ESPN Countdown of Top 25 Teams

[MisterJaylenBrownMU]

http://espn.go.com/ncb/feature/video/_/id/7127266/preseason-power-rankings

Marquette at #17 (writeup by Eamonn Brennan)

"Buzz Williams tends to lose his voice often. In 2011, his team played like it. The Golden Eagles were a scrambling, pressuring, hard-working group that grew to be more than the sum of its occasionally overmatched parts. A run to the Sweet 16 was Marquette's reward. A fair number of those parts return in 2011-12, including silky lefty scorer Darius Johnson-Odom, aggressive forward Jae Crowder and pass-first point Junior Cadougan. Williams has some emerging talents in the wing, too. If two of them -- particularly last year's highly touted recruit, guard Vander Blue, or big-bodied forward Davante Gardner -- fulfill their potential, the gravelly-voiced Williams will have his program primed for another major step forward. "

[MU_LOL]

I like to see that we're ranked ahead the likes of Alabama, UCLA, Michigan and A&M

[Dr. Blackheart]

Preseason, Bama, Cinci and MU are better than Zona, Kansas and Pitt before them. Baylor is a Top 5 team, and Bama is a Top 10. 

[bamamarquettefan]

I like to see that we're ranked ahead the likes of Alabama, UCLA, Michigan and A&M

I would not want to face Alabama this year - and despite my sign in name I am an Auburn fan.  But Alabama is loaded - could be the best defense in the country - and definitely enough offense to go Elite 8.  I believe we are better than the other three though.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=28141.0

[PGsHeroes32]

Preseason, Bama, Cinci and MU are better than Zona, Kansas and Pitt before them. Baylor is a Top 5 team, and Bama is a Top 10. 

Baylor top 5? and Bama 10? Pass the drugs homie!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marqus Howard]

Baylor top 5? and Bama 10? Pass the drugs homie!!!!!!!!!!!

Baylor depends on Quincy Miller. Him and Jones might be lottery picks next year if Miller is as good as advertised. I don't know if I'd say top 5, but definitely top 10.

[brewcity77]

The key for Baylor is Pierre Jackson. He's the #1 rated JUCO player and will likely be starting at the point. If he's good, top-5 isn't much of a stretch with Miller and Jones. If he doesn't deliver, there will be a lot of letdown in Waco.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Baylor top 5? and Bama 10? Pass the drugs homie!!!!!!!!!!!

To null the pain when I am right?  

Baylor: Two lottery picks on the roster, #1 talent in the B12 by a wide margin, three preseason players on the B12 teams in Jones, Miller and Acy, Jackson was the JUCO POY coming in to replace the me-first chucker Dunn who graduated. Deuce Bello off the bench. This conference is way down this season, and the 3rd or 4th place team (or the 2nd in the ACC or SEC even) is not going to be ranked ahead of the 1st place team in the B12. Can Drew make them play as a team?  

Bama: Reason #1 is they were the 7th best defensive team in the nation last year according to Pom, and with returning players, they should be 4th best. Reason 2: Kentucky runs away with the SEC, and then there is Florida, who seems to be overrated to their talent every season just on their name since their two championships (although better this season). Vandy is everyone else's choice to contend, but Ezeli is already hurt (they are deep). UT is down after the Pearl fiasco. Third, AA Green returns with Mitchell, and Releford is more experienced running the point. Very well coached team.  I think defense and experience wins out for Top 10.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Just a bit more for the geeks.  The Top 10 Pom defensive teams last season had a combined 82% winning percent (296-363) and included these teams in order:  Florida St, Texas, San Diego State, Louisville, Ohio State, UNC, Bama, Duke, Kansas, Utah Sat.  Bama was in the NIT final but started the season with a poor OOC schedule and bad losses as the freshman point guard became experienced.  That list has a lot of high finishers and seeds, and all NCAA teams except Bama.  UCONN was #14 and Kentucky #15, BTW. 

Let's hope MU is the top of the list this season.  Sugar exposed how important defense is for NCAA high finishes lpreviously in CS.