Ah yes, it is time for one of the most exciting times of the year-college hoops season. The top 25 includes some regulars and some newbies. The real question is: who will prevail in March?
As it seems like every year, Kentucky is ranked no. 1. John Calapari’s team scheme continues, as he collects his talented freshman every year. Although it seems like every year the Wildcats are ranked toward the top, this particular team may be something special. “Kentucky has a good shot at going undefeated this year,” senior Carter Marteeny said. “Their talent with the Harrison twins and the big men they have, UK has a good chance at winning it all.”
The Arizona Wildcats out of the Pac-12 are ranked no. 2: a year after they huddled around the top five teams.
Bo Ryan’s Wisconsin Badgers will be in the three hole. This program is coming off a 30-win season and is looking to continue the success in Madison. The Badgers are returning the 7-foot senior center, Frank Kaminsky.
The usual company of coach K’s Duke Blue Devils will see themselves as the no. 4 team. “Duke will always be competitive every year,” senior Colten Schneider said. “They are always fun to watch.”
The University of Kansas will round out the top five as Bill Self’s team will look to add to their three national championships.
Notable mentions in the top 10 will be the Texas Longhorns. Not having much success since the rise of, the now, MVP Kevin Durant, the Longhorns have some renowned hope for the 2014 season. They signed number two recruit Myles Turner, and are looking to him to lead the Longhorns to a national championship. Moving down the list, there are some shockers from a year ago, to look for this season.
The Wichita State Shockers will continue their excellence as a mid-major team in the 2014-2015 campaign. The boys in yellow and black gave the Kentucky Wildcats a run for their money in the Elite Eight game in last year’s NCAA tournament. “The Shockers were a fun team to watch in the tournament last year,” senior Anthony Kindle said. “They were underdogs and I was always rooting for them.” The company of Ron Baker will be returning to produce some big minutes as the leader of this Shockers program that won 35 games last year.
A couple other mid major programs that crack the top 25 will be Gonzaga at 13, the Virginia Commonwealth (VCU) Rams boosting up to 15, the Aztecs of San Diego State at 16 and Larry Brown’s Southern Methodist (SMU) team at 22.
The first games will be played on Friday, Nov. 14 between Minnesota and Louisville in the Armed Forces Classic. The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Puerto Rico.