Arizona basketball is ranked preseason #1 by The Sporting News http://t.co/mJ5VBLFjv5 via @AGWildcatReport pic.twitter.com/8ktOQszdOe
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) August 11, 2014
Sporting News college hoops writer Michael DeCourcy has led the charge as a pro-Arizona voice. He and the SN crew continue to rank Arizona as the No. 1 team in the land coming into 2014-15, but the magazine's cover leaked just today. On it: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
DeCourcy led his Dynamic Dozen rundown with forward Hollis-Jefferson and a earlier this summer defended the forward's claim that the Wildcats will have the best starting unit in college basketball next season.
DeCourcy also lists every one of the Wildcats' projected starters as a top-10 member at their respective position for next season. Of course, ESPN did the same in a similar feature, but for Sporting News to give UA the No. 1 ranking is a tad bit surprising given Kentucky's depth and overall talent.
It's hard to imagine Kentucky won't be ranked first overall in the AP and coaches polls, but it's clear Arizona has earned quite a bit of respect. It's just odd it comes after losing its two best players in Nick Johnson and Aaron Gordon, and it's probably more questionable considering this team has some of the same weaknesses as last -- even DeCourcy mentions the lack of shooting and the search for a true go-to offensive player.