Way too early to be picking the top teams for next year, but now that the NBA draft participants have shaken out, here is my opinion of the 5 teams that are in the best shape going into next year.

1. Duke
2. Georgia Tech
3. Oklahoma State
4. Kansas
5. Pitt

Yes, Duke . . . even after losing Luol Deng, Chris Duhon, & their top recruit. They still have a solid nucleus . . . & oh, yeah, they still have Coach K.

Pitt loses their wings, but their stars last year were the freshmen - Krauser & Taft. Look for them to soar next year. Troutman will be back too to maintain the inside game & intimidation.

The other 3 have been hurt very little by graduation.

Sadly Randolph Morris chose Kentucky over Tech, so the pressure will be on Luke Schenser to maintain his progress. Certainly to look better than he did in the championship game. Outside shooting must be more consistent, and the Jackets must be ready knowing they now carry a larger bullseye.

Kansas has had a couple of transers since May. Only one big role player involved but that doesn't send strong signals of program harmony. Will coach Self have problems blending more of his recruits and style into the mix as time goes on?

I like UConn to be in the top five, perhaps over Duke or Kansas. Losing Okafor and Gordon will be tough, but they had replacements already on the squad and improving, plus the usual reloading with recruits. That plus they went through a lot last year and prevailed. Good heads on those guys.

Don't know much about Ok. State's off season, but from what I do know a championship rematch is not out of the question.

Don't forget Alabama they are stacked this year.

_________________
The Bear may be dead but he still hates Tennessee. Roll Damn Tide

Just got back from a loonnngg weekend in Boston. Gunner, I like what I saw of Schenscher (sp?). He had some good games in the tournament. Calhoun knows how to coach defense against big men & with the right players he can make anyone look bad. Just ask Elton Brand. He certainly had the right players this year. UConn was loaded inside.

Footballgod, Alabama is stacked this year, but I think that they are going to have their hands full in the SEC. The SEC was disappointing in the tournament again this year, so I think that there are still a lot of question marks with the conference before they move up with the other elite teams. Alabama probably has as good a chance as anyone - although Mississippi State is going to be tough.

Coack K to the Lakers?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/07/01/lakers.krzyzewski.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

_________________
The Bear may be dead but he still hates Tennessee. Roll Damn Tide

It looks like he has been offered the job:

Thursday, July 1, 2004
Lakers expect to hear in few days
ESPN.com news services
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1832934

Krzyzewski to stay at Duke
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
July 5, 2004, 5:52 PM EDT
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-spdukecoach0705,0,4232492.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines