How they stack up now that draft deadline is over
By Gregg Doyel | CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
We've got a flip-flop at the top of CBS SportsLine.com's preseason Top 25.
In early April, our Pre-Preseason Top 25 had Oklahoma at No. 1, followed by Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina. In the 2½ months since, those schools have lost nine key underclassmen -- seven to the NBA, two to transfer.
Hence, SportsLine.com's new ... and improved ... Post-NBA Draft Deadline, Pre-Preseason Top 25.
1. Duke: The Blue Devils lost only junior Shavlik Randolph to the NBA Draft, which is like throwing a deck chair -- or an underachieving, 6-foot-10 forward -- off the Titanic: It doesn't matter. April rank: Second.
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| Kelvin Sampson must replace Drew Lavender and Lawrence McKenzie. (Getty Images) |
3. Louisville: We knew they'd lose Francisco Garcia to the NBA. We thought they'd lose Amir Johnson, to the NBA or academics. We had no idea 7-foot recruit Clarence Holloway wouldn't qualify. Still, the Cardinals rise because, frankly, everyone around them is falling. April rank: Fifth.
4. Gonzaga: Adam Morrison didn't even flirt with the NBA. April rank: Seventh.
5. Connecticut: Charlie Villanueva (NBA) and Antonio Kellogg (naughtiness) were thought to be gone in April, but we had no idea that recruit DeSagana Diop, er, Andrew Bynum would become an NBA pick. Then again, Bynum wasn't going to contribute much as a freshman. No -- he wasn't. Before they can be great, though, the Huskies still must clear one last hurdle: the legal situations of Marcus Williams and A.J. Price, who are reportedly being investigated for theft. We're just jolly enough to assume that'll all work out. April rank: Sixth.
6. Arizona: Hassan Adams stayed, and Chris Rodgers is coming back (whew). April rank: Eighth.
7. Nevada: Nick Fazekas was true to his word -- you should try it, Randolph Morris and Shavlik Randolph -- and put off the NBA. April rank: 10th.
8. Memphis: Memphis lost nobody to the NBA Draft. Sophomore Sean Banks and recruit Ricky Sanchez don't count; Banks was gone in February, and Sanchez wasn't going to be eligible. April rank: 15th.
9. Texas Tech: The only news out of Lubbock was an offseason knee injury to reserve Damir Suljagic, but he'll be ready by December. April rank: 14th.
10. Villanova: None of the juniors turned pro, but the health issues of Curtis Sumpter and Jason Fraser scare us. April rank: Ninth.




