; UNLV (17-14) 2; Ohio (21-11) 2; Oral Roberts (25-8) 2; Utah State (24-8) 2; Bucknell (23-10) 1; Temple (16-14) 1; Texas A&M (21-10) 1.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

texas goes from unranked to 3rd? does vince young play basketball too?

 

[Pheasant]

texas goes from unranked to 3rd? does vince young play basketball too?

I don't think so, but the football team had some freshman who are "...like Reggie Bush, only faster and better tailbacks."
Maybe the basketball team has freshman who are "...like Allen Iverson, only they jump higher and are better guards." :p

 

[BUCKYLE]

I don't think so, but the football team had some freshman who are "...like Reggie Bush, only faster and better tailbacks."
Maybe the basketball team has freshman who are "...like Allen Iverson, only they jump higher and are better guards." :p

I also hear they have a freshman center who is well over 7' tall, and approximately 755lbs. he should be able to hold down the post.
I think his name is nobody smith.

 

[avoiddallyod]

Just wondering how a 20 win season, Most players returning, and a great coach like Thad wont get ya in the top 25? Oh well...Go get em boys!

 

[Golferdow01]

Ok seriously, is this Augustine's 8th year at Illinois or what??? I swear he's been there way too long

 

[BUCKYLE]

Just wondering how a 20 win season, Most players returning, and a great coach like Thad wont get ya in the top 25? Oh well...Go get em boys!

right on. who cares at any point what the polls say. honestly, they have very little significance in college basketball. but it is nice to see that we recieved votes.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

I also hear they have a freshman center who is well over 7' tall, and approximately 755lbs. he should be able to hold down the post.
I think his name is nobody smith.

No thats Nobody Jordan

 

[AirForceBuck]

I just love how NONE of the preseason polls and magazines can agree. I pick up Lindys and Athlon and were in the top of the Big Ten and top 25, I look at ESPN, SI and now the polls and we are sitting outside of the Top10 not even close to being favored to win the big ten. Whatever, looks like we will have to show them how we can play ball without heavy media attention.

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

Rest assured that this will be the last time for awhile that we are not preseason Top 10.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Its not where you start but where you are on selection day in basketball, we will be just fine. I am very excited about this season and next.

 

[Oh8ch]

OSU is not getting much respect and that is fine with me. I will be extremely disappointed if we do not finish in the top 25.

ESPN had 15 'experts' make their selections and 4 had OSU ranked between 16 and 23. None of the rest had us in the top 25.

Only thing I can see is that they are looking at our lack of depth up front. But for nuts sake, all we lost is Marinchick. With Syl, Harris and especially Terwilliger all having another year of experience that more than compensates. And how much improved will your point guard be between his Frosh and Soph season? Lewis and Mayes more than offset the loss of Stockman and Cheatem. A coach whose team now knows the system. Very disappointed if we are not in the top 25.

 

[avoiddallyod]

Oh I'm so glad that Brandon Fuss is out of eligibility, and I see nothing but a top 25 finish and a couple wins in the Big Dance this year...

 

[HabaneroBuck]

Very disappointed if we are not in the top 25.

Considering we'll be like 12-1 or 12-0 or something before the Big Ten starts...we'll get ranked the old Glen Mason way!

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Considering we'll be like 12-1 or 12-0 or something before the Big Ten starts...we'll get ranked the old Glen Mason way!

Hopefully we don't fall off the face of the earth after that like his teams do.

I still don't understand why we are not ranked, I thought we proved a lot last year and we have everything coming back pretty much.