| 06 November 2011
Every Sunday (or every other Sunday if we're lazy) The Hoops Manifesto and our esteemed voting panel come together to vote on the four best teams in the country, our Fabulous Four, plus the best team from a non-BCS conference. We present to you the preseason edition of the Fab Four Plus One - because who has time to read a list of 25 teams.
Voters: Jeff Fox from The Hoops Manifesto, Perry Missner & Ryan Curi from College Fantasy Hoops Insider, Kevin Cacabelos of Seatown Sports, Ray Bala who writes The Can Ball Report on Raptors HQ, Raphielle Johnson from CollegeHoops.net, Adam Francis from Raptors HQ and Jamie D. Gilkey of Suns Stuff't.
Fabulous Four
1) North Carolina - 37 (out of possible 40) points
Record: 0-0
Games the next two weeks: Fri vs Michigan State (neutral site), Nov 13 vs North Carolina-Asheville
"Depth, experience, talent, athleticism, length, size - North Carolina has it all. But will they still be at top of the heap when the confetti rains down in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome next spring?" - Jeff Fox
"Obvious top choice with the best returning frontcourt in the nation. I am really interested to see if Harrison Barnes can start better than he did last year when the media anointing him to greatness caused him to feel pressure (that last bit is sarcasm)." - Perry Missner
"The Tar Heels have too much talent to not be number one. They return all five starters, four of which are projected first round NBA prospects. Head Coach Roy Williams also adds freshman forward James McAdoo to his squad who is a projected top five NBA pick." - Kevin Cacabelos
"The return or Barnes and Henson make this team great. Those two mixed with Marshall and Zeller make this team a problem for 99.9% of the teams in the NCAA." - Ray Bala
"the moment Harrison Barnes and the rest of the gang decided to return to Chapel Hill this became the best team in America. Kendall Williams does a good job running the show and they've got some capable perimeter shooters on the bench as well. " - Raphielle Johnson
"The Tar Heels bring back everyone from last year's squad that advanced to the Elite 8. Anything but a National Championship would be a disappointment for all those in Chapel Hill this year." - Ryan Curi
"One word, LOADED. Chemistry should be good and it's hard to see this team not being absolutely dominant this season." - Adam Francis
"Impressive last season as they clawed their way to respectability, the North Carolina Tar Heels come into this year as a team that will walk in the door favored to win their conference. The question is - can they handle the pressure that comes with being one of the Big Dogs? I don't think so." - Jamie D. Gilkey
2) Ohio State - 26 points
Record: 0-0
Games the next two weeks: Fri vs Wright State, Nov 15 vs #8 Florida, Nov 18 vs Jackson State
"When you have the best player in the nation (who is a year wiser and in much better physical condition) in Jared Sullinger you have a chance to win every time the ref throws the ball up at center court." - Jeff Fox
"I thought Sullinger was the best college player last year and I think he'll be even better as a sophomore. They need outside shooting to keep defenses honest. Where have you gone Jon Diebler? (editor's note: Greece, that's where!)" - Perry Missner
"While the Buckeyes may not have the amount of talent as North Carolina and Kentucky, they do bring back college basketball's best player from last year, Jared Sullinger. The play of incoming freshman Amir Williams and Shannon Scott will determine if this team can compete with UNC and Kentucky for the title." - Kevin Cacabelos
"Jared Sullinger's lost weight and William Buford has a shot at becoming the program's all-time leading scorer. If their freshmen big men can perform inside that allows Sullinger to play his natural power forward spot, making him even more dangerous." - Raphielle Johnson
"Buckeyes have the top player in the nation, but also have the complementary players to make a deep run in the tournament. As always, depth could be an issue for OSU since Matta plays a very short bench." - Ryan Curi
"Another team with a nice blend of chemistry and top notch talent. Are they maybe being a bit underrated even?" - Adam Francis
"With Jared Sullinger breaking out of the old "one and done" and returning to the hardwood at Ohio State, it is hard to imagine the Buckeyes falling short of a national title. Along with Sullinger's big body, they will also see William Buford returning to the squad after a red hot season in which he nailed 14.4 points per game while hitting 44.2% from outside the arc." - Jamie D. Gilkey
3) Kentucky - 25 points
Record: 0-0
Games the next two weeks: Fri vs Marist, Nov 15th vs #13 Kansas, Nov 19th vs Penn State (neutral site)
"Coach Calipari has another roster full of future pros, but is this the group that finally puts him over the hump?" - Jeff Fox
"When is the last time Calipari missed on a recruit? Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are going to open some eyes, but Marquis Teague being more pass-first than his elder brother Jeff is the key." - Perry Missner
"Having Terrence Jones return helps, but bringing in four five-star recruits helps even more. I can't image this team not making it to at least the Elite Eight." - Kevin Cacabelos
"This team is too talented to not be my preseason #1. There are guys that could be starring on some teams that will be playing a role for these Wildcats." - Ray Bala
"Absolutely loaded freshman class, but this team will go as far as vets Darius Miller, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb take them. Anthony Davis may be the best NBA prospect in college basketball this year, but is he ready for the physical rigors of the college game?" - Raphielle Johnson
"Should be a tight race atop the SEC standings between the Wildcats and Florida this season. Freshman Anthony Davis needs to live up to the hype he has gotten so far." - Ryan Curi
"Similar to North Carolina, loaded to the gills with blue chippers, but may take some time for team to gel." - Adam Francis
4) Connecticut - 15 points
Record: 0-0
Games this week: Fri vs Columbia, Nov 14th vs Wagner, Nov 17th vs Maine
"The unexpected arrival of Andre Drummond has the Huskies on the track to defend their title in the Superdome next April." - Jeff Fox
"This seems to be a year dominated by great frontcourts. Drummond and Oriakhi could be another excellent combo. The backcourt with Napier, Boatright, and Lamb is also excellent." - Perry Missner
"Losing Kemba Walker hurts, but Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb will easily replace his point production. Though this roster is young, their experience from last year's championship run will help this team grind out a lot of close victories." - Kevin Cacabelos
"I'm not sold on the young Huskies just yet but they have the talent to at least be a preseason #4. Whether they can stay in the Top 25 throughout the season is another question." - Ray Bala
"The defending national champs became better the moment Andre Drummond decided to join the program, but fellow freshmen Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels will also be important. Sophomore wing Jeremy Lamb might be the smoothest player in America, and he could take off." - Raphielle Johnson
"The Huskies lost All-American Kemba Walker, yet they could be even better this season. Additions of freshmen Andre Drummond and Ryan Boatright could be huge." - Ryan Curi
"Hard not to put the defending champs near the top, especially considering who they're returning." - Adam Francis
Others receiving votes: Baylor, Duke, Florida
Top Non-BCS Team
Xavier - 3 votes (out of a possible eight)
Record: 0-0
Games this week: Fri vs Morgan State, Nov 15th vs IPFW, Nov 18th vs Miami (OH)
"With Tu Holloway on the outside and Kenny Frease in the middle, Xavier is going to be a tough matchup for any team that comes in its path this season." - Jeff Fox
"All-American candidate Tu Hollaway could be this season's Jimmer and that's all you need to know about him. And his team is pretty good without him." - Ray Bala
"Tough choice between the Musketeers, Harvard and Belmont but I'm going with Chris Mack's team. Tu Holloway is one of the best point guards in America, and sidekick Mark Lyons is a good player as well. But Kenny Frease needs to keep his head on straight since they won't have another guy taller than 6'8". Keep an eye on Monmouth transfer Travis Taylor and freshman Dezmine Wells also." - Raphielle Johnson
Others receiving votes: Gonzaga, Belmont, Butler, UAB
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