Dickie V has Cats at #2, Cards at #19

Bristol, CT - I know, I know. The college basketball season doesn’t start for several months. But I am so excited about the 2009-10 season. People come up to me and ask if I think their favorite team will do well.

So I sat down and drafted my early rankings for the upcoming campaign. Here’s the list, the elite class that I consider the top in the land. Disagree with some of my choices? It’s college basketball, baby, so let the exciting debates begin!

1. Kansas: Bill Self’s team is led by Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, two members of my All-Rolls-Royce first team. The Jayhawks are loaded with the Morris twins, Tyshawn Taylor and newcomer Xavier Henry.

2. Kentucky: John Calipari has made a major difference and his first season in Lexington should be special. The Wildcats were aided with the return of Patrick Patterson. Then check out diaper dandies like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. Fans of Big Blue will be jumping with joy.

19. Louisville: Rick Pitino’s biggest addition this offseason came on the sidelines. The addition of Ralph Willard to the Cardinals’ staff is a big positive. Samardo Samuels will get better up front.

Courtesy of ESPN.com

I know a lot of people are ranking Kentucky this high, but I have a problem with them going from the quarters in the N.I.T. to #2 in the country with their leading scorer now playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

I think they are going to compete and have the potential to be ranked this high at some point in the season, but there is no way I rank them above Michigan State, Texas and Duke, when half of these kids have not played a collegiate game.

With the loss of Terrence Williams and Earl Clark the Cards are going to rely on Samardo Samuels to produce consistently underneath.