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Four Teams Overrated or Underrated in Preseason AP Top 25
Preseason AP Top 25 men's college basketball teams: which are too high or too low?
In brief
Preseason AP Top 25 men's college basketball teams: which are too high or too low? Sports Illustrated rates four teams as overrated or underrated in the preseason AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll. Originally reported by SI.
Preseason Polls Start
The college basketball season begins on November 1 with Monday's preseason AP Top 25 men's hoops poll.
Five-in-Five Eligibility Questions
Five-in-five eligibility question marks hover over many teams, making voters' tasks especially arduous this year.
Underrated: No. 16 Michigan
Michigan is ranked 16th in the preseason AP Top 25 despite being defending champions.
Michigan's Strengths
Michigan benefits from backcourt continuity with senior Elliot Cadeau and sophomore Trey McKenney, plus transfers J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam.
Michigan's Weaknesses
Michigan's coach Dusty May left for the NBA after winning a national championship, and five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. suffered a season-ending injury.
Overrated: No. 8 Tennessee
Tennessee is ranked 8th in the preseason AP Top 25 but faces defense concerns after a weak preseason game.
Tennessee's Strengths
Tennessee added perimeter shooting through a top-ranked transfer portal class, with coach Rick Barnes finding 13 new players to jell.
Tennessee's Weaknesses
Tennessee was lit up for 59 second-half points by Xavier in its first preseason game.
Overrated: No. 12 Arkansas
Arkansas is ranked 12th in the preseason AP Top 25 but relies heavily on freshmen and has a challenging nonconference schedule.
Arkansas's Strengths
Arkansas has promising recruits, talented transfers, and forward Billy Richmond, last year's fourth-leading scorer.
Arkansas's Weaknesses
Arkansas's nonconference schedule features three top-10 opponents, leading coach John Calipari to joke he was 'on crack'.
Overrated: No. 21 USC
USC is ranked 21st in the preseason AP Top 25 but needs a major bounce-back season after missing the NCAA tournament.
USC's Strengths
USC has talent in the backcourt with Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas, and returning forward Jacob Cofie.
USC's Weaknesses
USC faces injury question marks, especially the status of potential starting center Eric Reibe.
The big picture
Sports Illustrated rates four teams as overrated or underrated in the preseason AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll.
