College basketball rankings: Preseason males’s top-25, previewed by our specialists

College basketball is essentially the most sprawling sport in America, but it surely’s additionally essentially the most honest. Every crew in DI males’s and ladies’s school basketball will get the prospect to play elimination video games till they lose on the finish of the season. A postseason format like that always results in chaos earlier than a champion is in the end topped in early April, however the final time we noticed the lads’s recreation, 4 of essentially the most iconic applications within the sport had been the final 4 groups standing.

College hoops goes to really feel a bit bit completely different this 12 months on the lads’s aspect. Coach Ok is lastly retired, and Duke is now below the supervision of 35-year-old head coach Jon Scheyer. Jay Wright rode off into the sundown at Villanova, too. The one-and-done freshmen that always get a lot consideration coming into the 12 months have largely been changed by veterans who’ve caught round school now that they will revenue due to NIL guidelines. The Big Ten additionally doesn’t have a college within the top-10 of the preseason rankings after one other poor exhibiting within the NCAA match final 12 months.

At the beginning of the brand new season, we’ve enlisted the specialists from the SB Nation crew communities to assist preview the top-25 coming into the 12 months. Here’s what you should find out about this season’s high groups.

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Projected rotation: G De’Vion Harmon, G Kerwin Walton, F Jaylon Tyson, F Kevin Obanor, C Daniel Batcho

Mark Adams has a squad with plenty of new items heading into his second season as head coach of Texas Tech. This 12 months’s crew has a mixture of stable returning items, some extremely touted transfers, and plenty of new younger prospects. With some good skilled veterans in Kevin Obanor and De’Vion Harmon paired with some elite younger expertise in Jaylon Tyson and Elijah Fisher, this crew is gonna look to make some noise within the Big 12.

This squad shall be your typical Tech crew. Elite protection with some gifted gamers on offense that can simply must put it collectively. One factor that isn’t typical is the youth of this Red Raider squad. Some younger gamers like Pop Isaacs and Lamar Washington shall be trying to make an early impression. This crew will take a while to place every thing collectively, however with some gifted underclassmen and a few actually stable veteran leaders, don’t be stunned if this crew is competing for the next seed come March. — Kendall Phipps, Viva the Matadors

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No. 24 Dayton Flyers

Projected Rotation: G Malachi Smith, G Kobe Elvis, F/G R.J. Blakney, F DaRon Holmes II, F Toumani Camara

In the age of the switch portal, continuity is a rarity in school basketball, however that’s the important thing to what makes Dayton so harmful. The Flyers return all 5 starters from final 12 months’s crew that went 14-4 within the Atlantic 10 and reached the second spherical of the NIT. Anthony Grant’s squad was named the convention favourite and options three Preseason All-Atlantic 10 picks in DaRon Holmes II, Malachi Smith and Toumani Camara.

Holmes was the convention Rookie of the Year final season, ranked second within the nation in subject aim share at 64.9% and led the crew with 12.8 level per contest. Smith, to not be confused with the participant who transferred from Chattanooga to Gonzaga, serves as the ground normal for the Flyers and registered a 2.61 assist-to-turnover ratio final season. Camara averaged 10.8 factors and 6.9 rebounds per recreation in his first season with Dayton after transferring from Georgia. — Ian Sacks, Mid-Major Madness

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Projected Rotation: PG Skyy Clark, G Terrence Shannon Jr., F Matthew Mayer, F Coleman Hawkins, C Dain Dainja

It’s a “new” period for Illinois Basketball following the departure of veterans Trent Frazier, Da’Monte Williams and All-American Kofi Cockburn. Without the fifth-year shooters (Frazier & Williams) and the massive 7-footer in Cockburn, Brad Underwood has to regulate. The approach he did that? Picking up the highest switch class within the nation, highlighted by Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer. Add in a star-studded freshman class — together with Skyy Clark and Ty Rodgers — and the potential for this crew is “Skyy”-high. The solely query mark is how briskly this crew can gel in Underwood’s system amid a really difficult non-conference schedule. But actually hold the Illini in thoughts for his or her third Big Ten common season or match title in as a few years. — Stephen Cohn, The Champaign Room

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Projected Rotation: G Jaelin Llewellyn, G Kobe Bufkin, G Jett Howard, F Terrance Williams II, C Hunter Dickinson

One of the very best facilities in school basketball is returning to the Wolverines, which is a blessing for this younger squad. Michigan misplaced seven of its high 10 scorers from final season to the professionals and the switch portal, so it is going to want Dickinson to tackle extra of a workload, together with a vocal management position.

Terrance II Williams and Kobe Bufkin are each anticipated to tackle greater roles as properly. Both got here off the bench final season, with Williams II being the sixth man and Bufkin struggling to crack the rotation persistently. Both will seemingly be within the beginning lineup to start out the 12 months, however might lose that spot to one of many younger guys off the bench.

The Wolverines’ season shall be outlined by the play of their new arrivals. This would be the third season in a row they’ll begin a switch at level guard, as former Princeton Tiger Jaelin Llewellyn is anticipated to be a high playmaker and three-point shooter. Duke switch Joey Baker will come off the bench and supply spot-up taking pictures and management. The members of the 2022 recruiting class can even make their presence felt, as Jett Howard will seemingly begin on the 3, plus huge man Tarris Reed Jr. and level guard Dug McDaniel shall be two of the primary guys off the bench.

Last season was a curler coaster journey for a squad that hardly made the NCAA match, partially due to how a lot they needed to depend on their youth. I might anticipate the identical this season for Michigan. — Kellen Voss, Maize n Brew

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Projected rotation: G Will Richardson, C N’Faly Dante, F Quincy Guerrier, G Tyrone Williams, G Rivaldo Soares, C Kel’el Ware, C Nate Bittle

After a 2022 during which his crew underachieved given its expertise, Dana Altman brings again what seems to be an much more loaded roster than earlier than. With returning veteran seniors Will Richardson, Quincy Guerrier, and N’Faly Dante, the Ducks could have loads of management for his or her star-studded upcoming recruiting class to be taught from.

On paper this could make Oregon an prompt contender for the convention championship and a lock for the NCAA match. However, first they need to show themselves on the courtroom. Defensive rebounding and out of doors taking pictures had been main lapses for the Ducks in 2022, and are a degree of emphasis for 2023. Team chemistry bought a head begin with an exhibition journey by means of Canada over the summer time, and Altman groups have a historical past of jelling by season’s finish, even after rocky begins. — Adam Holland, Addicted to Quack

Projected lineup: Mark Sears, Nimari Burnett, Dominick Welch, Brandon Miller,

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After a curler coaster journey of a season in 2022, Nate Oats and firm went out and fully revamped Alabama’s roster. Only 4 gamers return from final 12 months’s group (5 for those who embrace former Texas Tech wing Nimari Burnett, who missed all of final season with a torn ACL), an inconsistent bunch that struggled with turnovers, perimeter taking pictures, and protection for too lengthy of stretches. Still, returning level guard Jahvon Quinerly was a Preseason First Team All-SEC choice by the league’s coaches, and the Crimson Tide returns a pair of publish gamers who performed heavy minutes in Noah Gurley and Charles Bediako.

What will actually make or break this season although would be the newcomers — and Alabama has some severe expertise incoming. Five star wing Brandon Miller has been the discuss of the preseason, and he’s even began to point out up on high ten boards for the upcoming NBA Draft. He’s bought elite dimension and abilities, and he dropped 30 factors on TCU in a preseason scrimmage after averaging 22 PPG abroad this August through the Tide’s international tour. He’s joined by fellow 5 star level guard Jaden Bradley, First Team All-MAC guard Mark Sears, four-year beginning wing from St. Bonaventure Dom Welch, and a pair of different 4 stars in Noah Clowney and Nick Pringle as additions to this 12 months’s squad.

The SEC ought to be brutal on the high this season, and Alabama is once more taking part in a top-tier non-conference schedule that features Gonzaga, Memphis, a street journey to Houston, and a loaded Phil Knight Invitational subject that features a gap tip towards Michigan State, however Alabama’s ceiling is among the many greatest within the nation, with Miller and Bradley becoming a member of Quinerly and Burnett to type a quartet of former McDonald’s All Americans. Can they attain that potential this season? Between an absence of expertise taking part in collectively and a few lingering points from final season, there are some inquiries to be addressed, however Nate Oats and Alabama have some unbelievable potential solutions. — Joshua Chatham, Roll Bama Roll

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No. 19 San Diego State

Projected Starters: G Darrion Trammell, G Lamont Butler, G Matt Bradley, F Keshad Johnson, F Nathan Mensah

The Aztecs return 4 of their 5 starters and two key bench gamers that contributed not less than quarter-hour or extra per evening. They add guard Darrion Trammell, a first-team All-WAC member with Seattle University, who averaged 17.4 factors per recreation and led the convention in assists. The duo of Trammell and Matt Bradley ought to give San Diego State the one-two scoring punch it’s on the lookout for. This is without doubt one of the deepest groups Brian Dutcher has had throughout his tenure, it’s additionally considered one of his most skilled with eight seniors and 5 juniors. The expertise ought to give the Aztecs throughout a Mountain West Conference which may have taken a step again from final 12 months. Don’t anticipate 4 groups to make the match, however search for San Diego State and Wyoming to run away from the remainder of the pack and battle it out for the Mountain West title. — Alex Wright, MWCConnection

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Projected starters: PG Reece Beekman, PG Kihei Clark, SG Armaan Franklin, PF Jayden Gardner, C Kadin Shedrick

After a mediocre season culminating in a loss within the NIT Quarterfinals, Virginia returns its top-six minute getters from final 12 months’s squad whereas additionally including Tony Bennett’s greatest recruiting class because the group that received a National Championship and Ohio switch Ben Vander Plas. As such, enchancment is anticipated each by way of inside improvement as guys like Kadin Shedrick and Reece Beekman ought to make vital jumps and from what Vander Plas and freshmen Isaac McKneely and Isaac Traudt carry to the desk. The crew ought to have extra versatility and depth this season, doubtlessly culminating in a return to the highest of the ACC. — Zach Carey, Streaking the Law

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Projected rotation: PG Kerr Kriisa, SG Courtney Ramey, SF Pelle Larsson, PF Azuolas Tubelis, C Oumar Ballo

Arizona was one of many largest surprises of 2021-22, reaching No. 2 within the ultimate AP ballot and operating away with the Pac-12 regular-season and convention match titles below first-year coach Tommy Lloyd. The Wildcats bought a No. 1 seed however ran right into a buzzsaw within the Sweet 16 in Houston.

Gone from that squad are 4 of the highest eight contributors, together with three gamers taken within the 2022 NBA Draft. Lloyd reloaded by including a pair of veterans from the NCAA switch portal in Ramey (Texas) and wing Cedric Henderson Jr. (Campbell) in addition to 4 freshmen, two of which come from Europe so as to add much more worldwide taste to a roster the place eight of 12 scholarship gamers are foreign-born.

Arizona led the nation in assists final season and performed at one of many quickest paces. Both these traits ought to proceed in 2022-23, with an added emphasis on physicality on each ends of the ground. Picked second within the Pac-12, one other convention title and excessive NCAA match seed are believable. — Brian Pedersen, AZ Desert Swarm

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Projected lineup: Mark Armstrong, Caleb Daniels, Cam Whitmore, Brandon Slater, Eric Dixon

Jay Wright’s sudden retirement was the most important shock of the offseason, and throws the way forward for Villanova into query. As 37-year-old Kyle Neptune takes over this system as head coach, he’ll have to determine deal with the departure of a number of key veterans, together with Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie, frontcourt stalwart Jermaine Samuels, and Brandon Slater. With the roster in flux, freshman ahead Cam Whitmore is poised to turn out to be this system’s subsequent famous person. Whitmore is an extremely sturdy and athletic 6’6 ahead who placed on monster showings within the offseason along with his above-the-rim assaults. Mark Armstrong is one other freshman who will play a giant position because the 4-star recruit takes over for Gillespie at level guard. If key shooter Justin Moore can get wholesome from his Achilles tear in some unspecified time in the future, there’s sufficient expertise right here for one more run atop the Big East. — Ricky O’Donnell

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Projected lineup: Wendell Green, KD Johnson, Allen Flanigan, Yahon Traore, Johni Broome

Bruce Pearl has revitalized Auburn basketball like no coach earlier than him. Pearl had already led to this system to the Final Four in 2019 earlier than main them to their first ever No. 1 rating within the AP Poll final season. Unfortunately, the Tigers flamed out within the spherical of 32, and now have to interchange top-3 draft decide Jabari Smith Jr. and fellow first rounder Walker Kessler within the entrance courtroom. Without their twin towers, Auburn will now seemingly be led by the holders within the backcourt. Wendell Green and KD Johnson are able to explosive performances, however each undergo from inconsistency. Allen Flanigan is a sweet-shooting wing that led the crew in scoring two years in the past, and he ought to now be totally again from an Achilles tear. Five-star freshman Yahon Traore is Smith’s substitute, however he’ll do his work on the within as an alternative of on the three-point arc. There are plenty of questions for this crew, however Pearl has a approach of normally discovering the proper reply. — Ricky O’Donnell

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Projected lineup: Miles Jr., Damion Baugh, Chuck O’Bannon Jr., Emanuel Miller, Eddie Lampkin

This is essentially the most anticipated TCU basketball marketing campaign of all time. Last season TCU received its first match recreation since 1987, when head coach Jamie Dixon was the Horned Frogs’ level guard. And this season the Frogs have sights set on a fair deeper run in March. The Frogs return nearly all of the roster, together with your entire beginning lineup, from an NCAA match crew that fell simply brief in OT to 1-seed Arizona within the Round of 32. TCU is led by level guard Mike Miles, who was named the 2022-23 Big 12 Preseason participant of the 12 months after averaging 15.4 factors, 3.5 rebounds, and three.8 assists per recreation final season. Center Eddie Lampkin Jr. is the vocal chief and a pressure to take care of on each ends of the courtroom, with a nationwide stage breakout efficiency of 20 factors and 14 rebounds towards Arizona. His frontcourt companion Emanuel Miller is an athletic workhorse, main the Frogs in blocks and rebounds whereas averaging over 10 factors per recreation. TCU’s wings are the proper complement, with Damion Baugh the facilitating playmaker and Chuck O’Bannon Jr. because the squad’s high returning 3-point shooter. Outside of the headlining returning starters, Jamie Dixon could have a deep bench to tug from: defensive stoppers Micah Peavy and Rondel Walker, scoring Guards Shahada Wells and PJ Haggerty, and veteran huge males Souleymane Doumbia, JaKobe Coles, and Xavier Cork all anticipated to be key contributors.

The Big 12 schedule shall be a gauntlet as at all times, however the Horned Frogs seem like of their greatest place to compete since becoming a member of the league. A program historically preventing to show preseason projections incorrect, finds itself with a chance to show that the hype is warranted and win a number of NCAA match video games for the primary time in program historical past. — Anthony North, Frogs O’ War

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Projected Rotation: G Xavier Johnson, G Jalen Hood-Schifino, F Miller Kopp, F Race Thompson, F Trayce Jackson-Davis

Indiana males’s basketball introduced program legend Mike Woodson again to Bloomington final offseason because the Hoosiers’ head coach. In his second 12 months, he’s returned the favor and introduced excessive expectations again to a program that has underachieved for years.

With loads of returning expertise from final 12 months’s group and a formidable first true recruiting class below Woodson, Indiana is the favourite to win the Big Ten by most media retailers and polls. Headlining the Hoosiers is Trayce Jackson-Davis, who’s greater than acquainted with being Indiana’s brightest star. This is Jackson Davis’ fourth and certain ultimate 12 months in Bloomington and he’s by no means had extra expertise round him as he seeks to cement his legacy as a program nice. Speaking of that expertise, 5-star freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino is prone to begin in his first season at Indiana alongside final 12 months’s breakout star, Xavier Johnson. Rounding out the beginning rotation are forwards Race Thompson and Miller Kopp, who will each look to take extra photographs past the perimeter because the Hoosiers search a title.

Indiana’s chief concern is an absence of 3-point taking pictures with the Hoosiers’ greatest shooter from final 12 months’s crew, Parker Stewart, leaving within the switch portal and no vaunted taking pictures expertise arriving by way of the portal in flip. To clear up this subject, Woodson has turned to what he has and can look to get constant photographs out of gamers like Hood-Schifino, Thompson, Kopp and others from the bench.

With the Big Ten showing weaker than it normally is, Indiana ought to have few points ending close to the highest of the convention if not as convention champions. — L.C. Norton, The Crimson Quarry

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Projected rotation: G Tyrese Hunter, G Marcus Carr, F Dillon Mitchell, F Timmy Allen, F Dylan Disu

High expectations accompanied the primary season below Chris Beard on the Forty Acres as the previous Texas Tech head coach tried to combine seven transfers into his first roster at Texas. A poor non-conference schedule did little to organize the Longhorns for the grind of Big 12 play and Texas was in the end unable meet these lofty hopes in a deep, gritty convention as Disu struggled to get well from the knee damage that ended his Commodores profession, Beard had no rim protector for his regularly proliferating no-middle protection, and the sluggish tempo offensively meant few simple baskets from Beard’s movement offense due to an excessive athleticism deficit.

Now Disu is wholesome, Mitchell brings a excessive dose of athleticism within the open courtroom or slicing off the ball, and Hunter’s pace can push the tempo in transition, aided by his elite on-ball protection. Culturally, Texas ought to be in a greater place in Beard’s second season after attrition damage the Horns final 12 months with two in-season departures and two post-season departures. Beard gonna Beard like that — the ceaselessly hope is for addition by subtraction.

Other than nonetheless missing a robust rim protector, the most important query is whether or not Texas can house the courtroom offensively with a paucity of confirmed, environment friendly three-point shooters, leaving Beard hoping for main steps ahead from Hunter, Disu, and senior glue man Brock Cunningham, together with regular contributions from New Mexico State switch Sir’Jabari Rice. The Longhorns achieved that feat in an exhibition towards the Razorbacks, making 10-of-16 makes an attempt, an clearly unsustainable mark. But the improved transition play is extra sustainable, so there ought to be extra thrilling basketball from Texas because the Moody Center opens and the Longhorns face the extra modest expectations of harrying the heels of the Jayhawks and Bears to arrange a run into the second weekend of the NCAA match. — Wescott Eberts, Burnt Orange Nation

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Projected lineup: Zakai Zeigler, Santiago Vescovi, Julian Phillips, Josiah Jordan-James, Oliver Nkamhoua

Tennessee closed the 12 months as maybe the most well liked crew within the nation, however as soon as once more got here up brief within the NCAA match. Rick Barnes misplaced level guard Kennedy Chandler from final 12 months’s crew, however Zakai Zeigler proved that he’s greater than able to operating the present final season as a freshman. Zeigler returns with season veterans like Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James, whereas huge man Olivier Nkamhoua returns from damage. 5-star, potential one-and-done wing Julian Phillips joins this 12 months’s crew as properly, together with senior switch sharpshooter Tyreke Key. The Volunteers ran Gonzaga out of the health club in a preseason scrimmage, and so they’re poised to make one other run on the SEC and a high seed within the NCAA match.

The Vols are skilled and deep, they’re going to be stout defensively, and now Barnes has essentially the most taking pictures that he’s ever had. This group has an actual shot to do one thing particular this 12 months. — Terry Lambert, Rocky Top Talk

Projected lineup: Nick Smith, Devo Davis, Anthony Black, Jordan Walsh, Trevon Barzile

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Arkansas has gone to the Elite Eight every of the final two seasons, however this 12 months is head coach Eric Musselman’s most fun group but. It’s a totally new roster after so many key departures over the offseason led by huge man Jaylin Williams, however three McDonald’s All-Americans enter the fold give the Razorbacks a uncommon injection of NBA expertise. Nick Smith tasks as a possible top-5 draft decide who will draw comparisons to Jordan Poole for his deep scoring bag at combo guard. Anthony Black is a extra conventional flooring normal with dimension and playmaking abilities that may’t be taught. Jordan Walsh is a giant, athletic wing snug dealing with the ball out of the perimeter. There’s additionally some sneaky-good depth right here for such a brand new roster, together with wing scorer Ricky Council IV, a Wichita State switch. There’s so many new and younger items right here that it’s exhausting to say precisely how good Arkansas shall be, however the crew ought to be must-see TV all 12 months. — Ricky O’Donnell

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No. 9 Creighton Bluejays

Projected Starters: C Ryan Kalkbrenner, G Ryan Nembhard, G Baylor Scheierman, G Trey Alexander, F Arthur Kaluma

Creighton is as soon as once more not solely trying to be the highest canine within the Big East however probably within the nation. For years Greg McDermott and his crew have been one of many high groups within the area and this 12 months they very properly could possibly be difficult the elites of the highest 5. The pre season discuss is that this crew couldn’t solely win the Big East but in addition make a reasonably respectable run within the NCAA match. Something that has evaded Greg although his tenure in Omaha.

The Bluejays return three starters from final 12 months’s crew that ended up in fourth place within the Big East. They ended their 12 months with a loss to eventual NCAA champion Kansas within the second spherical of the NCAA match.

In complete, there are 5 of their high seven scorers returning in all for the upcoming season.

The first of notice is heart Ryan Kalkbrenner. This 7-foot, first crew all Big East and Big East Defensive Player of The Year averaged 13.1 factors, a whopping 7.7 rebounds, and a pair of.6 blocks per recreation in 2022-23.

Next to him could be Ryan Nembhard at guard who ended his season early with a damaged wrist. However, he nonetheless ended up because the Big East Freshman of the Year. Nembhard ended up averaging 11.3 factors, 3.1 rebounds, and a crew excessive of 4.4 assists per recreation.

The huge addition to the Bluejays is Baylor Scheierman. Baylor is a switch from South Dakota State who averaged 15.9 factors, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the Jackrabbits earlier than heading to Omaha. He is a big rating for Creighton and will very properly be beginning. — Patrick L. Gerhart

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No. 8 UCLA Bruins

Projected lineup: Tyger Campbell, Amari Bailey, Jalen Clark, Jaime Jacquez, Adem Bona

UCLA’s dream of creating back-to-back Final Four runs got here up brief final season within the Sweet 16, however the Bruins are primed to be a contender once more even with some offseason roster turnover. Johnny Juzang moved onto the NBA, and he’s changed by Amari Bailey, a top-five total recruit who starred on Bronny James’ Sierra Canyon crew the previous couple of years. Bailey and fellow five-star freshman Adem Bona, a bouncy rim runner, should play vital roles if UCLA goes to thrive this season, however there stays loads of veteran help in place. Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jacquez had been the spine of that 2021 Final Four run, and ought to be primed for enormous years. Jacquez has First-Team All-American potential after rising right into a go-to scoring choice through the stretch run final season. The entrance courtroom is a little bit of a query mark, however there’s sufficient expertise right here for UCLA to be considering huge in March as soon as once more. — Ricky O’Donnell

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Projected lineup: G Jeremy Roach, F Dariq Whitehead, G Tyrese Proctor, C Kyle Filipowski, C Dereck Lively

Duke has been one of many higher groups within the nation for many years. This 12 months, it’s additionally some of the fascinating. Not solely has Jon Scheyer changed the GOAT, Mike Krzyzewski, he has nearly a wholly new crew, with solely two scholarship gamers returning and only one common in Jeremy Roach. But Duke has reloaded and Scheyer is constructing with versatile athletes who can shoot, drive, cross and defend.

Jeremy Roach is again at level. Otherwise, Duke brings in 4 transfers, that includes former Illini wing Jacob Grandison and former Northwestern huge Ryan Young. Freshmen bigs Kyle Filipowski and Dereck Lively will seemingly begin up entrance and fellow freshmen Dariq Whitehead, when he’s wholesome, and Tyrese Proctor can even seemingly begin. Mark Mitchell goes to be exhausting to maintain out of the lineup and Jaylen Blakes, Duke’s different returnee, seems to be considerably improved. This is a deep and really versatile lineup and we’re solely starting to understand how Scheyer will coach them. But this a lot appears true: there may be sufficient expertise to maintain Duke among the many elite. — JD King, Duke Basketball Report

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Projected Rotation – G Adam Flagler, G LJ Cryer, G Keyonte George, F Jalen Bridges, C Flo Thamba

The Baylor Bears — a season after profitable the nationwide title — had a little bit of a letdown season in 2021-22. Of course, incomes a No. 1 seed and a Round of 32 upset to the eventual runner-up now qualifies as a letdown in Waco.

This season’s expectations for the Bears are sky excessive. Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer, tormented by accidents final season, are wholesome and ready to shoot the lights out. Add Keyonte George, a consensus top-10 projected lottery decide within the subsequent NBA draft, and also you’ve bought three all-conference guards able to shred opposing defenses in any respect three ranges.

A stat to look at: the Bears shot solely 36% from three final season. This season that might rise again close to the 41% the Bears shot en path to a natty in 2021.

The guard depth is unbelievable — Langston Love, a high 50 recruit in 2021-22, is again from an ACL damage, Dale Bonner has a 12 months of D-I expertise and will shoot higher whereas locking down on protection and Dantwan Grimes, a NJCAA nationwide champion, has go off the dribble to bend opposing bench defenses. Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductee Scott Drew has an skilled entrance courtroom to steadiness with the guard expertise. That entrance line contains Jalen Bridges, the switch from West Virginia, who could have an enormous impression on each ends along with his taking pictures and athleticism, tremendous senior Flo Thamba and Caleb Lohner, switch ahead from BYU. The steadiness, expertise, and shot-making expertise make Baylor a favourite to three-peat as Big 12 champions on the best way to a different No. 1 seed and probability to win this system’s second nationwide title in three seasons. — Michael Nichols, Our Daily Bears

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Projected lineup: Dajuan Harris, Kevin McCullar, Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson, Ernest Udeh

The Kansas Jayhawks, reigning nationwide champs, hope to defend their title within the upcoming 2022-2023 season. Returning starters Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris lead a roster with an excellent mixture of returning expertise, high-profile freshmen, and transfers. All eyes shall be on freshman guard Gradey Dick this season. Dick involves KU because the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American. He is lethal from the three level line taking pictures with a 46.7% his senior 12 months.

Redshirt senior, Kevin McCullar Jr, involves KU as a switch from Texas Tech. McCullar hopes to be the spark the Jayhawks must go on a title run this March. McCullar was a Naismith Defense Player of the Year semifinalist within the 2021-22 season and was a starter at Texas Tech the final two seasons.

Time will inform if the Jayhawks can recreate the magic from final season however Bill Self is the very best within the enterprise for a purpose. — Andrew Freeman, Rock Chalk Talk

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Projected rotation: G Sahvir Wheeler, G Cason Wallace, G CJ Fredrick, F Jacob Toppin, C Oscar Tshiebwe

Kentucky groups below John Calipari has usually been freshman-heavy, however for the second-straight 12 months, the Wildcats will subject one of many extra skilled groups in school basketball. If you observe KenPom, their preseason rankings are likely to favor groups with plenty of returning manufacturing, and so they have Kentucky No. 1 getting into the 2022-23 season.

A serious a part of that’s getting again the reigning National Player of the Year in Oscar Tshiebwe. As lengthy as Kentucky’s Big O is wholesome, the Wildcats shall be one of many hardest groups in America, and that’s earlier than you think about one of many sport’s greatest defensive guards in Sahvir Wheeler, and considered one of its greatest 3-point shooters in CJ Fredrick.

Of course, Kentucky has seemingly one-and-done first-round NBA Draft picks in guard Cason Wallace and ahead Chris Livingston, however these Wildcats will rely closely on their veterans to make this crew attain its full potential.

The actual key shall be how properly senior ahead Jacob Toppin performs in what many anticipate to be a breakout marketing campaign for the youthful brother of Obi Toppin. If Jacob turns into the two-way combo ahead Kentucky believes he could be, this can actually be one of many traditional Calipari groups that run groups off the ground with their dimension, athleticism, and total expertise. — Jason Marcum, A Sea of Blue

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No. 3 Houston Cougars

Projected Rotation: G Marcus Sasser, G Tramon Mark, G Jamal Shead, F Reggie Chaney, F Jarace Walker

Expectations are by means of the roof for this Houston crew. Kelvin Sampson has his most gifted Cougar bunch and has respectable nationwide championship aspirations. Last season, Houston misplaced Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark to season-ending accidents in December and nonetheless got here inside a few possessions of reaching its second consecutive Final Four. Both guards are again and need to make up for misplaced time. Sasser, who was named to the AP Preseason All-America Team, averaged a team-best 17.7 factors and a pair of.2 steals per recreation in 2022. He shot 44% from 3-point vary. Mark performed in simply seven contests final season and posted 10.1 factors, together with a 22-point, four-assist efficiency towards Bryant.

The Cougars add freshman Jarace Walker, who was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List. He was simply considered one of three freshmen among the many 20 chosen to the preseason watch record for the award introduced to the highest energy ahead. He tallied 16.7 factors, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per recreation for IMG Academy final 12 months. — Ian Sacks, Mid-Major Madness

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Projected rotation: G Nolan Hickman, G Rasir Bolton, G Julian Strawther, F Drew Timme, F Anton Watson

In maybe the most important tweet in Gonzaga historical past, on June 1, at 8:14 pm PT, Drew Timme merely said “I’m back.” With these two phrases, the Zags maintained their place as one of many high groups in school basketball and one of many many favorites this 12 months to take house the nationwide championship…lastly. Of course, so much has to go proper for this crew to make all of it work. This 12 months, there are plenty of groups on the high of the pack, as proved by 4 completely different groups receiving first-place votes within the preseason AP Poll. I do know, I do know. You are most likely sick and bored with the Zags getting all this preseason hype with nothing to point out for it. There isn’t any denying that final season ended a lot shorter than it ought to have. However, like North Carolina, Gonzaga returns just about its total roster, save for 2 essential people. How they fill the gaps left by Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard will decide how lengthy this crew hangs round in March. Drew Timme is round to do Drew Timme issues. He very properly could be the second-leading scorer on the crew behind Julian Strawther. The Zags picked up Malachi Smith and Efton Reid within the switch portal, the previous the 2022 Southern Conference Player of the Year and the latter a five-star recruit from LSU.

The query shall be how the younger guys develop. Nolan Hickman goes to be leaned on so much as a sophomore. Hunter Sallis is a defensive menace however wants to point out consistency on offense. Dominick Harris, a high-level scorer and defender who sat out all of final 12 months with an damage, is able to make his impression. An exhibition recreation towards Tennessee already demonstrated plenty of progress is required. But with non-conference video games towards the likes of Kentucky, Texas, Baylor, and others, Gonzaga could have loads of alternatives to check themselves in entrance of a big nationwide viewers. Will this lastly be the 12 months? Who is aware of, however like most years as of late, the Zags ought to be within the thick of issues for the entire season. — Peter Woodburn, The Slipper Still Fits

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Projected rotation: G Caleb Love, G RJ Davis, F Leaky Black, F Armando Bacot, F Pete Nance

The North Carolina Tar Heels are in championship-or-bust mode below second 12 months head coach, Hubert Davis. Last 12 months they made an surprising run to the Final Four, the place they beat their hated rival Duke, however fell brief towards the eventual nationwide champions, the Kansas Jayhawks. Thankfully, a lot of the roster is again this season, and they’re extremely motivated to get what the 2017 crew managed to get: redemption.

The engine of this crew is senior ahead Armando Bacot, who performed a lot of the Final Four injured. He didn’t do sufficient through the 2021-22 season to warrant NBA consideration when it got here to proving how versatile his recreation was, but it surely appears like we are going to see him shoot away from the rim extra this season. Caleb Love and R.J. Davis are additionally going to be enormous components this season, with Davis able to tackle extra of a management position. Northwestern switch Pete Nance was an enormous acquisition this previous offseason, and will assist fill within the massive gap that Brady Manek left after he graduated. This crew is constructed for one more crack on the nationwide championship, however we should wait and see if the hype is for actual, or if they’ll take a number of steps backwards. — Brandon Anderson, Tar Heel Blog