Kevin Cary: Above the Rim blog

(Note: I'm knocking on wood right now as I post this...)

Davidson could join rankings soon

Davidson received votes in the AP and ESPN/USA Today coaches’ polls this week, but the Wildcats might do more than that next season.

For the first time since 1970, Davidson could be nationally ranked.

Consider this: All 11 of Davidson’s scholarship players return next season from a team that is expected to have at least 28 wins this season.

Davidson (24-4) wasn’t expected to be this good this soon. The Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in the South Division of the Southern Conference after graduating seven seniors from last season’s NCAA tournament team. The Wildcats roster had started the second-fewest games (30) of any Division I program.

But that youth has adapted quickly, and now Davidson could even sneak into the preseason poll next year. For that to happen, the Wildcats would probably have to win at least one game in the NCAA tournament this season, but Davidson should be among those getting votes in the preseason next year.

-- Kevin Cary