SportsRatings' pre-season 2009-2010 college basketball preview ranks 343 Division I teams. This installment covers teams 76 to 100. For the full list, click here.
- Wake Forest (ACC #11) Last year: 24-7 (#7) TPP Back: 52.8% Recruiting: #53
Key returnees: Al-Farouq Aminu (#3 13.5 TPP/G), Chas McFarland (#4 8.5), Ishmael Smith (#5 6.4)
Key losses: James Johnson (#1 17.1 TPP/G), Jeff Teague (#2 15.2)
Top recruit: Ari Stewart (SF 6-7 190)
Analysis: The Deacons were 25th in Strength last year but a 16-0 start and big wins over UNC and Duke gave them top ten-level Success. This year they lose major talent and drop quite a bit. Gone are leading rebounder and scorer Johnson and Teague, and though the recruiting class is decent, Stewart is probably not another Aminu. - Syracuse (Big East #12) Last year: 28-10 (#13) TPP Back: 43.9% Recruiting: #61
Key returnees: Arinze Onuaku (#3 11.5 TPP/G), Rick Jackson (#4 10.6)
Key losses: Jonny Flynn (#1 15.6 TPP/G), Paul Harris (#2 14.6), Eric Devendorf (#5 9.4)
Top recruit: DaShonte Riley (C 6-11 220)
Analysis: The Orange are hit hard by early departures, with top contributers Flynn and Harris gone along with #2 scorer and 3-point threat Devendorf. They hope that great sixth man Andy Rautins (10.5 ppg), transfer Wesley Johnson from Iowa State, point Scoop Jardine (back from injury), and recruit Riley will step it up to break the fall. - Creighton (MVC #2) Last year: 27-8 (#65) TPP Back: 66.2% Recruiting: #65
Key returnees: Kenny Lawson Jr. (#2 9.5 TPP/G), Justin Carter (#3 8.5), P'Allen Stinnett (#4 8.5)
Key losses: Booker Woodfox (#1 11.8 TPP/G), Kenton Walker (#5 5.2)
Top recruit: Darryl Ashford (G/F 6-4 190)
Analysis: Creighton loses two starters, Woodfox and Josh Dotzler (4.4 TPP/G), though reservve Walker was more productive and is also gone. Those remaining plus some decent recruits will run Dana Altman's system well, though I doubt they can reach last year's 27-win mark with their pre-conference schedule, and UNI will be formidable in the Missouri Valley. - Iowa St. (Big 12 #10) Last year: 15-17 (#126) TPP Back: 78.0% Recruiting: #69
Key returnees: Craig Brackins (#1 20.2 TPP/G), Diante Garrett (#2 8.4), Jamie Vanderbeken (#4 5.4), Justin Hamilton (#5 4.6)
Key losses: Byan Peterson (#3 6.9 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Chris Colvin (PG 6-2 195)
Analysis: Against all advice Craig Brackins returned for his junior year, giving the 'Clones a surprise boost going into this season. With more experienced starters, great recruits in Colvin and Marquis Gilstrap (SF 6-6 210), and Marquette transfer Scott Christopherson incoming, Brackins will be returning to a winning team this year. - Northeastern (Colonial #3) Last year: 19-13 (#120) TPP Back: 81.2% Recruiting: #323
Key returnees: Chaisson Allen (#1 11.1 TTP/G), Matt Janning (#2 10.7), Manny Adako (#3 9.1), Nkem Ojouboh (#4 6.6)
Key losses: Eugene Spates (#5 4.3 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Kauri Black (F 6-7 215)
Analysis: Northeastern returns four starters from a pretty decent team as they make another run at the top of the Colonial Athletic. They lose most of their best reserves and gain seven freshman; three are foreigners but none are highly regarded. If a couple of them are surprises the Huskies could challenge for the CAA title. - Indiana St. (MVC #3) Last year: 11-21 (#175) TPP Back: 75.4% Recruiting: #182
Key returnees: Rashad Reed (#2 7.1 TPP/G), Harry Marshall (#3 8.8), Carl Richard (#4 5.1), Jordan Printy (#5 4.8)
Key losses: Jay Tunnell (#1 10.6 TPP/G)
Top recruit: R.J. Mahurin (F 6-8 210)
Analysis: Jay Tunnell was the team's #2 scorer and top rebounder and will be missed. But the Sycamores have four starters back, their top four reserves, and add two key transfers: Dwayne Lathan from Louisiana Tech, and Jake Kelly, who was on the cusp of becoming a superstar at Iowa; he will be the spark that turns the team around. - Akron (MAC #1) Last year: 23-13 (#123) TPP Back: 76.3% Recruiting: #88
Key returnees: Chris McKnight (#2 7.6 TPP/G), Darryl Roberts (#3 5.8), Brett McKnight (#4 5.7), Anthony Hitchens (#5 3.7)
Key losses: Nate Linhart (#1 10.6 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Zeke Marshall (C 7-0 220)
Analysis: The Zips lose their best player, leading scorer and rebounder Linhart, but return their next nine and land a fantastic recruit with Marshall, a blue chip 7-footer from Pennsylvania. If Marshall blossoms immediately he will be a force to be reckoned with in the MAC, and so will Akron. - Providence (Big East #13) Last year: 19-14 (#61) TPP Back: 29.8% Recruiting: #21
Key returnees: Sharaud Curry (#3 9.3 TPP/G), Marshon Brooks (#5 8.4)
Key losses: Weyinmi Efejuku (#1 13.0 TPP/G), Geoff McDermott (#2 10.6), Jonathan Kale (#4 8.9)
Top recruit: Vincent Council (PG 6-2 180)
Analysis: Only three players who made significant contributions to last year's team are back, so Keno Davis brought in seven new players. The best are point guards Council and Johnnie Lacy (5-10 160), and big forwards Kadeem Batts (6-8 230) and James Still (6-9 210). A rough journey is ahead, but by year's end the Friars should be okay. - Xavier (Atl 10 #4) Last year: 27-8 (#20) TPP Back: 47.5% Recruiting: #155
Key returnees: Jason Love (#3 8.7 TPP/G), Dante Jackson (#5 5.8)
Key losses: Derrick Brown (#1 13.3 TPP/G), B.J. Raymond (#2 10.8), C.J. Anderson (#4 8.3)
Top recruit: Jeff Robinson (F 6-9 210)
Analysis: The Musketeers had four top contributers, three of whom are gone. They return five solid reserves and gain Jordan Crawford (infamous LeBron dunker) from Indiana, and two good redshirt freshmen will play this year. Lots of talent on this team but they'll be hard pressed to replicate the success of the last few teams. - Alabama (SEC #10) Last year: 18-14 (#84) TPP Back: 65.2% Recruiting: #56
Key returnees: JaMychal Green (#2 11.5 TPP/G), Mikhail Torrance (#3 8.1), Senario Hillman (#4 6.4), Justin Knox (#5 5.9)
Key losses: Alonzo Gee (#1 12.1 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Tony Mitchell (SF 6-6 185)
Analysis: The Tide lose not only leading scorer Gee but also Ronald Steele (12.9 ppg), whose career was ended mid-season by injuries. But four who started in the spring are back and some good recruits come in (though Shawn Kemp's namesake son won't be here until next year), helping the Tide tread water this year. - Western Kentucky (Sun Belt #1) Last year: 25-9 (#47) TPP Back: 71.8% Recruiting: #78
Key returnees: Jeremy Evans (#2 11.4 TPP/G), A.J. Slaughter (#3 11.8), Sergio Kerusch (#4 10.0), Steffphon Pettigrew (#5 8.5)
Key losses: Orlando Mendez-Valdez (#1 13.1 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Cliff Dixon (PF 6-10 215)
Analysis: Four starters are back but leading scorer Mendez-Valdez is gone along with all but one reserve. Recruiting should fill in some of the gaps with Dixon, Jordan Swing (SF 6-6 200), and William Green (PF 6-6 180) all solid, but strong prospects Terrence Boyd and David Laury were dismissed leaving the incoming class good but not great. - Nebraska (Big 12 #11) Last year: 18-13 (#70) TPP Back: 40.2% Recruiting: #33
Key returnees: Sek Henry (#4 6.5 TPP/G), Ryan Anderson (#5 6.3)
Key losses: Ade Dagunduro (#1 9.8 TPP/G), Steve Harley (#2 7.4), Cookie Miller (#3 7.4)
Top recruit: Adrien Coleman (G 6-3 185)
Analysis: From last year's mediocre team two starters are back, Miller and the injury-hampered Chris Balham (2.0 ppg). The strong 7-man incoming class will attempt to mature quickly and stanch the flow, but none are proven stars and thus will take time to develop; another mixed year and low finish in the Big 12 is expected. - Denver (Sun Belt #2) Last year: 15-16 (#180) TPP Back: 99.9% Recruiting: #286
Key returnees: Nate Rohnert (#1 13.8 TPP/G), Rob Lewis (#2 9.9), Brian Stafford (#3 6.9), Andrew Hooper (#4 5.3), Kyle Lewis (#5 2.5)
Key losses: Ryan Perry (#9 4.0 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Chase Hallum (G 6-5 200)
Analysis: Denver has almost every bit of last year's team back for another go at it. Four players who started every game return, and the three reserves they lose played in just four games total. The Pioneers weren't great in '08-'09 by any means but should improve enough to challenge for the Sun Belt title. - Texas A&M C.C. (Southland #1) Last year: 18-15 (#146) TPP Back: 91.2% Recruiting: #339
Key returnees: Kevin Palmer (#1 15.1 TPP/G), Demond Watt (#2 9.3), Justin Reynolds (#3 6.3), Filip Toncinic (#4 6.2)
Key losses: Tim Green (#5 4.5)
Top recruit: Michael Bables (G 6-1 170)
Analysis: A&M Corpus Christi was 2nd in the West division of the Southland conference and with nearly everyone back they'll make a run for #1. All five starters return—Green was 6th man and Horace Bond the other starter. Palmer (18.2 ppg) is far and away the top player, with the remaining output balanced. - Rutgers (Big East #14) Last year: 11-21 (#228) TPP Back: 60.8% Recruiting: #57
Key returnees: Gregory Echenique (#1 12.8 TPP/G), Hamady Ndiaye (#2 7.9), Mike Rosario (#3 7.7)
Key losses: Anthony Farmer (#4 6.3), J.R. Inman (#5 4.5)
Top recruit: Dane Miller (SF 6-7 210)
Analysis: Rosario returns as the team's leading scorer (16.2 ppg) and Echenique is the leading rebounder (8.4). Both were freshmen last year, part of a class that was supposed to help bring Rutgers an NIT berth. That may not happen again due to schedule strength, but transfer Jonathan Mitchell from Florida will help them try.
- Massachusetts (Atl 10 #5) Last year: 12-18 (#90) TPP Back: 33.7% Recruiting: #26
Key returnees: Ricky Harris (#2 10.4 TPP/G), Anthony Gurley (#4 5.8)
Key losses: Tony Gaffney (#1 20.7 TPP/G), Chris Lowe (#3 8.7), Luke Bonner (#5 7.4)
Top recruit: Terrell Vinson (F 6-7 205)
Analysis: UMass loses 2/3 of it's output from last year, and more than 1/3 is from losing Gaffney's 11.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. But leading scorer Harris (18.2 ppg) returns and transfers from Memphis and Oregon State help. Recruiting was stellar, with Vinson and three other strong forwards ready to step in right away. - North Carolina State (ACC #12) Last year: 16-14 (#67) TPP Back: 40.8% Recruiting: #34
Key returnees: Tracy Smith (#3 8.5 TPP/G), Dennis Horner (#5 5.3)
Key losses: Ben McCauley (#1 15.1 TPP/G), Brandon Costner (#2 11.7), Courtney Fells (#4 9.4)
Top recruit: Richard Howell (PF 6-7 215)
Analysis: The Wolfpack were near the bottom of the pack in the ACC last year and they lose about 3/5 of last year's talent, putting them *at* the bottom. But preventing too big of a fall is a good recruiting class. Top prospect Lorenzo Brown ended up at Hargrave Academy this year, but Howell is nearly as touted as is DeShawn Painter (C 6-9 220). - George Mason (Colonial #4) Last year: 22-11 (#108) TPP Back: 53.7% Recruiting: #50
Key returnees: Cam Long (#2 12.2 TPP/G), Louis Birdsong (#4 5.9), Ryan Pearson (#5 5.8)
Key losses: Darryl Monroe (#1 13.0 TPP/G), John Vaughan (#3 8.5)
Top recruit: Sherrod Wright (SG 6-4 190)
Analysis: The Patriots lose three starters and two of the three who averaged double figures in scoring, leaving the team about half of what it was last year. A decline is expected but it shouldn't last long as they bring in a very good recruiting class, with Wright and three other significant players among the seven newcomers. - Fresno St. (WAC #4) Last year: 13-21 (#227) TPP Back: 76.4% Recruiting: #58
Key returnees: Paul George (#1 13.4 TPP/G), Sylvester Seay (#2 11.8), Mychal Ladd (#3 8.5), Nedeljko Golubovic (#5 6.1)
Key losses: Dwight O'Neill (#4 9.0 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Greg Smith (C 6-9 240)
Analysis: With the top two scorers back (Seay at 15.3 ppg, George at 14.3) and three of the top four returning, the Bulldogs look pretty good in the WAC after a basement finish last season. Blue chip recruit Smith will be a force inside to will haunt conference foes, and Jerry Brown (SF 6-6 195) has potential too. - Missouri (Big 12 #12) Last year: 31-7 (#10) TPP Back: 50.0% Recruiting: #85
Key returnees: J.T. Tiller (#3 8.6 TPP/G), Zaire Taylor (#4 7.6)
Key losses: DeMarre Carroll (#1 17.4 TPP/G), Leo Lyons (#2 12.9), Matt Lawrence (#5 7.4)
Top recruit: Michael Dixon (PG 6-1 175)
Analysis: Between Carroll and Lyons, Mizzou drops 31.2 points per game, 13 rebounds and their entire inside presence. Subtract Lawrence and they've lost their top three scorers going into a very strong Big 12. A slew of good reserves will help out, as will new faces. Dixon, a fast guard, is the best recruit now that Keith Dewitt was deemed ineligible. - Nevada (WAC #5) Last year: 21-13 (#124) TPP Back: 73.8% Recruiting: #151
Key returnees: Luke Babbitt (#1 15.8 TPP/G), Armon Johnson (#2 12.3), Joey Shaw (#4 5.7), Dario Hunt (#5 4.0)
Key losses: Malik Cooke (#3 11.5 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Devonte Elliott (PF 6-8 210)
Analysis: The Wolf Pack have Babbitt and Johnson back, a good foundation for any team. Returning a respectable amount of the rest of the team, Nevada should improve but will likely finish lower in the WAC this time around, unless the recruits like Devonte Elliot blossom immediately. - New Mexico (Mtn West #3) Last year: 22-12 (#77) TPP Back: 47.0% Recruiting: #54
Key returnees: Roman Martinez (#2 10.9 TPP/G), Dairese Gary (#5 6.4)
Key losses: Tony Dandridge (#1 11.6 TPP/G), Daniel Faris (#3 10.9), Chad Toppert (#4 8.4)
Top recruit: Jamal Fenton (PG 5-9 165)
Analysis: New Mexico was a good team last year, ranking #39 in Strength ratings but not winning at the same level. They lose both leading scorer Dandridge (14.9 ppg) and top rebounder Faris. A good recruiting class with Fenton, Chad Adams (SG 6-5 180), and Darrington Hobson (SG 6-7 200) could help the Lobos to another not-quite-NCAA season. - Wisconsin (Big Ten #9) Last year: 20-13 (#27) TPP Back: 57.2% Recruiting: #97
Key returnees: Trevon Hughes (#3 8.3 TPP/G), Jason Bohannon (#4 7.8), Jon Leuer (#5 6.5)
Key losses: Joe Krabbenhoft (#1 11.1 TPP/G), Marcus Landry (#2 10.5)
Top recruit: Diamond Taylor (SG 6-4 175)
Analysis: The Big Ten was very good last year, and is even better this year. So it's a bad time for Wisconsin to lose two players like Landry and Krabbenhoft, who together accounted for over 40% of the team's production. Two incoming frosh have good potential but neither are stars yet. Bo Ryan always finds a way to the NCAA, so we'll see. - Hawaii (WAC #6) Last year: 13-17 (#239) TPP Back: 84.4% Recruiting: #290
Key returnees: Roderick Flemings (#1 13.0 TPP/G), Bill Amis (#2 11.0), Petras Balocka (#3 6.5), Brandon Adams (#5 3.2)
Key losses: Kareem Nitoto (#4 5.6 TPP/G)
Top recruit: Jeremy Lay (G 6-0 195)
Analysis: Hawaii has most of their talent back from a team that finished near the bottom of the WAC. With Flemings (16.6 ppg) back and the addition of Providence transfer Dwain Williams (11.0 ppg), the Warriors should be very improved and move up at least a couple of spots in league play. - South Florida (Big East #15) Last year: 9-22 (#150) TPP Back: 62.1% Recruiting: #59
Key returnees: Dominique Jones (#1 13.9 TPP/G), Chris Howard (#2 7.2), Agustus Gilchrist (#4 5.2)
Key losses: Jesus Verdejo (#3 6.4 TPP/G), Alex Rivas (#5 2.8)
Top recruit: Jarred Famous (C 6-11 240)
Analysis: The team gets cut down to the core this season: Jones (18.1 ppg), Howard, and Gilchrist are really the only significant contributors who return; all three scored in double figures. A strong recruiting class will be their salvation; all six players could contribute immediately to the depleted team. Still, they won't gain ground in the Big East.
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