AP Top 25: Overrated/Underrated Teams

AP Top 25: Overrated/Underrated Teams

A brief overview of all teams ranked in the AP Poll Top 25, including both a glass half-full and glass half-empty approach.

1. Indiana Hoosiers

2011-12 Record: 27-9

Underrated: Not only does Tom Crean return all five starters, including Big Ten preseason Player of the Year, Cody Zeller, but he adds to that with freshman point guard, Yogi Farrell and a healthy Maurice Creek.

Overrated: Defensively, Indiana is nothing great. They let up 66.4 points per game (157th in the country) on 42.6 percent shooting (140th).

2. Louisville Cardinals

2011-12 Record: 30-10

Underrated: Louisville has several potential stars to lead them in 12-13, including Peyton Siva, Wayne Blackshear, Gorgui Dieng, Chane Behanan and Russ Smith. While none of them pop, that core adds in George Mason-transfer Luke Hancock and freshmen Montrezl Harrell and Terry Rozier.

Overrated: There are some depth concerns along the frontline, specifically after Dieng in the middle. Behanan is undersized and Hancock, the transfer, is more of a 3 than a player who can matchup with other bigs.

3. Kentucky Wildcats

2011-12 Record: 38-2

Underrated: The Wildcats won it all and bring in the nation's top recruiting class to reload and do it again. John Calipari is better than any other coach at developing his players, even if it is just for one season.

Overrated: The Wildcats won it all yes, but lost it all as well, as in their entire roster. All five starters are gone, which means Kentucky earns this ranking based on potential and lofty expectations- could be dangerous to a team this young and inexperienced.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

2011-12 Record: 31-8

Underrated: Deshaun Thomas largely flew under the radar all of last season, but has the tools of being one of the nation's top offensive players- posting an offensive rating of 122.5 in 2011-12, highest on the Buckeyes.

Overrated: Where will the Buckeyes look to in replacing the scoring and rebounding of Jared Sullinger and perimeter shooting of William Buford? Amir Williams averaged just 1.7 points per game last year.

5. Michigan Wolverines

2011-12 Record: 24-10

6. N.C. State Wolfpack

2011-12 Record: 24-13

Underrated: N.C. State came together when it counted, winning six of their last eight and their two losses came by a combined five points. Forwards CJ Leslie and Richard Howell are back in the fold, as are potent wings Lorenzo Brown, Scott Wood and the addition of freshman Rodney Purvis. That's a lot of star power.

Overrated: Let's not forget that the Wolfpack had 13 losses and barely made it into the NCAA Tournament last season. An overlooked player that will not be returning (transfer- Old Dominion) is the depth that DeShawn Painter added in backing up Howell in the middle.

7. Kansas Jayhawks

2011-12 Record: 32-7

Underrated: Jeff Withey is a future pro, developing into a dominating shot-blocker at 7-feet in height and has plenty of untapped potential left in the tank. Elijah Johnson and Ben McLemore will get the chance to shine this season.

Overrated: No Thomas Robinson. No Tyshawn Taylor. And an injury to Kevin Young now. That's 38 points, 17 rebounds and nearly 8 assists per game that need to be produced by a far less talented cast.

8. Duke Blue Devils

2011-12 Record: 27-7

Underrated: Last year the Blue Devils were drastically overrated. This year, its addition by subtraction that has helped Duke be underrated. The loss of Austin Rivers is actually less impactful than it may seem thanks to the development of true point guard Quinn Cook and freshman wing Rasheed Sulaimon.

Overrated: Duke is lacking that offensive potential still. No Austin Rivers and Andre Dawkins means the Blue Devils are nowhere near as dangerous from the perimeter.

9. Syracuse Orange

2011-12 Record: 34-3

Underrated: Coach Jim Boeheim was able to go 10 and 11 deep last season at times due to the plethora of talent for the Orange. CJ Fair, Michael Carter-Williams and Rakeem Christmas could all breakout this season with the steady point guard play of Brandon Triche.

Overrated: There's a lack of star power as nearly every meaningful contributor from last season's squad is gone: Fab Melo, Dion Waiters, Kris Joseph, Scoop Jardine. That's 43 points and 15 rebounds lost.

10. Florida Gators

2011-12 Record: 26-11

Underrated: Florida has the best frontcourt in the SEC, not Kentucky. Patric Young can be the best big in the country this season, but that's a big question. Erik Murphy has the potential to score inside and out. Scottie Wilbekein and Casey Prather add depth and versatility.

Overrated: The backcourt for Florida garnered all of the attention and its two most aggressive playmakers, Bradley Beal and Erving Walker, are gone. Kenny Boynton has yet to live up to his lofty hype from three years ago.

11. North Carolina Tar Heels

2011-12 Record: 32-6

Underrated: James Michael McAdoo is a game changer and do not judge him based on last year's numbers when he was behind three first-round talents in the frontcourt. Joining him up front is another force at 6'10", 260 pounds, Joel James.

Overrated: Every game-changer from last season is gone: Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Kendall Marshall, leaving UNC with plenty of unproven role players from years past.

12. Arizona Wildcats

2011-12 Record: 23-12

Underrated: Xavier Mark Lyons is familiar with Sean Miller's system, having played under him with the Musketeers and gives Arizona exactly what they need- a point guard. Lyons will incorporate favorite for conference Player of the Year, Solomon Hill and lots of frontcourt power.

Overrated: Lyons was not a pure point guard at Xavier, so he gives Arizona another combo-guard playing point. Young post players are loaded with talent, but are inexperienced and lack toughness down low.

13. UCLA Bruins

2011-12 Record: 19-14

Underrated: The Bruins have one of the best frontcourts in the entire country, even without Kyle Anderson (eligibility questions) right now. David and Travis Wear blew the competition away on a team trip overseas this summer. Tony Parker, Josh Smith and Jordan Morgan give Ben Howland plenty of options.

Overrated: UCLA might be deserving of this ranking had Ben Howland had everyone eligible. But Shabazz Muhammed and Kyle Anderson are not, leaving the Bruins with plenty of chemistry issues and adding to this, Muhammed is injured and out 2-4 weeks anyway.

14. Michigan State Spartans

2011-12 Record: 29-8

Underrated: Keith Appling continues to grow as a lead guard, using his electrifying quickness to play alongside freshman Gary Harris. The loss of Draymond Green will be cushioned by the return of wing Branden Dawson and continued development of Adreian Payne.

Overrated: One player cannot replace the production and leadership of All-American Draymond Green. His stats alone were impressive, but his versatility allowed him to play all five positions on offense and defense.

15. Missouri Tigers

2011-12 Record: 30-5

Underrated: Phil Pressey is one of the best point guards in the country due to his effectiveness controlling the game on both ends of the floor. But he can take even more chances defensively now that he has Laurence Bowers and UConn-transfer Alex Oriakhi manning the backline.

Overrated: Chemistry issues abound plague the Tigers, especially now that super-efficient guard Michael Dixon has been suspended for an indefinite amount of time.

16. Creighton BlueJays

2011-12 Record: 29-6

Underrated: Creighton is not a one-man team as many think behind the prowess of All-American Doug McDermott. One-time Rutgers center Greg Echenique is one option inside, while Grant Gibbs runs the show at the point.

Overrated: Three-year starter Antoine Young has graduated which is crucial as he was the team's second-leading scorer and second-leading assist man. His aggressiveness handling the ball will be greatly missed.

17. Memphis Tigers

2011-12 Record: 26-9

Underrated: Josh Pastner has some serious talent in Memphis' last year in the C-USA. Lead guard Joe Jackson, wing Adonis Thomas and forwards Tarik Black and Shaq Goodwin are among the best, if not the best, at their positions in the league.

Overrated: Memphis lost their do-it-all player in Will Barton, the team's leading scorer and rebounder as a wing and part-time starter Wesley Witherspoon. Between the two, Josh Pastner will have some holes to plug when it comes to filling in his lineup's versatility.

18. UNLV Rebels

2011-12 Record: 26-9

Underrated: Not only does UNLV return double-double machine Mike Moser, but Dave Rice brought in super-recruit Anthony Bennett to form one of the most potent frontcourts in the country. And former high school All-American Khem Birch is eligible after game ten.

Overrated: Oft overlooked point guard Oscar Bellfield, a four-year starter for the Rebels, has graduated leaving UNLV to fill the gap with shooting guards looking to transition to the combo-guard role.

19. Baylor Bears

2011-12 Record: 30-8

Underrated: Freshman center Isaiah Austin is freakishly long and athletic for his position, but also tremendously skilled to score inside and out. Cory Jefferson will take the nation by storm after backing up a trio of NBA forwards from last year's team.

Overrated: Freshman center Isaiah Austin is freakishly long and athletic for his position, but also tremendously skilled to score inside and out. Cory Jefferson will take the nation by storm after backing up a trio of NBA forwards from last year's team.

20. San Diego State Aztecs

2011-12 Record: 26-8

Underrated: Jamaal Franklin is a future-NBA talent on the wing and will storm onto every fan's radars this year. He is joined by wing Chase Tapley and point guard Xavier Thamas and three Division I transfers now eligible.

Overrated: There is a serious concern on the frontline where the Aztecs lack both height and strength; only two players stand above 6'9" on the current roster.

21. Gonzaga Bulldogs

2011-12 Record: 26-7

Underrated: Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell give the Bulldogs scoring from the backcourt, but the real key is the talent in the frontcourt. Elias Harris and Sam Dower highlight the league's best forwards.

Overrated: The loss of 7-foot man in the middle, Robert Sacre, cannot be overstated. He forced opposing coaches to game plan against him and still produced big time.

22. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2011-12 Record: 22-12

Underrated: Notre Dame brings back five starters and added depth up front with former Michigan State center Garrick Sherman. Jerian grant and Eric Atkins are the league's best backcourt tandem.

Overrated: Can the Irish use their experience and chemistry to run a more efficient offense? Last season, Notre Dame ranked 204th in the country in points per game and only shot .434 from the floor.

23. Wisconson Badgers

2011-12 Record: 26-10

Underrated: Haven't we learned that Bo Ryan is as consistent as they come in steadily outperforming Wisconsin's expectations? He's averaging just about 25 wins per year with the Badgers.

Overrated: Even though coaching is key, Bo Ryan will need to do some serious magic with this roster after losing former All-American point guard Jordan Taylor. Four returning starters are nice, as is freshman Sam Dekker, but where will the offense come from?

24. Cincinnati Bearcats

2011-12 Record: 26-11

Underrated: Bearcat wing Sean Kilpatrick is one of the most lethal perimeter options in the country, but he's not alone- Cashmere Wright and JaQuon Parker both shot better than 37 percent a year ago.

Overrated: The Bearcats lost two of their top four scorers, including the lone interior threat from a year ago in Yancy Gates.

25. Florida State Seminoles

2011-12 Record: 25-10

Underrated: Michael Snaer may not be the best 2-guard in the country, but he's right up there because of his play on both sides of the ball. And Florida State excels on the defensive end, but have several scoring options this year like guard Ian Miller and forwards Terrance Shannon and Okaro White.

Overrated: Florida State held opponents to the fifth lowest field-goal mark in the country at .381, but there are two key pieces missing that led the charge in Xavier Gibson and Bernard James. Those are some big bodies to replace.