2008 College Hoops Preseason Top 25 Quick Guide
The college basketball season started last week, but it gets going full speed today with ESPN’s first annual College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon, which technically started last night when Memphis took down UMass 80-58 in a game that started at midnight (Eastern Time at least).
To get you into the groove of college basketball (even in the midst of the college football conference races), we’ve got a quick guide for each of the preseason Top 25 teams:
1. North Carolina Tar Heels
Coach: Roy Williams (6th year)
07-08 record: 36-3
How it ended: Lost in Final Four to Kansas (84-66)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Ty Lawson (5′11″ Jr.)
- SG - Wayne Ellington (6′4″ Jr.)
- SF - Marcus Ginyard (6′5″ Sr.)
- PF - Tyler Hansbrough (6′9″ Sr.)
- C - Deon Thompson (6′8″ Jr.)
Key Reserve: G-F Danny Green (6′6″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: PF Tyler Zeller (6′11″), PF Ed Davis (6′8″), PG Larry Drew (6′0″)
Outlook: The Tar Heels have the most talented team in the nation, hands down. They are the first team to be named the unanimous #1 team in the Associated Press’s preseason poll. The only way they slip up is if they don’t play defense because they are going to score points.
2. Connecticut Huskies
Coach: Jim Calhoun (23rd year)
07-08 record: 24-9
How it ended: Lost in First Round to San Diego (70-69 OT)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - A.J. Price (6′3″ Sr.)
- G - Craig Austrie (6′3″ Sr.)
- G - Jerome Dyson (6′4″ Jr.)
- PF - Jeff Adrien (6′7″ Sr.)
- C - Hasheem Thabeet (7′3″ Jr.)
Key Reserve: G Kemba Walker (6′1″ Fr.)
Top Frosh: Walker, SG Scottie Haralson (6′4″), SF Nate Miles (6′7″)
Outlook: For Calhoun’s Huskies, it’s all about dominating the paint. Adrien and Thabeet were both in the top 10 the Big East in free throw attempts, and Thabeet is the most imposing defender in the nation. His 4.5 blocks per game led the nation last season. UConn would be an interesting matchup with the Heels in the national championship game.
3. Louisville Cardinals
Coach: Rick Pitino (7th year)
07-08 record: 27-9
How it ended: Lost in Elite Eight to North Carolina (83-73)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Andre McGee (5′10″ Sr.)
- SG - Jerry Smith (6′1″ Jr.)
- SF - Terrence Williams (6′6″ Sr.)
- PF - Earl Clark (6′9″ Jr.)
- C - Samardo Samuels (6′8″ Fr.)
Key Reserve: G Edgar Sosa (6′1″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: Samuels, SF Jared Swopshire (6′8″)
Outlook: Even though he is a freshman, Samuels is the only big time offensive name and should be able to replace the departed David Padgett, but all of the Cardinals are offensive threats. However, where Louisville will make a run at the title is with their suffocating defense.
4. UCLA Bruins
Coach: Ben Howland (6th year)
07-08 record: 35-4
How it ended: Lost in Final Four to Memphis (78-63)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Darren Collison (6′0″ Sr.)
- SG - Jrue Holiday (6′3″ Fr.)
- SF - Josh Shipp (6′5″ Sr.)
- PF - James Keefe (6′8″ Jr.)
- C - Alfred Aboya (6′9″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G Malcolm Lee (6′5″ Fr.)
Top Frosh: Holiday, Lee, C J’Mison Morgan (6′10″), PF Drew Gordon (6′9″), PG Jerime Anderson (6′2″)
Outlook: Howland #1 rated freshman class may end up being the best since Michigan’s Fab 5, but typically doesn’t like to rely on freshman, so it’ll be interesting to see how he works them in.
5. Pittsburgh Panthers
Coach: Jamie Dixon (6th year)
07-08 record: 27-10
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Michigan State (65-54)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Levance Fields (5′10″ Sr.)
- SG - Gilbert Brown (6′6″ So.)
- SF - Sam Young (6′6″ Sr.)
- PF - DeJuan Blair (6′7″ So.)
- C - Tyrell Biggs (6′8″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: PG Travon Woodall (5′11″ Fr.)
Top Frosh: Woodall, SG Ashton Gibbs (6′2″), SF Nasir Robinson (6′4″)
Outlook: The Panthers surprised many when they won the Big East tournament last year, but Dixon has always been able to get his teams to play D. Plus, Pitt rarely ever loses at home. Helping them win at home will be a slimmer Blair, who lost some weight to help him in the transistion game.
6. Michigan State Spartans
Coach: Tom Izzo (14th year)
07-08 record: 27-9
How it ended: Lost in Sweet 16 to Memphis (92-74)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Kalin Lucas (6′0″ So.)
- SG - Chris Allen (6′3″ So.)
- SF - Raymar Morgan (6′8″ Jr.)
- PF - Marquise Gray (6′8″ Sr.)
- C - Goran Suton (6′10″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G Travis Walton (6′2″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: PF Delvon Roe (6′8″), PF Draymond Green (6′6″), PG Korie Lucious (5′10″)
Outlook: No Drew Neitzel? No problem. Michigan State returns the other five of their top six scorers. However, it all depends on the confidence of Morgan as to how far this team will go. He averaged more than 6 points more in MSU’s wins than in their losses, so they need him confident and scoring.
7. Texas Longhorns
Coach: Rick Barnes (11th year)
07-08 record: 31-7
How it ended: Lost in Elite Eight to Memphis (85-67)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - A.J. Abrams (5′11″ Sr.)
- SG - Justin Mason (6′2″ Jr.)
- SF - Damion James (6′7″ Jr.)
- PF - Gary Johnson (6′6″ So.)
- C - Connor Atchley (6′10″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: C Dexter Pittman (6′10″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: SG J’Covan Brown (6′2″)
Outlook: Barnes says this is his deepest team since the Longhorns reached the Final Four in 2003. Add in that the entire team worked out with Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant at 6:30 a.m. every morning this summer, and if Abrams can replace the ballhandling skills of drafted D.J. Augustin, and this team could be back in the Final Four this season.
8. Duke Blue Devils
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (28h year)
07-08 record: 28-6
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to West Virginia (73-67)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Nolan Smith (6′2″ So.)
- SG - Jon Scheyer (6′5″ Jr.)
- SF - Gerald Henderson (6′4″ Jr.)
- PF - Kyle Singler (6′8″ So.)
- C - Miles Plumlee (6′10″ Fr.)
Key Reserve: PG Greg Paulus (6′1″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: Plumlee, SG Elliot Williams (6′4″), PF Olek Czyz (6′8″)
Outlook: The last two seasons have seen the Blue Devils fade down the stretch. A change in their offseason training, including some time off for leading scorer Kyle Singler, was implemented to make sure the same doesn’t happen for a third year straight.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Coach: Mike Brey (8th year)
07-08 record: 25-8
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Washington State (61-41)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Tory Jackson (5′11″ Jr.)
- SG - Kyle McAlarney (6′0″ Sr.)
- SF - Ryan Ayers (6′7″ Sr.)
- PF - Luke Harangody (6′8″ Jr.)
- F-C - Zach Hillesland (6′9″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: F-C Luke Zeller (6″11″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: none
Outlook: The Fighting Irish have one of the best inside-out combos in the nation in McAlarney and Harangody. The two combined for over 35 points per game last season, but offense is a team effort for this squad that led the nation in assists per game (18.4). With the same team effort on defense, ND could be a contender for a trip to Detroit.
10. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Coach: Mark Few (10th year)
07-08 record: 25-8
How it ended: Lost in First Round to Davidson (82-76)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Jeremy Pargo (6′2″ Sr.)
- SG - Steven Gray (6′4″ So.)
- SF - Matt Bouldin (6′5″ Jr.)
- PF - Austin Daye (6′10″ So.)
- C - Josh Heytvelt (6″11″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G-F Micah Downs (6″8″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: PG Demetri Goodson (5″11″), G Grant Gibbs (6′5″), PF Andy Poling (6′10″)
Outlook: For so long, this team was the March darling as an underdog. However, the past two years have seen the Zags season end in the first round, and they’ve only made it to the Sweet 16 once in the past 7 years. This year’s squad, however, may be the most talented Few has had. If Heytvelt plays to his abilities, this team could be a championship contender.
11. Purdue Boilermakers
Coach: Matt Painter (4th year)
07-08 record: 25-9
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Xavier (85-78)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Keaton Grant (6′4″ Jr.)
- G - E’Twaun Moore (6′3″ So.)
- G - Chris Kramer (6′3″ Jr.)
- F - Robbie Hummel (6′8″ So.)
- C - JaJuan Johnson (6′10″ So.)
Key Reserve: C Nemanja Calasan (6′9″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: PG Lewis Jackson (5′8″)
Outlook: Purdue is a team that is capable of beating anyone on any given day because they can pour it in from behind the arc. However, a cold night of shooting could spell trouble as they don’t rebound well. Stout defender Chris Kramer will have to lock down an opposition’s top scorer for Purdue to have a chance on a poor shooting night.
12. Oklahoma Sooners
Coach: Jeff Capel (3rd year)
07-08 record: 23-12
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Louisville (78-48)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Austin Johnson (6′3″ Sr.)
- SG - Willie Warren (6′4″ Fr.)
- SF - Tony Crocker (6′6″ Jr.)
- PF - Taylor Griffin (6′7″ Sr.)
- C - Blake Griffin (6′10″ So.)
Key Reserve: F Ryan Wright (6′9″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: Warren, SG Ray Willis (6′5″)
Outlook: The Griffin brothers down low will get some help on the wing from freshman Willie Warren, who averaged nearly 25 points per game as a senior in high school. Nonetheless, this team will have to play better against top teams this year after losing by an average of over 20 points against Top 15 teams.
13. Memphis Tigers
Coach: John Calipari (9th year)
07-08 record: 38-2
How it ended: Lost Championship Game to Kansas (75-68 OT)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Willie Kemp (6′2″ Jr.)
- SG - Tyreke Evans (6′6″ Fr.)
- SF - Antonio Anderson (6′6″ Sr.)
- PF - Robert Dozier (6′9″ Sr.)
- C - Shawn Taggart (6′10″ Jr.)
Key Reserve: G Doneal Mack (6′5″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: Evans, SF Wesley Witherspoon (6′8″), PF Angel Garcia (6′10″)
Outlook: They seemed destined for the title last season, until they couldn’t hit the crucial free throws down the stretch against Kansas. Gone is #1 overall pick Derrick Rose, but arriving is Evans, who is just as explosive…Memphis fans just hope he can make both free throws.
14. Tennessee Volunteers
Coach: Bruce Pearl (4th season)
07-08 record: 31-5
How it ended: Lost in Sweet 16 to Louisville (79-60)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Bobby Maze (6′2″ Jr.)
- SG - Scotty Hopson (6′7″ Fr.)
- SF - J.P. Prince (6′7″ Jr.)
- PF - Tyler Smith (6′7″ Jr.)
- C - Ryan Childress (6′9″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: PF Wayne Chism (6′9″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: Hopson, PF Emmanuel Negedu (6′7″), C Phillip Jurick (6′10″), SG Cameron Tatum (6′6″), SF Renaldo Woodridge (6′8″)
Outlook: What do you do when you lose the best shooter in the conference and your point guard is dismissed? Well, if you are Pearl, you add more young, athletic talent. Hopson hopes to fill the void of Chris Lofton, while Maze has undeniable talent…just ask him, he’ll tell you.
15. Arizona State Sun Devils
Coach: Herb Sendek (3rd year)
07-08 record: 21-13
How it ended: Lost in NIT (quarterfinals) to Florida (70-57)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Derek Glasser (6′1″ Jr.)
- SG - Ty Abbott (6′3″ So.)
- SG - James Harden (6′5″ So.)
- G-F -Rihards Kuksiks (6′6″ So.)
- F -Jeff Pendergraph (6′9″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G Jerren Shipp (6′3″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: PF Taylor Rhode (6′8″), SF Johnny Coy (6′7″)
Outlook: Harden worked on his mid-range jump shot and his on-the-ball defense this summer. He also grew an inch. Yea, the 19-year-old is still growing, something Pac-10 foes are understandably not too excited about.
16. Marquette Golden Eagles
Coach: Buzz Williams (1st year)
07-08 record: 25-10
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Stanford (82-81 OT)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Dominic James (5′11″ Sr.)
- G - Jerel McNeal (6′3″ Sr.)
- G - Wesley Matthews (6′5″ Sr.)
- F - Lazar Hayward (6′6″ Jr.)
- F - Dwight Burke (6′8″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G Maurice Acker (5′8″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: none
Outlook: Without coach Tom Crean, all the focus will go to McNeal, who can score from anywhere on the floor. The Golden Eagles will need him to hit from everywhere because they are severely undersized. They will often use 4 and 5 guard sets who intend to push the ball at all times. Whether it works in the Big East or in March is up in the air, but it’ll be entertaining to watch nonetheless.
17. Miami Hurricanes
Coach: Frank Haith (5th year)
07-08 record: 23-11
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Texas (75-72)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Lance Hurdle (6′2″ Sr.)
- SG - Jack McClinton (6′1″ Sr.)
- SF - James Dews (6′4″ Jr.)
- PF - Dwayne Collins (6′8″ Jr.)
- C - Jimmy Graham (6′8″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: F Brian Asbury (6′7″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: SF DeQuan Jones (6′6″)
Outlook: Haith has done an impressive job at a school where basketball was a mere afterthought after both football and baseball. He has to find ways to get the ball to McClinton, who showed his scoring prowess with 38 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament and 12 points in the final 5 minutes against Texas in Round 2.
18. USC Trojans
Coach: Tim Floyd (4th year)
07-08 record: 21-12
How it ended: Lost in First Round to Kansas State (80-67)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Daniel Hackett (6′5″ Jr.)
- SG - Dwight Lewis (6′5″ Jr.)
- SF - DeMar DeRozan (6′6″ Fr.)
- PF - Taj Gibson (6′9″ Jr.)
- C - Keith Wilkinson (6′10″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G Donte Smith (5′11″ So.)
Top Frosh: DeRozan, PF Leonard Washington (6′6″)
Outlook: DeRozan is not as highly touted as O.J. Mayo was last season, but it’s his task to replace Mayo. However, replacing Davon Jefferson on the inside is an issue that is just as pressing. Floyd will have to get the most out of Gibson down low for USC to make a run in March.
19. Florida Gators
Coach: Billy Donovan (13th year)
07-08 record: 24-12
How it ended: Lost in NIT (semifinals) to UMass (78-66)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Nick Calathes (6′6″ So.)
- SG - Walter Hodge (6′0″ Sr.)
- SF - Dan Werner (6′8″ Jr.)
- PF - Chandler Parsons (6′9″ So.)
- C - Alex Tyus (6′8″ So.)
Key Reserve: SF Ray Shipman (6′5″ Fr.)
Top Frosh: Shipman, PF Eloy Vargas (6′10″), C Kenneth Kadji (6′10″), PF Allan Chaney (6′8″), PG Erving Walker (5′6″)
Outlook: After two consecutive titles, the Gators were relegated to the NIT last season, where they saw their team lose to…UMass? So what did Donovan do? Just bring in another fabulous class of freshman. This young team needs Walter Hodge to be a steady provider of support and leadership.
20. Davidson Wildcats
Coach: Bob McKillop (20th year)
07-08 record: 29-7
How it ended: Lost in Elite Eight to Kansas (59-57)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Stephen Curry (6′3″ Jr.)
- SG - Bryant Barr (6′4″ Jr.)
- SG - Max Paulhus Gosselin (6′6″ Sr.)
- PF - Stephen Rossiter (6′7″ Jr.)
- F-C - Andrew Lovedale (6′8″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G-F Will Archambault (6′6″ Sr.)
Top Frosh: C Frank Ben-Eze (6′10″)
Outlook: Everyone remembers when they fell in love with Steph Curry last spring. Well, unless you were a fan of one of the teams the Wildcats downed on their way to the Elite Eight. But the unsung hero was Jason Richards, the nation’s leading assister. Curry now moves over to point guard to replace Richards and prepare himself for the NBA. How much seniors Gosselin and Lovedale contribute will determine if the nation will be singing Davidson’s praises again this season.
21. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Coach: Dino Gaudio (2nd year)
07-08 record: 17-13
How it ended: Lost in ACC Tournament (1st Rnd) to Florida State 70-60
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Jeff Teague (6′2″ So.)
- SG - L.D. Williams (6′4″ Jr.)
- SF - James Johnson (6′9″ So.)
- PF - Al-Farouq Aminu (6′9″ Fr.)
- C - Chas McFarland (7′0″ Jr.)
Key Reserve: G Gary Clark (6′4″ So.)
Top Frosh: Aminu, C Tony Woods (6′11″), C Ty Walker (7′0″)
Outlook: Wake will rely on their young frontcourt of Aminu, Woods, and Johnson. The team will go as far as these highly acclaimed, versatile big men can carry them.
22. Georgetown Hoyas
Coach: John Thompson III (5th year)
07-08 record: 28-6
How it ended: Lost in Second Round to Davidson (74-70)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Chris Wright (6′1″ So.)
- G - Jessie Sapp (6′3″ Sr.)
- G - Austin Freeman (6′4″ So.)
- F -DaJuan Summers (6′8″ Jr.)
- C - Greg Monroe (6′8″ Fr.)
Key Reserve: PF Julian Vaughn (6′9″ So.)
Top Frosh: Monroe, SG Jason Clark (6′3″), C Henry Sims (6′10″), PF Chris Braswell (6′8″)
Outlook: Defense. Defense. Defense. Thompson teaches it. He expects it. Will this slightly undersized team have enough scoring though?
23. Villanova Wildcats
Coach: Jay Wright (8th year)
07-08 record: 22-13
How it ended: Lost in Sweet 16 to Kansas (72-57)
Starting Lineup:
- G - Scottie Reynolds (6′2″ Jr.)
- G - Corey Fisher (6′1″ So.)
- G - Corey Stokes (6′5″ So.)
- F - Antonio Pena (6′8″ So.)
- F - Dante Cunningham (6′8″ Sr.)
Key Reserve: G Reggie Redding (6′5″ Jr.)
Top Frosh: none
Outlook: This team should be able to make a run barring injuries. How far can they go? That all depends on how far Cunningham and Reynolds can carry them, and that will be greatly affected by Reynolds shot selection.
24. Kansas Jayhawks
Coach: Bill Self (6th year)
07-08 record: 37-3
How it ended: NCAA Champions after defeating Memphis (75-68 OT)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Sherron Collins (5′11″ Jr.)
- SG - Tyrel Reed (6′3″ So.)
- G - Brady Morningstar (6′3″ Jr.)
- PF - Quintrell Thomas (6′7″ Fr.)
- C - Cole Aldrich (6′11″ So.)
Key Reserve: PF Marcus Morris (6′9″ Fr.)
Top Frosh: Thomas, Mar. Morris, SG Travis Releford (6′5″), PF Markieff Morris (6′9″), PG Tyshawn Taylor (6′2″)
Outlook: Bill Self won a national championship. Then he lost 5 players to the NBA. This team is at least a year away much as the 06-07 Jayhawks’ squad was. How quickly the young guns develop and mature will determine what this team can do this season.
25. Wisconsin Badgers
Coach: Bo Ryan (8th year)
07-08 record: 31-5
How it ended: Lost in Sweet 16 to Davidson (73-56)
Starting Lineup:
- PG - Trevon Hughes (6′0″ Jr.)
- SG - Jason Bohannon (6′2″ Jr.)
- G-F - Joe Krabbenhoft (6′7″ Sr.)
- F - Marcus Landry (6′7″ Sr.)
- PF - Keaton Nankivil (6′8″ So.)
Key Reserve: PF Jon Leuer (6′10″ So.)
Top Frosh: C Jared Berggren (6′10″), C Ian Markolf (7′0″), PG Jordan Taylor (6′1″)
Outlook: Ryan just hasn’t landed the big time scorers that he was fortunate enough to inherit when taking over the program (Devin Harris, Alando Tucker). Landry will be the go-to-guy, but even with Wisconsin’s Top 10 defense, will Landry and the supporting cast be able to score enough points to be considered a contender?
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