Ridiculously Early But Still Kind Of Fun '08-09 Preseason Top 25 (and one)
April 9, 2008
By gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
1. North Carolina
Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody
Who I think will ultimately leave early: Ty Lawson
Comment: This is clearly based on Tyler Hansbrough and Wayne Ellington returning, along with Danny Green and Deon Thompson. Combine that quartet with an incoming recruiting class featuring Tyler Zeller, Ed Davis and Larry Drew, and Roy Williams should have the preseason No. 1 team, again.
*
3. Purdue
Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody
Who I think will ultimately leave early: Nobody
Comment: Every relevant player from a 25-win team should be back, including E'Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummell and Keaton Grant. Thus, the Big Ten favorites will be Matt Painter's Boilermakers.
*
*
*
10. Michigan State
Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody
Who I think will ultimately leave early: Nobody
Comment: Drew Neitzel's storied career is complete. But Tom Izzo should remain in good shape as long as Raymar Morgan returns, and the addition of freshman Delvon Roe will provide the star power to compete for another Final Four.
*
*
*
18. Ohio State
Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody
Who I think will ultimately leave early: Kosta Koufos
Comment: Jamar Butler and Othello Hunter are gone, and Koufos is expected to follow them. That's unfortunate. But the Buckeyes will be talented either way thanks to the additions of incoming freshmen B.J. Mullens and Anthony Crater.
*
*
*
23. Wisconsin
Who has announced a desire to leave early: Nobody
Who I think will ultimately leave early: Nobody
Comment: I made a promise to myself at some point during this past season that I'd never start a Bo Ryan-coached team any worse than No. 23 in any preseason rankings. So that's why I have Wisconsin at No. 23. It's that simple.