Top 20 Pre-Season Rankings

The 2007-08 season is already 11 days old and I'm just now getting the 20 hottest seats posted. I'm still compiling names and tentative rankings; I have about two-thirds completed (there are over 300 Div. I NCAA men's basketball teams). Most of these early season games will be meaningless for tourney teams come March, but they may prove critical to teams and coaches on the bubble.

There's already been some surprise upsets and we're not even two weeks in yet. Injuries, suspensions, ineligibility, and plain ol' team chemistry are always important but when coupled with the buzz word in college sports this year - parity - it means it's anyone's game on any given day, especially before conference play kicks in.

Here's my take on coaches who better hope they can maximize their team's potential as soon as possible:

1. Dave Odom (South Carolina) - 1 NCAA bid and 2 NIT titles in 6 years won't cut it.
2. Jay John (Oregon St.) - 1 winning season out of 5 doesn't instill confidence.
3. Norm Roberts (St. John's) - Seems a Big East championship is the only thing that will save him.
4. Bill Carmody (Northwestern) - Admired by peers but has zero post-season appearances in 7 seasons.
5. Bobby Lutz (Charlotte) - Turned down So. Alabama job; loyalty may prove to be his downfall.
6. Ed DeChellis (Penn St.) - Signed an extension last season but the reality is he hasn't lived up to expectations.
7. Tim Welsh (Providence) - 5 winning seasons and 2 NCAA appearances but zero post-season wins since '03.
8. Bret Campbell (Tennessee-Martin) - Must make conference tournament to save his job.
9. Dennis Felton (Georgia) - Has lost 66% of SEC games in 4 years; 'nuff said.
10. Frank Martin (Kansas St.) - Must produce big to minimize the scrutiny he's facing.
11. Robert Moreland (Texas Southern) - Re-hired as interim coach after position went unfilled makes for an uncertain future.
12. John Brady (LSU) - The wheels fell off last season and a quick turnaround doesn't seem likely.
13. Trent Johnson (Stanford) - Ugly losses in two NCAA appearances and the former Cardinal leader is nearby.
14. Dean Keener (James Madison) - Must produce several wins early to keep the heat at a simmer.
15. Mike LaPlante (Jacksonville St.) - In final year of contract.
16. Ben Braun (California) - Has missed NCAA tourney 3 of the last 4 seasons.
17. Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech) - Has won only 1 NCAA tourney game since Final Four showing in '04.
18. Mark Gottfried (Alabama) - Great recruiter but ability to produce championships is now in question.
19. Frank Haith (Miami FL) - Quality wins this season might give him a little security.
20. Kelvin Sampson (Indiana) - Violations have caused some to already call for his ouster.