- Baylor
This was a very easy choice being that they are coming off of a National Championship win. However losing 4/5 starters and a key bench player in Matthew Mayer the Bears are going to face some difficulties next season.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Adam Flagler, G, Fr, Langston Love, F, Fr, Kendall Brown, F, Sr, Flo Thamba, C, Jr, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua
2. UCLA
The story of UCLA’s Final Four run was Johnny Juzang, Juzang averaged 22.8 PPG in the tournament and led the Bruins to there first Final Four since 2008. To make the Final Four appearance more impressive the Bruins were a play-in team. They defeated Michigan State in OT in their First Four matchup. UCLA has also brought in a top 10 recruiting class.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Tyger Campbell, G, Jr, Johnny Juzang, F, Jr, Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, Fr, Peyton Watson, C, Sr, Cody Riley
3. Gonzaga
Despite blowing a perfect season in the championship game the Bulldogs had a tremendous season. However having only one projected returning starter will push new recruits and bench players to step up in ways they haven’t. Drew Timme will be returning and if he plays the way he played in the tournament he has a good chance at winning the Naismith Trophy.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Andrew Nembhard, G, Fr, Hunter Sallis, F, Fr, Ben Gregg, F, Jr, Anton Watson, C, Jr, Drew Timme
4. Houston
Getting blown out in the Final Four will leave the Cougars with a sour taste in their mouths, but they made the Final Four and won the AAC. Similar to Baylor and Gonzaga Houston has only one returning starter, Marcus Sasser. With a less than impressive recruiting class the Cougars need Sasser to step-up.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Marcus Sasser, G, So, Tramon Mark, F, Jr, Cameron Tyson, F, So, Jamal Shead, C, Sr, Reggie Chaney
5. Michigan
Michigan looked like the strongest team in their region but UCLA pulled off the upset. With only one returning starter the Wolverines are going to have a rough road in the Big Ten. One good thing for the Wolverines is their recruiting class, two top ten recruits and another top fifty ranked player give Michigan hope for next season.
Projected Starting 5
G, Fr, Frankie Collins, G, So, Zeb Jackson, F, Fr, Caleb Houston. F, Fr, Moussa Diabate, C, So, Hunter Dickinson
6. Arkansas
The Razorbacks are not a typically great basketball team, but the occasional superstar like Moses Moody gives Arkansas a wonderful season. An Elite Eight appearance was the best Arkansas could’ve done in any region. With Moody departing Arkansas will be looking for their next breakout player.
Projected Starting 5
G, So, KK Robinson, G, So, Devo Davis, F, Sr, JD Notae, F, Sr, Au’diese Toney, C, So, Jaylin Williams
7. Oregon State
A PAC-12 Tournament Championship win is good, but advancing into the Elite Eight was the highlight of the Beavers season. Ethan Thmpson who will not be returning to the program next year stepped up big time in March Madness and was the leader of the team in the regular season. The momentum Oregon State will be carrying coming into next season will be second in the PAC-12 to only UCLA.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Jarod Lucas, G, Jr, Gianni Hunt, F, Sr, Warith Alatishe, F, Sr, Maurice Calloo, C, Sr, Rodrigue Andela
8. Villanova
Collin Gillespie has the option to leave for the NBA but I believe that he will want one more run at it after an injury ended his season early. Gillespie’s impact on the Wildcats showed in their loss to Baylor, they looked lost in the second half and were missing the leadership that Gillespie brings.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Collin Gillespie, G, Jr, Justin Moore, F, Sr, Caleb Daniels, F, Fr, Trey Patterson, C, Fr, Nnanna Njoku
9. USC
The third PAC-12 team in the top ten USC made a remarkable run in March Madness thanks to the Mobley bros. Evan Mobley will most likely leave for the draft and be a top ten pick but his brother, Isaiah, will most likely remain with the Trojans.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Ethan Anderson, G, Sr, Drew Peterson, F, Jr, Isaiah Mobley, F, Jr, Max Agbonkpolo, C, Jr, Joshua Morgan
10. Alabama
The SEC Tournament Champions will be looking to improve upon a spectacular season that ended too early thanks to UCLA. A 5-star recruit will be playing for the Crimson Tide next year and he could be the difference maker that pushes Alabama over the line and into the Final Four.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Jahvon Quinerly, G, Fr, J.D. Davison, F, Jr, Jaden Shackelford, F, So, Joshua Primo, C, Fr, Charles Bediako
11. Florida State
In classic Florida State fashion they play wonderful basketball in the regular season only to be blown out before the Elite Eight in March. Scottie Barnes will most likely be leaving for the NBA, and will most likely be a top twenty pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Florida State had a good recruiting class and will have some Freshman playing big minutes.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Caleb Mills, G, Fr, Jalen Warley, F, Fr, Matt Cleveland, F, Sr, Anthony Polite, C, Jr, Balsa Koprivica
12. Syracuse
Syracuse surprised everybody with their March performance and everybody was impressed with Buddy Boeheim’s performance. Boeheim will be returning to the Orange for another season with his Dad. Hopefully Buddy can continue with his March performance and the Orange can carry their momentum into next season.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Joseph Girard III, G, Sr, Buddy Boeheim, F, Sr, Alan Griffin, F, Jr, Quincy Guerrier, C, Jr, Jesse Edwards
13. Oregon
The PAC-12 is looking like the best conference in college basketball. Oregon will most likely have one or no returning starters but they pulled in a tremendous recruiting class.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Will Richardson, G, Jr, Aaron Estrada, F, Sr, Eric Williams Jr., F, Fr, Jonathan Lawson, C, Fr, Nate Bittle
14. Creighton
Marcus Zegarowski, the Bluejays leading scorer, will likely be leaving for the NBA. With Zegarowski’s departure Creighton has a huge gap to fill. Creighton had a great run in the Big East Tournament and have shown that they can play through adversity.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Antwann Jones, G, Jr, Shereef Mitchell, F, Sr, Christian Bishop, F, Fr, Mason Miller, C, So, Ryan Kalkbrenner
15. Purdue
Despite losing in OT in both the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness the Boilermakers carry huge momentum thanks to the fact that all five starters should be returning. That means that Purdue will have the most chemistry in the Big Ten. Purdue will be a serious contender next year.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Eric Hunter Jr., G, So, Brandon Newman, F, So, Jaden Ivey, F, Sr, Sasha Stefanovic, C, Sr, Trevion Williams
16. Ohio State
The Buckeyes were incredibly consistent for a Big Ten team until the end of the season when they lost four straight games. The inconsistency seemed to carry over to the NCAA Tournament when they lost to 15 seed Oral Roberts. E.J. Liddell, the heart and soul of the Buckeyes offense, will be returning along with two other starters.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Jamari Wheeler, G, Sr, Duane Washington Jr., F, Sr, Justice Sueing, F, Jr, E.J. Liddell, C, So, Zed Key
17. Kansas
Kansas looked strong for the majority of the season but never looked like title contenders. Their biggest win of the season was against eventual champions Baylor. The Jayhawks should expect 2-3 starters to return.
Projected Starting 5
G, So, DaJuan Harris Jr., G, Jr, Christian Braun, F, Sr, Ochai Agbaji, F, So, Jalen Wilson, C, Sr, David McCormack
18. Maryland
Maryland is the most underrated Big Ten team, and with three returning starters the Terrapins are going to be a dangerous team. Another plus for Maryland is their incoming transfers, Rhode Island transfer Fatts Russell to play point guard and Georgetown center Qudus Wahab to clean up down low.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Fatts Russell, G, Sr, Eric Ayala, F, Sr, Aaron Wiggins, F, Jr, Donta Scott, C, Sr, Qudus Wahab
19. Virginia Tech
The Hokies had a phenominal first round game against Florida where they lost a close game in OT. The Hokies are my dark horse candidate to win the ACC next season due to four out of the five starters returning and Wofford transfer Storm Murphy will make up the starting lineup.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Storm Murphy, G, Jr, Tyrece Radford, F, Jr, Nahiem Alleyne, F, Sr, Justyn Mutts, C, Sr, Keve Aluma
20. Duke
Despite missing the Big Dance and losing their two best players (Matthew Hurt and DJ Steward) the Blue Devils brought in three five-star recruits. Duke carries huge momentum just because of their recruiting class.
Projected Starting 5
G, Jr, Wendell Moore Jr., G, Fr, Trevor Keels, F, Fr, A.J. Griffin, F, So, Jaemyn Brakefield, C, Fr, Paolo Banchero
21. Kentucky
An awful year for the Wildcats, which resulted in an absence in the NCAA Tournament. Calipari will be hoping that the two top-25 recruts will help turn Kentucky around.
Projected Starting 5
G, Fr, Nolan Hickman, G, Sr, Kellan Grady, F, Fr, Bryce Hopkins, F, Jr, Keion Brooks Jr, C, Fr, Daimion Collins
22. Colorado State
The Rams had a breakout season in the Mountain West which resulted in a 1-seed in the NIT, Colorado State finished fourth in the tournament. The Rams didnt have a single starting senior and should have every returning starter.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Kendle Moore, G, Jr, Isaiah Stevens, F, Sr, Adam Thistlewood, F, Jr, David Roddy, C, So, James Moors
23. Michigan State
The Spartans beat some of the best team in the Big Ten including Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio State yet lost to UCLA in the First Four. With only two projected returning starters the Spartans relied on the transfer portal and recruitment to find their starters for next season.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Tyson Walker, G, Fr, Max Christie, F, Sr, Gabe Brown, F, Fr, Pierre Brooks, C, Sr, Joey Hauser
24. West Virginia
West Virginia is in the toughest conference in college basketball. Only one starter is projected to come back, even with West Virginia getting a three seed in the Big Dance experience can be one of the most important parts of a winning team in the BIG-12. On top of that they didn’t bring in any ESPN Top 100 recruits.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Kedarian Johnson, G, Sr, Sean Mcneal, F, So, Jalen Bridges, F, So, Isaiah Cottrell, C, Sr, Derek Culver
25. Tennessee
Tennessee had a typical Tennessee season and won the majority of their games. Oregon State pulled off the shocking upset in the first round of March Madness that ended Tennessee’s chances. Key players like Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer are projected to leave the team for the draft leaving Tennessee with big shoes to fill.
Projected Starting 5
G, Sr, Victor Bailey Jr., G, Fr, Kennedy Chandler F, Fr, Jahmai Mashack, F, Jr, Josiah-Jordan James, C, Jr, Santiago Vescovi,