Dick Vitale ranks UK at #4

[Administrator]

With the early entries for the NBA draft now set, it's time to revise my preseason 2002-03 Dazzling Dozen.

• Arizona
  
• Kansas
  
• Oklahoma
  
• Kentucky
  
• Pittsburgh
  
• Florida
  
• Texas
  
• Duke
  
• UConn
  
• Georgia
  
• UCLA
  
• Alabama

espn.go.com/dickvitale/vcolumn020620revisedDazzling%20Dozen.html

[KY Kid]

I'm fine with that ranking, but I do have a question. We were number 4 and Duke was number 3, and they drop, but we stay in the same spot. Why were we leap frogged?

[kj]

Didn't Vitale have us top 5 last year? Too many questions imo to be rated this high preseason. Maybe at the end, but I have my doubts all things considered.

[Bigbluefan]

I like the ranking, Vitale is using Bogans and Parker to validate this ranking, i go along with his thiking as i feel we are Final Four bound.

[TexasBlue]

I agree we are a final four team.
Has Maryland dropped off that much that they are not even ranked?

[KY Kid]

Yeah, they lost Dixon, Wilcox, and Baxter. That's a lot to fill.

[4uktrey]

Duke shouldnt have made the 12 for the simple fact they lost over 75% of there scoring. Duhon hasnt lived up to his billing. And the ACC is alot stronger top to bottom. Thats why Maryland has dropped, and rightfully so. JMO. ED

[Blueblood_Jim]

Actually, kid, Maryland lost 4 starters because the talented and tough Mouton also is gone. And certainly Duke will be hit hard losing their three best players from a team that lacked depth. They return Ewing, Jones and Duhon (who will not be as overrated going into this year) and they will drop from the top ten certainly. Vitale is solid with his top 4, but I think he should have Florida #5 and Pitt not in the top ten. Regardless Kentucky will indeed be top 5 pre-season unless Hawkins is out the fall semester and then they would still be top ten no matter how much some people doubt

[KY Kid]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Mouton who was also a very big contributor.

[SuperSport1]

Mouton had a monster game against us!

Inconsistency with these polls.... Vitale has us 4th and Mark Button() has us 19th. I would like to see these two sit down and explain their choices.

Although Pitt did not play a tough non conference schedule last season, other than Ohio State (and Pitt won), they did have impressive wins during conference play. I don't think they are top 5, but top 10 yes.

[KY Kid]

I too believe they're way overrated. I think they'll be a one year wonder.

[Administrator]

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