Another take on the preseason rankings

Anyone who blasts preseason rankings aren’t understanding –– or at least appreciating –– their value and need. As silly as that sounds, yes, there is value and need.

Preseason rankings are simply predictors and a baseline, but they spark debate and conversation. They’re fun to digest and compare. Most importantly, they shine a spotlight on the sport and generate excitement. And high school basketball preseason rankings are no exception.

Michael O’Brien’s preseason Sun-Times Super 25 rankings are out. With a slight shuffle of a few teams here and there –– as should be and is usually the case –– the top dozen teams in the Super 25 match up pretty closely with what I would have gone with. Then it gets to be a bit of a juggling act in these 2024-25 preseason prognostications.

Here is one person’s dive into the Sun-Times preseason Super 25.

My No. 1: DePaul Prep

The Super 25 nod went to Bolingbrook. Understood. There is a superstar (Davion Thompson), a Division I senior talent with size (JT Pettigrew), a veteran, underrated piece (Trey Brost) and an intriguing transfer (Jayden Madden).

But with five key players back from a two-time state champion, including an undeniable winning mentality and difference-making defense, DePaul is my choice. The Rams won 35 games last season and have 85 victories –– with three state trophies –– over the past three years.

Makai Kvamme is that poised, dependable leader at point guard you win with, while 6-7 junior Rashaun Porter is set to make a significant jump. Plus, Young transfer Rykan Woo only adds to coach Tom Kleinschmidt’s balance and depth.

Underrated: Hinsdale Central

Here I thought Hinsdale Central would be my quiet sleeper heading into the season following an impressive but under-the-radar summer. But the preseason Super 25 included the Red Devils at No. 20. That could still prove to be a little too low.

Bumping up a team that went just 15-16 last season deeper into the rankings is being aggressive. But coach Nick Latorre’s team really opened eyes in June at various shootouts with its size, cohesiveness and versatility. The improvement of the individual players was notable.

That individual development starts with Vince Buzelis, the 6-5 senior who averaged 13 points and eight rebounds a game as a junior, and continues with 6-8 Tyler Thick, 6-4 Dillon Dell and 6-7 Michael Howell.

Overrated: Bloom

Before everyone in Chicago Heights gets too hot and bothered with the “overrated” label, the Blazing Trojans certainly deserve to be ranked in the preseason Super 25.

They’re talented and have a foundational coach in Dante Maddox who has a trio of Elijah Lovemore, Amare Pryor and Payton Edwards that will make them extremely dangerous all season.

But it’s about what team in the rankings will have the most difficult survival rate? Living up to that preseason No. 13 ranking will be a constant challenge. It’s a team that could easily fall from that ranking, largely as a byproduct of the schedule it will play. The losses can mount, momentum can be fledgling and things can go sideways quickly when facing the slate Bloom will see this season.

Bloom will play Hillcrest and likely either Homewood-Flossmoor or Marian Catholic at Thanksgiving. The rugged Pontiac Holiday Tournament awaits in December. Throw in the rugged Southland Conference with two games each with Kankakee and Rich, along with non-conference dates with Lincoln Park, St. Laurence and Mount Carmel, and it’s a minefield over the next three-plus months.

On the other hand, Bloom will have every opportunity to solidify its ranking and climb.

Here’s the first bulletin board material of the season being provided before the season even tips.

Super 25 surprise: Curie ranked No. 21

It’s not as if Curie being ranked is a surprise. The Condors are a lock to be ranked every year.

Over the past 10 seasons of preseason rankings, Curie’s average rank in the preseason is No. 7. The highest in that time frame was the 2016 team that was preseason No. 1.

The lowest the Condors have been ranked in the preseason? No. 12 in 2019. That team went on to be ranked No. 1 with a 29-2 record and playing in the sectional championship when Covid hit in March of 2020.

But seeing Mike Oliver’s Curie program ranked No. 21? It doesn’t look right –– even if it is.

Gone are stars Carlos Harris and Will Gonzalez, along with Christian Brockett, Derrick Dowdell, Mason Minor and Taevion Collier.

Although Oliver remains high on his team, Curie has as big of a no-named group as it’s ever had and has very little size.

Should be in but is out: DeKalb

I’m a believer in a team that will be better this year than the 25-win team from a year ago that fell to Warren in the sectional semifinals.

The Barbs possess a 1-2 punch in senior guard Sean Reynolds (16 ppg, 5 apg) and 6-5 junior big man Davon Grant (14 ppg, 7 rpg) that set the tone. But guards Jackson Kees and Marquise Bolden are two other returning starters with double-figure scoring potential.

DeKalb will push highly-ranked Waubonsie Valley in the DuPage Valley Conference.