We’re working towards releasing our preseason top 25 rankings, but first, we must look at the teams that have a chance to compete for NCAA Tournament spots. Who knows, perhaps they could even compete for their own conference crown if things break right?
Spots 49-45 of our top college basketball teams are up next, after we slotted Colorado at No. 50.
49. Oregon State Beavers
Wayne Tinkle has things rocking in Corvallis right now, thanks to a returning senior point guard and a recruiting class that many people think can change the future of the Beavers’ program. Going from the lower quarter of a conference and towards the top third is difficult, though, and they’ll have their work cut out for them to prove this ranking correct.
48. Vanderbilt Commodores
The duo of Damian Jones and Riley LaChance has a…chance…to be one of the most lethal scoring tandems in the country, as they already combined for 27 points per game a year ago. Given another year together, one is reasonable to assume that their joint firepower has the making of a very competitive team.
47. Marquette Golden Eagles
How can I rank a team that won just 13 games, and only four in conference, a year ago? This was a team that showed serious improvement throughout the year, and they’ve added five-star big man Henry Ellenson to the mix, who has a chance to be a one-and-done talent. That’s why.
46. Georgia Bulldogs
Mark Fox finally had a bit of a breakthrough last year, and the Bulldogs are set for a bit of a rebound this season as well with the return of Marcus Thornton and company. Even with the ever improving nature of the SEC, things are looking like UGA is finally stepping up into the place that a program like theirs should be.
45. Utah Utes
With the loss of Delon Wright, the Utes are without their conductor, their savant, the director of all things positive. The return of Jakob Poeltl has people in Salt Lake City optimistic, but the question remains whether or not Utah has someone on the perimeter that can be anything close to as dynamic as Wright was.
