ESPN ranks the top 25 college basketball programs according to their near future success:
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-coll...-three-seasons
Quote:
The question at the heart of Insider's College Basketball Future Power Rankings project is simple: Which college hoops programs will have the most success over the next three seasons (2013-14, '14-15, '15-16)?
To come up with the answer, we had our panel of experts rate programs on a 1-to-10 scale in five different categories: Coaching, Current Talent, Recruiting, Program Power and Stability. We compiled the results and weighted the categories to produce the top 25 rankings you see below.
CATEGORIES (weighting):
COACHING (25 percent): Quality of coaching staff over next three seasons, with heavy emphasis on the head coach
CURRENT TALENT (25 percent): Quality of players currently in the program, focusing on the future
RECRUITING (25 percent): Projected quality of 2014 and 2015 recruiting classes, and recruiting momentum
PROGRAM POWER (15 percent): Fan and institutional support, facilities, resources and tradition
STABILITY (10 percent): Accounts for potential roster and coaching staff turnover
Our panel: Paul Biancardi, Jay Bilas, Fran Fraschilla, John Gasaway, Jeff Goodman, Seth Greenberg, Andy Katz and Miles Simon. In addition to voting, each contributed to the team write-ups.
Here you have it -- our top 25 ranking of the teams best positioned for success over the next three seasons (including a surprise at the top, at No. 25 and at several spots in between).
Quote:
#12 Gonzaga Bulldogs
Overall Score = 81.19
COACHING (25 percent): 8.7
CURRENT TALENT (25 percent): 7.8
RECRUITING (25 percent): 7.4
PROGRAM POWER (15 percent): 8.4
STABILITY (10 percent): 9.1
Why they're here: It's amazing what Mark Few has been able to accomplish in Spokane, Wash. You can be a glass-half-empty guy and say that the Zags still haven't gone to the Final Four, but the bottom line is this program outside of the power conferences has gone to the NCAA tournament in each of Few's 14 seasons at the helm. The Zags have tremendous support in all areas, and they have plenty of stability with most of their recruits sticking around for a while. Few doesn't always get the elite-level recruits, but Gonzaga consistently adds to the overall talent level because it has been successful in getting international talent, and Few is also considered a quality coach and talent developer. --Jeff Goodman
What could change: I assume that Few is staying in Spokane for the balance of his career; he seems like a lifer there. The change that can most affect Gonzaga is beyond the Zags' control. Conference realignment and the restructuring of Division I governance are a potential threat to Gonzaga, because there is no football in Spokane. But even though football may dictate a separation among the 351 Division I basketball teams, the NCAA tournament may hold things together and benefit Gonzaga as a basketball program. --Jay Bilas
Name to know: Josh Perkins. Gonzaga's consistency is in part due to its rich tradition of great guard play. We've seen John Stockton, Dan Dickau, Blake Stepp and Jeremy Pargo handle the backcourt responsibilities for the Zags, and Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. currently form one of the most efficient backcourts in the country. Perkins, a top-25 recruit, is next in line. The 6-3 point guard is physically strong and explosive, competes on both ends, plays with great pace and has an excellent feel for the game. Perkins not only has the talent but the intangibles that Few expects in his guards. The Zags will not miss a beat in the next few seasons with Perkins running the show and Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer becoming eligible in 2014. --Seth Greenberg
Duke Blue Devils (Overall Score = 95.19)
Kentucky Wildcats (Overall Score = 94.88)
Kansas Jayhawks (Overall Score = 94.31)
Louisville Cardinals (Overall Score = 93.44)
Florida Gators (Overall Score = 92.31)
Michigan State Spartans (Overall Score = 89.81)
Arizona Wildcats (Overall Score = 89.31)
Syracuse Orange (Overall Score = 88.44)
North Carolina Tar Heels (Overall Score = 88.13)
Ohio State Buckeyes (Overall Score = 84.13)
Michigan Wolverines (Overall Score = 83.06)
Gonzaga Bulldogs (Overall Score = 81.19)
Indiana Hoosiers (Overall Score = 79.94)
Wisconsin Badgers (Overall Score = 78.50)
Georgetown Hoyas (Overall Score = 78.44)
VCU Rams (Overall Score = 77.94)
Oregon Ducks (Overall Score = 74.75)
Maryland Terrapins (Overall Score = 74.00)
Marquette Golden Eagles (Overall Score = 73.75)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Overall Score = 73.63)
Memphis Tigers (Overall Score = 73.56)
Wichita State Shockers (Overall Score = 73.44)
UCLA Bruins (Overall Score = 72.75)
Virginia Cavaliers (Overall Score = 72.19)
Iowa State Cyclones (Overall Score = 71.81)
Surprised BYU isn't listed