Finally, college basketball is almost back. That means the speculation for who is going to win the Big Dance this year can officially begin. Most everyone, will be wrong but that doesn’t mean we can’t take our best guess at it based on 0 games actually having been played this season. This year, there does seem to be a clear cut top 4-5 teams that have a shot but you have no idea come March. Plus, it is only November. So much can change in those months that really half of this article could be wrong and I wouldn’t be surprised. But we have to set a bench mark and with this first edition of power rankings, I intend to do just that. So now I’ll get to it.
- Duke
Grayson Allen. Harry Giles. Jayson Tatum. There is so much talent on this roster including a Wooden Award front runner in Allen that it seems impossible for them to not do well. At the very least they are poised for an insane season and a final four run.
- Kansas
Kansas brings in possibly the best freshman of the loaded 2016 class in Josh Jackson to add on to the winners of 13 straight Big 12 titles. It appears they will win it again this year behind Jackson, Devonte Graham, and Frank Mason III. Bill Self has had a little bit of a drought in final four appearances but expect that to change this year with a possible national championship team.
- Villanova
The defending champions lost a lot of talent but still bring back championship hero Kris Jenkins and leading scorer Josh Hart. With only Xaiver to pose a real threat to winning the Big East this year, Nova should win at least 25 games and have a chance to repeat come March.
- Kentucky
As per usual, Coach Cal has brought in a loaded freshman class. From Bam Abebayo to Malik Monk, Kentucky’s lineup full of freshman will soon become household names. They may not have the winning formula figured out in November and December, but by the time SEC play begins, they will be on their way to dominating in the tournament once again.
- UNC
The team that was one shot away from a title lost a lot in Marcus Paige, but still return shooter Justin Jackson, Joel Berry II at point, and Kennedy Meeks who should return to form. There is enough pieces on this team from last year’s team to remain highly competitive, but a down year from last year is coming this year.
- UVA
Like UNC, UVA lost a lot of their talent in leader Malcom Brogden and center Mike Tobey. But UVA gets a transfer from Memphis in Austin Nichols who is an absolute stud. Add that to London Parentes and Tony Bennett still at the helm and the hoos will be just fine.
- Louisville
Coming off a season mired in a recruiting scandal, the Cardinals look to get back to the tourney after a self-imposed ban. Donovan Mitchell should lead a team who will try to find itself this season. This is a team that could live up to this ranking or fall flat as the hangover from the scandal continues.
- Arizona
Sean Miller know exactly what he needs to do to win the Pac 12 and that is to beat out Oregon. Much of this hinges on the fact that Allonzo Trier will be eligible to play this season, but if he is, the wildcats are a serious threat this year.
- Oregon
Dillon Brooks is the center of this team. However, he had to nurse a foot injury the entire summer. If he comes back healthy and remains healthy this year, odds are Oregon wins the Pac 12 and makes a deep tourney run. If he does not return to form, then it is still a very good team but has a much tougher road ahead of it.
- Xaiver
The only threat to Villanova to win the Big East is Chis Mack’s team. This is no idle threat either. Xaiver has some ballers on this team and given the right draw come March, they can make an elite eight run easily. Edmond Sumner and Trevon Bluiett should lead this potentially lethal team.
- Gonzaga
Mark Few lost some talent this year and has a battle in the WAC for supremacy. Despite all of this, he still has an impressive team. Led by Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss and Cal transfer Jordan Matthews, the Zags are once again a threat this year.
- Indiana
Yogi Ferrell may be gone, but Indiana remains a threat to win the Big 10 this year. With some tough non-conference games early in the season, the Hoosiers have a chance to face quality competition to prepare for the conference portion of their schedule. Tom Crean has found some success here recently and don’t expect that to stop this season with standout sophomore Thomas Bryant looking for a deep tournament run.
- Michigan State
Coming off one of the most shocking losses in March Madness history, Tom Izzo looks to recover with a new recruiting class. Led by Miles Bridges, the Spartans will as always be a threat this year. Even if they aren’t a favorite to win it all, the always have a chance to go to the Final Four.
- Wisconsin
Bo Ryan left the helm mid-season and Greg Gard still led the Badgers to the sweet sixteen. Now with a full off season to prepare, expect this Big 10 team to impress. With trio Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koenig, and Ethan Happ, the Badgers have the man power for a quality season.
- St. Marys
The second of two WCC teams in these rankings, the Gaels return all five starters. For a team that almost made the tourney a year ago, this crucial. Expect the Gaels to make a run at the WCC title over the Zags.
- Syracuse
Despite barely making the tournament at all, the Orange still managed to make it to the Final Four. Returning Tyler Lydon, and acquiring transfer Andrew White has the Cuse ready for a full season of Boeheim magic.
- UConn
Kevin Ollie has worked his magic in the past to make the Huskies tournament champions. He plans to do it again this year behind sophomore point guard Jalen Adams. The Huskies should win the AAC and get a pretty decent seed as a result.
- West Virginia
Press Virginia once again looks to plague opposing offenses with the best press defense in the nation. Coach Bob Huggins has a serious shot at turning the corner this year if he can make this team score at any kind of decent rate on the offensive end of things.
- Purdue
The loss of A.J. Hammonds was big, but the Boilermakers still look to make some noise in the Big 10. With Caleb Swanigan and Vince Edwards both returning, don’t count out Matt Painter’s team despite last year’s upset loss in the first round to Arkansas Little Rock.
- UCLA
Steve Alford looks to rebound from a horrible season by UCLA standards. He should do just that behind incoming freshman Lonzo Ball and his son Bryce Alford in the backcourt. Add returning leading scorer Isaac Hamilton into the mix and the Bruins look poised to make a triumphant return to the national stage.
- Washington
The Huskies have one of the top players in the country in Markelle Fultz. As we saw last year with Ben Simmons, that doesn’t always guarantee success, but Washington also features a tougher slate of teams than the SEC so losses should be forgiven more readily. A date with Gonzaga in December should show how this team is coming along.
- Dayton
Archie Miller has proven that the Flyers should always be in the discussion come tournament time and this year is no different. With four seniors and an elite eight appearance under their belt a few years ago, the Flyers must first win the A-10 which is no small feat in itself.
- Cincinnati
Returning both upperclassmen Gary Clark and Troy Caupain, this is a team that can challenge the Huskies of UConn in the AAC. Having gone to six straight tournaments, there will be no shortage of experience on this roster.
- NC State
Never count out the Wolfpack. Especially this season. With exciting prospect Dennis Smith Jr. and veteran big man Abdul-Malik Abu, Mark Gottfried has a really exciting team this year. If it can pick up some key wins in the ultra-competitive ACC, this team could surprise come selection day.
- Florida State
To round out the top 25 we have the Noles. Returning Dwayne Bacon and Xaiver Rathan-Mayes and bringing on freshman Jonathon Isaac, the talent is there for a tournament run. The question is whether this team can finally step up and play some defense. If they can, there is a chance the Noles sneak into the top five of the ACC.
The Arc 