Sam's Top 100: 10-1

By Sam Federman

(This is not the Final Top 10, but the top 10 that was revealed in the countdown. Updates were made in the final days to the entire top 100.)

10. Michigan (Big Ten)

Dusty May will once again have one of the most dominant and explosive frontcourts in college basketball. Preseason All-American Yaxel Lendeborg pairs with Morez Johnson and Aday Mara to protect the rim as well as anybody in the country.

9. Iowa State (Big 12)

TJ Otzelberger's team would've been a one-seed (or in consideration) if Milan Momcilovic hadn't gotten hurt last year. Obviously, losing Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert is a tough blow, but Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson should keep the defense very strong.

8. BYU (Big 12)

Good luck stopping Kevin Young's NBA-style spread offense with AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright running the show alongside Richie Saunders. And you can't forget about Keba Keita, one of the best offensive rebounders in the country.

7. Kentucky (SEC)

Once Jayden Quaintance returns from injury, the Cats will have one of the top interior defenses in the country. Otega Oweh should be an SEC Player of the Year contender, while Jaland Lowe will run more pick-and-rolls than the last few Pope point guards.

6. Florida (SEC)

The Gators go from a team with a strength in the backcourt to a team with a strength in the frontcourt by returning Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten. Todd Golden also brought in talented transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee to run the offense.

5. UConn (Big East)

Silas Demary Jr. should fix UConn's issue of having soft guard play, while helping to keep star big man Tarris Reed out of foul trouble. Additionally, having more offense out of the backcourt next to Solo Ball should also help Alex Karaban bounce back. Braylon Mullins is currently injured, but will be a big-time stud come March.

4. Texas Tech (Big 12)

Probably the thinnest team in the top 10 in terms of depth, Texas Tech boasts one of the top Big 3's in the country between JT Toppin, Christian Anderson, and LeJuan Watts. Grant McCasland surrounded Toppin and Anderson with shooting from Tyeree Bryan and Donovan Atwell, along with rim protection from Luke Bamgboye.

3. Duke (ACC)

Another year, another superstar freshman for Jon Scheyer at Duke. Cam Boozer is my pick for National Player of the Year. I'm not sure who the second best player on this team will be - perhaps Isaiah Evans or Pat Ngongba - but there's an embarrassment of riches on this roster.

2. Purdue (Big Ten)

The best returning player in the country, Braden Smith, will have a chance to break Bobby Hurley's all-time assist record. He'll be passing to not just Trey Kaufman-Renn down low, but Oscar Cluff and Daniel Jacobsen. And you can't forget about Fletcher Loyer's elite shooting, CJ Cox on the wing, and freshman Omer Mayer.

1. Houston (Big 12)

For the second straight season, I have the Cougars at the top spot in the preseason. Returning Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp in the backcourt sets the floor offensively, while JoJo Tugler sets the floor on the defensive side of Kelvin Sampson's squad. An elite freshman class flanks them, with Isiah Harwell, Chris Cenac, and Kingston Flemings.