It sounds like last year will be hard to top this year. This year doesn't have to top last year. It will offer it's own story lines and intriguing players. When games officially tip off Friday, November 10th, it's time to strap in and enjoy five months of basketball. College is hoops is back! Here are the top 50 teams in the nation heading into the 2017-18 season.
Starting us off at number one are the Duke Blue Devils. Mike Krzyzewski has perhaps his most talented group of freshman ever. Back in August, the Blue Devils added to their already impressive group when they signed re-classified big man Marvin Bagley III. If Duke wasn't already near the top, this move propelled them there. Bagley will be joined by senior captain Grayson Allen who looks to take a step as a leader on Coach K's squad as well as Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., and Trevon Duval, ranked #5, 6, and 8 in ESPN's Top 100 recruits of 2017.
In almost any other season, Arizona would be number one. They have one of the deepest teams in all of college basketball and loads of returning talent from a team that one the Pac-12 tournament and made it to the Sweet 16 as a #2 seed. Allonzo Trier will be in the National Player of the Year discussion this season. He should score close 20 points a game. DeAndre Ayton, a 7' 1" big man from the Bahamas and the #3 recruit in ESPN's Top 100 will man the middle with the 7' 0" senior Dusan Ristic. This team will be a ton of fun to watch.
I am very high on Michigan State this season. Tom Izzo might have his most talented roster ever. Last season's leading scorer, Miles Bridges, shocked many when he announced that he would be returning to East Lansing for his sophomore year, leaving behind a spot as a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. However, his stock could rise even more with his return (Hot take: I believe that Bridges could be the #1 overall pick come June). Top 10 recruit Jaren Jackson Jr. joins Bridges and will have an immediate impact. Izzo also welcomes back Nick Ward, Joshua Langford, Cassius Winston, Tum Tum Nairn, Matt McQuaid, and big man Gavin Schilling, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.
4. KansasBill Self has, once again, got himself a very talented team that is likely to make a run at it's 14th straight Big 12 regular season title. Malik Newman, a five star recruit and top 10 recruit in ESPN's Top 100 back in 2016, has transferred to Kansas. He will make an immediate impact along with returning senior Devonte' Graham, who averaged 13.4 ppg last season, the most of any returning player. With Svi Mykhailiuk and Legerald Vick presumably accumulating more playing time this year, look for Kansas to play four guards at times. In the front court, Udoka Azubuike and freshman Billy Preston will lead the charge.
This is a reoccurring theme when it comes to John Calipari. Coach Cal is once again faced the task of leading an extremely young team. Has he been successful in this area before? Yes, and that is why Kentucky is ranked number five in college hoops. While Kentucky wasn't able to score like Duke did when it came to recruiting, Cal was still able to get four top 20 guys. Kevin Knox will be the one to keep an eye on, displaying his great length at 6' 8" with a 7' 0" wingspan. Besides Knox, Kentucky displays their youth through freshmen Quade Green, P.J. Washington, Nick Richards, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Hamidou Diallo, who has been in school since January. Sophomore Wenyen Gabriel also returns as the only player that received more than 17 minutes a game last season. This will be quite the challenge for Calipari, but could be lots of fun and a season filled with highlights.
No, that is not a typo. Wichita State has successfully gone from mid-major Cinderella to consistent threat. The newest members to the American Athletic Conference return sophomore Landry Shamet and junior Markis McDuffie, who I like to call college basketball's best kept secret. McDuffie is very talented, boasting the perfect size (6' 8") and length to be a legitimate wing scorer for head coach Gregg Marshall and the Shockers. Seniors Shaq Morris, Connor Frankamp, Darral Willis Jr., and Zach Brown (no, not the band) are back for more. Shamet is just coming back from a broken foot, while McDuffie, who also broke his foot, will be back by the end of December. Non-conference play may be difficult without McDuffie, but by January, this team is a legit contender. This is no joke, Wichita State could make a serious run at the Final Four.
Bennie Boatwright. Chimezie Metu. Jordan McLaughlin. Elijah Stewart. De'Anthony Melton. Shaqquan Aaron. They are all back, and Andy Enfield has a lot to be excited about heading into the 2017-18 season with this squad. However, with a cloud of uncertainty lingering over the program regarding the recent arrest of assistant coach Tony Bland, there are some questions that should be answered, specifically from Enfield himself. Regardless of the FBI investigation, USC is poised to be a strong number two team in the Pac-12 (Arizona at number one). With the top eight scorers from last year's squad returning and a solid run in last year's NCAA tournament (upset win over SMU and four point loss to Baylor), the Trojans need to be on the radar as a contender.
This one may come as a surprise to many too, but it shouldn't. Richard Pitino has put together an impressive team that, given the right development over the year, could compete for the Big Ten title. Nearly everyone from last year's team is back, including guard Nate Mason, who averaged 15.2 ppg and 5.0 apg last season. Pair him with Amir Coffey, who has a good chance to get onto NBA mock draft boards this year, as well as the talented Jordan Murphy and terrifying Reggie Lynch, and this team can take off this year. The sky is the limit for the Golden Gophers, who I like as a top ten team this season.
The Wildcats were unable to make it to a second straight Final Four last season after traveling to Houston and winning the Championship in dramatic fashion in 2016. This year, Josh Hart is gone, leaving a large role to fill. Enter Jalen Brunson. The junior guard out of Lincolnshire, Illinois, has led this team at the point for the past two seasons, but this year, he will be called on to take on an even bigger role and lead the team in scoring. This is something that he is fully capable of, finishing last season with a 14.7 ppg average. Mikal Bridges will also see more minutes and Donte DiVincenzo will look to build on an impressive freshman year. Junior guard Phil Booth is also back after missing most of last year with a knee injury. Once upon a time, he scored 20 points against North Carolina in a National Championship game. The Big East belongs to Nova yet again.
I am very high on Notre Dame this year. Senior forward Bonzie Colson comes into the season as National Player of the Year candidate. He has the skill to impact the game from a number of different spots on the floor. Inside, he has the strength, speed, and craftiness to finish against bigger defenders. Outside, he can knock down the jumper from the elbow and beyond. He averaged 17.8 ppg and 10.1 rpg, and I don't believe it's out of the question that he can get to 20 and 12 this year. Hard nosed guard Matt Farrell is back along with fellow guards Rex Pflueger and Temple Gibbs. These three should be capable of doing enough so that opposing teams won't be able to double down on Colson every time he touches the ball. The ACC is always difficult, and, like most teams, filled with ups and downs. But the Fighting Irish have what it takes to endure the challenges and make a run at the Final Four in March.
Florida surprised a lot of people last season when they made a run to the Elite Eight, coming up seven points short of a Final Four appearance, an appearance that would've been their fourth in the last eleven years. This year, they can make it four in twelve. That still has a good ring to it. Junior guard KeVaughn Allen, who led the team in points per game last season with 14.0, still remains relatively unknown around the college basketball world. People will know who he is this year. Chris Chiozza, the hero in the Sweet Sixteen game against Wisconsin last season, returns as well.
A football school as the twelfth best basketball team?! You got that right. This is my biggest "sleeper" of the season. Quietly, head coach Avery Johnson has built a solid basketball program at Alabama over the past three seasons. Collin Sexton, who has a legitimate chance at finishing the season as the top point guard in all of college basketball, comes to Alabama as the seventh best incoming freshman according to ESPN's Top 100. He is an extremely quick guard and attacks the rim hard. Braxton Key, last season's leading scorer with 12.0 ppg, returns as well as guard Dazon Ingram. Many will see the SEC race being solely between Kentucky and Florida, but a sneaky Alabama squad has other plans.
The Bearcats played very well last year, becoming a consistent fixture in the AP Top 25. This year, four impact players are back. Those players (Gary Clark, Jacob Evans, Kyle Washington, and Jarron Cumberland) will pose matchup problems to any team they come across. The one knock on Cincinnati is that they lack a true "superstar" or go-to-guy. This can be a blessing in disguise, however, as any one of the four previously mentioned guys can go off and lead the team on any night. One of the toughest teams in college basketball this season, head coach Mick Cronin probably has his best team ever.
Another school that is wrapped up in the FBI investigation, Miami still comes into the 2017-18 season as a top 15 team in the country with a good amount of talent returning. The Canes will be led by senior guard Ja'Quan Newton, who averaged 13.5 ppg last season. Bruce Brown Jr. will look to take the next step after a fantastic and very overlooked freshman year (11.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg). The guy to watch out for is freshman Lonnie Walker, who is the best recruit Miami has had in some time. Walker is quick and can score in bunches, most likely taking over the role left by Davon Reed.
The defending National Champions finally check in at number 15 to begin this season. With Justin Jackson and Tony Bradley gone to the NBA as well as Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, and Nate Britt gone too, this is a different Tar Hell team than last season. Joel Berry II is back, but will have to heal from a broken hand suffered after a brutal video game loss to teammate Theo Pinson (was it 2K? Madden?). The injury will force him to miss the first most of November. When he returns, though, North Carolina still has enough with Berry II and Pinson taking on huge roles in the offense. Three point shooter Cameron Johnson comes over from Pittsburgh to provide more offense. Last year's tournament hero Luke Maye is also back and will be more than just a reserve coming in to spell starting big men.
You hear that? If it's nothing, then that's the attention that Angel Delgado got last year. If it's something, it's probably the Pirates making a serious run at the Big East and more. Experience is a major plus for this team, as they return their four leading scorers from last year. But perhaps most important is the return of 6' 10", 245 lb. senior, Angel Delgado, who averaged 15.2 ppg and 13.1 rpg last season (the most among any Division I player). He is primed for a monstrous season. Guards Khadeen Carrington (17.1 ppg), Desi Rodriguez (15.7 ppg), and Myles Powell (10.7 ppg) are back too. Carrington is capable of blowing up this year and, after scoring 41 points in a February meeting with Creighton last season, can go off on any given night.
Xavier experienced quite the ride last season. They entered the season ranked #7 in the AP Poll, were unranked by February after losing six straight conference games, made the NCAA Tournament as an at-large 11 seed, and made an impressive run (defeated Maryland, Florida State, and Arizona) to the Elite Eight where they met Gonzaga. This season, the Musketeers enter ranked #17 in the AP Poll and one of the top teams in the Big East. Big guard Trevon Bluiett is back for his senior year after declaring but removing his name from last June's NBA Draft. He balled out last year, averaging 18.5 ppg. J.P. Macura, who made a name for himself in last season's tournament, will provide tenacity from the wing.
The Boilermakers will, once again, be a very competitive team in a difficult Big Ten. Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan is gone to the NBA, but Purdue returns a number of impact players from last season. Isaac Haas, a 7' 2", 290 lb. senior big man, scored 12.6 ppg in just 19.5 mpg last season. Dakota Mathias can fill it up from outside, while Vince Edwards brings athleticism from the wing. Carsen Edwards (not related to Vince) is the guy I'm most excited about. A sophomore who averaged 10.3 ppg last season could be in for a big year and will surely be given the chance to explode. Matt Painter adds a 7' 3" big man from the Netherlands by the name of Matt Haarms. It is still to be seen if Haarms will play meaningful minutes this year, but his height cannot be ignored.
I have had a hard time figuring out why others aren't as high on Rhode Island as I am this year. They return leading scorer E.C. Matthews (14.9 ppg) and guard Jared Terrell (12.6 ppg). In March, they knocked off Creighton in the first round before nearly beating Oregon, leading by eight at the half but losing by three in a thrilling final few minutes. They should take the Atlantic 10 without too much trouble this year. Don't be surprised if they enter the Big Dance as high as a #5 seed.
Let's get right to it. Rick Pitino is out. The university has been at the forefront of the FBI investigation after the scandal of an Adidas representative having connections with coaches who recruited players with the promise of benefits from Adidas surfaced. One of these players, Brian Bowen, a top recruit from this incoming class, has since been under FBI investigation and is now either suspended or ineligible to play. New head coach David Padgett still has one of the most talented teams in the nation. Guard Quentin Snider is poised for a big year after averaging 12.4 ppg and 4.1 apg last season. Deng Adel (6' 7") and Ray Spalding (6' 10") provide some size and skill for the Cardinals. Still, it will be a challenge to play without the legendary Rick Pitino, who recruited these guys, on the sideline coaching.
For the first time in forever, the Northwestern Wildcats come into the 2017-18 season with high expectations. Last year, the program made their first NCAA Tournament appearance ever. This year, the Wildcats will continue their winning ways and compete as one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The core is back for another run at it, with Bryant McIntosh (14.8 ppg, 5.2 apg), Scottie Lindsey (14.1 ppg), and Vic Law (12.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) leading the charge. Head coach Chris Collins has built something very special in Evanston, Illinois. Last year was incredible, but this year sets up to be even better.
Last year, Providence moved right on from losing Kris Dunn to the NBA Draft. Kyron Cartwright was tasked with taking over the point guard duties. With 11.4 ppg and 6.7 apg last season, I'd say he did pretty well. He's back again along with the athletic threat from the wing Rodney Bullock, who has good size (6' 8", 225 lbs.) for his position. He was the go-to-guy last year with 15.7 ppg. He also garnered 6.4 rpg. Watch for the Friars to be right in the mix for the Big East title with Seton Hall and Xavier.
As my brother would say, "Go Sooners!" Why he says that, I have no idea. To my knowledge, he doesn't really like Oklahoma and hasn't jumped on their bandwagon, but this season, the Sooners may run out of space on the wagon. No, Buddy Hield isn't back. Blake Griffin isn't either. Both are playing in California for the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively. Nope, Oklahoma has their own young star by the name of Trae Young. A 6' 2", 170 lb. point guard will put this team on his back. He can stroke it from outside and displays some fancy dribbling. Khadeem Lattin, who is the grandson of David "Big Daddy D" Lattin from the 1966 Texas Western Miners (portrayed in the film "Glory Road") has flashed potential before. This could be his year to put it all together.
UCLA's season looked like it was going to begin smoothly, with little to no serious distractions. Then, last week, freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill, and Cody Riley thought it would be a smart idea to steal sunglasses when overseas in China. The "smart" decision got each of them arrested and they have since been put on "house arrest" at the Hyatt Regency in Hangzhou. Talk about a mess. Aside from these geniuses, UCLA should be fine talent-wise on the basketball court. Aaron Holiday will take on a larger role this season as will big man Thomas Welsh. Jaylen Hands enters as one of the top freshman point guards in the nation. The success of Hands and Holiday in the backcourt plus the emergence of a third impact player, like Welsh, should put UCLA in the tournament as #5 or #6 seed.
I believe Texas is legit this year. I know a number of people were high on them last year as well, enough to warrant a #21 position on the preseason AP Poll. 2017 brings forth #4 recruit Mohamed Bamba, a 7 foot center. His defensive presence is impressive, but for a 7 footer, Bamba runs the floor extremely well. I'm not saying he's Bambi, but Bamba will make an impact and should hear his name called early in next year's NBA Draft. Aside from the sensational freshman, Texas returns Andrew Jones (11.4 ppg) and Kerwin Roach II (9.9 ppg). Factor in Shaka Smart's expertise and the Longhorns are on the up and up.
This team basically stayed intact from last year which is scary to think about when you consider who is back. Robert Williams, a 6' 10" bruiser down low who averaged 2.5 bpg to go with 11.9 ppg and 8.2 rpg last season, passed up the chance of being a lottery pick to return. He and Tyler Davis (6' 10", 266 lbs.) form one of the toughest front courts in the nation. Throw in Admon Gilger (13.7 ppg) and D.J. Hogg (12.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg) on the wing and they could quietly begin to make noise in the SEC.
The Blue Jays were off to a blistering start last season, sporting an 18-1 record midway through January. Then star point guard Maurice Watson Jr. went down with a torn ACL, ending his season and effectively ending Creighton's shot at the Final Four. People forget just how good last year's team was before Watson's injury. This year, it's a bit different. Watson has graduated and Justin Patton is in the NBA. Still, head coach Greg McDermott has Marcus Foster, a 6' 3" senior guard who can score in bunches (18.2 ppg last season). Khyri Thomas is also back for more.
The Melo Trimble era has come and gone for the Terrapins, leading to trio of sophomores who will be called on to produce even more. Justin Jackson is a physical, underrated forward who had a solid freshman year (10.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg). Additionally, point guard Anthony Cowan (10.3 ppg) and deep ball shooter Kevin Huerter (9.3 ppg) need to get it going in order for Maryland to contend in the Big Ten.
There's a lot to like about what Saint Mary's brings to the table this season. Australian big man Jock Landale is one of the best kept secrets in college basketball. Last year, he dropped 16.9 ppg to go with 9.5 rpg collected. Calvin Hermanson, a 6' 6" junior, provides scoring outside with 88 made 3 pointers as a sophomore. I like the Gaels to finally get past Gonzaga and win the West Coast Conference this year.
Coach Huggins is back for 33rd year coaching at the Division I level and has his leader and lock-down defender Jevon Carter back in the fold. Carter averaged 2.5 spg last year, which was good for seventh in the nation (highest among power conferences). Nathan Adrian and his beautiful locks are gone. The team will miss the intensity that he brought. But with Carter playing at a high level and coach Huggins patrolling the sidelines, the Mountaineers will be competitive and a top 30 team this season.
After a historic season that saw the Zags go 29-0 before a late February loss to BYU and tear through the NCAA Tournament before running into North Carolina in the National Championship game, there was a lot to be excited and proud of as a Gonzaga fan. They even had a player drafted in the lottery (Zach Collins). But this year's squad is very different. Collins is gone. Nigel Williams-Goss and Przemek Karnowski are also gone. Who will the Bulldogs turn to? Johnathan Williams (10.2 ppg) and Josh Perkins (8.1 ppg).
Scott Drew's Bears came out of nowhere last season, bursting onto the scene and even occupying the #1 spot in the AP Poll for a week. Talented big man Johnathan Motley left for the NBA, but crafty guard Manu Lacomte and 7 footer Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. return. The Big 12 is still Kansas'. Baylor will compete with school's like Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia for #2.
I understand that Michigan no longer has Derrick Walton Jr., who was the heart and soul of last season's incredible Big Ten and NCAA Tournament run. Zak Irvin is also gone and D.J. Wilson now plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. But I am very high on the 6' 11" Moritz Wagner, who flashed incredible potential last season. He can't do it along though, and will need seniors Duncan Robinson and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman to take a step up this year.
At times last season, the Hokies flashed high upside and looked like a team that could make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Then Chris Clarke tore his ACL in a double-overtime win over Virginia in February. They made the tournament with Zach LeDay and Seth Allen leading the way, but lost in the first round to Wisconsin. Now, LeDay and Allen are gone but Clarke is back and so are fellow juniors Ahmed Hill and Justin Robinson. This team is hungry, having tasted it last year. They can be a surprise in the ACC.
A program that has been near the top of the ACC for the past few years will take a step back this season. Point guard and leader London Perrantes has graduated and Marial Shayok transferred to Iowa State. Sophomore guard Kyle Guy, who was a top 30 recruit coming out of high school, will have to show me something for me to think otherwise, but I just don't see Virginia having enough to be competitive with the top programs this year.
Last year's leaders are back. Jordan Barnett, Kevin Puryear, and Terrence Phillips provide the team will experienced skill. But the talk is all about Michael Porter Jr., the number two recruit behind only Duke's Marvin Bagley III. He and his brother, Jontay Porter (ranked number in ESPN's Top 100) followed their dad, assistant coach Michael Porter Sr., to Missouri. Cuonzo Martin comes from California to head coach this squad, a squad that will be on the national spotlight every night because of the Porter brothers and, specifically, Michael. He has the talent to be next year's #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Ben Simmons tried to bring LSU to prominence and failed. Markelle Fultz with Washington? Same story. Can Michael Porter Jr. break the trend? That's the burning question.
The Ducks are another Final Four team that will take a major step back this year. Every member of their starting five is gone. That leaves Dana Altman with almost an entirely new crew. Payton Pritchard, who flashed great potential last year, will be key to Oregon's success. Troy Brown Jr. comes in as the freshman to watch, ranked #15 in ESPN's Top 100. Altman also picked up transfer help from Elijah Brown (18.8 ppg last year with New Mexico). This Oregon team is completely different from the team that made it to the Final Four last year, but I believe Dana Altman is one of the best at what he does.
The departure of former head coach Chris Holtmann to Ohio State hurts bad for Butler. He was beginning to establish his brand in the post-Brad Stevens era, and now he's gone. Butler turns to former UW-Milwaukee head coach LaVall Jordan to lead a talented group into the Big East. Senior Kelan Martin will get buckets this year. It's his time to step up. Sophomore Kamar Baldwin, who I believe has NBA potential, comes in after putting up 10.1 ppg last season. These two, along with big man Tyler Wideman, will be relied on heavily. Never count Butler out. Ever.
I don't know about you, but it feels like it's been longer than a year since Bo Ryan abruptly departed, leaving the program in the hands of Greg Gard. Gard took over nicely, leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance that featured a win over #1 ranked Villanova and a near Elite Eight trip if it weren't for a buzzer beating shot by Florida's Chris Chiozza. This year, the Badgers will give Ethan Happ all he can handle. The junior averaged 14.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg last season as a sophomore. The coaching staff has been prepping Happ for this moment. Will be make the most of it?
For those that read my stuff last year, you know that I was high on Nevada. Well, some things change and some things don't. This is one of those things that doesn't change. Yes, they no longer have Cam Oliver and Marcus Marshall, but Jordan Caroline (15.0 ppg and 9.2 rpg) is back and will be a player to keep an eye on throughout the year. The Wolfpack also welcome NC State transfers Caleb and Cody Martin. This team will win the Mountain West and could get into the tournament with a #8/#9 seed.
41. UCFAfter finishing 22-11, which was good enough for an invitation to the NIT, UCF comes into this season poised to improve on last year's mark. There were times where it looked like the Knights would make a legitimate run at an NCAA Tournament birth only to go on a losing streak, picking up bad losses along the way. Now, led by junior guard B.J. Taylor (17.4 ppg) and the 7' 6" Tacko Fall (10.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 2.6 bpg), look for UCF to take a major leap forward in the AAC.
42. VanderbiltWhat new head coach Bryce Drew was able to do in his first year with Vandy was impressive. Initially, the team struggled, hitting the 12-13 mark after an embarrasing 20 point loss to Missouri in February. But over the next nine games, the Commodores closed out the season going 7-2, which earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. With go-to-guy Luke Kornet gone this year, guys like Matthew Fisher-Davis and Jeff Roberson will be called upon to do the heavy lifting.
Jamie Dixon has also done a lot in his short time with TCU, leading the Horned Frogs to the NIT Championship game and winning. His sights will be set on much more than an NIT Championship this year. Vladimir Brodziansky, the 6' 11" big out of Slovakia, is back after leading the team in scoring last season with 14.1 ppg. Kenrich Williams (11.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg) and Jaylen Fisher (9.9 ppg) form a nice trio for Dixon to play with. Fisher is the guy to watch this year. He could break out.
SMU tore it up in the American Athletic Conference last year, winning the conference title after a 30-4 season. That team, led by Semi Ojeleye and Sterling Brown, ran into a hungry USC team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, leading to an early and disappointment exit. With Ojeleye and Brown both gone, this team is different, but Shake Milton returns. The do-it-all guard has to go from good to great if SMU wants to get back to the Big Dance.
Tech came into last season with little to no expectations. They surprised many by going 17-15 through conference play and receiving a spot in the NIT. I thought they were talented enough and had a resume built to make it to the NCAA Tournament, but the selection committee thought otherwise. As the NIT got underway, the Yellow Jackets defeated Indiana and Ole Miss en route to a Championship date with TCU. Despite falling to the Horned Frogs, Josh Pastner's crew sent a message, and with much of last year's back again, this program should continue to rise.
This is a bit of stretch and a shot in the dark, but I have the Stanford Cardinal placed inside the top 50. Why? Because they have experience and have been beat around too much in the Pac 12 for it to happen another year. Reid Travis went off last year, averaging 17.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg. He will eclipse 10 rpg this year and pair it with about 18 ppg. Seniors Dorian Pickens and Michael Humphrey also return.
If Rhode Island experiences any sort of hiccups in the Atlantic 10, Saint Bonaventure will be right there, breathing down the necks of the Rams. Senior guards Jaylen Adams and Matt Mobley are fun to watch. They can put up points in a hurry, with Adams averaging 20.6 ppg and Mobley contributing 18.5 ppg. The question will be if they can find a presence down low. Regardless of what Rhode Island does, I like the Bonnies to get to the NCAA Tournament this year.
After a disappointing season that saw the Orange go 18-14 on their way to a second round NIT loss, something tells me Jim Boeheim won't let that happen again. This team is basically brand new and filled with youth, which means a lot of uncertainty. Sophomore guard Tyus Battle fought hard last year, averaging 11.3 ppg. Maybe the 7' 2" center Paschal Chukwu can build off of his 2.0 bpg last year and provide that threat inside on both ends of the floor.
Another program that experienced a very disappointing year has moved on from Tom Crean. In comes the young but experienced Archie Miller, who had led Dayton to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances in his six years there. He will certainly be faced with challenges this year, but seniors Robert Johnson and Josh Newkirk will definitely be looking to get theirs this year.
To round out the top 50, how about UT Arlington? Last year, it looked like Scott Cross' group would reach the NCAA Tournament. They had wins against Saint Mary's and Texas early on, but ended up faltering late and instead settled for the NIT. There, they knocked off BYU before a Quarterfinal exit. Seniors Kevin Hervey (17.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg) and Erick Neal (10.6 ppg and 6.6 apg) are crucial to the success of the Mavericks. Hervey will be known on a national level this year. The guy can flat out ball.
There you have it. This season is set up to be a fantastic one in college basketball. A number of powerhouse schools are at the top with some newer programs creeping up the rankings. Be sure to check out the rest of my blog throughout the season for weekly updates and articles. But for now, enjoy it! College hoops has returned!
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