25. West Virginia
Projected Starting Lineup: G Malik Curry, G Taz Sherman, G Sean McNeil, F Jalen Bridges, C Gabe Osabuohein
Following a heartbreaking loss to Syracuse in the Round of 32, Bob Huggins faced the task of rebuilding a depleted roster. Miles McBride, last season’s leading scorer and the team’s top playmaker, is going to the NBA. Joining him will be All-Big 12 First Team big man Derek Culver (thus leaving Huggins without the team’s top two PPG scorers from ’21). With no suitable replacement on the roster, Huggins searched the transfer portal for his next point guard. Former Old Dominion PG Malik Curry will fill that role. Curry led the Monarch in points and assists in each of the last two years, and is an improved shooter from beyond the arc.
Huggins’ team received an additional boost in early July with the announced returns of guards Taz Sherman and Sean McNeil. Both juniors tested the NBA Draft waters, but instead opted for a return trip to Morgantown. Sherman will likely slide into a starting role after operating as a super-sub for the guard-heavy Mountaineers a season ago. McNeil is a knockdown shooter who drilled seven threes in the loss to Syracuse. In the front court, replacing Culver is a far more difficult challenge. With Oscar Tshiebwe transferring to Kentucky, the Mountaineers boast little in the way of productive big men. It’s the main reason why there is a considerable gap between WVU and the other top two teams in the Big 12.
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24. LSU
Projected Starting Lineup: G Adam Miller, G Xavier Pinson, F Darius Days, F Tari Eason, C Efton Reid
LSU entered the offseason needing to replace a considerable amount of production. Cameron Thomas (23.0 PPG), Trendon Watford (16.3 PPG), and Javonte Smart (16.0 PPG) are all gone. Forward Darius Days =- the team’s fourth leading scorer in ’21 — did announce he’d return to LSU after flirting with entering the NBA Draft. With several holes to fill, Will Wade went to work. The result is a roster that could potentially contend for an SEC title.
Wade acquired two transfer guards who will make up the newly formed starting backcourt. Former Missouri starting guard Xavier Pinson will create a dynamic tandem alongside one of the top transfers in all of college basketball, Adam Miller. Miller was a starter for an elite Illinois team last season. Many believe he was reduced to a smaller role offensively due to the Illini boasting a bevy of other strong ball handlers (Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier, and future NBA Draft pick Ayo Dosunmu). Given the keys to an offense, the highly-touted Miller could emerge as one of the best players in the country.
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23. Virginia
Projected Starting Lineup: G Kihei Clark, G Reece Beekman, G Armaan Franklin, F Jayden Gardner, C Francisco Caffaro
At this point, we all know what kind of team this Virginia team will be any given season. They’re going to slow the ball down, eat up clock, take smart shots, and play a whole lot of defense. The only year this was any different was the title-winning team from 2019 (which was a squad featuring four future NBA players). This current roster does not have that level of talent — especially after the departures of Jay Huff and Sam Hauser.
Still, Tony Bennett’s team will find ways to win games by limiting mistakes on both ends. Kihei Clark is an experienced guard who has played in countless big games. Transfers Jayden Gardner and Armaan Franklin will take on scoring duties. Gardner — a slashing forward — averaged 18.3 PPG in ’21 and 19.7 PPG in ’20 for the East Carolina Pirates. Franklin was one of the top shooters in the portal, knocking down 42.4-percent of his three-point attempts at Indiana last year.
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22. St. Bonaventure
Projected Starting Lineup: G Kyle Lofton, G Jaren Holmes, G Dominick Welch, G Jalen Adaway, C Osun Osunniyi
If you’re looking for an early season Cinderella candidate, look no further than the Bonnies. With teams around the country featuring underclassmen more and more, St. Bonaventure’s strength lies in its experience. Mark Schmidt’s club returns all five starters from a season ago. Kyle Lofton (14.4 PPG), Jaren Holmes (13.8 PPG), Dominick Welch (11.4 PPG), Jalen Adaway (12.2), and Osun Osunniyi (10.7) all averaged double figures for St. Bonaventure last season.
The Atlantic 10 power will have a bit more difficult out-of-conference schedule heading into this season. The Bonnies take on Northern Iowa in the first month of the season, followed by a matchup with Virginia Tech in December. St. Bonaventure has already proven they can perform well in its own conference. However, dominance over teams like UNI and VT will show that this team is ready to make some noise in March.
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21. USC
Projected Starting Lineup: G Boogie Ellis, G Ethan Anderson, F Drew Peterson, F Isaiah Mobley, C Chevez Goodwin
It was a magical run to the Elite Eight for Andy Enfield. Though it ended with a devastating 20-point defeat to Gonzaga, the Trojans were excellent through their three wins which featured blowouts victories over Kansas and Oregon. Replacing a top-5 draft pick like Evan Mobley is never easy. Isaiah is talented, but doesn’t make nearly the same type of impact as his brother. Mobley’s mobility and instincts anchored a defense that suffocated teams towards the end of the year.
The Trojans will have to fill Mobley’s production through depth. They’re planning on playing an enormous starting lineup with Mobley (6-foot-10), Chevez Goodwin at center (6-foot-9), and Drew Peterson (6-foot-8) on the wing. Tahj Eddy was replaced by Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis. They don’t have the same type of ceiling as last year, but they still have the look of a solid tournament team.
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20. Auburn
Projected Starting Lineup: G Wendell Green Jr., G K.D. Johnson, F Allen Flanigan, F Jabari Smith, C Walker Kessler
Auburn lost two first round picks to the NBA in Sharife Cooper and JT Thor. That being said, Bruce Pearl’s team has a chance to be much better in ’21. That’s primarily due to the fact that the Tigers vastly underachieved last year. Cooper played in just 12 games due to injury, and Thor wasn’t terribly productive in his lone year at Auburn. To fill the void left at point guard, Auburn grabbed transfer Wendell Green Jr. after a promising freshman season at Eastern Kentucky. He’s joined by former Georgia guard K.D. Johnson. These two should give the Tigers one of the more explosive backcourt pairings in the SEC.
Joining returning starter Allen Flanigan in the front court will be a pair of high-profile signings. Walker Kessler is a former five-star recruit transferring from North Carolina. The 7-footer has elite size and touch around the basket. In addition, highly-touted recruit Jabari Smith is someone to look out for. Smith is arguably the best prospect Auburn has ever had. The preseason All-American is already regarded as one of the top players in the NCAA.
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19. Maryland
Projected Starting Lineup: G Fatts Russell, G Eric Ayala, G Ian Martinez, F Donta Scott, C Qudus Wahab
Last year’s Terps struggled against the top teams in the Big Ten. They still managed to pull off a win in the Round of 64 with an impressive victory over Connecticut. Though the departures of Aaron Wiggins (last year’s second leading scorer) and Darryl Morsell (the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year) will surely be felt, the current roster is better equipped for sustained success.
Fatts Russell was a highly productive player at Rhode Island, and Qudus Wahab has a chance the replace Morsell’s production as a scorer in the key. Both newcomers are excellent defenders. Russell is a pilferer of opposing guards, finishing third in the NCAA in steals in ’20 (2.6 SPG). Wahab controls the paint on the defensive end having averaged 1.6 BPG and 8.2 RPG as a starter for the Hoyas last season.
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18. Alabama
Projected Starting Lineup: G Jahvon Quinerly, G JD Davison, G Nimari Burnett, G Noah Gurley, C Charles Bediako
The Crimson Tide have undergone a complete makeover after a trip to the Sweet 16 last year. In college basketball, success often leads to massive turnover. Freshman Joshua Primo and sophomore Jaden Shackelford entered the NBA Draft. Primo figures to be a first-round pick, and Shackelford appears to be transferring elsewhere after not being guaranteed first-round status. Alabama also lost seniors Herb Jones and John Petty. Those four players made up core of what made Alabama so special last season.
Still, this team is not without talent. Jahvon Quinerly is one of the best players in the SEC, and is an explosive scorer who can heat up in a hurry. The Crimson Tide also signed a strong recruiting class headlined by PG J.D. Davison — the No. 10 ranked prospect in the country according to 247sports. Expect the Crimson Tide to once again play at a fast pace, shoot plenty of threes, and defend at a high level.
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17. Florida State
Projected Starting Lineup: G Jalen Warley, G Caleb Mills, G Anthony Polite, F Malik Osborne, C Tanor Ngorm
Leonard Hamilton can flat out coach. There’s no denying that at this point. Florida State has made the Sweet Sixteen in each of the last two tournaments, and had an Elite Eight finish in ’18. Hamilton’s always been a solid recruiter. Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley, Jonathan Isaac, Devin Vassell, and Patrick Williams are all former Seminoles who are currently on NBA rosters. Now, he’s shown his ability draw up X’s and O’s, as well. Though he doesn’t have any potential lottery picks on this roster, they should still contend in a rugged ACC.
What separates FSU from any other team in the country has always been their abundance of size and depth. That holds true this coming season, with Hamilton having 10-plus players who can give him solid minutes on any given night. Point guard Anthony Polite is a steady force at point, and former Houston Cougar Caleb Mills comes as a transfer who will make an immediate impact.
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16. Arkansas
Projected Starting Lineup: G Chris Lykes, G Davonte Davis, G Stanley Umudue, G Au’Diese Toney, C Jaylin Williams
Eric Musselman has grown a reputation as being one of the best utilizers of the transfer portal among all college coaches. He built a dynamic roster at Nevada with a handful of transfers. He’s found success early with Arkansas by using a similar formula. Since taking over, Musselman has led the Razorbacks to a 45-19 record and its first Elite Eight appearance since 1995.
Despite losing a handful important players — including NBA Draft pick Moses Moody — the Razorbacks are ready to contend in the SEC once again. Three of the team’s projected starters — Lykes (Miami), Umudue (South Dakota), and Toney (Pittsburgh) — are transfers who will make an immediate impact for the club. The starting lineup is rounded out by two guys who saw extensive playing time as freshmen in Davonte Davis and Jaylin Williams.
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15. North Carolina
Projected Starting Lineup: G Kerwin Walton, G Caleb Love, G R.J. Davis, F Dawson Garcia, C Armando Bacot
What will the Tar Heels do without longtime coach Roy Williams patrolling the sidelines? Williams called it a career after a near two decade run which resulted in three national titles. Coming off a down season, UNC will look to bounce back as it ushers in the era of Hubert Davis. The Tar Heels have plenty of talent littered throughout its roster, but Davis will have to do some serious tinkering with rotations to ensure a successful year.
Davis himself might be the best shooter in Chapel Hill. This is a roster devoid of three-point shooting. As such, UNC attempted to remedy their woes by being aggressive in the transfer market. Brady Manek, who previously played for Oklahoma, will be a fifth-year senior for the Tar Heels. He will provide spacing (37.5-percent from three in ’21) and size (6-foot-9). He’ll likely start the season off in a reserve role with North Carolina returning a handful of starters from last season. With one of the nation’s sturdiest front courts, the Tar Heels will be a tough matchup for any team as long as they can knock down a few threes.
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14. Tennessee
Projected Starting Lineup: G Kennedy Chandler, G Santiago Vescovi, G Victor Bailey, G Josiah-Jordan James, C John Fulkerson
Ever since Rick Barnes stepped foot on campus, the Volunteers have been one of fiercest recruiting programs in the nation. In just a few years time, Barnes has already signed a handful of top prospects. Prior to his arrival, the Vols were hardly ever getting these caliber of players to sign with their program. Tennessee added five-star big Brandon Huntley-Hatfield to go with McDonald’s All-American guard Kennedy Chandler. Not to mention four-star center Jonas Aidoo (who the Volunteers lured away from Marquette).
Barnes was also active in the transfer portal, securing one of the top names available in former Auburn guard Justin Powell. Powell was stellar in 10 games for Bruce Pearl’s team last year, averaging 11.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 4.7 APG while shooting 44.2-percent from three. It’s a roster that doesn’t have any clear holes, and a team we could easily see taking the SEC this year.
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13. Houston
Projected Starting Lineup: G Marcus Sasser, G Tramon Mark, G Kyler Edwards, F Reggie Chaney, C Fabian White
A team that went 28-4 and made it to the Final Four a year ago, Houston enters the season as one of the top teams outside of the Power 5 conferences. Kelvin Sampson’s program continues to churn out winning basketball teams despite losing countless talents to graduation and the NBA Draft. Some pundits counted this team out last season after a series of key departures, but Sampson has the coaching and recruiting ability to keep this team relevant for another year.
The Cougars received excellent news with the return of Fabian White and Marcus Sasser. Former Texas Tech guard Kyler Edwards is likely to crack Sampson’s starting lineup. The 3-and-D wing has experience playing in big games, having scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the 2019 national title game vs. Virginia. Speaking of the Cavaliers, Houston will be tested early with a matchup against Tony Bennett’s team this November. With an improved out of conference strength of schedule, a successful season from the Cougars will look far more impressive in the eyes of the committee.
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12. Ohio State
Projected Starting Lineup: G Jamari Wheeler, G Duane Washington Jr., F Justice Sueing, F E.J. Liddell, C Kyle Young
This might be a tad low for the Buckeyes. However, it’s difficult to erase the memory of their first round loss to Oral Roberts from just a few months ago. Will that loss fuel Ohio State to a successful season this year? Only time will tell. For now, the Buckeyes boast a powerful roster filled with returning players. Duane Washington is gone, but E.J. Liddell withdrew his name from the NBA Draft as the Buckeyes hope to redeem themselves from a rough tournament showing.
Justice Sueing and Kyle Young are quality starters. Penn State transfer Jamari Wheeler will attempt to stabilize the team from the point guard position. If the Buckeyes are to contend for a Big Ten title, it must play with more energy on the defensive end. When Sueing and Liddell aren’t making shots, this Ohio State team is susceptible to major clunkers – as we saw last March.
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11. Kentucky
Projected Starting Lineup: G Sahvir Wheeler, G Kellan Grady, G TyTy Washington, F Keion Brooks, C Oscar Tshiebwe
After an incredibly disappointing season last year which saw the Wildcats miss the NCAA’s for only the second time under Cal’s watch, Kentucky’s head coach took a different approach to this offseason. Rather than attempting to grab all of the highest-ranked recruits, Calipari targeted a few high-end transfers who he hopes will be immediate contributors.
Kellan Grady has been one of the more prolific scorers in college basketball over the last few years. He’ll add experience, playmaking, and — most importantly — shooting to UK’s starting five. He’s joined by lights out shooter C.J. Fredrick (Iowa) and hustle big Oscar Tshiebwe (West Virginia). Kentucky is also rumored to be the odds-on favorite to land former Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn. Cockburn is arguably the biggest single name in the portal, and would instantly give the Wildcats a force downlow.
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10. Oregon
Projected Starting Lineup: G Will Richardson, G De’Vion Harmon, G Jacob Young, F Quincy Guerrier, C Franck Kepnang
With one of the top coaches in the country, the Ducks clearly enter our top-10 preseason rankings. Dana Altman has found success with all sorts of roster configurations over the years. Even before examining the Ducks’ roster entering the season, Oregon has a distinct advantage in the coaching department over a majority of teams. And while this roster has a handful of new players, Altman’s team will remain a top threat in the Pac-12.
Along side returning starter Will Richardson are a trio of transfers. Harmon (Oklahoma), Young (Rutgers), and Guerrier Syracuse) gives Oregon four perimeter players who can run the floor and attack the basket. Down low is the 7-foot Franck Kepnang from Cameroon. Kepnang is an intimidating shot blocker who will control the paint on both ends.
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9. Texas
Projected Starting Lineup: G Andrew Jones, G Courtney Ramey, F Timmy Allen, F Dylan Disu, C Tre Mitchell
The Longhorns fell flat after entering the NCAA Tournament with high hopes. Ranked as a No. 3 seed, Texas fell to the 14-seed Abilene Christian Wildcats in a deflating defeat. The loss sent shockwaves throughout the program, as Shaka Smart — a well-regarded hire — was ousted from his position as head coach. In his place will be Chris Beard, who didn’t have to travel far after being in Lubbock since 2016.
The former Texas Tech coach led the Red Raiders to a national title game in ’19. With the talent pool available to a program like Texas, the Longhorn faithful have high hopes of Beard’s tenure. In Year 1, Beard already has a roster capable of making a run in March. The solid backcourt of Andrew Jones and Courtney Ramey returns, while the versatile transfer Timmy Allen will fill a number of roles for UT as both a playmaker and scorer.
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8. Purdue
Projected Starting Lineup: G Eric Hunter Jr., G Sasha Stefanovic, G Jaden Ivey, F Mason Gillis, C Trevion Williams
With Trevion Williams set to return, Purdue is a lock to finish near the top of the standings in the Big Ten. Matt Painter is regarded as one of the better coaches in college basketball, and he has no shortage of talent at his disposal. With the depth and varied skillsets, Painter can deploy any number of lineups depending on a particular matchup.
Traditionally, Painter will attempt to surround Williams with a bevy of outside shooters — including Sasha Stefanovic (who has made 114 threes over the last two seasons). If Purdue wants to go big, they can sub in 7-foot-4 Zach Edey. Edey is a shot blocking savant who has surprisingly good footwork for a man of his stature. Add in two touted freshmen in Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman, and the Boilermakers are primed to be a top team throughout the year.
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7. Duke
Projected Starting Lineup: G Jeremy Roach, G AJ Griffin, G Wendell Moore, F Paolo Banchero, C Mark Williams
With this being legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season, it’s only fitting that Duke has a loaded roster ready to contend for a title. Of course, this team is far improved from the squad that missed the NCAA Tournament a season ago. Top recruit Paolo Banchero is better than any player on last year’s team. He’s a three level scorer who will have a few games where he looks absolutely unstoppable on the offensive end.
Five-star wing A.J. Griffin is no slouch, either. Griffin is the son of a former NBA player and has a powerful, athletic frame which allows him to excel in transition. We wouldn’t be surprised if Coach K adds another name or two to the roster before the season begins. He’s going to need all hands on deck if he wants to cut the nets in his final year.
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6. Baylor
Projected Starting Lineup: G Adam Flagler, G James Akinjo, G LJ Cryer, F Matthew Mayer, C Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua
The defending champs saw many of their top players move on, but we can’t count them out just yet. Scott Drew is too good of a coach for the Bears to have a disappointing season following their dominant run in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. While the names are slightly different, the philosophy of this team remains the same. Flagler, Akinjo, Cryer, Mayer and the rest of Baylor’s wing can all shoot, dribble, pass and defend at a high level.
Down low, Baylor has Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Flo Thamba to soak up all the rebounds and make the hustle plays. Teams had trouble matching up with Baylor due to their perimeter-centric style and shooting ability. That isn’t likely to change despite the losses of Davion Mitchell, MaCio Teague, Jared Butler and Mark Vital. Baylor still has the guard play and two-way ability necessary to make another attempt at a national title.
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5. Michigan
Projected Starting Lineup: G Eli Brooks, G Devante Jones, F Caleb Houstan, F Brandon Johns, C Hunter Dickinson
For a moment, it looked like Juwan Howard may led the Wolverines to a national title in just his second year as head coach. The Wolverines fell to the UCLA Bruins in a close regional final matchup. However, there is plenty of reason to like this team moving forward. Hunter Dickinson, one of the nation’s top big men, is back and will be joined in the front court with tournament standout Brandon Johns. Michigan’s front court will have a size and strength advantage over just about every team in the nation.
On the perimeter, the Wolverines will be tasked with replacing the production of Mike Smith, Franz Wagner, Isaiah Livers and Chaundee Brown. Smith, Wagner, and Livers were three of the team’s four top playmakers from a year ago. Eli Brooks will be asked to create more offensively, though Howard will also rely heavily on Coastal Carolina transfer Devante’ Johns and incoming freshman Caleb Houstan to provide an offensive spark. The Wolverines are the favorite in the Big Ten until further notice.
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4. Kansas
Projected Starting Lineup: G Remy Martin, G Ochai Agbaji, G Christian Braun, F Jalen Wilson, C David McCormack
For the first time in Bill Self’s tenure at Kansas, the Jayhawks did not win a share of the Big 12 regular season championship. Self took over in Lawrence in ’04, and has been on a dominant run ever since. With teams like the defending champion Baylor Bears and other solid schools such as Texas and West Virginia on the rise, Self knew he needed a more complete roster to ensure his Jayhawks are back on top of the conference this coming season.
Addressing the point guard spot was a clear need for Kansas. Marcus Garrett graduated, and the team responded by adding transfer Remy Martin from Arizona State. Martin can break down defenses with his speed and handle, and has plenty of experience in big games (having been a three-year starter for the Sun Devils). Joining Martin as first-year Jayhawks are Jalen Coleman-Lands (Iowa State) and Joseph Yesufu (Drake). This roster has far more scoring ability than last year’s team. Given Kansas’s strength in the front court, improved guard play will put the team back into title contention.
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3. Villanova
Projected Starting Lineup: G Collin Gillespie, G Caleb Daniels, G Justin Moore, F Jermaine Samuels, C Eric Dixon
Never count Jay Wright out. He’s proven time and time again that he’s capable of guiding any type of team to a deep playoff run. Last season, nobody would have faulted the Wildcats for bowing out of the tournament early following a rash of injuries. A depleted Villanova team persevered and made a run to the Sweet 16 before running into a buzz saw in the form of the Baylor Bears.
That run occurred without the services of starting PG and team captain Collin Gillespie. Gillespie is back in the fold, as is Jermaine Samuels. Four of the team’s top five scorers return for a team that is loaded on experience, elite coaching and outside shooting.
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2. UCLA
Projected Starting Lineup: G Tyger Campbell, G Johnny Juzang, G Jules Bernard, F Jaime Jaquez Jr., C Cody Riley
From top to bottom, it can be argued the UCLA Bruins have the most loaded roster in all of college basketball. The entire starting lineup from last year’s Final Four team is back. This includes Johnny Juzang, who nearly made the leap into the NBA. Tyger Campbell and Jules Bernard are capable ball handlers who can create off the bounce. Postseason stud Jaime Jaquez Jr. is an excellent 3-and-D wing who secures every loose ball. It’s not just the starting lineup that holds all the talent in Brentwood. Mick Cronin’s team also boasts a stacked bench.
Center Cody Riley withdrew his name from the NBA Draft. However, he could be challenged for his starting role by Rutgers transfer Myles Johnson. We wouldn’t be surprised to see five-star recruit Peyton Watson crack Cronin’s starting five — moving Bernard into a sixth man role. UCLA also has a pair of gifted shooters — David Singleton and Jake Kyman — who can scorch teams from the perimeter. From there, uber-athlete Jaylen Clark may be the team’s best on-ball defender. UCLA enters as a heavy favorite in the Pac 12, and have all the making of a future No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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1. Gonzaga
Projected Starting Lineup: G Andrew Nembhard, G Hunter Sallis, G Nolan Hickman, F Chet Holmgren, C Drew Timme
There’s no reason to believe the Bulldogs won’t be one of the best teams in the country once again in ’21-’22. Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Joel Ayayi are gone, but Mark Few did as well of a job as he could to replace a trio of NBA prospects. Chet Holmgren has a chance to be better than all of them. The nation’s top prospect is a unique player who could be the No. 1 draft pick in a year’s time.
Holmgren’s signing overshadowed another top prospect within Gonzaga’s ranks — McDonald’s All-American Nolan Hickman. Hickman is a smooth combo guard from Utah who has excellent vision and deep range. He’ll split time running the show alongside Andrew Nembhard. The signing of Holmgren and the return of Drew Timme solidified the top spot for the Zags.
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