My Top 5 and Who Just Missed Out

1. Baylor 
2. My lone future for this college basketball season is on Baylor. (If you want to read about them head to the Blogs tab on the website and check that out) Sic em. 
   
3. Marquee Non Con Games
4. Virginia Nov 18th
5. Gonzaga Dec 2nd
   
   
6. Houston
7. The Cougars are scary for any opposition in front of them. We all know what Kelvin Samspon gets out of his guys and what to expect. Last season Houston ranked 3rd in offensive rebounding and had the 2nd best defensive effective FG%. This is what they do. They gang rebound and shut down your offense with elite athleticism and size. Marcus Sasser getting back into the fold is huge for them and freshman Jarace Walker should be really good right away. This team gels really well and every player compliments each other. I would be surprised to see Houston lose before the Elite 8. Highest floor out of any team in the country. 
   
8. Marquee Non Con Games
9. Oregon Nov 20th
10. Alabama Dec 10th
11. Virginia Dec 17th
    
    
12. Gonzaga
13. Gonzaga is reloaded and ready to go. The Zags did lose Nembhard and Holmgreen which are obvious blows, but I am big on Malachi Smith and Efton Reid. This team likely isn’t amazing right away (As we saw how their scrimmage went vs Tennessee) but they can get drastically better very quick with the way their schedule is set up. Nolan Hickman has to step up and be a key role player alongside Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther. Obviously expect big seasons out of Anton Watson and Drew Timme. Gonzaga likely has the number one offense and will play at a top 5 tempo making them a must watch every night they play.
14. Marquee Non Con Games
15. Texas Nov 16th
16. Kentucky Nov 20th
17. Baylor Dec 2nd
18. Alabama Dec 17th
    
    
19. North Carolina
20. The Tar Heels only got better as they added Pete Nance. UNC returns every key player from last year's tournament run besides Brady Manek. Everyone seems to forget they were 24-9 before the tournament and was a 7 seed. They got hot at the right time and it’s a good thing Bacot is back because I am not sure if you can trust their guard play all the time this season. Inconsistency will likely be on display, but even with those negatives this team is loaded and can beat anyone if they get hot again. Offensive and defensive numbers should end up in the top 10 by season end. Most (casuals) are putting them at the clear #1, but they barely made my top 5 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them lose before the Elite 8.
21. Marquee Non Con Games
22. Indiana Nov 30th
23. Ohio State Dec 17th
24. Michigan Dec 21st
    
    
25. Texas
26. Could it be true everyone was a year too early on Chris Beard and the Longhorns? I believe the answer is yes. Is everyone writing off Texas now because of last season? I also believe the answer is yes. This team is going to turn some heads. I admit I fell guilty to the media hype around them last season even though I wrote about how they may not gel. It’s not happening this season as I know they are going to be good and top 5 good. You are looking at the likely best defense in the country and an offense that should be in the top 5-10. Tyrese Hunter will be great for this team at the point guard position. Marcus Carr, Arterio Morris, and Sir’Jabari Rice will compliment him nicely. Expect Disu, Bishop, Mitchell, and Allen to give you quality production in the front court. Texas was right there in a lot of games last season and if they find themselves in that same spot this year I think they capitalize and start winning those games.
27. Marquee Non Con Games
28. Gonzaga Nov 16th
29. Creighton Dec 1st
30. Illinois Dec 6th
31. Tennessee Jan 28th

Just Missed Top 5

• Tennessee: Sneaky good Rick Barnes team with Zeigler back running the point. The addition of Tyreke Key will turn pivotal. Plavsic and Nkamhoua roles will expand. 
• Arizona: Tubelis and Kriisa are back in year 2 of Tommy Lloyd. Expect Adama Bal to be a good player this season. Transfers Henderson and Ramey should have good seasons. More of a top 10 team rather than top 5. 
• Kentucky: Big O. Antonio Reeves and CJ Frederick should be key pieces to this offense from a making shots perspective. Toppin and Wheeler likely see roles expand. 
• Kansas: Bill Self. The additions of McCullar and Dick should flourish at KU. Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris' roles expand nicely. The center position is the only question mark. 
• Duke: Big Jeremy Roach guy and think he takes off this season. Loaded freshman class post coach K era. Grandison from Illinois should play a large part of this team off the bench.