USA Today/ESPN Mens Hoops Top 25

[Saulbadguy]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/usatpoll.htm

1.
Kansas (8)

24-9

741

9
2.
Wake Forest (12)

21-10

724

15
3.
North Carolina (6)

19-11

697

22
4.
Georgia Tech (1)

28-10

604

3
5.
Illinois (1)

26-7

598

11
6.
Syracuse

23-8

557

19
7.
Connecticut

33-6

541

1
8.
Oklahoma State (1)

31-4

511

4
9.
Kentucky

27-5

480

8
10.
Michigan State

18-12

476

NR
11.
Arizona

20-10

475

NR
12.
Duke

31-6

403

2
13.
Louisville (1)

20-10

374

NR
14.
Mississippi State

26-4

365

13
15.
Texas

25-8

334

10
16.
Maryland

20-12

316

24
17.
Pittsburgh

31-5

247

7
18.
Alabama

20-13

224

17
19.
N.C. State

21-10

218

20
20.
Wisconsin

25-7

216

16
21.
Notre Dame

19-13

214

NR
22.
Florida

20-11

160

NR
23.
Memphis

22-8

131

NR
24.
Washington

19-12

108

NR
25.
Stanford

30-2

64

6

Others receiving votes (with 2003-04 records): Gonzaga (28-3) 58; Cincinnati (25-7) 44; Michigan (23-11) 38; Providence (20-9) 37; Oklahoma (20-11) 34; Charlotte (21-9) 31; UAB (22-10) 11; UNLV (18-13) 9; Utah (24-9) 6; Pacific (25-8) 5; Southern Illinois (25-5) 4; DePaul (22-10) 3; Purdue (17-14) 3; Texas Tech (23-11) 3; Pepperdine (15-16) 2; Saint Joseph's (30-2) 2; Texas-El Paso (23-8) 2; Toledo (20-11) 2; Florida State (19-14) 1; Princeton (20-8) 1; Vanderbilt (23-10) 1.

The first regular-season poll will be released Monday, Nov. 22.

NABC policy bars schools on major NCAA or conference probation from receiving votes.

The USA TODAY/ESPN Board of Coaches is made up of 31 Division I head coaches. All are members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The 2004-05 board: Dana Altman, Creighton; Tevester Anderson, Jackson State; Eddie Biedenbach, North Carolina-Asheville; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse; Charles Coles, Miami (Ohio); Barry Collier, Nebraska; Dick Davey; Santa Clara; Fran Dunphy, Pennsylvania; Mick Durham, Montana State; Rob Evans, Arizona State; Steve Fisher, San Diego State; Pat Flannery, Bucknell; Tom Green, Fairleigh Dickinson; David Henderson, Delaware; Bob Huggins, Cincinnati; Johnny Jones, North Texas; Gene Keady, Purdue; Eddie McCarter, Texas-Arlington; Bob McKillop, Davidson; Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph's; Joe Mihalich, Niagara; Ron "Fang" Mitchell, Coppin State; Dave Odom, South Carolina; John Phillips, Tulsa; Rick Samuels, Eastern Illinois; Kirk Speraw, Central Florida; Bob Thomason, Pacific; Perry Watson, Detroit Mercy; Gary Williams, Maryland; Dennis Wolff, Boston University; Rich Zvosec, Missouri-Kansas City.

[Phobia]

Nope. Don't see K-State anywhere.

[ROYC75]

Nope, neither do I see a Missouri either ! :hmmm:

[chiefqueen]

NABC policy bars schools on major NCAA or conference probation from receiving votes.

I think that's only if they are ineligible for postseason play & to my knowledge MU does not fit in that catgory...........yet.

[Brando]

Man..where's the love for my Orange? Stuck at six.

[DaKCMan AP]

1. Kansas (8)

24-9

741

9


hell yeah! :thumb:


22.
Florida

20-11

160

NR


lower than I would rank them (high teens) but good to have low expectations with this team. They will be much better than last season and have the potential to make some noise.

KU's season is national champ or bust.

[ROYC75]

Hey, it's not my fault MU sucks and got itself in trouble !

[ROYC75]

Kinda agree , IMHO, If KU doesn't win it with this years squad it will be considered a bust.

[ROYC75]

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NABC policy bars schools on major NCAA or conference probation from receiving votes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, it's not my fault MU sucks and got itself in trouble !

That was my response, if it was to harsh, I understand. :p

[Jenny Gump]

It's not so much harsh as it is just odd.
True.

[Brando]

I love how Michigan State is once again severly over rated.

[HolmeZz]

Yeah, it seems like every year Michigan State gets built up as a top team, and every year they disappoint.

[Brando]

I don't know what I would like to see more...Tom Izzo getting his head shaved, or Dick Vitale getting stabbed in the eye while Willie Roaf digs a heel into his nuts.

[Pants]

I hate Syracuse now, and that faggot 'Mello. It was OUR year dammit. :deevee:

[Saulbadguy]

Most first place votes? Say hello to #2.
I was confused by that as well...I don't understand it at all.

[Saulbadguy]

I love how Michigan State is once again severly over rated.
MSU did themselves a favor last year by destroying their teams confidence by scheduling quite possibly the nations toughest schedule in history, and of course losing many of those games. I think if they would have stuck with a easy to medium range non-con like most teams do, they would have done better.

[Brando]

You wanna see Roaf in heels?

Sicko.

Sorry man..I forgot that sort of stuff gets you turned on.
How about Dick Vitale getting hit by bullet train in slow motion?
That would be sweet!

[Brando]

I hate Syracuse now, and that pillowbiter 'Mello. It was OUR year dammit. :deevee:

There's no way he was a pillowbiter..Roy would have been all over him if he was. ROFL

[Saulbadguy]

Nope. Don't see K-State anywhere.
We could get some votes if we sweep our relatively weak non-con schedule, which is loaded with home games. Toughest opponent, probably Rutgers (NIT semi-finalist) or UT-San Antonio (NCAA tourney team). Weakest, CMSU.

[Saulbadguy]

Guess lots of folks who didn't have Wake at #1 had Kansas above them.
I don't know too much about WF...I know the analysts slob over Chris Paul all the time..but i'd say UNC and Georgia Tech are better than WF.

[Brando]

We could get some votes if we sweep our relatively weak non-con schedule, which is loaded with home games. Toughest opponent, probably Rutgers (NIT semi-finalist) or UT-San Antonio (NCAA tourney team). Weakest, CMSU.

If that game is at Rutgers I would put it in the loss column. They are a hell of a team at home.

[Saulbadguy]

If that game is at Rutgers I would put it in the loss column. They are a hell of a team at home.
Nope..its at the Little Apple baby..i'll be there!

[Saulbadguy]

CMSU?
Yes.

Shut up.

[HolmeZz]

I was confused by that as well...I don't understand it at all.

Totals votes determines the rankings. Not total first place v0tes.

As for Michigan State's schedule, yeah it wasn't easy. But of the 9 tough games they scheduled, I think they lost all of them but one, if I remember correctly. And then they bowed out of the first round of the NCAA tourney to Nevada. They had n0 excuses.

[ROYC75]

It's not so much harsh as it is just odd.

Why was it odd ? I assume by your post that MU had no votes due to some possible probation, of which I haven't heard of.

I just stated it wasn't my fault.

[Saulbadguy]

Totals votes determines the rankings. Not total first place v0tes.

As for Michigan State's schedule, yeah it wasn't easy. But of the 9 tough games they scheduled, I think they lost all of them but one, if I remember correctly. And then they bowed out of the first round of the NCAA tourney to Nevada. They had n0 excuses.
Perhaps to get a head start on Izzo's promising career in broadcasting.

[Saulbadguy]

Why was it odd ? I assume by your post that MU had no votes due to some possible probation, of which I haven't heard of.

I just stated it wasn't my fault.
No. MU has no votes cause they suck.

[Saulbadguy]

Like... a real game? Or, an exhibition game?
Real game. We play EA Sports All stars and Pitt State for our exhibition games.

[Saulbadguy]

I hope CMSU wins.
Hope all you want..I seriously doubt KSU will drop it to CMSU on their home court.

[Skip Towne]

Dammit! I can't find UMR on this list anywhere. Must be a misprint.

[Saulbadguy]

How embarassing would that be?
Very..but it won't happen. We were a tough team at home last year, and I expect nothing less this year.

[HolmeZz]

I didn't know K-State played basketball. :p

[Saulbadguy]

Washburn is ranked 5th in the Country, BTW. NWMSU is 15th...UMR, unranked. :D

[Saulbadguy]

Were you tough against D-I teams as well?
Just ask Texas.

[ROYC75]

Why the hell would it be your fault?

Sorry, I left out the sarcastic smilie or words. I expected a sacrastic wit like yourself to catch it .....

Guess I was wrong !:D

[Saulbadguy]

Oddly enough, for some reason NCAA Division II BBall lists its homepage as this
http://campus.umr.edu/sports/bbindex.html

A site hosted off UMR....weird.

[Saulbadguy]

You're still the Ichabods.

Where'd you find the DII preseason rankings?
http://campus.umr.edu/sports/bbindex.html

[ROYC75]

You're still the Ichabods.

Where'd you find the DII preseason rankings?

OK, I always wanted to know, WTF is an Ichabod ? :shake:

[Saulbadguy]

For those interested...

NABC/Bulletin Top 25
1. Southern Indiana
2. Rollins
3. Philadelphia
4. Virginia Union
5. WASHBURN
6. Alaska-Fairbanks
7. Michigan Tech
8. Kennesaw State -- 2003-04 NCAA Division II Champions
9. Montevallo
10. Pfeiffer
11. Valdosta State
12. Northwest Missouri St.
13. Kentucky Wesleyan
14. Massachusetts-Lowell
15. Clayton College & St.
16. Northern State
17. Metropolitan State
18. Florida Southern
19. Tarleton State
20. Brigham Young-Hawaii
21. Florida Gulf Coast
22. Cal Poly-Pomona
23. Bowie State
24. Indiana (Pa.)
25. LIU-C.W. Post

[ROYC75]

So... it is your fault?


Oh no, MU doesn't need me, they do a good enough job on there own ! :D

[Saulbadguy]

OK, I always wanted to know, WTF is an Ichabod ? :shake:
http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/ichabod.html

The name Ichabod is derived from the first name of Ichabod Washburn, an early benefactor of the university. Until 1938 there were no particular characteristics associated with Mr. Ichabod and there was no graphic representation of him.

The following explanatory material accompanied Ichabod's first representation in the Washburn Kaw: "He has courage and enthusiasm as shown by his brisk walk. He is democratic and courteous, for he tips his hat as he passes. Sincere in his search for truth and knowledge, he studiously carries a book under his arm. His friendly smile makes you like him. He is neatly dressed and he fits well into his generation...but he adapts himself with equal ease to any change or any age."

[Saulbadguy]

CMSU is a DII team, sure, but if I were you i'd be talking about KSU's opponnent: Arkansas Pine-Bluff. They are much worse than CMSU. They ended the 03-04 season 1-26, including a 94-24 loss @Oklahoma.

[ROYC75]

http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/ichabod.html

The name Ichabod is derived from the first name of Ichabod Washburn, an early benefactor of the university. Until 1938 there were no particular characteristics associated with Mr. Ichabod and there was no graphic representation of him.

The following explanatory material accompanied Ichabod's first representation in the Washburn Kaw: "He has courage and enthusiasm as shown by his brisk walk. He is democratic and courteous, for he tips his hat as he passes. Sincere in his search for truth and knowledge, he studiously carries a book under his arm. His friendly smile makes you like him. He is neatly dressed and he fits well into his generation...but he adapts himself with equal ease to any change or any age."


Oh my, I'm relieved . I was thinking he was an off spring from a tribe of Indians that butt f*cked the buffaloes.

[Saulbadguy]

Interesting read-
http://www.kusports.com/news/mens_basketball/story/111848

[Lzen]

You're still the Ichabods.

Where'd you find the DII preseason rankings?

Say what you will about Washburn but, they are a top team year in and year out. It wasn't very long ago that they played in the championship game of D II, I believe. Not that I have any loyalty to them or anything. It's just nice to see a local team do well.

[Lzen]

I'm surprised UNC is ranked up there so high. Hmm, it would be very interesting if KU met the Tarheels in March/April. :)

[Lzen]

I love how Michigan State is once again severly over rated.

Wasn't it just about 5 years ago that he won a national championship? What I don't understand is how a coach does that and then falls back down to Earth.

[htismaqe]

Nice to see that Iowa State isn't on there at all...

They're good enough to compete for a Big XII title and at the very worst, they're going to spoil some people's seasons...

[Saulbadguy]

Nice to see that Iowa State isn't on there at all...

They're good enough to compete for a Big XII title and at the very worst, they're going to spoil some people's seasons...
Naw...they still suck. After dissapointing everyone in the 2000 season, and then the whole Eustachy thing, they deserve not to be ranked.

Oh...didnt Sullivan and Vroman graduate? Those were the only ballers that team had.

[htismaqe]

Naw...they still suck. After dissapointing everyone in the 2000 season, and then the whole Eustachy thing, they deserve not to be ranked.

Oh...didnt Sullivan and Vroman graduate? Those were the only ballers that team had.

Please tell me you're not that much of a homer moron. I'm not even an ISU fan -- in fact, I hate them.

You've never heard of guard Curtis Stinson? I mean, he was only the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He led the team in scoring, assists, and steals.

[Saulbadguy]

Please tell me you're not that much of a homer moron. I'm not even an ISU fan -- in fact, I hate them.

You've never heard of guard Curtis Stinson? I mean, he was only the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He led the team in scoring, assists, and steals.
Ah..damn. I was trying to get you riled up. Yeah, Stinson is good and that Homan guy looks like a promising center. They will upset some teams at Ames but other than that I don't see them in the upper half of the Big XII.

[Swanman]

I'm an Illinois alum, so I'm real excited about basketball season (especially considering that the Illini suck big sweaty donkey balls in football). A couple of the lesser known publications have Illinois as the preseason #1 and it is rumored that SI might have the Illini ranked #1. The Illini play Wake Forest in Champaign during the ACC-Big 10 Challenge so that could potentially be an early season matchup of two top five teams.

[tk13]

I'm an Illinois alum, so I'm real excited about basketball season (especially considering that the Illini suck big sweaty donkey balls in football). A couple of the lesser known publications have Illinois as the preseason #1 and it is rumored that SI might have the Illini ranked #1. The Illini play Wake Forest in Champaign during the ACC-Big 10 Challenge so that could potentially be an early season matchup of two top five teams.
Dee Brown and Deron Williams are a couple bad dudes....

[Saulbadguy]

I'm an Illinois alum, so I'm real excited about basketball season (especially considering that the Illini suck big sweaty donkey balls in football). A couple of the lesser known publications have Illinois as the preseason #1 and it is rumored that SI might have the Illini ranked #1. The Illini play Wake Forest in Champaign during the ACC-Big 10 Challenge so that could potentially be an early season matchup of two top five teams.
Does Dee Brown still play for the Illini? He's one of the most underrated guards in the country.

[Saulbadguy]

ROFL

Guess that answers my question...

[Swanman]

Does Dee Brown still play for the Illini? He's one of the most underrated guards in the country.

Yeah, Dee is a junior this year. He's great but it sounds like Deron Williams is going to be one of the top guards in the nation so Dee will probably play second fiddle to him this year. Dee is one of the fastest basketball players I've ever seen.

[htismaqe]

Ah..damn. I was trying to get you riled up. Yeah, Stinson is good and that Homan guy looks like a promising center. They will upset some teams at Ames but other than that I don't see them in the upper half of the Big XII.

They'll easily finish in the top half.

I could see them making a strong bid for 3rd behind Kansas and Okie State...

[Saulbadguy]

They'll easily finish in the top half.

I could see them making a strong bid for 3rd behind Kansas and Okie State...
...and OU and Texas? I don't see it happening..but we'll see.

[htismaqe]

...and OU and Texas? I don't see it happening..but we'll see.

Yes, better than OU and Tejas. I'm not saying it's guaranteed, but you can't count them out with Stinson and Blaylock. Good back courts RULE college basketball and those guys were one of the best in the Big XII last year, as TRUE FRESHMEN.

[Saulbadguy]

Yes, better than OU and Tejas. I'm not saying it's guaranteed, but you can't count them out with Stinson and Blaylock. Good back courts RULE college basketball and those guys were one of the best in the Big XII last year, as TRUE FRESHMEN.
Alas, thats something I fear KSU lacks. We have a strong inside game, but we have a freshman and a JUCO coming in to fill up our backcourt. Our success really depends on how they play IMO.