Fox Sports ranks K-State No. 5, Mizzou No. 9 and KU No. 11 in preseason hoops poll

[KcMizzou]

I know it doesn't mean much... but it's gonna be fun in KC next basketball season. (Apologies if it's a repost)


Fox Sports ranks K-State No. 5, Mizzou No. 9 and KU No. 11 in preseason hoops poll

By Mike DeArmond - Posted on 11 May 2010

All three local Big 12 schools are high on a preseason college basketball poll released by Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman — Kansas State is No. 5, Missouri No. 9 and Kansas No. 11.

While K-State's Elite Eight run carried over into a top-five ranking, the national media is really impressed with MU coach Mike Anderson’s latest recruiting class. On the heels of Rivals.com ranking the class No. 6, Goodman slotted the Tigers into a top-10 ranking after they were unranked most of last season.

“Obviously, Mike’s system has proven to work,” Goodman said in a release issued Tuesday by Missouri. “You look at what was lost a season ago (three 1,000-point scorers) and then they come out and win 23 games this year. To a lot of people, the loss of (Zaire) Taylor and (J.T.) Tiller will be the biggest questions mark, but I love the young players at Missouri.

“I love Marcus Denmon and think he will play an even bigger role this season. Kim English has proven himself and the recruiting class just adds to the program.

“Phil Pressey, to me, is the ideal point guard for Mike Anderson’s system. If you picked one point guard in the country to play for Missouri, it would be Phil Pressey. He’s so fast and so unselfish. And then you add guys like Tony Mitchell and Ricardo Ratliffe, the top junior college player, and I think this is the team that has the talent and depth to have a special season.”

Here is Goodman’s Top 25:

Rank Team 2009-10 record
1. Duke 35-5
2. Purdue 29-6
3. Michigan State 28-9
4. Ohio State 29-8
5. Kansas State 29-8
6. Villanova 25-8
7. Pittsburgh 25-9
8. Washington 26-10
9. Missouri 23-11
10. Florida 21-13
11. Kansas 33-3
12. Gonzaga 27-7
13. Memphis 24-10
14. Illinois 21-15
15. BYU 30-6
16. North Carolina 20-17
17. Baylor 28-8
18. Kentucky 35-3
19. Temple 29-6
20. Virginia Tech 25-9
21. Richmond 26-9
22. Florida State 22-10
23. Syracuse 30-5
24. UNLV 25-9
T25. Minnesota 21-14
T25. Butler 33-5


http://campuscorner.kansascity.com/node/885

[Sure-Oz]

I am excited as hell for college sports to start again

[BWillie]

I don't quite see how Missouri explodes into a Top 10 team. Yes, I know they have a good recruiting class but they lost the heart and soul of their team in JT Tiller, then Zaire Taylor, and the solid Keith Ramsey.

Have to agree w/ Duke though. If Kyrie Irving is worth a shi*, they are going to be really, really tough to beat. Imagine if Seth Curry is even half as good as his brother too?

[Mr. Laz]

Hopefully the Big 12 will kick Mizzou out the conference immediately, before the big 10 is ready, and MU won't have a conference this season at all.

[Reaper16]

Hopefully the Big 12 will kick Mizzou out the conference immediately, before the big 10 is ready, and MU won't have a conference this season at all.
That would just hurt the Big XII. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[DeezNutz]

LMAO.

How will MU ever deal with the shame of not being in the same basketball conference as KU?

[|Zach|]

I don't quite see how Missouri explodes into a Top 10 team. Yes, I know they have a good recruiting class but they lost the heart and soul of their team in JT Tiller, then Zaire Taylor, and the solid Keith Ramsey.

Have to agree w/ Duke though. If Kyrie Irving is worth a shi*, they are going to be really, really tough to beat. Imagine if Seth Curry is even half as good as his brother too?

They didn't tank when they lost the real heart and soul of their team the year before in Demarre Carrol.

Mizzou had a decent year after losing THREE 1k+ scorers. And now with the talent they have coming in?

Should be a fun ride.

[KcMizzou]

I don't quite see how Missouri explodes into a Top 10 team. Yes, I know they have a good recruiting class but they lost the heart and soul of their team in JT Tiller, then Zaire Taylor, and the solid Keith Ramsey.
I think everything would have to go just right, (which rarely if ever happens) They've added a lot of talent, but it's mostly young talent.

I do think they'll be a lot better... but I'd be surprised (and very happy) if they hit the top 10.

[Sure-Oz]

LMAO.

How will MU ever deal with the shame of not being in the same basketball conference as KU?

LMAO

[Mr. Laz]

That would just hurt the Big XII. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.
if it means kicking MU in the groin ... it's all good.

[KcMizzou]

I love Tiller to death, but he wasn't the same player this last season that he was the season before. Team leader? Sure... but he didn't have the same impact on the court. (possibly because he had less talent around him?)

[KcMizzou]

if it means kicking MU in the groin ... it's all good.We love you too. :D

[DeezNutz]

We love you too. :D

The Big 10 has ice. No worries.

[Sure-Oz]

I love Tiller to death, but he wasn't the same player this last season that he was the season before. Team leader? Sure... but he didn't have the same impact on the court. (possibly because he had less talent around him?)

He tried to take over and score alot, thats not his game

[Sure-Oz]

The Big 10 has ice. No worries.

LMAO

[Mr. Laz]

We love you too. :D:)

[Pablo]

LMAO.

How will MU ever deal with the shame of not being in the same basketball conference as KU?They'll surely find a team in the Big 10 to beat them around twice a year.

:D

[Reerun_KC]

Cant get here fast enough.....

Nothing is better than College basketball and Football...

[warpaint*]

He tried to take over and score alot, thats not his game

Ya he could score w/in the framework of the offense but he couldn't create his own shot. Really who'd we have beyond Safford that could...all the more impressive the season we had.

[warpaint*]

I don't quite see how Missouri explodes into a Top 10 team. Yes, I know they have a good recruiting class but they lost the heart and soul of their team in JT Tiller, then Zaire Taylor, and the solid Keith Ramsey.

Have to agree w/ Duke though. If Kyrie Irving is worth a shi*, they are going to be really, really tough to beat. Imagine if Seth Curry is even half as good as his brother too?

Hyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyype.

[teedubya]

The Big 10 has ice. No worries.

So is Mizzou and Nebraska gonna start a Hockey team?

[Saulbadguy]

EMAW.

[duncan_idaho]

I don't know if I think Missouri deserves top 10 hype entering the season, but I think the Tigers definitely can develop into that sort of team assuming everything stays on schedule and Mitchell and Ratliffe keep their grades up and make it to campus.

Yes, Missouri loses Tiller, Taylor and Ramsey. Yes, they were all outstanding defensive players (though Tiller was only about 80 percent of the defender he was as a junior - those leg injuries nagged him all season). But Tiller and Ramsey were definitely MINUS offensive players. And Taylor was average at best outside the final minute of the game.

Ratliffe, Mitchell and the Presseys offer much more upside than those three players. Mitchell's athleticism and defensive ability should make him an instant contributor, even if it is off the bench and even if he doesn't score 15 points a game. Ratliffe can put the ball in the hole, and his defense is good enough. I don't care what if it was at JUCO, you don't average 25+ ppg with those types of shooting percentages without having a good offensive game.
And then there are the Presseys. I think Phil is an upgrade at the No. 2 PG spot from Mike Dixon (who I expect to have a big second year as the starting PG), and Matt should fill the long, athletic defender role Missouri would lack with Tiller and Taylor gone.

Really, heading into next season, I would have told you Missouri's biggest needs were:

1) Another quick, penetrating point guard.
2) An athletic wing defender with some size
3) A post who can score the ball and defend adequately
4) An athletic swing man who can do a little of everything and be a nightmare at the point of the press off the bench.

That checklist is completed.

Ratliffe
Bowers
English
Denmon
Dixon

Safford
P. Pressey
Mitchell
M. Pressey

That's your core nine main contributors. Best balance, depth and versatility Anderson has had so far. There also are a few specialists lurking on the bench for the right situations in Steve Moore (defense/fouls/big man insurance) and Ricky Kreklow (three-point ace).

[beer bacon]

I don't know if Mizzou deserves a preseason top ten ranking, but it is pretty silly to doubt them going into next season because they lost Tiller, Taylor, and Ramsey. Those were three good defenders, but they were also offensive black holes for long stretches.

Mizzou's three leading scorers from last season, three sophomores that all averaged in double digits by the names of English, Denmon and Bowers, are back.

Safford and Dixon were both solid last season, and they are back.

In addition, Missouri is bringing in a top ten recruiting class. That class includes a junior power forward that should start immediately and two freshmen and a JC guard that should contribute immediately.

Missouri's basketball team is looking great for the near future.

[Mizzou_8541]

So is Mizzou and Nebraska gonna start a Hockey team?

Joke fail.

[Reaper16]

It will be interesting to see the motivation of the team if they are in the preseason top 10. Mike Anderson teams seem to play better when viewed as underdogs.

[BWillie]

All I know is Kansas is going to win the Big 12 again, because, they always win the Big 12. It's what they do. Make it lucky #7 in a row next year.

[eazyb81]

So is Mizzou and Nebraska gonna start a Hockey team?

:facepalm:

[eazyb81]

Is Safford expected to be able to play from the start of the year? I thought it might take him until mid-season to get back due to rehab from his knee, but it seems like everyone is penciling him in from the get-go.

[Jethopper]

All I know is Kansas is going to win the Big 12 again, because, they always win the Big 12. It's what they do. Make it lucky #7 in a row next year.

You sound like a 90's Nebraska football fan in the early 00's......Ignorant.

[Saulbadguy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=5179956

Andy Katz.

[kepp]

I don't quite see how Missouri explodes into a Top 10 team. Yes, I know they have a good recruiting class but they lost the heart and soul of their team in JT Tiller, then Zaire Taylor, and the solid Keith Ramsey.

Starting at #9 is much too high, IMO. They do have good talent coming in, but we're really young. I'd say they should start somewhere between 20 - 25.

[KChiefs1]

LMAO.

How will MU ever deal with the shame of not being in the same basketball conference as KU?

ROFL

[Chiefs Rool]

I can't wait for K-State to dominate the Big 12, it's our turn!

[ArrowheadHawk]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=5179956

Andy Katz.I like this pole better. I would much rather KU start out ranked lower and earn their ranking.

[Reerun_KC]

Nice to see the Big 12 represent.... Even if it is for the last year of the Big12 as a whole....


Should be a great great year of college basketball again.....

[ArrowheadHawk]

I can't wait for K-State to dominate the Big 12, it's our turn!You may win the league. But you will never dominate.

[Reerun_KC]

I like this pole better. I would much rather KU start out ranked lower and earn their ranking.

Agree to a point... Its going to be a long road for KU, I would imagine they will have a few early season WTF losses.... But in the end they will be in the running for both the conference and tourney title....

I would say they will be no worse than a 3 seed this year in the tourney... But Coach Self and staff have done some amazing things over the years... You cant under estimate that staff...

[Reerun_KC]

You may win the league. But you will never dominate.

dont feed the trools... Jesus dude

[Chiefs Rool]

dont feed the trools... Jesus dude

a little smack talk ain't gonna hurt ya now.

[CoMoChief]

LMAO.

How will MU ever deal with the shame of not being in the same basketball conference as KU?

They're probably relieved if anything. MU never wins at AFH.

I love it when MU starts pretty high, because they end up shitting the bed and end up not being ranked at all.

[Pants]

They're probably relieved if anything. MU never wins at AFH.

I love it when MU starts pretty high, because they end up shitting the bed and end up not being ranked at all.

All that hope, I love seeing it. It only makes it that much sweeter when we crush their souls on the day of their only sell out of the year at the Plaige.

[BWillie]

You sound like a 90's Nebraska football fan in the early 00's......Ignorant.

Until Kansas shows they can't reload, I'm not going to pick against them. They will win the Big 12 again. They are bringing in the #1 recruit in the country. They have Marcus Morris coming back, who is a legitimate threat for Player of the Year in the Big 12. They have the sniper who is otherwise known as Tyrel Reed. They have 5 star talent on the bench from last year who will get expanded playing time. KU hasn't been bad since 1989. They don't fall off the map for 10 years like Nebraska.

[Pants]

Until Kansas shows they can't reload, I'm not going to pick against them. They will win the Big 12 again. They are bringing in the #1 recruit in the country. They have Marcus Morris coming back, who is a legitimate threat for Player of the Year in the Big 12. They have the sniper who is otherwise known as Tyrel Reed. They have 5 star talent on the bench from last year who will get expanded playing time. KU hasn't been bad since 1989. They don't fall off the map for 10 years like Nebraska.

Not yet, anyway.

[warpaint*]

Is Safford expected to be able to play from the start of the year? I thought it might take him until mid-season to get back due to rehab from his knee, but it seems like everyone is penciling him in from the get-go.

Everything I've read was that he's expected to be back for the start of the season.

[warpaint*]

Until Kansas shows they can't reload, I'm not going to pick against them. They will win the Big 12 again. They are bringing in the #1 recruit in the country. They have Marcus Morris coming back, who is a legitimate threat for Player of the Year in the Big 12. They have the sniper who is otherwise known as Tyrel Reed. They have 5 star talent on the bench from last year who will get expanded playing time. KU hasn't been bad since 1989. They don't fall off the map for 10 years like Nebraska.

While I'm optimistic and excited about MU's prospects next season I also completely agree w/ these thoughts.