The USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 men's basketball coaches poll, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th and ranking in last week's poll. Outlooks by USA TODAY's Jack Carey. | | 1. Connecticut (32-9) | | Points: 773 (30 first-place votes). Previous ranking: 8. Outlook: National champ young in most places, but will junior G Kemba Walker, the tournament most outstanding player and Huskies leading scorer, return? Due back are Fs Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Alex Oriakhi, Roscoe Smith and Tyler Olander, wings Jeremy Lamb and Niels Giffey and G Shabazz Napier. G Donnell Beverly and C Charles Okwandu are seniors. NCAA results: Beat Bucknell 81-52, beat Cincinnati 69-58, beat then-No. 5 San Diego State 74-67, beat then-No. 18 Arizona 65-63, beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 56-55, beat then-unranked Butler 53-41. | | 2. Butler (28-10) | | Points: 704. Previous ranking: not ranked. Outlook: F Matt Howard, leading scorer and rebounder, departs as do Gs Shawn Vanzant and Zach Hahn. Bulldogs are due to get G Shelvin Mack back along with Gs Ronald Nored and Chase Stigall, F Khyle Marshall and C Andrew Smith. NCAA results: Beat Old Dominion 60-58, beat then-No. 4 Pittsburgh 71-70, beat then-No. 16 Wisconsin 61-54, beat then-No. 13 Florida 74-71 OT, beat then-unranked Virginia Commonwealth 70-62, lost to then-No. 8 Connecticut 53-41. | | 3. Kentucky (29-9) | | Points: 676. Previous ranking: 10. Outlook: The Wildcats had to retool after last season's early departures by John Wall and company. Will there be another makeover? F Josh Harrellson is a senior. But who comes back out of Gs Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins and F Terrence Jones? F Michael Gilchrist one of four McDonald's All Americans due next season. NCAA results: Beat Princeton 59-57, beat West Virginia 71-63, beat then-No. 1 Ohio State 62-60, beat then-No. 7 North Carolina 76-69, lost to then-No. 8 Connecticut 56-55. | | 4. Kansas (35-3) | | Points: 659. Previous ranking: 2. Outlook: How many Jayhawks will return? Backcourt will have different look with the loss of seniors Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed and Mario Little. Gs Josh Selby, Travis Releford and Tyshawn Taylor are due to return with Fs Marcus and Markieff Morris and Thomas Robinson. NCAA results: Beat Boston University 72-53, beat Illinois 73-59, beat then-unranked Richmond 77-57, lost to then-unranked Virginia Commonwealth 71-61. | | 5. Ohio State (34-3) | | Points: 630 (1). Previous ranking: 1. Outlook: Will All-America F Jared Sullinger be latest Buckeye to be one and done? He says he's staying, but regardless, the Buckeyes will have different look with graduations of defensive specialist David Lighty, sharpshooter Jon Diebler and C Dallas Lauderdale. Gs Aaron Craft and William Buford are due back with F Deshaun Thomas. NCAA results: Beat Texas-San Antonio 75-46, beat George Mason 98-66, lost to then-No. 10 Kentucky 62-60. | | 6. Virginia Commonwealth (28-12) | | Points: 555. Previous ranking: not ranked. Outlook: For sure, VCU loses some important pieces with departures of Gs Joey Rodriguez, Ed Nixon and Brandon Rozzell and F Jamie Skeen. But coach Shaka Smart is staying put. Due back are F Juvonte Reddic, C D.J. Haley and Gs Bradford Burgess, Darius Theus and Rob Brandenberg. NCAA results: Beat Southern California 59-46, beat then-No. 25 Georgetown 74-56, beat then-No. 15 Purdue 94-76, beat then-No. 2 Kansas 71-61, lost to then-unranked Butler 70-62. | | 7. Duke (32-5) | | Points: 554. Previous ranking: 3. Outlook: Mainstays Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith depart after memorable careers. Will G Kyrie Irving, who missed most of his freshman season with a toe injury, return? Due back are Fs Mason and Miles Plumlee and Ryan Kelly and Gs Andre Dawkins, Seth Curry and Tyler Thornton. Devils also will bring in G Austin Rivers, one of nation's top prospects. NCAA results: Beat Hampton 87-45, beat Michigan 73-71, lost to then-No. 18 Arizona 93-77. | | 8. North Carolina (29-8) | | Points: 532. Previous ranking: 7. Outlook: Tar Heels due to have just about every key player return, but how many will? Fs Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson, and Gs Dexter Strickland, Leslie McDonald, Kendall Marshall, Reggie Bullock and Justin Watts all have eligibility left. F Justin Knox departs. NCAA results: Beat Long Island 102-87, beat No. 23 Washington 86-83, beat then-unranked Marquette 81-63, lost to then-No. 10 Kentucky 76-69. | | 9. Arizona (30-8) | | Points: 531. Previous ranking: 18. Outlook: Will standout sophomore F Derrick Williams return? Wildcats are losing F Jamelle Horne, but due back are Gs Lamont Jones, Kyle Fogg and Jordin Mayes, wing Kevin Parrom and Fs Solomon Hill and Jesse Perry. NCAA results: Beat Memphis 77-75, beat then-No. 9 Texas 70-69, beat then-No. 3 Duke 93-77, lost to then-No. 8 Connecticut 65-63. | | 10. Florida (29-8) | | Points: 503. Previous ranking: 13. Outlook: Gators are losing C Vernon Macklin and Fs Alex Tyus and Chandler Parsons. Amlong those scheduled to return are Gs Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton and Scottie Wilbekin, and Fs Erik Murphy and Patric Young. NCAA results: Beat UC-Santa Barbara 79-51, beat UCLA 73-65, beat then-No. 12 Brigham Young 83-74 OT, lost to then-unranked Butler 74-71 OT. | | 11. San Diego State (34-3) | | Points: 479. Previous ranking: 5. Outlook: After breakthrough season, standout F Kawhi Leonard is due to return for his junior year as are Gs Chase Tapley and James Rahon. Aztecs are losing G D.J. Gay and Fs Malcolm Thomas and Billy White. C Brian Carlwell might seek medical redshirt. NCAA results: Beat Northern Colorado 68-50, beat Temple 71-64 2OT, lost to then-No. 8 Connecticut 74-67. | | 12. Pittsburgh (28-6) | | Points: 448. Previous ranking: 4. Outlook: After early NCAA ouster, Panthers lose veteran leaders in F Gilbert Brown, G Brad Wanamaker and C Gary McGhee. Among those due back are Gs Ashton Gibbs and Travon Woodall, and Fs Nasir Robinson and Dante Taylor. NCAA results: Beat North Carolina-Asheville 74-51, lost to then-unranked Butler 71-70. | | 13. Brigham Young (32-5) | | Points: 376. Previous ranking: 12. Outlook: Jimmer Fredette era is over. Cougars also lose defensive standout Jackson Emery. Status of suspended F Brandon Davies (honor code violation) is uncertain. Due to return are Fs Noah Harstsock and Stephen Rogers and Gs Charles Abouo and Kyle Collinsworth. NCAA results: Beat Wofford 74-66, beat Gonzaga 89-67, lost to then-No. 13 Florida 83-74 OT. | | | | Points: 336. Previous ranking: 6. Outlook: Fighting Irish were one of most experienced teams in nation but lose G Ben Hansbrough and F Tyrone Nash. Scott Martin, Tim Abromaitis and Carleton Scott due back with G Eric Atkins and F Jack Cooley. NCAA results: Beat Akron 69-56, lost to then-unranked Florida State 71-57. | | 15. Wisconsin (25-9) | | Points: 311. Previous ranking: 16. Outlook: Badgers losing some key components from recent seasons in Fs Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil and wing Tim Jarmusz. G Jordan Taylor is due to return with G Josh Gasser, F Mike Bruesewitz and wing Ryan Evans. NCAA results: Beat Belmont 72-58, beat No. 24 Kansas State 65-60, lost to then-unranked Butler 61-54. | | 16. Texas (28-8) | | Points: 290. Previous ranking: 9. Outlook: Longhorns lose Gs Jai Lucas and Dogus Balbay and F Gary Johnson. Due to return are wing Jordan Hamilton, Gs J'Covan Brown and Cory Joseph and F Tristan Thompson. Myck Kabongo, one of nation's top point guard prospects, due in fall. NCAA results: Beat Oakland (Mich.) 85-81, lost to then-No. 18 Arizona 70-69. | | 17. Purdue (26-8) | | Points: 276. Previous ranking: 15. Outlook: F Robbie Hummel (knee) took medical redshirt this season and hopes to return healthy next fall. Boilermakers lose All-America F-C JaJuan Johnson and G E'Twaun Moore. Due to come back are Gs Lewis Jackson, Terone Johnson, Ryne Smith, D.J. Byrd and Kelsey Barlow. NCAA results: Beat St. Peter's 65-43, lost to then-unranked Virginia Commonwealth 94-76. | | 18. Syracuse (27-8) | | Points: 250. Previous ranking: 14. Outlook: Orange lose F Rick Jackson, but every other key player is due to return. Fs Kris Joseph, C.J. Fair and James Southerland, Gs Scoop Jardine, Brandon Triche and Dion Waiters and Cs Baye Moussa Keita , Fab Melo and DaShonte Riley, who was injured all year, are expected back. NCAA results: Beat Indiana State 77-60, lost to then-unranked Marquette 66-62. | | 19. Florida State (23-11) | | Points: 197. Previous ranking: not ranked. Outlook: Seminoles could be contenders in ACC next year. Due to return are Fs Chris Singleton, Bernard James, Okaro White and Xavier Gibson and G Michael Snaer, Deividas Dulkys and Luke Loucks. G Derwin Kitchen departs. NCAA results: Beat then-No. 20 Texas A&M 57-50, beat then-No. 6 Notre Dame 71-57, lost to then-unranked Virginia Commonwealth 72-71 OT. | | 20. Marquette (22-15) | | Points: 159. Previous ranking: not ranked. Outlook: Golden Eagles lose valuable wing Jimmy Butler, G Dwight Buycks and F Joseph Fulce. Due to return are Gs Darius Johnson-Odom, Junior Cadougan and Vander Blue, Fs Jae Crowder, Davante Gardner and Erik Williams and C Chris Otule. NCAA results: Beat then-No. 22 Xavier 66-55, beat then-No. 14 Syracuse 66-62, lost to then-No. 7 North Carolina 81-63. | | 21. Richmond (29-8) | | Points: 152. Previous ranking: not ranked. Outlook: After trip to Sweet 16, Spiders lose some key personnel, including F Justin Harper and G Kevin Anderson, their top two scorers. Returnees include Gs Darien Brothers and Cedrick Lindsay and Fs Darrius Garrett and Francis-Cedric Martel. NCAA results: Beat then-No. 21 Vanderbilt 69-66, beat Morehead State 65-48, lost to then-No. 2 Kansas 77-57. | | 22. Louisville (25-10) | | Points: 147. Previous ranking: 11. Outlook: After surprisingly early tournament ouster, Cardinals once again hope to be among elite in Big East with expected returns of F Terrence Jennings, Gs Peyton Siva, Kyle Kuric, Chris Smith and Mike Marra and C Gorgui Dieng. Cards lose G Preston Knowles. NCAA results: Lost to Morehead State 62-61. | | 23. Washington (24-11) | | Points: 108. Previous ranking: 23. Outlook: Point guard Isaiah Thomas has said his decision to enter NBA draft is firm. Huskies also lose Fs Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Holiday and G Venoy Overton. Due to return are Gs C.J Wilcox, Terrence Ross, Abdul Gaddy and Scott Suggs, C Aziz N'Diaye and F Darnell Gant. NCAA results: Beat Georgia 68-65, lost to then-No. 7 North Carolina 86-83. | | 24. Kansas State (23-11) | | Points: 73. Previous ranking: 24. Outlook: Wildcats lose standout G Jacob Pullen and F Curtis Kelly. Expected back are Gs Rodney McGruder, Will Spradling, Nick Russell and Martavious Irving, and Fs Jamar Samuels and Jordan Henriquez-Roberts. NCAA results: Beat then-No. 17 Utah State 73-68, lost to then-No. 16 Wisconsin 65-60. | | 25. Utah State (30-4) | | Points: 51. Previous ranking: 17. Outlook: Aggies losing some mainstays with departures of Fs Tai Wesley and Nate Bendall and Gs Pooh Williams and Brian Green. Gs Brockeith Pane and Tyler Newbold due to return along with F Brady Jardine. NCAA results: Lost to No. 24 Kansas State 73-68. |  | | Dropped out: No. 19 St. John's, No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 21 Vanderbilt, No. 22 Xavier, No. 25 Georgetown. | | | Others receiving votes: Temple (26-8) 41; West Virginia (21-12) 34; St. John's (21-12) 33; Texas A&M (24-9) 31; Xavier (24-8) 31; UCLA (23-11) 25; Cincinnati (26-9) 24; Vanderbilt (23-11) 24; Wichita State (29-8) 20; George Mason (27-7) 9; Michigan (21-14) 9; Old Dominion (27-7) 9; Gonzaga (25-10) 7; Georgetown (21-11) 5; Missouri (23-11) 2; Illinois (20-14) 1. | |
*** The USA TODAY/ESPN Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The board for the 2010-11 season: Mike Adras, Northern Arizona; Tommy Amaker, Harvard; Tevester Anderson, Jackson State; Ronnie Arrow, South Alabama; Randy Bennett, Saint Mary's; Eddie Biedenbach, North Carolina-Asheville; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse; Rick Byrd, Belmont; Patrick Chambers, Boston University; Charlie Coles, Miami (Ohio); Ed Cooley, Fairfield; Scott Drew, Baylor; Steve Fisher, San Diego State; Don Friday, St..Francis (Pa.); Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa; Rob Jeter, Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Billy Kennedy, Murray State; Billy Lange, Navy; Mike McConathy, Northwestern State; Bob McKillop, Davidson; Phil Martelli, Saint Joseph?s; Ronald "Fang" Mitchell, Coppin State; Matt Painter, Purdue; John Pelphrey, Arkansas; Herb Sendek, Arizona State; Shaka Smart, Virginia Commonwealth; Scott Sutton, Oral Roberts; Don Verlin, Idaho; Bob Williams, UC-Santa Barbara; Gary Williams, Maryland; Doug Wojcik, Tulsa. |
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