NCAA Basketball

10 Big-Name Teams Set to Disappoint Going Into 2014–15 College Basketball Season

10 Big-Name Teams Set to Disappoint Going Into 2014–15 College Basketball Season

Arizona Basketball
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

It seems like every college basketball season there are major college basketball teams that come into the season with a ton of hype but fail to live up to expectations. Next season, several consistently great college basketball programs take a step back due to graduation and the NBA Draft. Here are 10 big-name college basketball programs set to disappoint in the 2014-15 season.

No. 10 Florida Gators

Florida Basketball
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No. 10 Florida Gators

Florida Basketball
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Gators won the SEC regular season title and the SEC Tournament last season, but lose four of their consistent starters from their run to the Final Four. Florida boats one of the most deep and talented rosters in college basketball, but expect them to lose several games they’re favored in this season as Billy Donovan tries to get his young team to play as a cohesive unit.

No. 9 Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Basketball
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

No. 9 Michigan Wolverines

Michigan Basketball
Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolverines will suffer from the same problem most of the other major Big 10 programs will suffer from; the rest of the conference is getting better while they continue to lose top players and recruit poorly.

No. 8 Baylor Bears

Baylor Basketball
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Baylor Bears

Baylor Basketball
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears lose, well, basically everyone. Baylor is not going to be anywhere near the top part of the Big 12, especially with Kansas, Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma coming in with the capability to win the national championship.

No. 7 Syracuse Orange

Cuse Basketball
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 7 Syracuse Orange

Cuse Basketball
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Cooney is the Orange’s best returning player. Unfortunately, the ACC is getting far more difficult with the addition of Louisville in the offseason. Syracuse is still a good team, but expect them to struggle a bit more than expected.

No. 6 Connecticut Huskies

UConn Basketball
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

No. 6 Connecticut Huskies

UConn Basketball
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Shabazz Napier and DeAndre Daniels’ loss will be too much for the Huskies, who will compete in the American Athletic conference, but not be able to outshine teams like the Memphis Tigers.

No. 5 Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State Basketball
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5 Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State Basketball
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Izzo’s team lost their top players from last season, but should still be a fairly decent team. However, like with Michigan, the rest of the Big Ten is improving and the Spartans will be upset by several in-conference opponents.

No. 4 Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4 Arizona Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Are the Wildcats the best team in the Pac-12? Of course. However, you don’t just miraculously recover from losing the type of talent that Arizona did in the offseason. Expect several close games against weaker opponents.

No. 3 Missouri Tigers

Missouri Basketball
Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 Missouri Tigers

Missouri Basketball
Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

Very few teams return as few players as the Missouri Tigers do this offseason. It’s strange to see a Mizzou team that consistently fought for a top spot in the Big 12 have this sort of rapid decline after switching to the SEC. Kim Anderson will have this team turned around in a few years, but it’s going to take time.

No. 2 UCLA Bruins

UCLA Basketball
Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 UCLA Bruins

UCLA Basketball
Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

One team that I have no idea why so many have them ranked in the top 15, UCLA lost the two players who helped them compete last season, Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson, as well as their brightest up-and-comer Zach LaVine. Steve Alford is a fantastic coach, but several Pac-12 teams should be better than the Bruins next season.

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes

Thad Motta
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes

Thad Motta
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Losing their three leading scorers from last season, the Buckeyes will be nowhere near as dominant as they have been in the past. The Big Ten is all-around better than it was last season; Ohio State will lose a few games they’re expected to win.

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