Other Sports Fox Sports ranks K-State No. 5, Mizzou No. 9 and KU No. 11 in preseason hoops poll - Page 2

**KcMizzou** · 05-11-2010, 07:25 PM

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

Quote:

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

Mr. Laz · 05-11-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

We love you too.

Pablo · 05-11-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

.

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.

Reerun_KC · 05-11-2010, 09:16 PM

Cant get here fast enough.....

Nothing is better than College basketball and Football...

warpaint* · 05-11-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

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* · 05-11-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

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 · 05-11-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

The Big 10 has ice. No worries.

So is Mizzou and Nebraska gonna start a Hockey team?

**Saulbadguy** · 05-11-2010, 10:19 PM

EMAW.

duncan_idaho · 05-11-2010, 10:57 PM

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 · 05-11-2010, 11:20 PM

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 · 05-11-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

So is Mizzou and Nebraska gonna start a Hockey team?

Joke fail.

**Reaper16** · 05-12-2010, 12:03 AM

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 · 05-12-2010, 12:14 AM

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 · 05-12-2010, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedubya

So is Mizzou and Nebraska gonna start a Hockey team?

eazyb81 · 05-12-2010, 05:59 AM

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 · 05-12-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

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.

05-11-2010, 09:16 PM	#18
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	Cant get here fast enough..... Nothing is better than College basketball and Football...
Posts: 1,529

05-11-2010, 10:19 PM	#22
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $736966	EMAW.
Posts: 47,020

05-11-2010, 10:57 PM	#23
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1899692	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). __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 22,327

05-11-2010, 11:20 PM	#24
beer bacon WHAT Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10019545	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.
Posts: 9,301

05-12-2010, 12:14 AM	#27
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1238759	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.
Posts: 52,433

05-12-2010, 05:59 AM	#29
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $9984900	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.
Posts: 12,033