Non-Big Six preseason power rankings

Competitive as some of the schools from non-power conferences appeared at times during the 2008-09 season, just three of them advanced beyond the first weekend of the NCAA tournament.

That’s the lowest total since 2005.

Don’t be surprised if that number increases this season, as schools such as Butler, Dayton and Siena all seem worthy of a preseason top-25 ranking, meaning they can compete with just about any school in the country not named Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina or Texas.

Here’s an early look at the top programs from non-Big Six conferences.

Butler – The Bulldogs won 26 games last season with three freshman starters, so it’s no surprise that expectations are high entering the 2009-10 campaign. Forward Matt Howard provides a strong post presence for a squad that features a pair of standout perimeter shooters in Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack. Freshman Andrew Smith, a center, will see significant action for a team that should enter the season ranked in the top 15.

Dayton – Last season the Flyers capped a 27-win season with a victory over West Virginia in the NCAA tournament. Things could be even better this year for a team that returns 10 of its top 11 scorers. Forward Chris Wright, an All-America candidate, is back after averaging 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds a year ago. Dayton’s Nov. 19 game against Georgia Tech in Puerto Rico will provide a good early test.

Siena – The Saints have won first-round NCAA tournament games the past two years thanks, in large part, to the coaching of Fran McCaffrey. He may be able to lead Siena to even greater heights this season because of the return of four starters. Senior forward Edwin Ubiles averaged 15 points last season and has played in 101 career games. So, too, has point guard Ronald Moore. The Saints’ “heart and soul” dished out 6.4 assists per game in 2008-09.

Tulsa – Memphis’ dominance of Conference USA could end in 2009-10 – and not just because John Calipari departed for Kentucky. Doug Wojcik has built a solid program at Tulsa, where future NBA center Jerome Jordan returns to lead a squad that’s expected to earn an NCAA bid. The 7-foot Jordan, who averaged 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds last year, is one of Tulsa’s top two players along with guard Ben Uzoh, who scored 14 points a game as a junior in 2008-09.

Xavier – The departure of Sean Miller for Arizona resulted in the hiring of former Musketeer standout Chris Mack as coach. Mack didn’t catch any breaks when Derrick Brown left early for the NBA draft, but he still has a roster talented enough to contend for the Atlantic 10 title. Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford should make a huge impact, and the front line of Jason Love, Kenny Frease and Jamel McLean will be tough.

Northern Iowa – The Panthers have been the best team in Iowa the past few seasons, and that could be the case again this year. Almost every key player returns for a squad that tied Creighton for the Missouri Valley title in 2008-09. Adam Koch (12.1 points) and Jordan Eglseder (10.2) both averaged double figures for a team that lost 61-56 to Purdue in the first round of last year’s NCAA tournament.

Gonzaga – Even with the loss of Jeremy Pargo, Austin Daye and Micah Downs, the Zags should once again be a force in 2009-10. The return of Matt Bouldin, who averaged 13.6 points last season, is the main reason for optimism. But coach Mark Few is also excited about the potential of rising stars Steven Gray and Demetri Goodson, who should step into bigger roles this season. Look for Canadian signees Mangisto Arop and Kelly Olynyk to make an immediate impact along with German import Elias Harris.

Memphis – John Calipari took several of his top recruits with him when he left for Kentucky, but that doesn’t mean the cupboard is completely bare for new Memphis coach Josh Pastner. The Tigers will have the top backcourt in Conference USA with Doneal Mack, Willie Kemp, Roburt Sallie and transfer Elliott Williams. The bigger issue will be finding players to excel in the paint.

Creighton – The Bluejays won the regular-season title last season and should contend for it once again along with Northern Iowa, Illinois State and Southern Illinois. Three starters return for coach Dana Altman’s team. Leading the way is guard P’Allen Stinnett, a junior who averaged 12.5 points in 2008-09. Altman is one of the country’s most underrated coaches.

Brigham Young – Lee Cummard averaged 16.8 points and 8.6 rebounds as a senior last season. Losing him hurts, but the Cougars return the other four starters from their league championship squad, including Jonathan Tavernari (15.7 points) and Jimmer Fredette (16.2). Even better is that coach Dave Rose is also back after being diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer in June. Doctors have now declared Rose cancer-free.