OK … we’ve let the Duke women and the Stanford men enjoy their respective NCAA titles for long enough now. (What you want more than a month to bask in your glory? What about that old saying, “you’re only as good as your next tournament win.”) There’s no time like the present to begin to look ahead to next September and the start of the 2007-08 college season.
Lets look at the men’s side and get a idea of who some of the top squads will be next fall. (Tomorrow, I’ll do the same for the women). Remember, the Cardinal was no where to be found on my list last year, so don't hold me to accountable here ... and if you've got a better idea on who to watch, send in your comment.
My VERY, VERY, VERY early top 10 for the 2007-08 season:
1) Alabama (NCAA finish: sixth)
If not for the Cardinal's return to the national spotlight, the
year's feel-good story might well have been written in Tuscaloosa,
where the Crimson Tide burst on the scene last fall with three victories and then showed they were no fluke with solid play during
the spring. Tulane transfer Michael Thompson thrived at his new home,
while Gator Todd, Matthew Swan, Joseph Sykora and Mark Harrell became
the most dependable group of "no-names" around. (Harrell just qualified
for the U.S. Open). All are back next fall for Jay Seawell and the Tide to roll.
2) Florida (NCAA finish: T-9)
A young Gator squad surprised many with two wins last year and even claimed the top-spot in the Golf World/Nike Golf coaches' poll for a while, but showed some of their inexperience in the spring. Coach Buddy Alexander has everybody back, however. Junior-to-be Billy Horschel is as good as any player in college golf, and incoming freshman Arnond (Bank) Vongvanij is among the top recruits in the country and gives Florida even more depth.
3) Stanford (NCAA finish: First)
Conrad Ray's masterful overhaul of the program has the Cardinal in position for long-term success. In the short run, though, they'll have to replace outgoing seniors Zack Miller and Matt Savage, who both posted sub-72 scoring averages. Sihwan Kim and Steve Ziegler should be able to pick up the slack when they arrive on campus in the fall, but to expect them to produce immediately might be asking a bit much. Still with Rob Grube, Joseph Bramlett and Daniel Lim returning, plus Jordan Cox on the bench, Stanford has as deep a roster as any in the country.
4) UCLA (NCAA finish: seventh)
I am accused by some of being too high on the Bruins this past year. Let me remind my critics that O.D. Vincent's squad did win three times and had 10 top-five finishes in 2006-07. Surprisingly, for a second straight year they were flat at nationals, but I think there's only positives coming from Westwood. The entire starting line-up is back and the best incoming freshman in the country, U.S. Junior champion Philip Francis, hits campus in September. Francis will have an immediate impact, shoring up any "holes" UCLA might have.
5) Clemson (NCAA finish: Did not play)
There was arguably no bigger disappointment in college golf than the Tigers in 2006-07. Several of their players had impressive summers on the amateur circuit in 2006, leading many people to figure Larry Penley's group would be in the hunt during the post-season. Instead they won no tournaments and had only four top-five finishes. Bottom line: Kyle Stanley, Sam Saunders and David May are just too good for Clemson to suffer the same fate in 2007-08. I'm giving them a mulligan.
6) Southern California (NCAA finish: Missed cut)
Chris Zambri's first year as a head coach was impressive (three wins, 11 top-fives) ... until the last three days of the season when the Trojans stumbled at Golden Horseshoe. Provided Jamie Lovemark does indeed return to school last fall, USC could jump on his back and go pretty far. Rory Hie and Tom Glissmeyer give them arguably the best one-two-three punch in college golf. The only reason the Pac-10 champs aren't ranked higher is that they do need to find a four- and five-man to replace outgoing seniors Jordan Nasser and Joshua Wooding.
7) Georgia (NCAA finish: second) 
The Bulldogs lose two impact players in first-team All-Americans Chris Kirk and Brendon Todd, making Chris Haack's job a little tougher in Athens. Junior-to-be Brian Harman is going to need to step up. Freshman Adam Mitchell's top-10 individual finish at nationals bodes well and fellow frosh Hudson Swafford has talent. Still, for the first time in a while there is a little uncertainty about just how good Georgia will be.
8) Texas A&M (NCAA finish: Did not play)
A playoff loss for the last spot out of the Central Regional kept the Aggies at home instead of playing in nationals. My guess is that this proves to be a huge source of motivation for J.T. Higgins' squad, which loses no seniors from their starting line-up.
9) Charlotte (NCAA finish: T-3)
Was the 49ers performance at Golden Horseshoe a fluke or is this a sign of things to come? My guess is more the latter than the former. Jamie Green has Andrew DiBitetto, Trevor Murphy and Corey Nagy all back and this year's experience at nationals will only continue to boost their confidence.
10) Oklahoma State (NCAA finish: T-15)
The Cowboys will have to replace at least three and possible four starters from their 2006-07 line-up, and while incoming freshmen Kevin Tway and Rickie Fowler will help the cause, a lack of depth might be a problem for the folks in Stillwater this season. Time to see just how emotionally mature Trent Leon is given that he'll likely be the only player with any real college experience starting for the Cowboys come the fall.
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