The 2012-2013 College Basketball season is about to begin, and the Indiana Hoosiers take the meaningless title of preseason champions, ranked first on the coaches poll, thanks to returning everyone, including Cody Zeller. The national champions, Kentucky, are third, while the finalists, Kansas, are 7th.
1. Indiana Hoosiers (21 first place votes) – The Hoosiers finished last season with a 11-7 record in the Big Ten and #13 on the coaches rankings. They lost to Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen. They have two five-star freshman and pretty much all of their key players returning.
2. Louisville Cardinals (5) – The Cardinals reached the semifinal of the NCAA tournament, losing to Kentucy. They finished #4 on the coaches poll and had a 10-8 Big East record.
3. Kentucky Wildcats (5) – The national champions after beating Kansas in the finals, they finished with a perfect 16-0 in conference play last season. They lost six players to the NBA draft but brought in three five-star freshmen.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes – Finished #3 on the coaches poll, finishing with a 13-5 record in the Big Ten. They reached the final four, losing to Kansas in the semi final. They lost only Jared Sullinger to the draft, and will be mostly based on the abilities of Aaron Craft and DeShaun Thomas this season.
5. Michigan Wolverines – Finished #22 in the coaches poll last year, losing in the second round of the tournament to Ohio. They were tied for first in the Big ten with a 13-5 record.
6. North Carolina State Wolfpack – NC State finished 9-7 in the ACC last year, losing to Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen. They brought in two very hyped up five-star freshmen (Rodny Purvis, T.J. Warren) to be the top ranked ACC team this season.
7. Kansas Jayhawks – Had a 16-2 season in the Big 12, followed by a great tournament, reaching the final and losing to Kansas in the national final. Perry Ellis is their five star recruit after losing two players to the NBA draft.
8. Duke Blue Devils – Finished the season with a 13-3 record in the ACC but fell shockingly in second round of the tournament against Lehigh.
9. Syracuse Orange – Had a huge regular season, finishing 17-1 in the Big East, but lost to Ohio State in the Regional finals. Two players left to the NBA.
10. Florida Gators – The Gators finished second (tied) in the SEC last year with a 10-6 record. They reached the Elite Eight, but lost to Louisville. They lost Bradley Beal to the NBA after only one year.
11. Arizona Wildcats – Finished 12-6 in the Pac-12 last year, losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Bucknell. They lost no one to the NBA, and recruited three five star freshmen.
12. North Carolina Tar Heels – Led the ACC last season, finishing with a 14-2 record. They reached Elite Eight, losing to Kansas. They lost four players to the NBA draft.
13. UCLA Bruins – Finished with a 11-7 record in the Pac-12, missing out on the NCAA tournament. Brought in two five-star freshmen.
14. Michigan State Spartans – Were tied for first in the Big Ten with 13-5; lost in the sweet sixteen to Louisville. Gary Harris is the headline of their top-10 recruiting class.
15. Creighton Bluejays – The Bluejaus finished 14-4 last season in the MVC, winning the conference tournament. They lost to North Carolina in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
16. Memphis Tigers – Finished first in Conference-USA with a 13-3 record, also winning the tournament. They lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Saint Louis.
17. Missouri Tigers – Finished second in the Big 12 with a 14-4 record last season, later on winning the conference tournament. They lost in the first round to Norfolk State. Will be playing in the SEC this season.
18. Baylor Bears – Had a 12-6 season in the Big 12, reaching Elite Eight in the tournament before losing to Kentucky. Lost three players to the NBA Draft, but recruited two five-star freshmen.
19. UNLV Runnin’ Rebels – Finished 9-5 in the MWC, losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Colorado.
20. San Diego State Aztecs – Were tied for first in the MWC with a 10-4 record. Lost to North Carolina State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
21. Wisconsin Badgers – Finished 12-6 in the Big Ten, later losing to Syracuse in the Sweet Sixteen. Sam Dekker is their five-star recruit this year.
22. Gonzaga Bulldogs – Finished second in the WCC with a 13-3 record, losing in the third round of the NCAA tournament to Ohio State. They lost one player to the NBA
23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Finished with a 13-5 record last season in the Big East, lost to Xavier in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
24. Florida State Seminoles – Had a great 12-4 season in the ACC, also winning the conference tournament. They lost to Cincinnati in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
24. Texas Longhorns – Had a very disappointing 9-9 season in the Big 12, losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Lost one player to the NBA draft.