College Basketball Preseason Top 25

Today is the day! We will finally have regular-season college basketball! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been dying for November 9th to come ever since Baylor cut down the nets. Be advised, the analysis in this article is quite lengthy, but it will be a lot shorter once games are being played. I’m working on predictions for this season, which should be up quite shortly. Anyways, here is my preseason top 25:

  1. Gonzaga (finished #1 last year)

Gonzaga may have lost the National Championship Game to Baylor in April, but that was their only loss of the season. They won by ten or more against Iowa, Virginia, Kansas, Auburn, and BYU (three times!). The only opponent to come close to the Bulldogs was West Virginia, where Gonzaga won 87-82. All-WCC First Team players Corey Kispert, Jalen Suggs, and Joel Ayayi left for the NBA. However, Mark Few has brought in more talent in Chet Holmgren, Hunter Sallis, Nolan Hickman, Kaden Perry, Ben Gregg, Rasir Bolton, and Dominick Harris. Drew Timme is looking to win the Wooden Award after a tremendous sophomore year. However, I am more interested in the progress of senior guard Andrew Nembhard, who played at Gonzaga last year after two years at Florida.

  1. UCLA (unranked last year)

UCLA surprised everyone last year when they went from barely making out of the First Four to making the Final Four before losing to Gonzaga. on a buzzer-beating shot by Jalen Suggs. Only two players are not returning from last year’s team: Chris Smith and Jalen Hill. Their entire starting five includes four that started last season. A new addition that I love is Myles Johnson, who transferred from Rutgers. Johnson was one of the best defenders in the Big Ten, and transferring to UCLA makes the Bruins one of the top teams to begin the season. Watch out for Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr, who were the two leaders that helped UCLA make the Final Four last year.

  1. Texas (finished #15 last year)

After Texas lost in the first round to Abilene Christian, I think the Longhorns are a contender for the National Championship. There’s a new head coach in Austin: Chris Beard, who led Texas Tech to the National Championship game in 2019 before losing to Virginia. Texas will be without many key players, including Matt Coleman III, Jericho Sims, Kai Jones, and NBA prospect Greg Brown III. Their backcourt is loaded, with Andrew Jones, Marcus Carr (one of the top transfers), Kentucky transfer Devin Askew, and Courtney Ramey. Do not sleep on their frontcourt, which includes: Timmy Allen, Dylan Disu, Christian Bishop, and Tre Mitchell. Their entire frontcourt depth all transferred this past offseason. Everyone has their eyes on Kansas, but I think Texas is for real.

  1. Villanova (finished #13 last year)

Villanova returns most of their roster, with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Cole Swider departing. Jay Wright has Collin Gillespie back at point guard for a final season, who was named Big East Preseason Player of the Year. Watch out for big jumps from Jermaine Samuels, Caleb Daniels, and Justin Moore as the Wildcats have a rigorous season in front of them. They bring in a talented freshman class led by Trey Patterson, who has lots of potential.

  1. Kansas (finished #11 last year)

The only starter not returning for Bill Self’s Jayhawks is Marcus Garrett, who will be remembered as one of the top defensive players to play in Lawrence. Bryce Thompson is the other player not returning, who transferred to Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks will be led by Arizona State transfer and senior guard Remy Martin, who should provide more offense than Garrett did. Martin headlines a loaded backcourt depth, which includes Joseph Yesufu, Christian Braun, and Ochai Agbaji. Jalen Wilson and David McCormack are the top two forwards in the frontcourt, with each averaging double-digits in points last season. Other newcomers include Jalen Coleman-Lands (Iowa State transfer, entering his seventh year), Kyle Cuffe Jr., and KJ Adams Jr. Mitch Lightfoot is a fan-favorite, and he returns as well. Watch out for Dajuan Harris Jr.’s production, who was second in assists on the team even though he did not start a single game.

  1. Michigan (finished (#3 last year)

Michigan lost many key contributors from last year: Isaiah Livers, Franz Wagner, Mike Smith, Chaundee Brown Jr., and Austin Davis. However, they have Hunter Dickinson back after a phenomenal freshman year. There is lots of hype around top recruit Caleb Houstan, who headlines one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. Also returning are seniors Brandon Johns Jr. and Eli Brooks, who look to provide experience to a freshman-dominant team. I am interested to see what Juwan Howard does, especially with how many freshmen are on his roster.

  1. Duke (unranked last year)

It is the last dance for legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is retiring after this season. His coaching rival, Roy Williams, retired in April, which means we will not get one last Coach K vs. Roy Williams battle this season. Coach K will be all the talk this college basketball season, but the roster looks scary coming into this season. What is unfortunate for the Blue Devils is that they lose many of their star players: Matthew Hurt, DJ Steward, and Jalen Johnson. Returning players include starters Wendell Moore Jr., Jeremy Roach, and Mark Williams. All eyes are on incoming freshman Paolo Banchero, who very well could be next in line of the superstar freshmen Mike Krzyzewski has brought in. The Blue Devils also added Marquette transfer Theo John, a valuable player in the paint. Trevor Keels is also a freshman that can give opponents a problem when facing Duke. Expect a much better season this year after a disappointing season last year.

  1. Purdue (finished #20 last year)

What is nice for Purdue is that they return all of their starters from last season. Matt Painter could have a star guard on his hands in Jaden Ivey, who put up 26 points as a freshman against North Texas. He averaged 14.8 points, nearly four rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game in the last 12 games he started for the Boilermakers. Sasha Stefanovic is one of the Big Ten’s top three-point shooters, while Trevion Williams will look to be another first-team All-Big Ten player this season. Purdue comes into this season with sky-high potential.

  1. Kentucky (unranked last year)

Kentucky went 9-16 last season, one of the worst records I can remember. However, this year should be different, with Kentucky being in the top 10. The Wildcats have Davion Mintz returning, who was their best player last season. John Calipari’s roster is filled with newcomers, including five-star guard TyTy Washington. The roster includes West Virginia transfer Oscar Tshiebwe, four-star forward Bryce Hopkins, and Iowa transfer CJ Fredrick. However, the player to watch is Sahvir Wheeler, who averaged 11.3 ppg and 5.8 assists per game in his two years at Georgia.

  1. Baylor (finished #2 last year)

The National Champions lost most of their key players after last year’s magical run. That includes Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell, and Mark Vital. That is a lot to lose after a National Championship run. The only returning starter is Flo Thamba, who should provide the size in the frontcourt for the Bears. Matthew Mayer returns as the top outside shooter for Baylor this upcoming season. Arizona transfer James Akinjo should start at point guard and make an immediate impact. Expect roles from top recruits LJ Cryer and Langston Love. Baylor will probably have a down year after winning the National Championship, but I cannot rank the Bears super-low fresh off a championship.

  1. Illinois (finished #4 last year)

Illinois will look to Trent Frazier to lead in the backcourt this season after superstar guard Ayo Dosunmu left for the NBA. However, they have the best center in the country returning as Kofi Cockburn will be one of the best players in the country this upcoming season. Had Cockburn transferred or left for the NBA, Illinois would honestly not be ranked. Andre Curbelo, who won the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year last year, already has NBA scouts talking. I am excited to see how D-3 transfer Austin Hutchinson will contribute, averaging 20 points per game at Wesleyan (NY). The Fighting Illini are an unpredictable team, but they also have the potential to be the top team in the Big Ten.

  1. Maryland (unranked last year)

Even though Maryland only made it to the second round and lost Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Darryl Morsell and guard Aaron Wiggins (14.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg), I think the Terrapins are a top team in the Big Ten. Why? They return Eric Ayala, who averaged 15.1 points per game last season. Hakim Hart and Donta Scott are the only starters to return, but Mark Turgeon had a great offseason with the transfer portal. He brought in Qudus Wahab, who was a vital part of Georgetown’s run to the Big East Championship. My favorite pickup is Fatts Russell, a guard that scored nearly 1600 points at Rhode Island. He should start at point guard for the Terps. Maryland is one of my favorite teams to watch this season.

  1. Alabama (finished #7 last year)

Alabama looks to be one of the top teams in the SEC after winning the SEC last season. They will have to do it without starters Herbert Jones, John Petty, and Jordan Bruner. They also lost key reserve Joshua Primo to the NBA Draft. However, they have Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackleford back, who will lead the Crimson Tide in a loaded backcourt. Alongside them is McDonald’s All-American JD Davison, who was ranked the #2 point guard in his high school graduating class. Their frontcourt is not as strong but should be led by graduate transfer Noah Gurley, who averaged 15.4 points per game at Furman. Nate Oats is a good coach, and he has a heck of a roster this year.

  1. Houston (finished #6 last year)

Houston proved that they belonged in the preseason top 15 when they made their first Final Four last year since the 1980s. Some top contributors don’t return this season, including leading guard Quentin Grimes, guard DeJon Jarreau, and forward Justin Gorham. However, they have second-team All-AAC guard Marcus Sasser returning, who should be the leader of the Cougars this season. Texas Tech transfer Kyler Edwards should provide solid guard defense and outside shooting, he was an honorable All-Big 12 selection last season. CSU Bakersfield transfer Taze Moore is another defensive guard, but he isn’t as good of a shooter as Edwards. Fabian White Jr. returns, aiming to be one of Houston’s winningest players ever. UConn transfer Josh Carlton looks to find improvement after a roller coaster ride in Storrs. Kelvin Sampson will find a way to make this team one of the top in the American Athletic Conference.

  1. Memphis (unranked last year)

Memphis is right behind Houston, even though their roster is loaded with talent. Why? We haven’t seen Penny Hardaway do anything with past rosters that have landed his team in the preseason top 10 rankings. The Tigers have not made the NCAA Tournament since 2014, so there is a major drought for a team that is supposedly on the rise. Memphis will be without Boogie Ellis and D.J. Jeffries, but that’s about it when it comes to key departures. Lester Quinones, Landers Nolley II, and DeAndre Williams all return as starters for the Tigers. Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren were two of the best recruits in the country, and Penny Hardaway has both of them starting this season. If Penny Hardaway can’t win with this group, when will he?

  1. Tennessee (unranked last year)

Tennessee lost Jaden Springer, Yves Pons, and Keon Johnson to the NBA, but they also return three of their starters from last season and add lots of talent. Freshman Kennedy Chandler was ranked the #1 point guard in his recruiting class. Tennessee having an upgrade at the point guard position is crucial to their potential success this season. Victor Bailey Jr., known to be a good three-point shooter, and Justin Powell, who averaged over 11 points per game in the ten games played for Auburn last season, are the top transfers that will help bring the backcourt its depth. John Fulkerson and Santiago Vescovi are the other two starters returning, who should give a younger team more experience. Watch out for the production of Josiah-Jordan James, who averaged 8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game off the bench. Rick Barnes’ team has potential, but how far can it go?

  1. Oregon (unranked last year)

Oregon was highly ranked by many, even though they lose three of their starters: Chris Duarte, LJ Figueroa, and Eugene Omoruyi. Their top player this year looks to be Will Richardson, who is a three-point shooting point guard that was limited last year due to a thumb injury that required surgery. He will return as a starting guard, along with Eric Williams Jr., their top rebounder. Dana Altman also added three double-digit scoring transfers: Oklahoma guard De’Vion Harman, Syracuse forward Quincy Gurrier, and Rutgers guard Jacob Young. Expect Franck Kepnang’s role to expand now that he’s a sophomore. He showed efficiency in the limited time he got on the court. This roster is experienced, with only two freshmen: five-star center Nathan Bittle and four-star center Isaac Johnson. They’re a deep team, but how much of an impact is there for the departures of three starters?

  1. Arkansas (finished #8 last year)

Arkansas had their best year in quite a while, making the Elite Eight before losing to eventual champions Baylor. Moses Moody was that star player for the Razorbacks, and he’s gone along with Justin Smith, Jalen Tate, and Desi Sills. They only return two of their starters from last season: Davonte Davis, who averaged over 14 points in the NCAA Tournament, and Connor Vanover, who has one of the best shooting ranges at 7’3”. JD Notae was the SEC Sixth Man of the Year but should become Arkansas’ best player this season. Eric Musselman added South Dakota transfer Stanley Umude, who averaged 17.3 ppg and shot 47.2% in the last three seasons. Arkansas added Miami guard Chris Lykes, who averaged 15.4 points per game and is a “dynamic scorer,” per Musselman. Add all of that with Pittsburgh transfer Au’Diese Toney, who was the second-leading scorer on Pitt, and you have a team with high potential in the SEC.

  1. Ohio State (finished #10 last year)

Ohio State returns four of their five starters from last season, where they were ranked as a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Oral Roberts. They have their entire starting frontcourt back, led by star player E.J. Liddell. Their top offensive guard looks to be Louisiana grad transfer Cedric Russell, who averages 17.2 points per game. Pair him alongside an All-Defensive Big Ten guard in Jamari Wheeler, who transferred from Penn State, and you have a good balance. Seth Towns was known to be one of the top transfers and was supposed to be an immediate impact when he transferred from Harvard, but Towns has yet to find his touch. A freshman to look out for is guard Malaki Branham, who averaged over 21 points per game as he led St. Vincent-St. Mary’s to a state championship. The question is, how bad did the Oral Roberts loss hurt the Buckeyes?

  1. Auburn (unranked last year)

Auburn has a different roster than we saw last year, which might help them improve from a disappointing 13-14 season last season. It doesn’t help that Auburn is without top contributors Sharife Cooper, JT Thor, and Jamal Johnson this season. However, Bruce Pearl has a team with lots of potential. One of the top transfers was North Carolina center Walker Kessler, but the freshmen class has always been the headline of the Auburn Tigers. That class includes top-5 recruit Jabari Smith Jr., who is a versatile big man.

  1. Florida State (finished #16 last year)

Florida State has won 25 straight ACC home games, and they look to break the record for the longest streak (belongs to Duke from 1997-2000). For Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles to be at the top of the ACC again this year, they will need their transfers and freshmen to step up. They return none of their starters, but the roster contains lots of starting-caliber players. They picked up Preseason AAC Player of the Year Caleb Mills from Houston, who could become the leading guard. Anthony Polite will make sure that the shots fall from beyond the arc. Matthew Cleveland was one of the top shooting guards in his recruiting class, but it is uncertain how much Leonard Hamilton wants him to contribute. Cam’Ron Fletcher is a big guard that transferred from Kentucky, looking to make a name for himself in Tallahassee. This isn’t their best roster from past years, but it certainly has the potential to trend towards that title.

  1. North Carolina (unranked last year)

North Carolina had lots of departures this offseason: Walker Kessler, Garrison Brooks, Day’Ron Sharpe, and legendary coach Roy Williams. Now, it is up to Hubert Davis to continue the Carolina Way. Their best player is going to be big man Armando Bacot, who is going into his junior year. I’ve liked his talent ever since he was a senior in high school, so I hope Bacot can finally have a big year under a new system. The top freshman in the Big East, Dawson Garcia, transferred to Chapel Hill. Garcia put up 24 points and 11 rebounds against the Tar Heels last year. I’m not impressed by the roster, but I think Roy Williams put the program in good hands.

  1. UConn (finished #24 last year)

UConn returns everybody but star player James Bouknight, Josh Carlton, and Brendan Adams. Someone that I loved watching last year was freshman Adama Sanogo, a big man that was very efficient despite his constant foul trouble. No one in the media expects a big year out of him, but I do. Tyrese Martin could be their best scorer, due to his explosive ability to get to the rim. R.J. Cole is back at point guard. He flirted with impressive numbers last season, but it wasn’t like what he did at Howard. Tyler Polley, the best three-point shooter on the team, is back after winning the Big East Sixth Man of the Year award. I am skeptical about their three-point shooting because it wasn’t impressive last year outside of Polley. Isaiah Whaley will be the key defensive player, looking to add another Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award. Can Akok Akok progress after an injury-riddled two seasons? Dan Hurley says Jordan Hawkins could be “the next James Bouknight,” so watch out for him out of the terrific freshman class. I’m curious to see how Andre Jackson develops. He’s a terrific athlete but had a season of growing pains as he went from high school basketball to college basketball.

  1. St. Bonaventure (unranked last year)

St. Bonaventure looks to be the best in the Atlantic 10 after returning all five starters from last season, where they made the NCAA Tournament before losing to LSU. Kyle Lofton looks to be one of the best mid-major players in the country. According to Lindy’s Sports, he worked hard on his three-point shooting this season. The team also added Abdoul Karim Coulibaly, who started nearly every game while playing for Pittsburgh. With Lofton and Jaren Holmes in the backcourt, the Bonnies could have one of the best backcourts in America. Watch out for Osun Osunniyi, who could become the top shot blocker this year now that Neemias Queta is in the NBA. Jalen Adaway, who transferred from Miami (OH), averaged 12.2 points per game and was one of the top performers against St. Bonaventure.

  1. Indiana (unranked last year)

To wrap up my preseason top 25, I’m going with Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers. Indiana has one of the country’s top forwards returning in Trayce Jackson-Davis, who certainly could win Big Ten Player of the Year. Xavier Johnson transferred from Pittsburgh, looking to be one of the top playmakers in Bloomington. Their shooting was inconsistent from long-range, but UT Martin transfer Parker Stewart was one of the best long-range shooters in his former conference. They’ll need him to step up. Other starters returning include Rob Phinisee, a junior guard ready for a big jump, and Race Thompson, a junior forward who has a nice finish going up to the rim.

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