Early Top 50 in Hoops

[Apis Bull]

Link:  Early top 50

5. Syracuse

WHY: The Orange bring back two of the best players at their respective positions in guard junior Gerry McNamara and senior forward Hakim Warrick. Warrick could be a national player-of-the-year candidate. McNamara is one of the toughest players in the country. Now add seniors Josh Pace and Craig Forth and the Orange have one of the more experienced teams in the Big East. The sophomore class of Terrence Roberts, Demetris Nichols, Darryl Watkins and Louie McCroskey is ready to blossom. And if Billy Edelin gets his academic act in order, then they return their starting point guard from the national title team. If not, they have a newcomer in Josh Wright to fill the void.

WHY NOT: The point could be an issue and Edelin could still be a distraction. The bench could fail the Orange, but that's unlikely. This team doesn't have many flaws, considering it will win games at home and be a tough out on the road. Jim Boeheim has this crew ready to make another run two years removed from the last national title.

SUMMER BUZZ: It's all about Edelin's eligibility. The coaching staff is confident that he can become eligible, but he needs the NCAA to be compassionate about his personal decisions that led him to leave school last semester. If he's given a break, then the Orange chances rise.

7. Connecticut

WHY: The Huskies didn't win the title with just Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon. Forwards Josh Boone and Charlie Villanueva are back and Ed Nelson is eligible, giving the Huskies one of the top frontcourts in the country. The backcourt should be set with potential national freshman of the year Rudy Gay on board next to Rashad Anderson and/or Denham Brown and Marcus Williams. There is no reason why coach Jim Calhoun won't keep the Huskies among the nation's elite.

WHY NOT: Leadership is still a question. Gay could be the team's best player, but isn't ready to take on that role. Anderson is emerging as a leader, but it could be hard for him if he's the third or fourth option. And settling on a go-to guy will be a chore unless Gay quickly becomes the BMOC.

SUMMER BUZZ: It's all about Gay. The staff can't wait to coach him. He could have been a first-round pick and likely would have gone ahead of J.R. Smith, Dorell Wright and possibly Josh Smith. He is clearly the next UConn star.

13. Louisville

WHY: The Cardinals have the pieces in place with star Francisco Garcia as a junior, Taquan Dean as the lead guard and Ellis Myles back after an injury-plagued season.

WHY NOT: The Cardinals still lacked consistency and that won't change if they can't find another reliable scorer off the bench. Newcomers Brian Johnson and Tello Palacios must have an impact.

SUMMER BUZZ: The Cardinals don't feel they will be as hurt as some would think by the failure of signees Sebastian Telfair and Donta Smith to reach campus. Both players stayed in the NBA draft.

16. Notre Dame

WHY: The return of point guard Chris Thomas and forward Torin Francis, both coming off injuries, makes the Irish a sleeper out of the Big East. The Irish add Arizona transfer Dennis Latimore for more beef inside. And the expectation is that Chris Quinn is going to have a bust-out junior season.

WHY NOT: The Irish could fall if Francis' back isn't totally healthy after surgery. He has to be the key piece inside for the Irish to have balance.

SUMMER BUZZ: They love Latimore. But transfers can lead to overzealous hype.

18. Pittsburgh

WHY: Point Carl Krauser and forward Chris Taft are two of the most talented players at their respective positions. Sure, the Panthers will miss Jaron Brown and Julius Page, but having Chevy Troutman for another season is a huge plus. He gives them the toughness needed for them to carry out Jamie Dixon's style.

WHY NOT: The Panthers still need a reliable perimeter threat. If they can find one, then they could crack the top 10.

SUMMER BUZZ: It's all about Taft. NBA personnel were already pumping him up to be a top 10 pick in 2005. He still has plenty to learn, but he's on track for a banner sophomore season.

28. Cincinnati

WHY: The Bearcats lost their most prolific wing scorer in Tony Bobbitt and aren't expecting to return inside enigma Robert Whaley (academics). But the rest of the team is still solid enough to warrant a potential top 20 ranking. Eric Hicks and Jason Maxiell are a pair of formidable forwards who can board with anyone in the league. James White should be more adjusted to Bob Huggins' system two years removed from Florida. And Nick Williams should be on the verge of being a more consistent scorer.

WHY NOT: The Bearcats still don't defend consistently and struggled to diversify their scoring.

SUMMER BUZZ: Huggins. He was just reinstated, effective Aug. 27, after his DUI. If he's healthy and more focused, then the Bearcats will be a factor again.

30. Villanova

WHY: This should be Villanova's year to bust out and become an NCAA Tournament team. The Wildcats had their moments a year ago. But the talent is in place for Villanova to make a run. The backcourt of Mike Nardi, Allan Ray and Randy Foye is as prolific a trio as any in the Big East. Adding newcomer Kyle Lowry is a real plus. Curtis Sumpter is turning into a gem of a forward.

WHY NOT: The Wildcats must get more out of oft-injured forward Jason Fraser. And they have to find a consistent streak on the road. This team can't afford to underachieve in the upcoming season.

SUMMER BUZZ: The NCAA two-year penalty was met with shock by the coaching staff. They all thought they were being singled out for no reason. The penalties are light, but the stigma attached to being a violator -- and then add failing to make the NCAAs last season -- makes this staff even hungrier for next season. The thinking is that this team could vault into the top 20 if things go well early.

38. Marquette

WHY: The Eagles should have been better than their 19-12, 8-8 record a year ago. Replacing Dwyane Wade was impossible, but they still lost a few games they shouldn't have, or at least by wide margins. Travis Diener is one of the toughest players in the game and certainly has leadership ability. But he has more help with Steve Novak shooting 3s, and Dameon Mason ready to blossom into a potential all-league player.

WHY NOT: Getting consistent inside scoring could still be an issue for this squad. If they can develop a regular threat, then the Eagles should be a sleeper to rise again in Conference USA.

SUMMER BUZZ: Tom Crean's decision to not pursue Ohio State (although it's clear that Buckeyes AD Andy Geiger didn't put forth much of an effort, either) shows he's committed to staying with the Eagles as they enter the Big East in 2005.

41. Providence

WHY: The Friars have a shot to get back to the NCAAs because Ryan Gomes returned. The potential Big East player of the year is that important to the Friars' chances. Donnie McGrath is back at the point and should settle down now that he has played two seasons. Tuukka Kotti, Gerald Brown and Dwight Brewington became solid role players for the Friars. Getting Charlie Burch late and Desean White earlier inside are a must in the absence of Marcus Douthit.

WHY NOT: The Friars flamed out last season and were a first-round disappointment. Gomes needs more help so he doesn't wilt down the stretch. That puts more pressure on the newcomers.

SUMMER BUZZ: McGrath has his legal issues in the past, and Gomes is as hungry as ever to lead the Friars back to the NCAAs. He made a quick decision after the Chicago pre-draft camp that he wasn't ready for the league.

Hopefully, someday we'll be in there

[bulls96go]

we will be here in 3 yrs

[smazza]

can't wait to play that competition