2012/13 Preseason NCAA Top 25: #18 Creighton Bluejays
Fall is here, and school is back in session, which means the good times are almost here - the start of college basketball season! To get you ready for this upcoming season, The Hoops Manifesto presents to you its preseason top 25 team rankings, based on the input from our esteemed voting panel. Next up #18: Creighton Bluejays
Big thanks to our voting panel: Jeff Fox (@HoopsManifesto) from The Hoops Manifesto, Perry Missner (@PerryMissner) from RotoWire, Ray Bala (@CanBallReport) who writes The Can Ball Report on Raptors HQ, Adam Francis (@RaptorsHQ) from Raptors HQ, and Ian (@SoxAndDawgs) from SOX & Dawgs.
#18 - Creighton Bluejays
2011/12: 29-6, lost NCAA Third Round
Key Returning Players:
Doug McDermott - Small Forward - Junior
22.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 54-111 3Pts
Grant Gibbs - Shooting Guard - Senior
7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.1 spg
Gregory Echenique - Center - Senior
9.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Jahenns Manigat - Shooting Guard - Junior
6.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 59-126 3Pts
Key Newcomers:
Isaiah Zierdon - Shooting Guard - 3 stars (Rivals.com)
Top NBA Prospect:
Doug McDermott - late first round to early second round pick in 2013 draft
Outlook:
It starts and ends with Doug McDermott. The reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-American decided to forgo the NBA and spend another year playing for his dad, giving the Bluejays one of the best (if not THE best) players in the nation. Dougie will have some help, with a bunch of veterans back, including NBA prospect big man Gregory Echenique, who made the MVC All-Defensive Team last year. If McDermott can have a Stephen Curry-like season (which is more than plausible), the Bluejays could go deep in the Tournament.
Preseason Top 25
#19 - Florida Gators
#20 - Kansas State Wildcats
#21 - San Diego State Aztecs
#22 - Saint Louis Billikens
#23 - Memphis Tigers
#24 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
#25 - Texas Wildcats
Play Fantasy College Basketball for free at FCBLZone
