25. Auburn Tigers
Last Year’s Result: 30-10, Lost in Final Four
Head Coach: Bruce Pearl
Marquee Player: Austin Wiley
Game To Watch: @ Florida — Jan. 18
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The Tigers came so close to a spot in the National Championship game last season. They’ve had plenty of time to move on from that disappointing Final Four loss to Virginia, and times are still good on the plains. The talent is there in the form of 6-foot-11 Austin Wiley, guard Samir Doughty and forward Anfernee McLemore. This could be a season of ups and downs for the Tigers, but they still have Sweet 16 potential.
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24. VCU Rams
Last Year’s Result: 25-8, Lost in NCAA 1st Round
Head Coach: Mike Rhoades
Marquee Player: Marcus Evans
Game To Watch: vs. Purdue — Nov. 29
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There is plenty of experience back from a team that won 25 games last season and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in nine years. Guard Marcus Evans (13.6 points per game in 2018-19) leads four returning players who averaged double-figures for the Rams. VCU is the class of the Atlantic 10 and eyeing even more success.
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23. Xavier Musketeers
Last Year’s Result: 19-16, Lost in NIT 2nd Round
Head Coach: Travis Steele
Marquee Player: Naji Marshall
Game To Watch: @ Villanova — Dec. 30
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The Musketeers return their top-four scorers from Travis Steele’s first season in charge of the program. Junior forward Naji Marshall (14.7 ppg, 7.2 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game) has the makings of a special player, and seems to be the guy capable of making Xavier a contender in the Big East — a conference that might be open for the taking.
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22. Saint Mary’s Gaels
Last Year’s Result: 22-12, Lost in NCAA 1st Round
Head Coach: Randy Bennett
Marquee Player: Jordan Ford
Game To Watch: vs. Gonzaga — Feb. 8
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It’s somewhat surprising to find out that Saint Mary’s has not made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances since 2012 and ’13. That should change this year with Jordan Ford (21.1 ppg, 48.9 field-goal percentage), arguably the West Coast Conference’s best player, back in tow. Forward Malik Fotts (15.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) might be the team’s most complete player, while 7-foot-3 graduate transfer Aaron Menzies (11.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.3 blocks per game) should be fun to watch.
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21. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last Year’s Result: 12-21
Head Coach: Brad Underwood
Marquee Player: Ayo Dosunmu
Game To Watch: @ Arizona — Nov. 10
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The Illini have not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2013, but there’s reason to believe that drought will end this season. Well, perhaps three reasons. Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu (13.8 ppg) is one of the best players in the country, while teammates Trent Frazier (13.7 ppg) and Giorgi Bezhanishvili (12.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) are two of the better ones in the Big Ten.
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20. LSU Tigers
Last Year’s Result: 28-7, Lost in NCAA Sweet 16
Head Coach: Will Wade
Marquee Player: Skylar Mays
Game To Watch: vs. Florida — Jan. 21
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It’s unfair to call the Tigers’ program dysfunctional, but it’s certainly interesting. Coach Will Wade is back on the bench and so are guards Javonte Smart (11.1 ppg) and Skylar Mays (13.4 ppg) from a team that reached the Sweet 16 last season. It’s uncertain how things will play out in Baton Rouge, but the talent is there for the Tigers to make more noise.
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19. Arizona Wildcats
Last Year’s Result: 17-15
Head Coach: Sean Miller
Marquee Player: Nico Mannion
Game To Watch: vs. Gonzaga — Dec. 14
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The Wildcats’ run of six-straight seasons with an NCAA Tournament appearance ended in 2018-19, but the addition of elite freshman guard Nico Mannion has many believing their stay away from the Big Dance will be brief. Fellow freshman Josh Green also has the ability to be a star, as Arizona is banking on some talented youth to return it back to prominence.
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18. Memphis Tigers
Last Year’s Result: 22-14, Lost in NIT 2nd Round
Head Coach: Penny Hardaway
Marquee Player: James Wiseman
Game To Watch: vs. Oregon — Nov. 12
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Are we looking at the next-gen Fab Five – or maybe even Super Six at Memphis? Coach Penny Hardaway reportedly could start five freshmen, but four seems most likely from what’s regarded as the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. It begins with hometown 7-footer James Wiseman and is followed by fellow potential lottery pick in small forward Precious Achiuwa. Memphis might have the most preseason hype of any team in the nation.
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17. Utah State Aggies
Last Year’s Result: 28-7, Lost NCAA 1st Round
Head Coach: Craig Smith
Marquee Player: Sam Merrill
Game To Watch: vs. Florida — Dec. 21
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Senior guard Sam Merrill (20.9 ppg, 46.1 percent shooting) is a legitimate national player of the year candidate and the main reason the Aggies should be the team to beat in the Mountain West. The health of 7-footer Neemias Queta (11.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.4 blocks per game) is still something to be diligent of, but this seems like a Sweet 16-caliber squad.
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16. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last Year’s Result: 31-7, Lost in NCAA National Championship
Head Coach: Chris Beard
Marquee Player: Davide Moretti
Game To Watch: vs. Louisville — Dec. 10
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What do the Red Raiders have up their collective sleeve for an encore after reaching the National Championship game in 2019? Perhaps not the same type of success considering all that was lost from that squad. Still, Chris Beard has blossomed into one of the best coaches in America and is great at rebuilding and reshaping a roster while still winning games. Guard Davide Moretti (11.5 ppg) and key reserve Kyler Edwards should pace the team early on.
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15. Baylor Bears
Last Year’s Result: 20-14, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Head Coach: Scott Drew
Marquee Player: Tristan Clark
Game To Watch: @ Kansas — Jan. 11
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This is one of coach Scott Drew’s deepest teams during his tenure at Baylor. However, it all could hinge on the health of big man Tristan Clark (14.6 ppg, 73.7 field-goal percentage, 6.3 rpg), who was lost to a season-ending knee injury in early January while leading the nation in shooting. Jared Butler (10.2 ppg), Mark Vital (7.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and UNC Asheville transfer MaCio Teague (16.1 ppg in first two seasons) are also expected to help the Bears challenge for a Big 12 crown.
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14. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Year’s Result: 20-15, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Head Coach: Chris Holtmann
Marquee Player: Kaleb Wesson
Game To Watch: @ Michigan State — Mar. 8
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In addition to boasting what’s considered the top recruiting class (EJ Liddell and DJ Carton) in the Big Ten, Ohio State also brings back talented big man Kaleb Wesson (14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.8 apg). The Buckeyes finished 20-15, but still made the NCAA Tournament last season. It’s not just Wesson in 2019-20, so the ceiling for success should be higher.
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13. Seton Hall Pirates
Last Year’s Result: 20-14, Lost in NCAA 1st Round
Head Coach: Kevin Willard
Marquee Player: Myles Powell
Game To Watch: vs. Michigan State — Nov. 14
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The Pirates were tabbed the preseason favorites in the Big East — mostly because of star guard Myles Powell. Back for his senior season, Powell averaged 23.1 points and shot a career-high 44.7 percent in 2018-19. However, this not a one-man team. Versatile junior Myles Cale is also someone to watch.
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12. Oregon Ducks
Last Year’s Result: 25-13, Lost in NCAA Sweet 16
Head Coach: Dana Altman
Marquee Player: Payton Pritchard
Game To Watch: @ Arizona — Feb. 22
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Oregon has won at least 21 games for nine-straight seasons, and that run is likely to continue here. The Ducks are the preseason favorites to win the Pac-12. Guard Payton Pritchard (12.9 ppg, 4.6 apg) is the reigning Pac-12 Tournament MVP and 6-11 freshman N’faly Dante is certainly someone who can have an immediate impact.
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11. North Carolina Tar Heels
Last Year’s Result: 29-7, Lost in NCAA Sweet 16
Head Coach: Roy Williams
Marquee Player: Cole Anthony
Game To Watch: @ Gonzaga — Dec. 18
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The Cole Anthony Era is about to begin in Chapel Hill, but don’t blink and miss it because it’s only going to last one season. James Wiseman might be the top prospect among this season’s freshmen, but the versatile Anthony is expected to be a scoring machine for UNC, which returns only one starter (Garrison Brooks) from last season’s 29-win squad that tied for the ACC regular-season title.
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10. Villanova Wildcats
Last Year’s Result: 26-10, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Head Coach: Jay Wright
Marquee Player: Collin Gillespie
Game To Watch: vs. Kansas — Dec. 21
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The gap might be trimmed, but the Wildcats still seem like the team to beat in the Big East — even if the league’s preseason poll thinks otherwise. While guard Collin Gillespie (10.9 ppg) has the potential for a breakout season, the key to the Wildcats’ success in 2019-20 could ride on its young talent like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bryan Antoine.
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9. Virginia Cavaliers
Last Year’s Result: 35-3, Won NCAA National Championship
Head Coach: Tony Bennett
Marquee Player: Mamadi Diakite
Game To Watch: @ North Carolina — Dec. 15
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Don’t be surprised if the reigning National Champions end up winning the ACC, even minus former stars Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and DeAndre Hunter. We know the Cavaliers will again be one of the best defensive groups in the country, and the potential on offense is there as well in 7-foot-1 Jay Huff, guard Kihei Clark and senior forward Mamadi Diakite. Marquette grad transfer Sam Hauser (14.9 ppg, career 47.7 percent shooter) should also help.
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8. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Last Year’s Result: 33-4, Lost in NCAA Elite 8
Head Coach: Mark Few
Marquee Player: Killian Tillie
Game To Watch: vs. North Carolina — Dec. 18
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Gonzaga has won at least 32 games in each of the last three seasons, but continuing that trend might be a stretch in 2019-20. The Zags lost plenty from last year’s regional finalist and 6-foot-10 Killian Tillie is still not completely healthy. Forward Corey Kispert offers experience while grad transfers Admon Gilder (Texas A&M) and Ryan Woolridge (North Texas) should help keep Gonzaga a major national player.
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7. Maryland Terrapins
Last Year’s Result: 23-11, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Head Coach: Mark Turgeon
Marquee Player: Anthony Cowan Jr.
Game To Watch: @ Michigan State — Feb. 15
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This the might be the most complete team coach Mark Turgeon has had since taking over in College Park in 2011-12. It starts with guard Anthony Cowan (15.6 ppg, 4.4 apg) and 6-foot-10 Jalen Smith (11.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), but the Terrapins are deep and have players who do many things well. Most importantly, those experienced players seem poised to understand their roles for the better of the team.
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6. Kansas Jayhawks
Last Year’s Result: 26-10, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Head Coach: Bill Self
Marquee Player: Devon Dotson
Game To Watch: vs. Duke — Nov. 5
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These might not be the best of times for the Jayhawks program on and off the court. Their lengthy run of Big 12 regular-season dominance has ended, the NCAA is after the program and uncertainty is abound on the floor. All that said, Kansas still boasts two of the best players in the conference in guard Devon Dotson (12.3 ppg, 48.2 percent shooting, 3.5 apg) and Udoka Azubuike (13.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg).
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5. Duke Blue Devils
Last Year’s Result: 32-6, Lost in NCAA Elite 8
Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Marquee Player: Tre Jones
Game To Watch: @ Michigan State — Dec. 3
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Don’t get us wrong, Duke will be good. But maybe not Final Four good just yet. Then again, the Blue Devils failed to reach the Final Four with arguably the best freshman trio in college hoops history last season. Tre Jones (9.4 ppg, 5.3 apg) is the team leader, while freshman Vernon Carey and Matthew Hurt should be able to contribute right away.
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4. Florida Gators
Last Year’s Result: 20-16, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Head Coach: Mike White
Marquee Player: kerry Blackshear Jr.
Game To Watch: @ Kentucky — Feb. 22
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The Gators have some lofty expectations this season. In part because of Virginia Tech graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. (14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.4 apg). Having a solid guard presence in sophomore Andrew Nembhard (5.4 apg) obviously helps, and freshmen guards Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann have the potential to make the Gators the most potent team in the SEC.
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3. Louisville Cardinal
Last Year’s Result: 20-14, Lost in NCAA 1st Round
Head Coach: Chris Mack
Marquee Player: Jordan Nwora
Game To Watch: @ Duke — Jan. 18
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While Jordan Nwora (17.0 ppg. 7.6 rpg) is the league’s preseason player of the year and the addition of Saint Joseph’s graduate transfer guard Lamarr Kimble is intriguing, Louisville’s biggest asset might be Chris Mack. The talent and depth seem to be there for a long NCAA Tournament run, and Mack is the guy who can make it happen.
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2. Kentucky Wildcats
Last Year’s Result: 30-7, Lost in NCAA Elite 8
Head Coach: John Calipari
Marquee Player: Ashton Hagans
Game To Watch: vs. Michigan State — Nov. 5
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A mix of talented newcomers and quality returning experience is on the menu at Kentucky this season. That should make for strong season and potentially a run at the title. Point guard Ashton Hagans (7.7 ppg, 4.3 apg) is the Wildcats’ floor general and best defensive player. Freshmen Kahil Whitney and Tyrese Maxey could be among the best first-year players in the nation.
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1. Michigan State Spartans
Last Year’s Result: 32-7, Lost in NCAA Final Four
Head Coach: Tom Izzo
Marquee Player: Cassius Winston
Game To Watch: vs. Duke — Dec. 3
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It’s still hard to imagine that Michigan State has not won a National Championship since 2000. Though, many think the next one for the Spartans is right around the corner. Cassius Winston (18.8 ppg, 7.5 apg) is the best player in the country, while Xavier Tillman has the potential to be a stud in the paint (10.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg). How injured guard Joshua Langford fits into the mix, if healthy, could only add to Michigan State’s potential for greatness in 2019-20.
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